Hi just had a wonderful wedding with family and friends and need help on 2 areas.

1.how long does it take the thai consulate in Penang to process your non-imagrant visa. Or the one in KL?

2. For a permanent resisdent certificate can you leave thailand in the 3 consecutive yrs extention. for example leave for 8months to do contract work in another country and return to thailand. Is your physical presence necessary for 3 consecutive years?

1. Submit in morning and visa ready next working day after 2 PM. Most Consulates observe this time frame.

2. As long as you continue to obtain extensions of stay (not visa) you may leave as long as you have a re entry permit and are here at the extension time each year.

You obtain O non-immigrant visa which allows a 90 day entry and then during last 30 days you go to immigration with proof of funds/employment to obtain one year extensions of stay.

If you are thinking of multi entry O visa rather than extensions of stay you will never meet PR requirements.

The 3 years on one year extensions of stay are only a requirement for application for PR and approval will require a number of positive other factors - from most reports not having local employment and paying tax would not be a plus factor.

Thank you very much for your reply and advice!!

1.  Submit in morning and visa ready next working day after 2 PM.  Most Consulates observe this time frame.

2.  As long as you continue to obtain extensions of stay (not visa) you may leave as long as you have a re entry permit and are here at the extension time each year.

You obtain O non-immigrant visa which allows a 90 day entry and then during last 30 days you go to immigration with proof of funds/employment to obtain one year extensions of stay.

If you are thinking of multi entry O visa rather than extensions of stay you will never meet PR requirements.

The 3 years on one year extensions of stay are only a requirement for application for PR and approval will require a number of positive other factors - from most reports not having local employment and paying tax would not be a plus factor.

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