Visa Advice Please...

[Rhysjc]

Hi everyone. I'm after some advice. I am a New Zealander in Phuket working on a visiting yacht. The boat is staying in Thai waters for at least the next 12months. I have a 3 month non B visa (no work permit) issued in New Zealand but it expires late August. I am planning on doing a visa run to singapore and would like some advice on which visa to apply for. I have heard mixed reports on which visa's I may be eligible. Non B or Non O? The guidence available on the internet is fairly vague for my situation.

Thanks

[thaiphoon]

Hi everyone. I'm after some advice. I am a New Zealander in Phuket working on a visiting yacht. The boat is staying in Thai waters for at least the next 12months. I have a 3 month non B visa (no work permit) issued in New Zealand but it expires late August. I am planning on doing a visa run to singapore and would like some advice on which visa to apply for. I have heard mixed reports on which visa's I may be eligible. Non B or Non O? The guidence available on the internet is fairly vague for my situation.

Thanks

It is illegal to do any type of work in Thailand without having a work permit. It carries a jail term of up to 5 years under the new labour laws. This is the first aspect you urgently need to address. Where is this "visiting yatch" from? If not from Thailand I think you have some very serious problems and should consider "jumping ship".

You need Non-B visa to work in Thailand unless married to a Thai (Non-O). During the first 2 years of working you will have to leave the country every 90 days, unless your employer can show 2 years tax documents which would enable you to apply for a 1 year extension of stay. If appropriate, you should apply for this during the last 30 days prior to expiry of your 'permission to stay' stamp.

[Rhysjc]

Thanks for the heads up Thaiphoon. The boat is registered in the Caribbean. We are here for maintenance and then expect to do some cruising around SE asia. As I am not working for a Thai company I cannot get a work permit. I explained everything to the Thai consulate in NZ and I got the 3 month non - B visa no worries. I would like to know which visa I best qualify for. Or do I just get tourist visas?

[thaiphoon]

Thanks for the heads up Thaiphoon. The boat is registered in the Caribbean. We are here for maintenance and then expect to do some cruising around SE asia. As I am not working for a Thai company I cannot get a work permit. I explained everything to the Thai consulate in NZ and I got the 3 month non - B visa no worries. I would like to know which visa I best qualify for. Or do I just get tourist visas?

The embassy told you wrong. I will say again that doing any type of work in Thailand without a WP is illegal. You cannot obtain renewal of Non-B visa without WP and supporting thai company paperwork.

If you want to work under the radar then that is a decision for you. But be aware of the risks. You just need a local to report you and you're in the pooh big time. You could obtain a tourist visa in neighbouring country, or apply for 12 month Non-O visa on basis of visiting friends from consulate outside the Asia region.