Non Visa(Visa Exemption) To Non-Immigrant Visa “B”

[jlanguage]

Hi,

Now I have a Non-immigrant ED visa which is to be expired on June 23rd. I will be employed by a compaly which is going to apply for my Non-immigrant "B" visa on or after June 14th. I was told that I need to extend my days permmited to stay in Thailand because my current ED visa will be expired within 21 days which is required days for B visa application.

So I am thinking to leave for Laos and re-enter Thailand to get more 30 days of permit to stay here in Thailand under visa exemption status.

Some say it is impossible to get Non-immigrant "B" visa from no-visa(visa exemption) in Thailand while other say it is possible.

Anyone has done that?

Hope someone can clarify it.

Best wishes

[beano2274]

What is a Non Visa Exemption?

I think you mean a Tourist Visa exemption.

Also read this, from the front page

Thaivisa.com - Tourist Visa Exemption

[lopburi3]

If the job allows issue of a one year extension of stay there is a possibility of visa issue/change of status from Immigration for an extra 2,000 baht. This used to require 21 days but recent reports say only 10-14 days is now required (but no firm word). Your current visa entry would not allow a work permit issue so does need to change.

[monty]

Most of the times you will be required to apply for a work permit, receive the WP3 form when your application is approved, then travel abroad to get a non immigrant B visa and return, after which then the work permit is issued.

Doing the conversion to non immigrant B is often a catch 22 situation, where immigration won't do the conversion unless you qualify for a 1 year extension (for which you need a valid work permit!), and labor department won't issue the WP until you have obtained the conversion!

Hence the need to travel!

Being employed by a big multinational or BOI sponsored company would likely smooth things over, but for a smaller employer the above scenario will likely be needed.

[jlanguage]

What is a Non Visa Exemption?

I think you mean a Tourist Visa exemption.

Also read this, from the front page

Thaivisa.com - Tourist Visa Exemption

Sorry, you are right. I mean the Tourist Visa exemption.

[jlanguage]

Hi Lopburi3 and Monty

Sorry for my incorrect input.

My question : Is it possible to change Tourist Visa exemption to Non-immigrant B visa here in Thailand without leaving Thailand for other country as long as all the necessary documents are prepared ? Or should I apply for Non-immigrant B visa with all required items at a Thai embassy/ consulate outside Thailand?

[Mario2008]

In general, immigration will not convert from a ED-visa (that might be different if you work for the government or a "BOI-company"). The firm and you better apply for the WP now. When you apply and it is accepted, labour will than give you a WP3 form. This form signals to a consulate that you will get a work pemit once you have the correct visa. Without the WP3 form you will not get a non-B visa anywhere in the region.

[jlanguage]

I see, thanks a lot Mario.

[dbk2322]

It's been the case for a few years now that you can do this.

Got a 'B' extension in 2007 with 3 days left on a 30 day visa exempt stamp.

No, didn't need a WP, just the WP3 form or whatever it was from Labor Dept showing an initial filing had been made. I know for a fact the WP came weeks later. The old 'chicken or the egg' problem with employment extensions and work permits, what comes first, was sorted a long time ago.

Immi had a form in thai and english that explained what was required to do an employment extension. It was quite clear, much clearer than anything i've ever seen anywhere else. If you followed that checklist exactly, you were fine.

The 21 day 'rule' was not a rule unless they felt swamped with applications or the IO decided to give you a hard time. Usually the extension would get done in a hour or so while you waited so the putative reason of having plenty of 'days' to do the extension didn't come into play.

Immi status did not matter, any visa or extension or visa exempt status would do, as long as you were not already on overstay. Perhaps they are discriminating now against people on ED extensions, it woundn't surprise me, but in my mind the whole 'conversion' thing is way overplayed. Think of it as an extension and that's all. If you've got the right supporting docs they can do an employment extension of stay for you right then and there, which is exactly how it should be.