I have held a non immigrant "B" visa and work permit for almost a year now. I am in the process of selling my guesthouse and buying into another guesthouse/hotel. As I understand it, I need to inform the labour department within 7 days of selling my guesthouse, that I no longer work at the same premises. The problem I have is that there may be a gap between me selling my old guesthouse and buying the new guesthouse/hotel. Does anybody know if I am allowed a period of grace in order to set up the new company and business? or will I need to revert back to a tourist visa and go through the whole process of reapplying for the non immigrant B visa and work permit?

I am pretty sure that if you are on extension of stay based upon the business/workpermit that you will have to start over. No grace period. However if your non-imm-b is a multi-entry then it is still valid and you will have to make a border-run only, thus granting you another 90 days. (you will have to start over with the WP though)

I have held a non immigrant "B" visa and work permit for almost a year now. I am in the process of selling my guesthouse and buying into another guesthouse/hotel. As I understand it, I need to inform the labour department within 7 days of selling my guesthouse, that I no longer work at the same premises. The problem I have is that there may be a gap between me selling my old guesthouse and buying the new guesthouse/hotel. Does anybody know if I am allowed a period of grace in order to set up the new company and business? or will I need to revert back to a tourist visa and go through the whole process of reapplying for the non immigrant B visa and work permit?

You are starting over from ground zero. The exception is if you have a multi entry B visa which is not a extension of stay permit based on business. Then you need to just apply for a new work permit which will correspond to the 90 day stamp.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

I have held a non immigrant "B" visa and work permit for almost a year now. I am in the process of selling my guesthouse and buying into another guesthouse/hotel. As I understand it, I need to inform the labour department within 7 days of selling my guesthouse, that I no longer work at the same premises. The problem I have is that there may be a gap between me selling my old guesthouse and buying the new guesthouse/hotel. Does anybody know if I am allowed a period of grace in order to set up the new company and business? or will I need to revert back to a tourist visa and go through the whole process of reapplying for the non immigrant B visa and work permit?

You are starting over from ground zero. The exception is if you have a multi entry B visa which is not a extension of stay permit based on business. Then you need to just apply for a new work permit which will correspond to the 90 day stamp.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

yeay I got it right!

Thanks sunbelt. Would I still be able to retain my non immigrant B visa and work permit if I took my existing company to the new business within 7 days? The new owner does not need the company as she is thai and will not operate with a company.

Would I still be able to retain my non immigrant B visa and work permit if I took my existing company to the new business within 7 days?

yes

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com