Switching Visas In Country

[bostonbean]

I am hoping someone can help me with this question.

I have been on a non-immigrant B visa for a couple of years through my job in Thailand. It will expire soon, though I have since stopped working. Right now I am back in the states and while here, I aquired a tourist visa from the Thai consulate in my state (in the US). This tourist visa is for 6 months, needing to to a border run every 60 days.

I was told by the consulate that when i go to immigration a few days before the Non-imm B visa expires, I should just show then my new tourist Visa, and I will easily begin that visa. The 6 months would be my final 6 months in the country as I plan to move back home.

My concern of course is that I may get a hard time at immigration, despite the consulate telling me there should be no problem and the fact that I have the visa. I feel strange about r-entering the Thailand with 1 more month on my B visa, as well as a tourist visa in the waiting to take over. Anyone know if it sounds like it should transfer smoothly, or should I expect problems? many thanks for anyone who considers my situation and can lend me there advice on the situation.

[ubonjoe]

The consulate is wrong. You cannot enter on one visa and then change to the other without leaving the country.

Suggest you enter using your tourist visa.

You don't have to make a border run every 60 days you can get a 30 day extension of each entry at immigration for 1900 baht.

How many entries do you have on your tourist visa?

[bostonbean]

Hey. Thanks for the reply.

I was given 3 entries at 60 days each, to last me 6 months. I thought better to use up my non-immigrant B before starting the toursist visa, mainly because I had to get my re-entry permit before I left last month so i feel like I have to re-enter using that permit. (does that make sense)?

[bostonbean]

or perhaps, I should just head up to mae sai nearer the B visa expiration, ans re enter with my new tourist visa...

[ubonjoe]

Having a re-entry permit does not mean you have to use it. Just put your visa number on your arrival card instead of your re-entry permit. Also if you have already finished with your job your extension has been invalid since that day.

With a 3 entry visa valid for 6 months you can get almost 9 months if you get a 30 day extension for each entry and you make a border run the day before it expires.

If you enter using your re-entry permit and make a border run you will loose those 30 days from your max time you can get out of the tourist visa.

[bostonbean]

Having a re-entry permit does not mean you have to use it. Just put your visa number on your arrival card instead of your re-entry permit. Also if you have already finished with your job your extension has been invalid since that day.

With a 3 entry visa valid for 6 months you can get almost 9 months if you get a 30 day extension for each entry and you make a border run the day before it expires.

If you enter using your re-entry permit and make a border run you will loose those 30 days from your max time you can get out of the tourist visa.

Really? Interesting. Well, about the job. because it was teaching at a university and the decision to stop only came recently while I am here in the states, the ending of the job is not officially documented (as my university doesn't want to go through the hassle of terminating a contract, but it is understood that I will not continue next semester. so I don't think anything official is known about my job status.

But let me see if I get what your saying:

on my new tourist visa, (if i enter thailand on it) i wait till a few days before it expires (or is it anytime i can get the extension ) get the 30 day extension, then the day before the extension is up, do a border run..?

and do you know if on my border run they will continue to give the 60 days instead of changing it to 30 days (meaning does the extension change my tourist visa from 60 to 30 days)

I appreciate your answers and your patience. It's so stressfull trying to figure this stuff out and knowing what information is right and what is not.

[bostonbean]

hey, by the way, thanx again for taking the time to help me. It's really appreciated!

[ubonjoe]

If your current employer has not infomed the labor department that you are no longer working then your extension would still be valid.

You can get an extension of your 60 days permit to stay that you get when you enter with your tourist visa up until the day it ends. But of course it would be best to do it a week or more before. The 30 days will be from the date your permit to stay ends no matter when you get the extension.

You will still get a 60 day permit to stay for all entries allowed by your visa. Getting an extension does not change that.

Just be sure you make the last entry before the day that your visa expires (use before date).

[bostonbean]

If your current employer has not infomed the labor department that you are no longer working then your extension would still be valid.

You can get an extension of your 60 days permit to stay that you get when you enter with your tourist visa up until the day it ends. But of course it would be best to do it a week or more before. The 30 days will be from the date your permit to stay ends no matter when you get the extension.

You will still get a 60 day permit to stay for all entries allowed by your visa. Getting an extension does not change that.

Just be sure you make the last entry before the day that your visa expires (use before date).

I think i will do just that. Enter on my new tourist visa and fairly soon after, get my 30 day extension.

Not too much of a headache to only do every 90 days. It almost seems better than the trouble the b visa and work permit seemed to bring. anyway, Again, many thanx, and take good care!

[ubonjoe]

Glad to help.