Changing visa status inside Thailand

Some people can apply for a Non-Immigrant visa or change visa category without leaving Thailand. It is not a universal conversion service and it is not available after every kind of entry.

Rules checked: 3 September 2026. Immigration publishes separate document lists for business, family, retirement, education and other purposes. Several current lists require more than 15 days to remain and reject an application made during overstay, but you must check the exact list for your route and office.

TM.86 and TM.87

Immigration's published checklists distinguish:

• TM.86: an application to change visa category for specified people holding a Tourist or Transit visa
• TM.87: an application to obtain a visa for specified people who entered without one under an eligible permission

The form does not create eligibility. It records the application after the purpose, current status and evidence fit an available route.

Routes commonly considered

Purpose-specific lists exist for cases including:

• Thai employment or business
• support of or dependence on Thai family or a resident
• retirement
• education
• certain investment or institutional purposes

Use the exact list. A marriage bundle does not work for retirement simply because both applications may lead to a Non-O stamp.

Timing

Start early. The office needs enough lawful stay to accept, review and process the application. The minimum shown on one Immigration checklist is not a promise that every office can complete every case at that point.

If the current permission is already short, ask the responsible office whether an extension is available and whether it affects the status application. Do not invent a sequence from forum posts.

Documents

The bundle normally includes personal and immigration records plus evidence proving the new purpose. Depending on route, that can mean employer records, relationship documents, bank evidence, school support or government approval.

Foreign documents may need translation, legalisation or certification. Bank letters and company documents may have strict issue dates.

Approval and the next step

A successful status application commonly grants a limited Non-Immigrant permission before a later extension step. Check exactly what was granted and the date it ends.

Changing category does not automatically provide a work permit, annual extension, re-entry permission or permanent residence.

When leaving and applying overseas is cleaner

An overseas eVisa application can be more straightforward when:

• the in-country route is unavailable for your status
• there is not enough time remaining
• the sponsoring evidence is incomplete
• the responsible mission has a clear process for the purpose

Leaving is not automatically required, but trying to avoid one flight is poor value if it creates an overstay or a weak application.

Official sources

• Immigration family/dependant TM.86 and TM.87 checklist
• Immigration public handbook with purpose-specific lists
• Thailand eVisa
• Immigration Bureau

Ask the office that will accept the application to confirm the form, remaining-stay requirement and document list.