Going To Thailand For Job Interview

[mja1906]

My situation is that I am planning to stay in Thailand for the next year, and there is a possible job opportunity which I would interview for in Thailand soon upon arrival. If I get that the job thats fine, the company would take care of the paperwork for getting the appropriate work visa+permit. However if I don't then I would still like to stay in Thailand for up to a year.

I am in a dilemma as to whether to apply for a multi-entry TR (I know single are free, but are multi free too?) OR a non-imm 'O' for the purposes of visiting family and friends from Hull, (which I believe could give me up to a year).

If I did get the job, it would seem a shame to fork out 100GBP for a non-imm 'O' visa only to have to convert that into a non-imm (for work purposes+permit) soon after arriving in THailand. Whereas the TR is free, but if I don't get the job, then I'm buggered because that only gives me about 6mths. Plus, I was in Thailand May 2008-May2010 on a combination of TRs and volunteer visas, so want to avoid this route again because it will start to look suspicious.

Any advice on what to do is much appreciated

Thanks,

[TerryLH]

No such thing as a multiple entry tourist visa.

I think a 3 entry tourist visa would be the most you could hope for, and not all embassies/consulates will give you that many.

You can get a free double entry visa in Laos.

That would give you the 6 months. 60 days + 30 days extension at immigration for 1900 baht. Exit the country and return and do the same with your second entry.

When those 90 days are up, get a new visa in Laos and repeat the above. Depending on when you start your trip, you might have to pay for these. I think the free visa offer expires early next year.

With a multi O from Hull, I think you'd have to do a visa run every 90 days.

[Lite Beer]

The Multi Non Imm O Visa from Hull would give up to 15 months but would need a border run every 90 days.

[lopburi3]

Actually there is multiple entry tourist visa in 2, 3, and 4 being the normal range. What there is not is the multi-entry type used for non immigrant visas where you have unlimited entry during a specific period of time.

As Vientiane is providing free 2 entry tourist visas suspect that would be a viable alternative if job is not forthcoming during period of initial visa entries.

[mja1906]

Thanks guys, all useful info

Does anyone know if the 2 or 3 entry tourist visas are free from Hull?

Can I confirm that 3entries would give - 60days(+30days extension) * 3 = 270days = 9 months stay

Also if I were to choose the non-imm O visa route - if I got the job would it simply be a case of getting a WP

(instead of exiting the country to get a non-imm ?

[Mario2008]

Believe 2 entries are free, not sure about 3 entries.

If you get a non-O you will be able to get a work permit on that, no need to get a non-B from abroad first.

[lopburi3]

Be aware there are a number of reports that same offices will not provide a work permit on a non immigrant O visa entry. This seems to be for those issued such a visa to visit friends rather than those having dependents who are Thai. As with so many things 100% is not the norm here.