What are our options?

[alextrat1966]

So essentially, my wife, who had (still has) a Non-B (work visa + work permit) got tired of her job and quit it. Now, by the end of February she has to go with her former employer to have the work permit and the work visa canceled. What can we do to stay here for a few more months? 

 

1. I know Thai Elite Visa, very nice, but we're only interested in a few more months. 1 year as absolute maximum. So obviously makes no sense to pay for 5 years.

2. Impossible to get COVID extensions now provided she is on Non-B atm. 

3. Retirement is impossible, because neither of us are 50. Far from it. 

 

Funds are not a problem, in any shape or form if anyone knows the person (agent) who can work out something. 

 

Any suggestions? 

[ubonjoe]

The choices other than for her to find another job are very few.

Maybe enroll in a school and get a extension for that reason.

She may have to leave and reenter the country with a tourist visa.

[Katipo]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The choices other than for her to find another job are very few.

Maybe enroll in a school and get a extension for that reason.

She may have to leave and reenter the country with a tourist visa.

With Covid, are we sure she would need to leave the country to get an extension visa once her Non-B is cancelled? I ask because I am honestly unsure.

The other option, if she would have to leave Thailand to get a tourist visa, would be to change to an education visa instead. With the costs and hassle involved of going through the test and go, an education visa might be the better option.

[alextrat1966]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The choices other than for her to find another job are very few.

Maybe enroll in a school and get a extension for that reason.

She may have to leave and reenter the country with a tourist visa.

I know that the rules for Covid extension have changed. But I wonder if her being a Chinese citizen will have a different outcome provided that Chinese citizens really can’t go home as you need to apply for authorization from the embassy which takes over 28 days and very scarce flight tickets which go over $10,000 USD. 
 

I’ve tried asking but no one knows. 

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, alextrat1966 said:

I know that the rules for Covid extension have changed. But I wonder if her being a Chinese citizen will have a different outcome provided that Chinese citizens really can’t go home as you need to apply for authorization from the embassy which takes over 28 days and very scarce flight tickets which go over $10,000 USD. 
 

I’ve tried asking but no one knows. 

Try a few agents to see what they say. The best option, if leaving Thailand for a tourist visa is necessary, might be to spend a few days in Singapore, getting the visa there. However, Singapore can be strict about giving tourist visas to those who have been a long time in Thailand. In this case, where I assume your wife has no previous tourist visas for Thailand, I think an application would be successful. Clearly having left, it becomes critical that a visa application of some kind is successful, as coming back visa exempt is impossible, and a visa-on-arrival solves nothing. Good luck!

[alextrat1966]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

Try a few agents to see what they say. The best option, if leaving Thailand for a tourist visa is necessary, might be to spend a few days in Singapore, getting the visa there. However, Singapore can be strict about giving tourist visas to those who have been a long time in Thailand. In this case, where I assume your wife has no previous tourist visas for Thailand, I think an application would be successful. Clearly having left, it becomes critical that a visa application of some kind is successful, as coming back visa exempt is impossible, and a visa-on-arrival solves nothing. Good luck!

That is indeed very solid advice! I'll try asking some more agents, and if not then definitely we will need to do some tourism for a few days (which I preferred not to, due to the Test & Go hassles, but if there's no other choice... ????‍♂️) 

 

Cheers mate!

Edited February 4, 2022 by alextrat1966

[arithai12]

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

Try a few agents to see what they say. The best option, if leaving Thailand for a tourist visa is necessary, might be to spend a few days in Singapore, getting the visa there. However, Singapore can be strict about giving tourist visas to those who have been a long time in Thailand. In this case, where I assume your wife has no previous tourist visas for Thailand, I think an application would be successful. Clearly having left, it becomes critical that a visa application of some kind is successful, as coming back visa exempt is impossible, and a visa-on-arrival solves nothing. Good luck!

Currently Singapore does not allow non-nationals and non-PR in, other than a few restricted categories. Cambodia?

 

OP, not my business but if your intention was to stay in Thailand a few more months,

a) couldn't your wife put on a brave face and hang on to her job a little longer

b) what were your plans after the few more months. Clearly not returning to China, from what you say. Clearly not staying on in Thailand. So why not act on those plans now.

 

[BritTim]

12 minutes ago, arithai12 said:

Currently Singapore does not allow non-nationals and non-PR in, other than a few restricted categories.

I believe you are well out of date in what you say. Since around mid December, Thailand has been one of the countries on Singapore's Active VTL (Air) Countries/Regions list. (VTL stands for Vaccinated Travel Lane.)  To simplify, if you have been in Thailand at least 14 days, you just need to show that you are fully vaccinated and you can enter Singapore without quarantine. For further details, see https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process.

 

I you have recent information that contradicts the above, please post a link.

[AlexCanada]

Cambodia and Philippines no quarantine. 

 

VTL to Singapore and from Singapore VTL to Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries are an option.  You are required to take special VTL flights which when I looked were much more expensive than a regular flight.  Not sure about VTL status now since I haven't looked post Omicron.

 

.

Edited February 4, 2022 by AlexCanada

[ubonjoe]

I have been suggesting Cambodia for those needing to apply for a visa for here. Much easier to travel to than other countries in the region.

[DrJack54]

Cambodia seems obvious choice for someone looking for a visa.

Did these flight for friend so it's ~ 4k return. 

 

[MICHAELDUTCH]

I understnad that Cambodia is an option to get a Visa to enter Thailand again.
Here come some problems (i think)
- Pnompenh is not easy to get a (Non-O Visa) single entree and many are denied,because they tell to get a proper extension
- Going to Cambodia requires 1 test + 1 PCR test before going back to Thailand + 2 more test in Thailand (TEST N GO)

I am also hesitating to get a new Non-O visa in Cambodia .The costs will be total around 30.000 bht
 

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, MICHAELDUTCH said:

Pnompenh is not easy to get a (Non-O Visa) single entree and many are denied,because they tell to get a proper extension

I have never heard of a embassy telling people to get a extension. Phnom Penh in the past has been reported as being easy to get a single entry non-o visa.

For marriage to a Thai info is here. https://phnompenh.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-o-visa-thai-family?page=5d73b14415e39c46f40076a1&menu=5d73b14415e39c46f40076a2

And for retirement. https://phnompenh.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-o-visa-retirement?page=5d73b14415e39c46f40076a1&menu=5d73b14415e39c46f40076a2

 

It does not matter where you are arriving from when you enter Thailand the requirements will be the same.

For Cambodia there no quarantine and is better that some other countries.

[MICHAELDUTCH]

Forum member of a Cambodia Forum tells me the following:
" I have known multiple people that have been refused consecutive 90 day single entry non o visas everywhere in SE Asia BUT in Laos, all were told get an extension."
So that worries me a lot.If i go Pnompenh for a single Non-o visa and it will be denied then i am screwed.

 

TESTS;
PCR test before departure from Thailand
ATK test upon arrival in Cambodia
PCR test before departure from Cambodia
PCR test upon arrival in Thailand (Test & Go #1)
PCR test 5 days after arrival in Thailand (Test & Go #2)
+
plus adequate insurance coverage for both countries
The pertinent point is that there's no guarantee that the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh will give you a single entry Non-O
iTS A BIG RISK or am i wrong

[Adumbration]

Education visa through an agent.

Fake Non-B through and agent.

Both can be done in country.

Guy I knew got fake Non-B.  He was listed as dive instructor.  He was 72 and could not swim.

 

There is a self defense school at Chang Mai run by military.  They will escort you to immigration to ensure your ED visa is issued without a problem.

Edited February 5, 2022 by Adumbration

[wprime]

You can currently get a non-imm B if you own a condo in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, MICHAELDUTCH said:

Forum member of a Cambodia Forum tells me the following:
" I have known multiple people that have been refused consecutive 90 day single entry non o visas everywhere in SE Asia BUT in Laos, all were told get an extension."
So that worries me a lot.If i go Pnompenh for a single Non-o visa and it will be denied then i am screwed.

Not sure where they are getting their info from. I have seen no recent info since covid 19 closed the borders. He also stated consecutive non-o visas but that would be ones that the embassy issued and that would be back to back visa applications.

But before covid I am aware of people that got them in Phnom Penh. Maybe he was thinking of multiple entry non-o visas.

They were certainly incorrect about only getting them in Laos. The embassy Kuala Lumpur was issuing single entry non-o visa and the official consulates in Penang and Kota Bharu were issuing multiple entry visa as well single entry visas. Same for the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.

 

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, wprime said:

You can currently get a non-imm B if you own a condo in Thailand.

Can you explain how condo ownership ties in with a work visa. I am not saying you are wrong. There may be some creative trick that some agent has devised. However, it is not obvious.

 

Under some circumstances, ownership of a condo might qualify you for an investment visa, but the value of the condo must be high, and generally only selected new developments qualify. Often, you can do better by buying a condo in the secondary market, and buying an Elite visa if you need an easy way to stay.

[ubonjoe]

14 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Under some circumstances, ownership of a condo might qualify you for an investment visa, but the value of the condo must be high, and generally only selected new developments qualify.

A extension of stay can be applied for based upon a investment of 10 million baht that can be a combination of condo ownership and money in a Thai bank.

Info is here at number 5. https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?page_id=1890

Immigration will also issue a non-b visa for investment. https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/14-เพื่อการลงทุนไม่ต่ำกว่า-10-ล้านบาท-รหัส-B.pdf

[jvs]

On 2/4/2022 at 1:29 AM, alextrat1966 said:

So essentially, my wife, who had (still has) a Non-B (work visa + work permit) got tired of her job and quit it. Now, by the end of February she has to go with her former employer to have the work permit and the work visa canceled. What can we do to stay here for a few more months? 

Tell her to ask her boss to keep her on the books for a few more months,sick leave ,unpaid absense

or whatever you can come up with.

When your work permit ends you have very few options.

[wprime]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

Can you explain how condo ownership ties in with a work visa. I am not saying you are wrong. There may be some creative trick that some agent has devised. However, it is not obvious.

 

Under some circumstances, ownership of a condo might qualify you for an investment visa, but the value of the condo must be high, and generally only selected new developments qualify. Often, you can do better by buying a condo in the secondary market, and buying an Elite visa if you need an easy way to stay.

No tricks, you qualify for a non-immi B if you have a condo in Thailand. This has been the case since Oct/2020 for the purposes of letting condo owners enter Thailand to maintain their condos when the borders were closed as tourist visa classes couldn't enter at the time without permission from the MFA.

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, wprime said:

No tricks, you qualify for a non-immi B if you have a condo in Thailand. This has been the case since Oct/2020 for the purposes of letting condo owners enter Thailand to maintain their condos when the borders were closed as tourist visa classes couldn't enter at the time without permission from the MFA.

Actually it has been possible longer than that. A non-b visa and a extension of stay based upon a investment has been possible for more than a decade.

It is not solely for a condo purchase. Click the links I posted earlier.

[FalangKino]

14 hours ago, Adumbration said:

Education visa through an agent.

Fake Non-B through and agent.

Both can be done in country.

Guy I knew got fake Non-B.  He was listed as dive instructor.  He was 72 and could not swim.

 

There is a self defense school at Chang Mai run by military.  They will escort you to immigration to ensure your ED visa is issued without a problem.

Can you give me more information on this self defense visa?

[Adumbration]

10 hours ago, FalangKino said:

Can you give me more information on this self defense visa?

52K thb including 90 day reports:

 

https://hand2handcombat.com/

 

33K thb:

 

https://chiangmaibuddy.com/visa-heaven/12-month-self-defence-ed-visa/