Immigrant B Visa Expiry Question

[Robaht]

I just have a question about my B visa and work permit.

I have had a work permit and a B visa for almost one year now -- the B visa is set to expire at the end of October - so it's time to get a new one. Currently since it is my first B visa, issued in the USA (Houston), I still have to leave every 90 days even though it is a 1-year visa.

If I do a Visa run to Singapore or HKG and get back to Thailand before the visa expires, I will be able to get my work permit validated for another 3 months. I will then have to get a new B visa before the work permit itself expires so the work permit does not lapse. I think that is correct but I'm not 100% sure.

BUT : if the above is correct and I were to leave Thailand and return without a new B-visa (say in November) then my work permit would be cancelled even if it is still valid (but invalidated because my arrival status has changed to a transit visa). Is that correct? Is there any way around it (via WP suspension, etc.) if it is correct?

Thanks,

Robaht

[Robaht]

I just have a question about my B visa and work permit.

I have had a work permit and a B visa for almost one year now -- the B visa is set to expire at the end of October - so it's time to get a new one. Currently since it is my first B visa, issued in the USA (Houston), I still have to leave every 90 days even though it is a 1-year visa.

If I do a Visa run to Singapore or HKG and get back to Thailand before the visa expires, I will be able to get my work permit validated for another 3 months. I will then have to get a new B visa before the work permit itself expires so the work permit does not lapse. I think that is correct but I'm not 100% sure.

BUT : if the above is correct and I were to leave Thailand and return without a new B-visa (say in November) then my work permit would be cancelled even if it is still valid (but invalidated because my arrival status has changed to a transit visa). Is that correct? Is there any way around it (via WP suspension, etc.) if it is correct?

Thanks,

Robaht

Of course, I meant to write non-immigrant B, but not sure if I can go back and edit. Sorry.

[TerryLH]

Is there some reason you can't just go to an immigration office and get a 1 year extension?

[ubonjoe]

If you go out and come back before the visa expires you can get another 90 days.

If you don't do that I have read reports of KL giving multiple entry B's but you need a special stamp (magic stamp) from the labor office here is a link to the topic. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Non-1year-Ku...51#entry2071351

[digitalchromakey]

I just have a question about my B visa and work permit.

I have had a work permit and a B visa for almost one year now -- the B visa is set to expire at the end of October - so it's time to get a new one. Currently since it is my first B visa, issued in the USA (Houston), I still have to leave every 90 days even though it is a 1-year visa.

If I do a Visa run to Singapore or HKG and get back to Thailand before the visa expires, I will be able to get my work permit validated for another 3 months. I will then have to get a new B visa before the work permit itself expires so the work permit does not lapse. I think that is correct but I'm not 100% sure.

BUT : if the above is correct and I were to leave Thailand and return without a new B-visa (say in November) then my work permit would be cancelled even if it is still valid (but invalidated because my arrival status has changed to a transit visa). Is that correct? Is there any way around it (via WP suspension, etc.) if it is correct?

Yes it's no problem - do a border run and provided you re-enter Thailand before your 'Use Before' date on your visa you will get another 90 day stamp and will be able to renew your Work permit for another 90 days as well. Make sure you file your WP5 application bofore the current expiry date. Then you will need to do a full visa run some time in January before your 90 day stamp runs out.

[Robaht]

Thank you. I spoke with Sunbelt today and they said I first have to make the work period 6 months, and only after that is used up can I get it to 1 year work period.

Does that mean, if I have 6 months work period (less a few days) that KL will not issue a multiple entry B visa, even for 3 months?

And I really have a question about this: If my work permit is valid until January and my Non-Imm B is expired already end October, can I leave and re-enter the country in November on a transit visa or will this void my work permit somehow?

Thanks, Ro-baht

[bangkokboro]

Do as ubonjoe said as long as you do a visa run before your current visa expires you will get 90 more days from the date you re-entered Thailand which would take you to the end of January before you would have to apply for a new non B visa.

[Robaht]

Do as ubonjoe said as long as you do a visa run before your current visa expires you will get 90 more days from the date you re-entered Thailand which would take you to the end of January before you would have to apply for a new non B visa.

Yes, I understand that and will make a quick entry stamp/work permit refresh trip to Singapore before the non-imm B expires so the work permit will be valid until the end of January. (allowing me to go back to the USA at xmas and get a 1-year multiple entry, so all is good).

But it doesn't answer this question: If I have to leave in November for a week, (note: this is after the current B visa expires end October), and I come back on a transit visa (30 day stay) will that somehow invalidate my work permit, even though it is "valid" until the end of January?

I just can't seem to find an answer to that question.

(or if there is some "re-entry" stamp option...?)

Cheers, Ro-baht

[ubonjoe]

Do as ubonjoe said as long as you do a visa run before your current visa expires you will get 90 more days from the date you re-entered Thailand which would take you to the end of January before you would have to apply for a new non B visa.

Yes, I understand that and will make a quick entry stamp/work permit refresh trip to Singapore before the non-imm B expires so the work permit will be valid until the end of January. (allowing me to go back to the USA at xmas and get a 1-year multiple entry, so all is good) But it doesn't answer this question: If I have to leave in November for a week, (note: this is after the current B visa expires end October), and I come back on a transit visa (30 day stay) will that somehow invalidate my work permit, even though it is "valid" until the end of January? I just can't seem to find an answer to that question.

(or if there is some "re-entry" stamp option...?)

Cheers, Ro-baht

Okay so you have to leave in November. You can leave in November by going to immigration and getting a re-entry permit (1000 baht). That will keep curent 90 day entry valid. When you come back you will still have until January on your 90 day entry.

[digitalchromakey]

...Does that mean, if I have 6 months work period (less a few days) that KL will not issue a multiple entry B visa, even for 3 months?...

If you want to apply for a new one year multiple non B visa in the SE Asia Region then you actually need a one year validity period in your work permit, not six months.

If you go to KL, you also need a special stamp from labour in your work permit that shows the validy period next to your WP last permission stamp. Singapore do not normally issue one year multiple entry non B visas

[Robaht]

Thanks for the information. I think I have a better idea now, and pictures of the stamps I need, etc. That is really, really helpful.

Does this make sense: I have to do the visa run before my current non B visa expires, which means next week. I legally hold 2 USA passports. I can refresh the entry stamp in passport number 1, but also get a single entry B visa in passport number 2 while I am on this visa run, but not use it until I need it at the end of January (get the process out of the way).

Do you see a conflict with doing that?

Cheers, Ro-baht

[ubonjoe]

The problem with getting a visa ahead of time is that the period of validity starts on date of issue. With a single entry that will only be 90 days and it must be used before then.

Also you might need to use that passport for entry where you go to get your visa. The consulate might ask questions if you don't.