How to Convert a Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant O Visa

Can you convert a Tourist Visa, or a 30-day visa exemption stamp, into a 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa?

Yes, although “convert” isn’t strictly the right term. Immigration will cancel your current visa or entry stamp and issue a Non-Immigrant O visa, provided you meet the requirements.

This can be done on the basis of marriage to a Thai national, having Thai children, retirement, or (in some cases) education.

In this post, I’ll focus on the documents required for those applying on the basis of marriage to a Thai national, and those applying on the basis of retirement.

After submitting your application, you’ll need to remain in Thailand while it’s processed. In most cases, immigration requires at least 15 days remaining on your current permission to stay at the time of application, and you’ll typically be given an “under consideration” stamp while approval is pending (often around 15 days, but this can vary by office).

A couple of important points to understand:

This is a 90-day, single-entry visa (you are already in the country). If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your permission to stay will be cancelled.
It is not a multiple-entry visa, so you can’t freely leave and re-enter without planning ahead.

It’s also important to note that this is not a one-year extension of stay. The 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa is usually the first step before applying for a 1-year extension.

If you want to apply for that extension, you’ll need to do so during the final 30 days of your 90-day stay.

One key difference when applying for the 1-year extension is the financial requirement. For example, in the case of marriage, funds typically need to be held in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months prior to application (longer for some extension types), which you may already have in place if you keep the funds in your account after obtaining the initial 90-day visa.

+ Read information on the 1-year retirement visa extension

This is not an immigration officer.

How & When to Apply

You’ll need to start this process while you still have at least 15 days remaining on your current permission to stay. If you have less than that, immigration will usually require you to first apply for a 30-day extension (1,900 Baht) at your local office.

The application itself is made at a local immigration office. It’s more involved than a standard extension and requires a fair amount of documentation, depending on your reason for applying.

Once your documents are checked, immigration will typically place you on an “under consideration” period. You’ll be given a receipt and a date to return—usually around two weeks later, though this can vary by office.

When you return, assuming everything is approved, your passport will be stamped with a 90-day permission to stay, along with the Non-Immigrant “O” visa.

One small but important detail: the 90-day period is usually counted from the date of approval (not the original application date), which is why the under-consideration period doesn’t eat into your full 90 days.

Required Documents Based On Marriage:

1. Form TM.86: For foreigners holding Tourist or Transit Visas intending to apply for a change of visa type (from Tourist or Transit to Non-Immigrant Visa).
   • Form TM.87: For foreigners entering Thailand without a visa but allowed to stay for 30 or 90 days with a permit, seeking to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa.
2. Copy of passport pages, including personal information, last entry stamp, visa sticker, extension stamp (if any), and departure card (Form TM.6).
3. One 4×6 cm or one 2-inch size photograph.
4. Application fee of Baht 2,000.
5. If the applicant's spouse is a Thai citizen:
   1. Copy of national ID card.
   2. Copy of house registration papers.
   3. Copy of employee’s or government officer’s ID card.

Marriage Circumstances:

In case of marriage registered in Thailand:

• Marriage certificate (Form Kor Ror.2).
• Marriage certificate (Form Kor Ror.3).
• A copy of the letter certifying marital status before registration of marriage (a copy of the letter certifying that the applicant is single). In the absence of such letter, a copy can be obtained from the District Office where the marriage was registered.

In case of marriage registered in a foreign country:

• Family status registration (Form Kor Ror.22) and marriage certificate registered in the overseas country.
• Letter from a government office, embassy, or consulate certifying that the applicant is a member of the referred family.

*All documents pertaining to marriage registered in a foreign country must be translated into English and certified by the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate of the foreign national and by the Legalization Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Financial Evidence:

If the husband is a foreigner, the following evidence of income must be submitted:

• A letter of guarantee from the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate, proving the monthly pension of the applicant not less than Baht 40,000/month and showing the source of income.

OR

• A letter of guarantee in Thai language from a commercial bank in Thailand (Attention: Immigration Commissioner) and a copy of all entries of the applicant’s passbook showing that the applicant has a saving or fixed deposit account of not less than Baht 400,000.

*Documents must be issued and updated to be the same date as the application, and all documents must be in the applicant’s name.

Accommodation Evidence:

• Rental Agreement between the Applicant and The Landlord, with a copy of ID card and House Registration of the Landlord (certified true copy by the Landlord).
• Condo or House purchase agreement, Location of the house or condo map, and a rental receipt for the past three months.

Required Documents Based On Retirement:

1. Form TM.86: For foreigners with a Tourist or Transit Visa seeking to apply for a change in visa type (from Tourist or Transit Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa).
2. Or – Form TM.87: For foreigners entering the Kingdom of Thailand without a visa but permitted to stay for 30 or 90 days, desiring to apply for a non-immigrant visa.
3. Copy of passport pages (e.g., personal information page, last entries stamp, visa sticker, extension stamp if any, and departure card – Form TM.6).
4. One photograph sized 4×6 cm or 2 inches.
5. Application fee of Baht 2,000.

Financial Evidence:

• Present passbook and deposit certificate from banks in Thailand (in Thai language, Attention: Immigration Commissioner).
• Copy of all entries in the applicant’s passbook, demonstrating a savings or fixed deposit account of at least Baht 800,000 (all documents must be in the applicant’s name).
• Evidence of foreign currency funds transferred to Thailand.

(Note: These documents must be issued and updated on the same date as the application, and all documents must be in the applicant’s name.)

OR

Choose one of the following financial options:

A letter of guarantee from the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate, proving the monthly pension of the applicant not less than Baht 65,000 per month (together with reference documents showing the source of the monthly pension).

OR

Evidence of deposited money under Clause 5 and evidence of income under Clause 6 (for one year), demonstrating a total amount not less than Baht 800,000.

Accommodation Evidence:

• Rental Agreement between the applicant and the landlord.
• A copy of house registration.
• Location map of the house.
• Rental receipt for the past three months.

A Note About Variations in Requirements

Please bear in mind that requirements may differ slightly between immigration offices across the county. These differences often come down to local policy, interpretation of the rules, and the discretion of individual officers.

Changes in regulations don’t always filter through consistently either, so what’s accepted in one office may differ in another.

The requirements listed here are based on current Immigration Bureau guidelines and widely accepted practice. However, you may be asked for additional documents depending on the office handling your application.y. The variations in required documents can be attributed to several factors, including regional policies, legal interpretations and the discretion granted to local authorities.

Additionally, changes in government regulations or evolving interpretations of immigration policies can take time to filter through and be understood by regional offices.

Going to the Immigration Office

If you’re applying on the basis of marriage, you’ll usually need to go to the immigration office that covers your Thai wife’s registered address. If you’re applying on the basis of retirement, you can generally use your nearest immigration office.

That said, not all immigration offices handle the conversion from a tourist visa entry or exemption stamp to a Non-Immigrant O visa. In some cases, you may be directed to a larger regional office instead.

For Bangkok-based applications, the most commonly used office for this process is Chaeng Wattana Immigration (Government Complex, Soi Chaeng Wattana 7).

The most straightforward route is to take the BTS to BTS Mo Chit, exit and take a taxi from there.

The fare to Chaeng Wattana is typically around 100–130 Baht, depending on traffic. The return journey can sometimes be slightly more (around 130–160 Baht) due to the one-way system and route variations.

• TEL: 0-2141-9889,  081-412-9180
• Office Hours: Mon – Fri (08.30 – 12.00 hrs , 13.00 – 16.30 hrs) Closed on Public Holidays

In Summary

Remember:

• Make sure you have at least 15 days remaining on your current permission to stay before applying.
• Ensure the financial requirements are already in place before you submit your application.
• Gather all required documents in advance (and double-check if your immigration office has any additional local requirements).
• If applying on the basis of marriage, your Thai spouse will usually need to attend with you and provide supporting documents.
• Avoid leaving Thailand while your application is being processed.
• Once the Non-Immigrant O visa is issued, obtain a re-entry permit if you plan to leave and return to Thailand.
• If you intend to stay long term, you can apply for a 1-year extension of stay during the final period of your 90-day permission to stay (typically in the last 30 days, depending on your visa type and immigration office).

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