The regulations on whether visa free entry can be converted to other visas vary in different countries and regions.
For example, in Thailand, according to the relevant policies from March 2024, visa free entry into Thailand cannot be converted into other long-term visas, such as student visas, work visas, retirement visas, etc. If you want to convert into a long-term visa, you must enter Thailand with a tourist visa before making the conversion. But before the policy change, visa free entry into Thailand could be converted into long-term visas such as student visas.
In China, according to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, visa free entry does not mean indefinite stay or residence. After holding a passport for visa free entry, it is generally only allowed to stay for no more than 30 days. If the holder of the license needs to stay for more than 30 days, they should apply for local residency procedures as soon as possible according to the requirements. If you belong to Class A high-end talents, you can directly apply for a work visa within the country; Those who do not meet the standards for A-level high-end talents cannot apply directly within the country and must leave the country as soon as possible before the expiration of the visa free stay period, otherwise there is a risk of illegal stay.
Whether it is possible to transfer to another visa after visa free entry and the specific processing procedures and requirements depend on the relevant laws, regulations, and policies of the destination country.
It is recommended to consult and confirm with relevant departments such as the embassy, consulate, and immigration office of the destination country in advance to avoid unnecessary trouble due to lack of understanding of policies.
