Type 0 - B Renewal - Extension Problem

[otherstuff1957]

I've got a rather unusual Visa problem. First, a bit of history:

I got a type B visa in Penang in January 2004. It took me almost a year to get my work permit, so I couldn't extend the original 90 day visa on that basis. Instead, I got an extension to January 2005 based on having a Thai wife and 200,000baht in the the bank. This happened a couple of months before it was changed from 200,000 to 400,000.

In January 2005, 2006 & 2007 I extended for another year based on having a work permit and a job contract.

This year, I am going to change jobs, so I don't have a contract for next year. Instead I went to Suan Plu, showed them 3 years worth of tax returns and tried to renew my visa based on having a Thai wife and having earned 40K per month for the past 3 years. They told me 1) I had to cancel my current work permit before I could get an extension and 2) I had to show them a new job contract showing that I would earn 40K per month.

Unfortunately, my current job doesn't end for another two months and, even if I were willing to walk away from it, which I am not, it's the worst time of year for a teacher to look for a new job, and I don't think it's possible to get a new job offer, much less contract, by the end of this week anyway.

Any suggestions? Or am I going to be on a bus to Cambodia on Saturday morning?

[otherstuff1957]

OK, after sleeping on this, here's the problem in a nutshell. The woman at Immigration told me I had to do two things: Cancel my Work Permit and show where my money was coming from.

My current contract goes to the end of the school year - about mid-March. Do you think that they will be satisfied by seeing where my 40K will be coming from for the next couple of months?

[lopburi3]

I really don't know what you have from your posting. You say 200k first extension but after that is unclear as you say employment/work permit. From the need to kill the work permit it sounds like you are on extension for employment rather than marriage? And want to change to marriage? But the current requirements are 40k family income and you are in catch 22 land - you need the work permit to prove 40k income but you need to get rid of the old extension of stay (work permit) to change.

There might be a possibility to extend 60 days using section 7.23 to cover the last two months and labor may be able to renew your work permit on that (but not sure). Otherwise believe a visa run will probably be required.

I would mention section 7.23 and ask them for there advise.

[otherstuff1957]

Thanks Lop, that's exactly what happened. I have been given 60 days to 'visit' my wife!

Labor told us that the shortest period they would issue a work permit for was 3 months, so I could not get a work permit for the remaining two months of my contract .

Now, one more question. In March I'll be heading to Lao to get a new Type O (Thai Wife). I'll take:

Marriage certificate

My Passport & departure card

Wife with her ID card & Tabien Baan

Pictures of wedding & current residence

And, though we probably won't need them, my Thai tax returns & receipts, Bank book etc...

Based on my visa history, should I have any problems getting a new type O (Thai Wife)?

(Once I get a new type O in March, I shouldn't have any problem getting a new job, Work Permit and one year extension in the 60 days after that! )

[lopburi3]

Should not be a problem getting visa.