Work Permit

[racefan]

I came to work in Thailand in 2005 on a non immigrant B visa from which my work permit was issued (Suratthani Province)

I left the job in August 2007 and surrendered my work permit and in October 2007 changed the visa to a retirement visa having the requisite funds in the bank.

I have now been offered a job in Pattaya but have now been told that I cannot get a work permit without reverting back to the Non B and Pattaya immigrtion state that they can only give me 7 days without having to leave the country during which time if I get the work permit they will issue the Non B there thus avoiding the need to leave the country.

My proposed employer is using an agent that thus far has seemed reliable, but as is usual in these cases I have received some conflicting information.

My questions therefore are:

1. Should I be able to get the work permit on the existing retirement visa.

2. If not, and I only get the 7 days extension from Pattaya immigration, assuming the work permit application will take longer, where do I need to go to get the non immigrant B extended?

3 how long will I get, assuming I have to travel to Penang or similar? Will Vientiane issue non B's?

4. Will I have to show a return flight ticket from Thailand to UK as I have read somewhere, as I don't have one as I have lived here for over 2 years and own a condo here.

Sorry if these questions have been asked before but your assistance would be appreciated.

[lopburi3]

1. No.

2. You will have to obtain proof of employment paperwork and the work permit receipt and visit Vientiane or another Consulate for a new single entry non immigrant B visa.

3. Single entry good for 90 days.

4. There should not be any ticket requirement - you are being employed in Thailand.

[racefan]

1. No.

2. You will have to obtain proof of employment paperwork and the work permit receipt and visit Vientiane or another Consulate for a new single entry non immigrant B visa.

3. Single entry good for 90 days.

4. There should not be any ticket requirement - you are being employed in Thailand.

Thank you for your very prompt and helpful response.

Out of interest, a friend of mine has a work permit issued in March 2007 on a retirement visa. (not sure if some tea money was involved)

As I understand there is a new regime in the Chonburi labour dept, will he have a problem renewing his work permit with the same visa?

[lopburi3]

In general it has not been allowed by most places in the last year - but obviously there have been exceptions.

[LivinginKata]

Actually, I had a WP extension issued while on a retirement extension. Had been applying for the annual extensions by virtue of married to a Thai national. One year, applied for the usual married extension. Officier noticed I was over 50 and had plenty of money in bank, so he said is would be much easier (for him) to process a retirement extension. Pointed out I had a WP, no problem ?? Round to Labour Office to get the one year WP extension, no problem. This worked fine for 3 years. Then Oct 2007 the 800,000 baht had to be in the bank for 3 months. I had not planned for this and my annual application was rejected as money in bank only one month. No problem I said, I have Thai wife. Officer asks me, have you 40,000 baht/month, I say yes, Oh .. do you have WP, yes .... some converstaion about can't have WP on retired extension.... oh oh thinks I ... I'm in trouble. No problem, get married man extension, continue WP extensions. Amazing Thailand...

[racefan]

One final query from someone who has never had to do a "Visa Run" before.

Any suggestions as to whether to go to Vientienne, which would be far easier for me as wife's family are in Khon Kaen and we could combine a visit, plus I could take the wife to the embassy with me which would assist if I need something explained, or

Should I fly to Penang where I get the feeling they are more geared up for Non B applications for work purposes.

Are either of the 2 more or less foreigner friendly in anyone's experience?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Believe Vientiane should be fine.

[buffcoat]

If (?) I am reading this correctly on a retirement visa you cannot get a work permit unless you are married to a Thai national.

Is this within the rules published by the Thai authorities or totally at the discretion of the local office.

I am years away from being able to do this so of course all the rules can change but I would be keen to understand the current position.

Thanks

[lopburi3]

A work permit is currently not normally issued to those using retirement for extensions of stay, regardless of there marriage to a Thai or not. Those married to a Thai may have the option to extend on that basis rather than retirement (40k monthly income/pension) and a work permit could be issued in that case.

[buffcoat]

Thanks for that. My thought was to do part time English teaching/talking/coaching as a means of keeping partly occupied rather than for the money.

As it stands this looks like a route that will not be available to me...I will not 'work' outside the rules as I have no intention of losing my right to stay.