Changing Jobs and Visa Option Conundrum

[way2muchcoffee]

Hi guys.  I am having some difficulty obtaining current information.  Visas and their procedures have changed and I find myself lost.  My situation.

I am presently employed at a school in Roi Et.  I will leave this school at the end of June and begin working at a school in Bangkok.  Here is the information my new school has given me.  I am unable to convince the new school of changes in their thinking.

1) I must be present in Roi Et to cancel my visa and work permit on June 30.  It is impossible to quickly be in Bangkok on the same day to transfer my Non-B from one school to another (I have checked flights).  The earliest I could arrive at Bangkok Immigration is  01 July.  However, according to the new school, this would put me on a 1 day overstay.  Bangkok immigration will refuse the transfer process if I am in an overstay situation.  I can't use the 7 day visa extension option as Bangkok immigration will not process the visa transfer if my on on this 7 day extension.  Is there a way around this problem?

2)  I am investigating a Non-O marriage visa as I have been married with a Thai citizen for over 5 years.  I do not have 400,000 Baht in the bank but my Thai salary is more than double the required 40,000 Baht.  However I am finding mixed information about using my Thai salary.  Some sources say that the 40,000 Baht must come from abroad.  Some sources say Thai salary is OK, but I will need a letter from my embassy to verify my income.  My embassy (U.S.A.) will not provide such a letter. Some sources say that isn't important and that 12 months of salary slips is sufficient (this I do have).   The other issue is timing.   I have two months before I will need everything processed.   Additionally I have a work permit.  Most websites indicate that I would need to cancel my current work permit when transferring from a non-B to a non-O.   Does anyone have any suggestions about this option or any information that can clarify some of the questions I have posed?

I think this leaves two further options.

3) Get a Thai tourist visa from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country.   I am having trouble finding updated information on this.  Which is the best country (nearby) to do this?  How does the e-visa system work?  It used to be simple, but things seem much more complicated these days.  If I need to do a tourist visa I would like to do it in the cheapest and most time-efficient manner.  Any suggestions?

4) Get a Thai non-B from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country.  My new employer is willing to provide the necessary documents for this.  Again, if I go this route I would be looking for the most economical and efficient process.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you for any assistance and insight. 

[Rob Browder]

5 hours ago, way2muchcoffee said:

  I am investigating a Non-O marriage visa as I have been married with a Thai citizen for over 5 years.  I do not have 400,000 Baht in the bank but my Thai salary is more than double the required 40,000 Baht. 

The salary-route requires all the paperwork for both the Non-B type extension AND the Non-O marriage type extension.  In the past, you only needed tax-returns showing the income - not any more - they made it a PITA. 

 

Even so, I would transition to the marriage-type, just to avoid having your permitted-stay tied to your job - then stockpile the 400K (or borrow it for 2+ months) for a future application.  

 

The "must be foreign funds" and "embassy certifications" does not apply when you are working in Thailand, and applying for a Non-O marriage-based extension using a Thai-sourced / job salary.

 

5 hours ago, way2muchcoffee said:

Most websites indicate that I would need to cancel my current work permit when transferring from a non-B to a non-O. 

Your WP is ending with your job.  The question is will they process a Non-O marriage with salary for your current job, so you could get the switch made before your job ends.  You can present a letter specifying a future date of termination to immigration, but then you cannot likely use salary (from the job which is ending) to support your application.

 

As to returning on a new Visa - you would need to wait in the other country while this is processed, after submitting online (e-visa) while in that country.  Check what financials are required.  Turnaround in Vietnam is said to be approximately a week - could be longer in Laos, which are not as friendly as before. 

 

It is correct that the 7-day extension is the "end of the line" - must leave, after getting that - no further extensions possible. BUT, you can also apply for a 60-day extension to "visit your wife," if you have not yet done that since your last entry to Thailand (not counting re-entry permits).  From that 60-day extension, you CAN then apply for a 1-year extension - no need to leave.

 

5 hours ago, way2muchcoffee said:

I have two months before I will need everything processed.

If there is any way you can borrow 400K for 2+ months (or top-up to that amount), this is by far the easiest route.  You can present your termination letter future-dated to immigration, and THEN change to a marriage-based 1-year extension.  

 

If the money is do-able, I would ask at Roi Et about this - see what they need - do not mention "new job in Bangkok" - only that your job is ending, and you want to switch to a marriage-based extension.   They will not help with something related to a job in Bangkok.

 

Alternatively, get the 60-day extension, move to Bangkok, then get your new-job to provide all the work paperwork to support your 1-year extension.  I would go the marriage-based visa route to avoid ever having your "permitted stay" tied to your job, again.

[way2muchcoffee]

Thank you.  I went to the immigration office today to ask some questions.  They said they would refuse the Non-O application due to the fact that I am changing jobs and therefore they salary route is unavailable to me as I have no guarantee of future income.

They indicated that they could approve a Non-O marriage visa if I have 400,000 Baht in the bank (which I don't).  I could potentially borrow it, but the timing is very tight.  My current job will end on June 30. 

The immigration officer did say something about an extension of my Non-B in order to visit my wife.  He said that during this extension I would continue to hold my Non B, and that I would likely be able to transfer it when I begin at the new school, but that would be at the discretion of Bangkok immigration. He couldn't say that the transfer would be approved with certainty.

Honestly I have never heard of this, even living in Thailand 25 years and working at multiple schools.  I have two questions.

1) Is this true?

2) Will I be able to process a new Non-B visa and work permit during this extension time?
 

[BrandonJT]

You should be able to cancel your work permit and work extension 1-2 weeks ahead of time with document from your employer showing the end date of your work.  They would cancel your wokr extension and then stamp you in again until the end date on your documents.

 

That should give you plenty of time to go to Bangkok and apply for the new work extension.