Non-"o" 90-day

[paulnewman]

I have a 90-day non-immigrant "O" visa with about 60 days remaining. What do I have to have completed by when workpermit-wise to avoid another trip out of the country for another visa?

Thank you for your help.

[beechguy]

A work permit alone isn't going to prevent you from being required to get another visa. You would have to apply for, and receive, an "Extension of Stay" based on business or marriage. The requirements for each are posted often, and are also in the pinned topics section.

You may want to have a look at section 2.1 or 2.18 here. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a70477-.html

[Lite Beer]

Or a trip to outside the Country for another Visa.

A work permit will not allow you to stay. A Visa or an extension of stay will.

[paulnewman]

A work permit alone isn't going to prevent you from being required to get another visa. You would have to apply for, and receive, an "Extension of Stay" based on business or marriage. The requirements for each are posted often, and are also in the pinned topics section.

I'm sorry. I know that. I recall that there is a time restriction involved in the process we are discussing, but I don't remember how it's supposed to work. And I don't recall if I need "X" days remaining on the visa to get the WP, or "X" days remaining on the visa to be granted the extension, or what. My intention is to apply for the "Extension of Stay" based on being legally employed, that is to say, having a work permit.

I have tried looking for the information, but it has so far evaded me.

[thaiphoon]

You can apply for 12 month extension of stay based on employment during the last 30 days of your current permission to stay if you meet the requirements. Requirements being salary 50k/month for westerners (but does vary depending on nationality), you will have to provide work permit and your employer to produce company documents, audited accounts and tax receipts for the last 2 years. Fee 1,900 baht.

Once the extension is granted you would have to report your address to immigration every 90 days, but for most immigration offices that can be done by post. If you plan to travel during the period of the extension you will need to obtain a re-entry permit from immigration to keep your permission to stay alive. Fee 1000 baht single entry; 3800 baht multi entry.

You need to be in possession of valid Non-B/Non-O visa at the time you collect your work permit (which is not a problem for you).

[beechguy]

For the work permit, I would say apply soon as possible, and for the extension, with at least 30 days remaining on your current permitted to stay period. The company should be able to provide the supporting documents listed for section 2.1 in the link above.

[thaiphoon]

Yes, you must get the WP sorted first and, as said, your employer needs to help you with that. You cannot get extension of stay based on employment without having the WP. Usually takes a few days for WP to be issued from date of application, but can vary depending on Labour Office.

[paulnewman]

Next time I ask this question, I'll have a better idea how to phrase it the first time.

I'm an English teacher and they are not going to be paying me 50K (or even 40). Nevertheless, I'm under the impression that if the school gets the paperwork right, I can get a work permit. I'm hoping to use that work permit to get an extension.

I hold a U.S. passport, I'm over 55 years of age and the non-O is in connection with my being married to a Thai and even, for all I know, having a son by her (The visa agent in Penang said, "Just give me everything.") We live under the same roof. We don't have 400K in the bank or as much as 40K monthly income.

My concern is that a civil servant somewhere in the process is going to say I don't have enough time on the visa to do whatever needs be done.

I think you folks just wrapped up the answer for me as I was grabbing a snack to eat. Thank you all.

[thaiphoon]

1) There is no minimum salary requirement for extension of stay based on emploment if you are a teacher

2) The school should be able to sort out the paperwork for you for both your WP and extension of stay based on employment

3) Be aware that by being on extension of stay based on employment that IF you were to lose your job you would lose your permission to stay also - meaning you would have to leave the country on your last day of working (or obtain 7 day extension from immigration) and then obtain new visa from embassy/consulate abroad.

4) Or stick with your current Non-O visa and then apply for multi-entry Non-O on basis of marriage to Thai at embassy in KL at expiry. Marriage certificate, signed copy of wife's ID card, short letter from her requesting issue of the visa and about 30k in the bank (but some reports of less) would do the trick. Would have to do border run every 90 days but no need to leave country/obtain new visa if employment ended. It is up to you.

[paulnewman]

1) There is no minimum salary requirement for extension of stay based on emploment if you are a teacher

2) The school should be able to sort out the paperwork for you for both your WP and extension of stay based on employment

3) Be aware that by being on extension of stay based on employment that IF you were to lose your job you would lose your permission to stay also - meaning you would have to leave the country on your last day of working (or obtain 7 day extension from immigration) and then obtain new visa from embassy/consulate abroad.

4) Or stick with your current Non-O visa and then apply for multi-entry Non-O on basis of marriage to Thai at embassy in KL at expiry. Marriage certificate, signed copy of wife's ID card, short letter from her requesting issue of the visa and about 30k in the bank (but some reports of less) would do the trick. Would have to do border run every 90 days but no need to leave country/obtain new visa if employment ended. It is up to you.

Thanks, Taiph...

Re 3, I was suffering under the illusion that non-O (vs. non- got me out of that crazy trap, but what you say makes sense. Maybe for people with a non-O and big savings in the bank, the extension could not be based on the WP, even if having a WP, so loss of job and one could stay incountry. Thanks for clearing up my foggyness on that.

Re 4, if you happen to know, roughly, offhand...

1. Can one make that Malay trip by train comfortably?

2. What's the cost by air R.T. roughly? (I loathe using international airports.)

We are way into tomorrow already. I am going to bed. Don't stay up researching and typing on my account.

[thaiphoon]

Yes, if you were on extension of stay based on marriage to Thai (needing 400k in the bank/40k income) then you could stay here if you were to lose your job because your permission to stay is not linked to the job.

Others can comment on travel plans.

[lopburi3]

You do not need any type of visa to apply for a work permit. You could be here as a tourist. Only for issue of the work permit is a non immigrant visa required.

You do have an option to obtain a 60 day extension of stay based on visiting your wife/child for 1,900 baht if you want to take advantage of it.

Rail travel is easy but so is air and with discount flights may make more sense - it also opens KL as an alternative to Penang (which seems to change mood often).

[paulnewman]

[snip...]

You do have an option to obtain a 60 day extension of stay based on visiting your wife/child for 1,900 baht if you want to take advantage of it.

[...snip]

Wow, I didn't know that. Is that one time only, or can one obtain a second extension when the first is about to expire?

Thanks, all, for other info not replied to directly.

[Mario2008]

The 60 day extension is one time only.