Hi all,

This site has proved to be quite informative, thanks to all who have helped me on this forum.

I have a rather confusing visa question. My current employer told me she will get me a working visa. My current tourist visa expires on June 9th. She will not have the working visa before then. So, I need to have get another visa in order to stay in Thailand until she can get me the working visa. My options are to do a quick border run (first 30 days out of the 180 days entry permit) or to go to Vientiene and get a double entry tourist visa. I'm thinking the double entry tourist visa is a better option but my concern is IF I get the working visa, will it replace my tourist visa?

ie. Let's say a tourist visa is valid until August 2008. I get a working visa on June 2008. I quit my job in July 2008 and lost my working visa. Is my Tourist visa still valid until August 2008?

Another question, if I do get the working visa and it replaces my visa and I quit my job, do I lost my working visa? If so, wouldn't I just be able to get another tourist visa at Vientiene?

I'm concerned about this because I'm not sure I want to be stuck at this company with a working visa. Some of the teachers teach on a tourist visa at my school. I'm guessing this might be better so that I can quit anytime and find other work. That is, assuming I can continually get the tourist visa at Vientienne. I was told the tourist visa is easy to get at Vientienne. What do you think?

Another somewhat unrelated question: Which website offers the best border run/tourist visa run package?

Thanks so much!

-Serge

You, or she, can not obtain a visa inside Thailand unless it is in connection with a change of the visa entry you currently hold so expect you are being misinformed (polite term). You can not work here without a work permit. To obtain the visa at local Consulates normally requires that you make application for the work permit and have the school/company paperwork. You then visit a Consulate to obtain a single entry non immigrant B visa.

Work without a work permit is illegal no matter what visa you hold - and a work permit can not be issued on a tourist visa (only application can be made). I would not advise you to work illegally.

A visa is used when you enter the country - if you change that visa entry is gone.

There is no such thing as a working visa per se.

To be allowed to work in Thailand you need a work permit.

To be able to be issued a work permit, you need to hold a valid non immigrant visa type B (business). The visa in itself does not give you the right to work!

To be able to get yourself a non immigrant B visa (issued at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad), you'll need a WP3 form issued by the labor department, which basically states that a work permit is applied for and the paperwork submitted deemed sufficient. You'll also need a bunch of paperwork from your employer when you apply for the visa.

Once you then return to Thailand holding the non immigrant visa, the labor department can then proceed with issuing your work permit. Until you have the blue book (work permit) in your hand, it is illegal to work in Thailand, getting caught will mean arrest and deportation, and possibly black listing!

If you hold a non immigrant type o visa based on marriage, it is also possible to obtain a work permit.