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Non Immigrant B Visa


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Hello,

I haven't been able to find the information I need, so am posting here in the hope that someone knows the answer. I've been in Thailand a while - for the last 11 months approx on a non immigrant B visa and work permit (I worked in a government high school). That expired at the end of March so I left and went to get a tourist visa in Penang - the 60 days expires on 2nd June, so I have a little bit left. Anyway, I've been offered a job at a university and have the letter of invitation from the faculty stating that they intend to hire me, but I have to wait for a contract, as everything has gone off to the university committee for approval. Essentially, the contract will take a while to arrive (no date as yet).

So I need to get another non immigrant B and to then apply for a new work permit.

Today I tried to convert my tourist visa into a non imm B at Chaeng Wattana; something which is certainly possible providing you have all the necessary paperwork, 6 x 4 cm photo, 2000 baht, and at least 21 days left on your tourist visa etc etc. I had everything except the contract, and the first immigration guy actually 'processed' my non imm B stamping it into the passport. The problem came when I went to collect, as his boss overuled him and refused to issue the visa on the grounds that there was no contract. Luckily I got my 2000 baht back as well, as she claimed that once the details have been entered onto the computer you cannot get a refund! So perhaps this will be useful information for some, if people don't know about this already.

My main question really is does anyone know if I can get a non immigrant B visa in either Penang or KL with just an invitation/job offer letter? My helper claims that I can, but I'm not sure. Last time I got one I had a contract already, as well as bundles of paperwork about the company (agency).

A visa run for a non immigrant B would be my preferred choice now and I would go at the end of this month. The alternative (if getting the former without a contract is difficult) is to get another 60 day tourist visa in Penang (or KL, or elsewhere), and then convert it when the contract comes through. Extending the tourist visa in Thailand for a month is not really sensible as I would still need to leave again to get a non imm B at the end of June.

I hope it's not too long-winded and someone knows some more information. I wanted to post some info as well, hence the bit on converting from a tourist to a non immigrant B.

Thanks in advance,

Bornslippy

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If it is a government University, I suspect an embassy will be les strict in applying the rules. But not sure if they don't want to see a contract. Might be best if the university emails them beforehand.

If not, try a new (double) entry tourist visa.

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As it is only the contract that prevented change why not extend your current tourist visa and when contract is received do the change? They do not normally enforce that old 21 day requirement anymore - have seen both 15 days and 7 days (and less) being allowed recently. You should have the contract by that time I would think.

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The University will probably wait and wait until the OP has actually started work before the contract is put into the OPs hand. I started at a Government University with a tourist visa, then after a week or so at the University I received the WP3 and then flew to Penang to get my Visa done, at the time it was easier to fly to Penang than change here.

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Thanks guys - sorry I wasn't being ignorant (I thought I had e-mail notifications on and forgot to check back in).

Loburi - I can extend my tourist visa until the 2nd July, but there are no certainties I would have my contract by then. Mind you, given that they sent off the recommendation to hire paperwork early May, I would have thought 2 months would be sufficient!?. I thought the key thing for converting was 21 days (alongside necessary paperwork) - so this won't give me much leeway. Lopburi, you know people who have converted a tourist visa into a non imm B with less than 15 and 7 days left on the visa?

I now have a VOID non imm B visa occupying 2 pages in my passport! Immigration did advise extending my tourist visa while I waited for the contract though, so this does sound sensible now.

Failing everything, I would still have the option to leave at the end of June and get another tourist visa / non imm B in a neighbouring country!

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Yes I have seen a number of reports that is it being done with much less than the previous 21 days now. But always best to do early if you can and most reports have been for marriage or retirement extensions of stay rather than work.

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I am impressed that Immigration had no problems with your looking for work while using a tourist visa and actually encouraged you to extend it for the purpose of doing so! Just goes to show how the 'rules' are enforced in LOS :)

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I am impressed that Immigration had no problems with your looking for work while using a tourist visa and actually encouraged you to extend it for the purpose of doing so! Just goes to show how the 'rules' are enforced in LOS :)

Looking for work on a tourist visa is allowed. you cna even apply for a work permit on it, but won't get it.

Working itself is not allowed.

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I am impressed that Immigration had no problems with your looking for work while using a tourist visa and actually encouraged you to extend it for the purpose of doing so! Just goes to show how the 'rules' are enforced in LOS :)

You will not be issued a Non B or WP until employment is established. Like the mods have stated there is nothing illegal about seeking employment on a tourist visa. Everyone I know including myself were hired on a TV then transferred to a Non B. What "rules" are you referencing?

Edited by mizzi39
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Thanks all.

Samadhi - you need an offer of employment in order to start the process of getting a non immigrant visa B (as Mizzi39 says above). Legally and morally, I see little difference in looking for work while you are in Thailand as opposed to looking for work while staying in your own or another country. Luckily, I didn't look for very long before the right opportunity came along. I applied, interviewed, and was successful.

My plan was to always stay here, but I wanted to change jobs (previous job gave a contract every semester and only paid for 9 1/2 months of the year). My previous extension to stay expired with the end of my last contract, hence the need to get another tourist visa and start the process all over again. If you stay in the same job it is a lot easier I believe. In some cases at least.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Visited immigration and just been told cannot go to B non-immigrant from APEC, so he suggested I go out and come back in with no visa, do not show the APEC only get the 15 day auto stamp. Told me no problem to do the B from that, only company papers photo etc etc. He did not even bother to look at the pile of company docs I had with me, I wanted him to, but he was not concerned. I have no idea what the fee will be, but if it can be done here, that the way it should be for a legit application

Thanks all.

Samadhi - you need an offer of employment in order to start the process of getting a non immigrant visa B (as Mizzi39 says above). Legally and morally, I see little difference in looking for work while you are in Thailand as opposed to looking for work while staying in your own or another country. Luckily, I didn't look for very long before the right opportunity came along. I applied, interviewed, and was successful.

My plan was to always stay here, but I wanted to change jobs (previous job gave a contract every semester and only paid for 9 1/2 months of the year). My previous extension to stay expired with the end of my last contract, hence the need to get another tourist visa and start the process all over again. If you stay in the same job it is a lot easier I believe. In some cases at least.

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  • 1 year later...

The rule is work permit can not be issued on a tourist visa - you can apply for the work permit on a tourist visa however.

Until you find work you are a tourist.

So you come to Thailand and find a job and than once u do, Can you go to immigration and change ur tourist visa to a non immigrant "B" and than apply for ur work permit?

So u do not need to leave Thailand and get the non B at an Embassy??

i read on their website u can but dont always trust the thai website :-)

3.3 Foreign citizens who hold a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa

(“TR”) and wish to engage in business activities in Thailand may apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa)

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-%28for-Business-and.html

Thanks

I posted this in another thread as well so no need to answer twice. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605384-can-u-convert-a-ed-visa-to-a-non-b-visa-in-thailand/#entry5936052

I know it sounds weird why i am asking but

MY gf is in PP getting a new passport, It will not be ready till next week. The lady that will hire her is going on vacation the 22nd until the 8th of Jan. it than takes 10 days i am told by her lawyer to get all paper for applying for the non imm B. So if she can get a tourist visa now and come to phuket and than convert to B visa and apply for the work permit is makes things easier for us.

Thanks Lopburi for ur help. You seem to always know the rules...

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But that is not what I said. I said you can apply for the work permit on a tourist visa entry. You then have the application receipt that is often required for a Consulate to issue the non immigrant B visa and you return with that visa entry to obtain the work permit. Normal procedure is to obtain a non immigrant B visa from a Consulate using company information/employment/work permit application paperwork.

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But that is not what I said. I said you can apply for the work permit on a tourist visa entry. You then have the application receipt that is often required for a Consulate to issue the non immigrant B visa and you return with that visa entry to obtain the work permit. Normal procedure is to obtain a non immigrant B visa from a Consulate using company information/employment/work permit application paperwork.

Yes i understand but my question is can one convert a tourist visa at Phuket immigration ( with 21 days or more left )to a non B visa and than apply for the work permit as there website says u can. I realize what they say is not always what can be done :-)

I am not trying to side step anyone but only to make things easier and quicker as its the holidays and easy to get a tourist visa. Will have all required paperwork for the WP

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What website are your talking about? All if find on Phuket Immigration site is below which clearly states obtain at a Consulate for work.

i.e. application for a work permit depends on the visa, which must not be a tourist or transit visa.

A foreigner wishing to apply for anon-immigrant visa must contact a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, fill in the application form and state the purpose of his visit as mentioned above.

http://www.phuketimm...isa/visa-en.php

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I suspect he found it under tourist visa, where it says:

Holders of this type of visa may not apply for a work permit. Holders of tourist visas may apply to change the visa to a non-immigrant visa if they wish to work in Thailand or are afraid that they may not be granted a long term extension of stay without non-immigrant visa.

Applications may be made at

Bangkok Immigration Division

Immigration Bureau

507 Soi Suanphlu, Bangkok

Tel: 02 287 3101-10 ext 2263

Seems they are not willing to do the convertion themselves and you will have to go to Bangkok. Might be easier to just apply for a visa abroad.

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http://www.mfa.go.th...siness-and.html

3.3 Foreign citizens who hold a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa

(“TR”) and wish to engage in business activities in Thailand may apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Office of the Immigration Bureau Office located at Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889, www.immigration.go.th. The granting of change of type of visa and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

ahhh so maybe as Mario says it can ONLY be done in Bangkok..

Anyway i am going to drive into phuket an ask them as settle this will let ya all know

Edited by phuketrichard
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507 Soi Suanphlu, Bangkok

That kind of dates the information on that site and MFA is not immigration so will be interested to learn what they tell you. I expect such an option is not likely available expect perhaps for BOI one stop customers but hope to hear otherwise.

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