Hi Everybody,

Talk about confusing! I am usually pretty switched on with Immigration rules and regulations but this particular issue has got me going in circles. No offence intended to anybody with good intentions but can I please ask that only those who actually know how to deal with this issue through direct experience or hands on knowledge answer me. I have already exhausted all the normal channels for this information and have got nothing but a continual stream of mixed and confusing information.

I arrived here 4 months ago from NZ on a Type O visa with my wife, that recently expired so my wife and I went to Laos (Vientiane) to renew it. I have now been offered a position in the NZ Embassy in Bangkok and been given a Government support letter to obtain a Type F visa (I have to apply for the visa myself). How do I change my status?

Some examples of information I have been given:

1. Fill out a WP2 work permit application and apply at the immigration office in Dindaeng

2. Leave the country and apply at a Royal Thai Embassy

3. It takes 7 days to process

4. It takes 24hrs to process

5. Cost ranging from 1900 baht to 5500 baht?

Does anybody know how to do this the right way? I am supposed to start work on the 22nd Mar and I am getting nowhere fast with applying for my visa. I do know that a Type F is a special visa for official/government workers so do not know if it is considered to be the same as a work permit or not?

Sorry, but sounds very KIWI to me, a bit "thuck".If you are getting an official job in the NZ Embassy, surely they would know all the processes necessary and could tell YOU?Can't your mob speak to the Thai mob, afterall you are all in the same game?

Sorry, but sounds very KIWI to me, a bit "thuck".If you are getting an official job in the NZ Embassy, surely they would know all the processes necessary and could tell YOU?Can't your mob speak to the Thai mob, afterall you are all in the same game?

You would think so wouldn't you. However, like I said I have to do it myself. If it was any other country they would do it for me I'm sure, but not here, and it's not hard to see why.

I'm not sure. You will probably have to go abroad and apply for a non-immigrant "F" visa. Normally you just change the reason for your permission to stay at immigration, but in your case you might need to get an official non-immigrant "F" visa from abroad to get diplomatic immunity.

We don't see much "f" visas, but hopefully someone wiser than me might come along.

The work permit might not be necessary. Some categories are exempted.

Seems I was correct. You will not need a work permit with a non "F" visa.

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0366.pdf section 4.

Moved to visa section.

Seems I was correct. You will not need a work permit with a non "F" visa.

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0366.pdf section 4.

Moved to visa section.

It´s silly, but common that you have to apply for your F-Visa yourself, we had to do it in Germany before we flew in. They needed a copy of the contract and the aplication, they did it right there at the embassy, no waiting time. You don´t need to apply for a work permission, ones you got the Visa, your employer will get the residence stamp into your passport and you also will get a residence card (like an ID) which at the same time is a work permit. At least this is how it worked with us.

It´s silly, but common that you have to apply for your F-Visa yourself, we had to do it in Germany before we flew in. They needed a copy of the contract and the aplication, they did it right there at the embassy, no waiting time. You don´t need to apply for a work permission, ones you got the Visa, your employer will get the residence stamp into your passport and you also will get a residence card (like an ID) which at the same time is a work permit. At least this is how it worked with us.

Many thanks to you and Mario, thats great advice and excellent news. I will make a start on my application tomorrow armed with that useful knowledge.I have already completed the application and have my support letter so should be good to go.

Cheers Guys