Non Imm B Visa

[esprit]

A quick response would be appreciated as I return to the UK saturday for 1 week on business. I have 2 UK passports, which before asking, yes it is legal. The main one I use is almost full. However currently I am here on a Non Imm O which last month was extended, but based on retirement as that was the easiest path to take as I am over 50.

However I have been approached to take up a job in Thailand which frankly, owing to the offer, I could not affford to turn down. To allow the comapany to organise my work permit I must of course have a non imm B visa. The company are preparing the letter of invitation and supporting documentation so that I may apply for it at RTE London.

The question I have is although my main passport is full, and that is the one I obviously entered on and have the retirement extension in, presumably when I leave Thailand for the UK I am in effect "logged-out" of the country. Therefore, as I will not have time to get a new passport whilst in the UK, and also if they see at RTE my main passport including the retirement extension stamp and hence may be confusing for them, would it be perfectly in order if I apply for the non imm B visa using my other passport ?

On re-entry into Thailand do you think I would have any problems if I entered with my other passport containing the non imm B visa?

[lopburi3]

You probably do not need any other visa as for the last few months some/most labor offices have been issuing work permits to those holding retirement extensions of stay. The company you are talking with may not be aware of that but it might be worth asking today or tomorrow.

I suspect there may be problems being here on an extension of stay and coming back on another passport with another visa type - they do have computer records and will very likely pick up on it. If you do that I would not obtain a re-entry permit and just leave - that will end your retirement extension of stay and should make everyone happy.

[esprit]

You probably do not need any other visa as for the last few months some/most labor offices have been issuing work permits to those holding retirement extensions of stay. The company you are talking with may not be aware of that but it might be worth asking today or tomorrow.

I suspect there may be problems being here on an extension of stay and coming back on another passport with another visa type - they do have computer records and will very likely pick up on it. If you do that I would not obtain a re-entry permit and just leave - that will end your retirement extension of stay and should make everyone happy.

Thanks for that but I have already a multi re-entry, which I have used once. I have just spoken to the company and they advise that their work permits are issued by the BOI subject to some certain strict conditions and having a non imm B is one of them. Wouldn't leaving the kingdom in effect be shown on their computer records and thus entering on another passport should not raise problems? There must be many people with the same name come into Thailand normally so they would have differrant passport numbers or am I being a little too simplistic ?

[lopburi3]

Not with the same name/nationality/dob and from personal reports of others with dual passports the computer shows them both.

I don't believe what your "company" is saying but not much you can do about that.

You will probably not have a problem as long as you do not make a re-entry using the other passport.

[esprit]

Just by way of an update. Exited Thailand for the UK with obviously my old passport containing extension of stay due to retirement. This old passport was full so had to renew urgently whilst in London.

Presented new passport to RTE London with all relevent documents and obtained Non B visa ( 3 months single entry ).

Also advised them that my old passport was the one referred to in the letter of invitation and also told them that I previously had obtained a retirement extension. RTE did not consider they wished to look at old passport and stated that as I had left the Kingdom, then in effect I was no longer retired until I return in their eyes. If I should return on another type of new visa then effectively I return on the conditions appertaining to that new visa, not any old ones/extensions that I may previously have held.

On returning Sunday no problems at all at immigration.

I will advise further once I receive WP advised by my company that it will take 7- 10 days. Also whether the WP is until expiry of VISA or whether VISA needs to be /gets extended until expiry of WP and multi entry changes etc etc. as it may be of help to others.

[Juzrelax]

Not with the same name/nationality/dob and from personal reports of others with dual passports the computer shows them both.

I don't believe what your "company" is saying but not much you can do about that.

You will probably not have a problem as long as you do not make a re-entry using the other passport.

This is getting away from the original question, but what if you are a dual passpaort holder from 2 different country's?

Could you exit Thailand on the original passport at the end of a 90 day non immigrant visa stay, then get a new business visa in a neighbouring country on the other passport & re enter Thailand.

Is this an open loophole?

[lopburi3]

I suspect you would have a very serious problem getting your work permit sorted using different passports.

[esprit]

Just by way of an update. Exited Thailand for the UK with obviously my old passport containing extension of stay due to retirement. This old passport was full so had to renew urgently whilst in London.

Presented new passport to RTE London with all relevent documents and obtained Non B visa ( 3 months single entry ).

Also advised them that my old passport was the one referred to in the letter of invitation and also told them that I previously had obtained a retirement extension. RTE did not consider they wished to look at old passport and stated that as I had left the Kingdom, then in effect I was no longer retired until I return in their eyes. If I should return on another type of new visa then effectively I return on the conditions appertaining to that new visa, not any old ones/extensions that I may previously have held.

On returning Sunday no problems at all at immigration.

I will advise further once I receive WP advised by my company that it will take 7- 10 days. Also whether the WP is until expiry of VISA or whether VISA needs to be /gets extended until expiry of WP and multi entry changes etc etc. as it may be of help to others.

So went with company rep to the one stop visa shop etc, received work permit, visa extension to end of work permit together with multi entry. So clearly advice from Thai officials that once you leave Thailand you are effectively logged-off their system and then, if you re-enter under another type of visa is absolutely correct and subsequent WP processing is trouble free.

Hope this actual account is of help to others.