@Kev ********

"should" is a strong expression, you can switch visa types if that's how things play out. But why not get the visa that you need upfront? That's how it's supposed to work; switching has been made possible for edge cases but you don't seem like one as you already know that you want to stay for longer. If you get your visa upfront, the terms and conditions that you'll encounter along the way are better suited. For instance, for your tourist visa you'd need proof of onward travel, for longer visas you do not. With a tourist visa, it will be hard if not impossible to open a bank account, which you then, depending on the visa you aim to switch to, may need. If you come with the right visa, you can open the account and comply with the extension conditions without trickery.

In principle you can do that, but obviously switching to a new type of visa comes with conditions.

Why not get the visa that you need upfront?

No, you cannot extend for 40 days. It's 30 days. The rest of the plan is sound.

Won't be easy to get him a visa.

Better get your visa in advance. Switching is for when you planned to go for a short time and your plans change.

@Camille ******

then you can stay until March 15th. If you have an activity on March 16th, you could apply for an extension of stay without the required documentation. They'll deny the extension, but you'll get 7 days of leniency.

Do it on the last possible day, which in your case is March 14th. You'll get 7 days starting that day, so then March 20th will be your last. So it takes you only 5 days over the 15th, but if you're helped out with exactly that, just go for it.

@Kai *****

then I think just making something up is the way to go. You can't get refused for not sticking with a flight plan for a visa that doesn't require a booking.

You don't need to leave within 3 months, the visa is aimed at staying longer. Is the return flight a required field to fill? If not just leave it blank.

Yes, it's required.

@Alan *******

nothing has changed but you are asking when to get a visa, i.e. presuming that you need one. If you had expected

@Brandon ***********

to say you don't need one, you should maybe not have presumed that.

If you stay for a year or more you do need a visa. All in all you give very little info though. Like: what purpose are you staying for? Obviously if in November you came without a visa and now you want to stay for a year something relevant has changed, and it is a little strange you ask Brandon what that is. He didn't know, but you did.