Received Non-imm B Single Entry, Useless?

[ghiakarmann]

Hello again,

I hope this comes across clearly, because its not clear in my head! Tried searching old posts already.

My friend wants to live and train in scuba diving in Thailand for a year or so, and while he's still in the USA he applied for an extended stay Visa with some processing agency. (Not a consulate or embassy) He's only interested in training to be a divemaster, not to work.

Short story, for some reason the agency applied for a Non-imm B Multi entry, rather than an Educational. Doesn't seem like it should matter either way, I just don't know why they applied for a B when he had no intention of working.

The problem is they weren't successful in getting a Multi-entry, so now he's the proud owner of a SINGLE entry Non-imm B visa that appears to be good for only 60 days. Am I wrong, or is this no better than the free 60 day tourist visa he could have gotten himself at the Embassy? Seems to me the only good thing a single entry non-imm B would be good for is to begin the process of applying for a work permit, which he has no interest in.

The agency explained to him that the dive shop he'll be training through can somehow upgrade it to a multi-entry visa. The only thing I can find on here is a one year extension for the Non-Imm visa. For some reason, this site won't let me post a link to the URL, its just the "One year Visa Ext." link under the Non-Immigrant Visa Header on the homepage.

Basically scraping together huge amounts of complex paperwork, something NO dive shop would ever bother to do just to help a trainee.

Seems to me this agency promised him everything, took his money and left him with a fairly useless visa. After 60 days he still needs to leave the country and apply for some other kind of visa. Am I wrong? Will he be able to simply extend the visa in some way I'm not seeing here?

Thanks all!

Ryan

[PattayaBunLover]

Well for one thing, a non-imm B visa is good for 90 days per entry not 60 (or basically 3 months not 2) for starters. The visa rules here are always in a state of flux but I do beleive that if you friend does indeed sigh-up for a divemaster course with a legit diving instructor/school, he would be able to convert (actually extend) this visa at a local immigration office into a visa that would allow him to stay in the country for one year (without leaving).

A divemaster course takes several months to complete and is a good money maker for most dive schools and any legit one would do the paperwork to allow the student to get the extension.

[ghiakarmann]

The agency explained to him that the dive shop he'll be training through can somehow upgrade it to a multi-entry visa. The only thing I can find on here is a one year extension for the Non-Imm visa.

In talking with my friend, he's convinced this one year extension is different, and that its somehow possible to change it from a single entry to a multi entry. What I'm unclear about it the process to do such a thing, and where he might have the best success? Back home in the states, either at a Consulate/Embassy or an Honorary Consulate? Here in Thailand on his arrival at an immigration office? In one of the neighboring countries when he leaves after 60 days?

Or is the whole thing a pipe dream? Is it reasonable to expect an upgrade from single to multi on a Non-imm B?

Thanks!

[ghiakarmann]

Well for one thing, a non-imm B visa is good for 90 days per entry not 60 (or basically 3 months not 2) for starters.

That had been my recollection as well, I don't know why they told him 60 rather than 90. Is there any chance its 60 with the eligibility for the 1900 baht 30 day extension?

I do beleive that if you friend does indeed sigh-up for a divemaster course with a legit diving instructor/school, he would be able to convert (actually extend) this visa at a local immigration office into a visa that would allow him to stay in the country for one year (without leaving).

A divemaster course takes several months to complete and is a good money maker for most dive schools and any legit one would do the paperwork to allow the student to get the extension.

Any idea if its simply an extension on the time (from 2-3 months to 12 months) or a conversion to a multi-entry?

Irritating that the company that took his money failed to deliver what they promised, then gave him only the vaguest advice on upgrading to a multi-entry. At the moment he is signed up with a particular dive shop, but with the fluctuating quality of shops theres no guarantee thats the shop he'll actually be completing his training through. A multi entry right out of the gate would have given him the flexibility to move to another shop should it be more favorable.

Thanks for the info!

[lopburi3]

1. A non immigrant single entr B visa allows a stay of 90 days.

2. Such a visa can not be converted to multi entry by anyone. There is very little chance of a multi entry being issued in the area of Thailand.

3. If dive shops does not advise they can obtain extension of stay it is highly unlikely he can obtain such.

4. Most such places it appears are not legal schools.

5. To spend his money he might have been able to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa from an honorary consulate such as Houston. He might want to consider calling such a Consulate.

[jombom]

The agency explained to him that the dive shop he'll be training through can somehow upgrade it to a multi-entry visa. The only thing I can find on here is a one year extension for the Non-Imm visa.

In talking with my friend, he's convinced this one year extension is different, and that its somehow possible to change it from a single entry to a multi entry. What I'm unclear about it the process to do such a thing, and where he might have the best success? Back home in the states, either at a Consulate/Embassy or an Honorary Consulate? Here in Thailand on his arrival at an immigration office? In one of the neighboring countries when he leaves after 60 days?

Or is the whole thing a pipe dream? Is it reasonable to expect an upgrade from single to multi on a Non-imm B?

Thanks!

He can change the single entry at any immigration office in Thailand. If I recall correctly, there are choices of 1, 2, or Multi Entry, with different prices. He needs to calculate how many times, he will wish to leave and return to Thailand during the period.

I got a succession of Non Imm B 90 day visas in Malaysia, during my early days here. They were always Single entry, even though my application was for Multi entry.

The dive school should be able to help. If they are trying to attract overseas students, they must have come accross this problem before --- and should therefore know the solution.

Best of luck.

[lopburi3]

Visas can not be changed inside Thailand from single entry - such a visa is dead on arrival. Immigration does not issue visas except as an extension of stay process - and it appears this poster will not qualify for any extension of stay if the dive shop has not advised him otherwise.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The agency explained to him that the dive shop he'll be training through can somehow upgrade it to a multi-entry visa. The only thing I can find on here is a one year extension for the Non-Imm visa.

In talking with my friend, he's convinced this one year extension is different, and that its somehow possible to change it from a single entry to a multi entry. What I'm unclear about it the process to do such a thing, and where he might have the best success? Back home in the states, either at a Consulate/Embassy or an Honorary Consulate? Here in Thailand on his arrival at an immigration office? In one of the neighboring countries when he leaves after 60 days?

Or is the whole thing a pipe dream? Is it reasonable to expect an upgrade from single to multi on a Non-imm B?

Thanks!

He can change the single entry at any immigration office in Thailand. If I recall correctly, there are choices of 1, 2, or Multi Entry, with different prices. He needs to calculate how many times, he will wish to leave and return to Thailand during the period.

I got a succession of Non Imm B 90 day visas in Malaysia, during my early days here. They were always Single entry, even though my application was for Multi entry.

The dive school should be able to help. If they are trying to attract overseas students, they must have come accross this problem before --- and should therefore know the solution.

Best of luck.

You DEFINITELY do NOT recall correctly. It might be best for everyone if you desist offering advice here.

[jombom]

The agency explained to him that the dive shop he'll be training through can somehow upgrade it to a multi-entry visa. The only thing I can find on here is a one year extension for the Non-Imm visa.

In talking with my friend, he's convinced this one year extension is different, and that its somehow possible to change it from a single entry to a multi entry. What I'm unclear about it the process to do such a thing, and where he might have the best success? Back home in the states, either at a Consulate/Embassy or an Honorary Consulate? Here in Thailand on his arrival at an immigration office? In one of the neighboring countries when he leaves after 60 days?

Or is the whole thing a pipe dream? Is it reasonable to expect an upgrade from single to multi on a Non-imm B?

Thanks!

He can change the single entry at any immigration office in Thailand. If I recall correctly, there are choices of 1, 2, or Multi Entry, with different prices. He needs to calculate how many times, he will wish to leave and return to Thailand during the period.

I got a succession of Non Imm B 90 day visas in Malaysia, during my early days here. They were always Single entry, even though my application was for Multi entry.

The dive school should be able to help. If they are trying to attract overseas students, they must have come accross this problem before --- and should therefore know the solution.

Best of luck.

You DEFINITELY do NOT recall correctly. It might be best for everyone if you desist offering advice here.

Intrigued by your comments, I checked my old passport. The page of the passport before the Visa (Single Entry) has a Re-entry Permit, which allowed Multiple entries, and ran for 90 days. It was added to my passport the day after I returned to Thailand in 2007. Whether the addition of the permit changes the conditions of the visa or not, is a point for purists to argue. I left and returned to Thailand twice in the 90 day period, without any problems.

However, as you are a Root Admin member, I will take your suggestion and refrain from offering any further advice on this topic.

[PoorSucker]

Intrigued by your comments, I checked my old passport. The page of the passport before the Visa (Single Entry) has a Re-entry Permit, which allowed Multiple entries, and ran for 90 days. It was added to my passport the day after I returned to Thailand in 2007. Whether the addition of the permit changes the conditions of the visa or not, is a point for purists to argue. I left and returned to Thailand twice in the 90 day period, without any problems.

However, as you are a Root Admin member, I will take your suggestion and refrain from offering any further advice on this topic.

That's a normal re-entry stamp.

You can get it to keep your extension of stay alive.

Not going to give you extra days or change of visa status.

A multiple entry visa allows for unlimited entries within 12 months.

The OP is wondering if he can turn his single entry (3 months) to a Multiple entry (12 months)

[PattayaBunLover]

I suppose a fall back option would be to enter with the 90-day non-b and then near expiration (and assuming he has signed-up with a legit scuba operator (ministry of ed approved [if any]) your friend could skip down to Penang for an Education Visa (single entry). This could then maybe be extended for the length of time of his DM course.

For those who don't know, the DM course is the first rung of professional dive instructors ladder and usually takes a few weeks to a month to complete. Then the holder usually wants to stick around for a few more months to "apprentice" teach and lead dives with students at some dive shop or take additional courses leading to a course director certification.