Change Non Imm B To Oa

[datathomas]

I am a holder of a non immigrant B visa and workpermit. I extended my permit to stay here at the end of feburay.

Now it seems like the company I work for is going down the drain, which probably is the end of my WP.

Is it likely that I can stay to the end of the extension period or can I convert my B to an OA without a lot of paperwork and travel?

What will happen if I simply not return the WP when the company goes over?

My plan is to find new work = new WP before the end of febuary next year and simply just let the old WP run out.

Anyone have experience in this?

/thomas

[Mario2008]

When you lose our job, your permission to stay ends the same day and you have to leave the country or get an extension of stay of 1 week for 1,900 baht.

You can get an extension of stay for 1 year if you meet the requirements for an extension of stay based on retirement. In essence you have to be 50+ and have an income of 65,000 a month OR 800,000 in a Thai bankaccount for 3 months OR have a combination of money in the bank and income totaling 800,000.

You would just need to bring a letter from your employer stating your job ends that and that day and request for an extension of stay based on retirement and submit proof of your income/money in the bank.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You can only apply for an O-A visa in your home country. Your option here is an O visa.

[lopburi3]

There is no such thing as an OA inside Thailand - that is used for a visa issued outside the country that allows a one year stay on arrival.

What you want is to change the reason for your extension of stay. The B extension ends the day your work ends - so you have to take letter from employer and visit Immigration that day to obtain a 7 day extension of stay or the retirement extension of stay - the requirement for extension is only that you entered on a non immigrant visa entry. If you do not do immediately (don't have money in account two months perhaps) you should visit a nearby Consulate for a single entry non immigrant O visa (not hard to obtain over age 50) and when down under 30 days remaining do the extension of stay for retirement.

[lopburi3]

Note the first extension of stay for retirement only requires two months (60 days) in bank account. Future years will be three months.

[datathomas]

Note the first extension of stay for retirement only requires two months (60 days) in bank account. Future years will be three months.

So if I understand both your answers correctly I will apply for a one year extension of stay when I turn in my WP? I am over 50 and the money is in the bank so that part is ok.

This will give me one year to either find a new job or make sure I fill the finacial requirements until next renewal.

/thomas

[lopburi3]

The day is the day your employment ends - not when/if the WP is returned. Your current extension of stay ends on your last day of work regardless of WP.