[vakoten]

Hi everyone,
I entered the country on a tourist visa and recently received a job offer. Has anyone here successfully converted a tourist visa to a work visa without leaving the country?

[john_doe]

Hi!
Yes, it can be possible, but it depends heavily on the country and the visa type. Some places allow a status change, others require you to exit and reapply.

[vakoten]

Thanks! That makes sense. Did your employer help with the process, or did you handle most of it yourself?

[john_doe]

My employer handled most of it, especially the sponsorship and paperwork. I still had to provide documents like my passport, CV, and police clearance.

[vakoten]

Good to know. How long did the whole process take for you?

[john_doe]

It took about two months from submission to approval. Processing times can vary a lot, though.

[vakoten]

Were there any restrictions while waiting for approval? Like working or traveling?

[john_doe]

Yes — I wasn’t allowed to work until the work visa was officially approved. Traveling outside the country would have canceled the application.

[vakoten]

That’s really helpful. I’ll make sure to double-check the rules before moving forward.

[john_doe]

Definitely do. Also make sure your tourist visa doesn’t expire during the process — that’s a common issue.

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