How Exactly Does My Non Immigrant-b Work If I Don't Have A Work Permit

[mikeinthai]

Hi,

I am 27 years old and have a UK passport. I got my passport back from the Royal Thai Embassy in London and obtained the non-immigrant single entry (3 months) visa from them thanks to the supporting company papers my future employer had sent me.

However, I believe that my employer would like me to work without a work permit (at least in the beginning, for a trial period) so having researched the possible consequences for that in this forum, I will most likely not be able to take that job offer unless the conditions change.

I was wondering whether my non-immigrant visa B is still valid since it doesn't seem to mention any company name etc. anywhere and if I can enter thailand for 3 months with no problem or if I would HAVE to have a work permit or a demand for one in progress if I am in the country on a non-immigrant B visa. Also, could I leave and re-enter every 3 months with this and no work permit for a total of 1 year or do I need a work permit?

Thanks for giving me as much feedback as possible, I am quite confused!

[thaiphoon]

Your visa allows you to travel to Thailand. The permission to stay you get on entry allows you to stay in Thailand. To work you must obtain a work permit. Your visa is not tied to a specific employer; what ties down your employment is your work permit.

You hold a single entry Non-B visa, and on entering the Kingdom you will receive a 90 day permission to stay. If you were to leave the country during that time period your permission to stay would die, unless you obtain a re-entry permit from immigration before departing to preserve the remaining days on your permission to stay on re-entry. The cost of a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht single entry; 3,800 baht multi entry. Only if you hold a multiple entry Non-Immigrant visa can you travel in/out for a year receiving a new 90 day permission to stay on each entry whilst the visa is valid.

Working in Thailand without a work permit is a serious offense, and the penalties if caught can be severe. It carries a jail term of up to 5 years under labour law, but sentence is more often reduced to a fine and deportation. You are right to ask your employer for a work permit from the start, as it is you who carries all the risk. Would suggest you also check with your employer what their plans are for your continued stay after the initial 90 days. Many companies will support an application for 12 month extension of stay based on employment at Thai immigration. That requires your employer to provide certain papers to immigration, so check they are able to do. With extension of stay and a re-entry permit you can travel out of the country and keep your permission to stay alive.

[tripplejjj]

However, I believe that my employer would like me to work without a work permit (at least in the beginning, for a trial period) so having researched the possible consequences for that in this forum, I will most likely not be able to take that job offer unless the conditions change.

Let's keep it simple and ask your potential employer directly if he requires you to work in Thailand without a work permit. (Why play this guessing game?) If he requires you to work, then inform him that he needs to do his part so you can get a work permit. If he refuses and insists that you work without a work permit, then you are dealing with a DISHONEST employer. A trial period is like a job with no pay. (It is illegal to work in Thailand without a work permit.)

[mikeinthai]

First of all, thank you very much for your replies.

I have just contacted my employer trying to clarify exactly what they mean from this 'trial period' and specified that I would only agree to work for them from the day I have the blue immigration booklet in my possession. Should they not agree, I will be looking for employment elsewhere as I am not keen on being deported from Thailand even though I'm sure the chances are small, I am just not willing to take them.

In regards to my visa, that seems to be the good news, that it will still be usable and it will make finding an employer slightly easier (or at least save me a 'visa run' trip to get the non immigrant . So I do understand that I need to find an employer and get them to apply for a work permit for me. However, let's say I wasn't able to find an employer or get the work permit in the first 3 months, is it possible to get the multiple re-entry permission or get the non-immigrant b converted to multiple entry 1 year without the work permit or is this a manditory document in order to do this?

What I am wondering is basically if my deadline to find a job and get my work permit sorted once I'm in Thailand is 3 months (hopefully sufficient although I haven't had much luck besides this offer, which obviously seems kind of dodgy) or if I can somehow make it longer than that, whilst remaining 100% legal. Basically I guess I'm asking what is needed to get the re-entry permit (single or multiple) and/or to get the non immigrant B single entry converted to multiple. I was told at the ryl Thai embassy in London that in order to apply for the multiple I would need a work permit hence why I was only given a single entry one for the time being.

Thanks and best regards.

[Mario2008]

Without work permit you will not be able to extend your stay or get a new non-B visa in Asia. The consulate in Hull might have provided you with the multiple non-B.

[lopburi3]

However you can easily obtain a tourist visa from an area Consulate if you need more time and once you have a work permit application receipt in hand can obtain a new non immigrant B visa from a Consulate in the immediate area.

[sutyot]

Without work permit you will not be able to extend your stay or get a new non-B visa in Asia. The consulate in Hull might have provided you with the multiple non-B.

He can apply for extention and get approx. 7 days and then they will tell him he has been refused an extention of stay.

If the company prepares a new letter asking for the Thai Consulate to issue a Non-Immigrant B Visa for purposes of applying for a Work Permit he should be able to get a new Visa issued in Asia.

Sutyot

[PoorSucker]

Without work permit you will not be able to extend your stay or get a new non-B visa in Asia. The consulate in Hull might have provided you with the multiple non-B.

He can apply for extention and get approx. 7 days and then they will tell him he has been refused an extention of stay.

If the company prepares a new letter asking for the Thai Consulate to issue a Non-Immigrant B Visa for purposes of applying for a Work Permit he should be able to get a new Visa issued in Asia.

Sutyot

To get a Non-B in Asia he must have a workpermit or a WP3 (have applied for WP).