Tourist Visa To Non Imm B

[bkkplaya]

Hi,

New to the forum, so thanks for any help!

I have just received a double entry tourist visa from Vientienne. Previously I had a Non Imm B but never applied for a work permit for various reasons!

I have been told by someone here that once I find a job I can get the tourist visa changed to a Non Imm B within 21 days in Bangkok (without doing another dreaded visa run!) and then apply for the work permit which takes about 9 days. Is this the case as far as anyone s aware and does anyone know the process?

Many thanks.

[lopburi3]

You do not need to change to apply for a work permit - only to have the permit issued requires the non immigrant B visa. A change of visa status can only be done in the process of a one year extension of stay so unless you will meet all those requirements it is best to apply for work permit and take receipt for application and company paperwork to a Consulate to obtain the visa.

[bkkplaya]

You do not need to change to apply for a work permit - only to have the permit issued requires the non immigrant B visa. A change of visa status can only be done in the process of a one year extension of stay so unless you will meet all those requirements it is best to apply for work permit and take receipt for application and company paperwork to a Consulate to obtain the visa.

Thanks for the reply. DOes that mean I first apply for the work permit and then go to the Consulate in Bangkok to get a Non Imm B visa?

[Mario2008]

Yes, apply first for the work permit. And with the WP3 form labour will give you you can try to convert to a non-B. But as said, you will need to fulfill the requirements for a 1 year extension of stay.

[lopburi3]

When I said Consulate it was to Vientiane/PP/KL or other local area Royal Thai Consulates as I do not know if you will be able to extend immediately or not (most people can not) so a trip for visa is required and the work permit receipt is vital for that in the local area.

[bkkplaya]

Thanks again for the info. Sorry to keep delving but this is new to me. What exactly would the requirements be for a one year extension of stay? Would I basically HAVE to go back to Laos etc to get a new Non Imm B for the company that applied for the work permit or if I do fulfill the requirements can I get a Non Imm B visa issued (or my tourist visa changed to one, sorry I am not clear on this) in Bangkok itself?

[lopburi3]

Although it may be possible to convert a non immigrant visa entry for work it does not seem to happen often - most conversions are for retirement extension of stay from reports here. For work most people are advised to obtain a non immigrant B visa from a local area Consulate after obtaining the required paperwork.

[AdaminBKK]

Does anyone know where to get a list of required documents for an embassy (whichever is the most lenient) for a soon to be foreign employee? I have run across many lists but I dont want to burden my company to provide documents meant for one year visas when all I can get at this point is a 3 month anyways.

The Kuala Lumpur Consulate says it requires these from the company:

Document required from the inviting company in Thailand:

v Letter indicating applicant’s name, passport number and the objective of the visit to Thailand, etc., requesting for Non-Immigration Type ‘B’ visa.

v Copy of employment contract indicating rationale for employing, his/her salary, position etc.

v Copy of the company’s registration.

v Copy of the company’s list shareholders.

v Copy of the company’s latest balance sheet, statement of income tax and business tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year

v Copy of the company’s registration value-added tax (VAT). (Por Por 20)

v List of all foreign employees employed by company. (Specified by name, nationality and position)

v Map indicating the location of the company.

6. Letter of approval from the ministry of Labour (If any)

7. Copy of work permit (if any).

I know number 7 must instead be a "WP3" recipt as proof of work permit application, but ALL off the other documents really necessary? I ask partly because I will not be working as a manager but rather as an intern making only 20,000 baht. I want to reduce the amount of lying my company has to do on my part.

Any advice?