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

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.

Edited July 24, 200916 yr by 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?

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.

Edited July 26, 200916 yr by thaiphoon