Visa ' In Limbo '

[DrBig]

Hi would/could anyone give accurate advice on my visa dilemma? Im british,40 years of age. Been here for almost 15 months on 'non imm O' -i'm admitted until 7th april, when i plan to go to Vientiene,Laos. I've been offered a teaching job by an agency which starts 1st week may. the contracts wont be signed etc until mid april. The agency has advised me to go to Laos & apply for a tourist visa (valid 2 months) & after the contracts are signed mid april they will process my non B/work permit papers.My question is-is this feasable-to go from 'non O' to tourist visa, & then later to 'non B'.....as i dont have the papers ready yet to go straight to 'non B' am i likely to be refused the tourist visa? if so,could i apply for single entry 'non O' ? & is vientiene the best place to try? Thanks for any help...

[jdinasia]

If you don't have scads of tourist visas in your passport and you have been on a non-imm-multi for the last year+ you should be fine for a Tourist Visa (even a double entry TV).

[beano2274]

Non Immigrant O based on what?

[DrBig]

Non Immigrant O based on what?

applied in UK Thai consulate,based on extended stay/visit friends (no i'm not married)

[Mario2008]

It is feasable, but working without a work permit is illegal and can put you in serious trouble.

I would seriously question an employer that wants you to start working illegally.

[lopburi3]

I did not read anything illegal but it very well may be with delay excuses made. I read get tourist visa now until work permit application and contract can be submitted/signed in April and then get the non immigrant B visa to allow issue of the work permit.

[beano2274]

Non Immigrant O based on what?

applied in UK Thai consulate,based on extended stay/visit friends (no i'm not married)

This has ceased, there is no Non Immigrant O for visiting friends anymore.

[DrBig]

It is feasable, but working without a work permit is illegal and can put you in serious trouble.

I would seriously question an employer that wants you to start working illegally.

yes i'm aware of that & so i tried to explain to make it clear-

the agency will not have my papers ready before my 'admitted until' stamp expires-so how to bridge the gap.

its just unfortunate timing with the end of my visa/ landing & securing a job offer too close together-

if the job offer came through weeks earlier possibly i could go direct to a 'non B' (if both school/agency were prompt with the papers)

[DrBig]

I did not read anything illegal but it very well may be with delay excuses made. I read get tourist visa now until work permit application and contract can be submitted/signed in April and then get the non immigrant B visa to allow issue of the work permit.

seems logical

thanks

[DrBig]

If you don't have scads of tourist visas in your passport and you have been on a non-imm-multi for the last year+ you should be fine for a Tourist Visa (even a double entry TV).

i've no previous tourist visas-just a recently new passport with the 'non imm O'

thanks :-)