Non Imm B Renewal Without Work Permit

[Udox]

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to work this one out - I am totally and utterly confused.

I have been here several years on a non-imm B (with annual extensions) and a work permit.

Last year due to various circumstances, my company were not able to extend my non-B visa, due to not having the correct documents.

In any case I was visiting home (UK) so I was given company paperwork to support purchasing a new non-B visa in the UK and starting the new visa from scratch again, and on my return would then extend the Work permit accordingly.

When I came back to Thailand with my new Non-B visa, we set about extending the W.P. - however I had a 'disagreement' with my company and lost my job. The W.P. extension was cancelled and the WP returned to the Labour Office.

I was advised (correctly) by TV members that I was entitled to continue to use the Non-Imm B visa until it expired (with 90 day border runs). OK _ No problem.

That visa will expire in August this year and I will do a final border run in July, to take me up to October.

I have just had word that there may be a new job for me with another company, so my question is this: Can I extend my Non-Imm B visa, on the basis that I might have a new job, if I provide a letter of intent or something from the new company ?

Obviously it will take a while to get a work permit and the visa may expire before everyone gets their act together, so extending it (with supporting letters from the new company) would be preferable to starting again and going out of the country to buy another new one.

Alternatively- If I got a (new) WP application started in the 'system' - would that qualify me for an extension to my current visa?

I know there is 3 months to play with - but this is a completely new Work Permit Application with a company that have no idea how the system works or how to go about it and I am convinced it will take much longer than 3 months for all the required documentation to be gathered (providing I do actually get the job). So, I want to 'stake my claim' and lodge an application for an extension to this (valuable) current Non-B visa if there is any possibility whatsoever of doing so before it completely expires.

To add to the confusion. The visa was from Aug 2010 to Aug 2011. My final border run in July will allow me to stay here until October - however, must I extend the visa (if it were possible) before its original expiry date of August 2011, or do I have until October to apply for an extension (despite the visa validity stating Aug 10 to Aug 11) ?

Much appreciated if anyone can shed any light on this minefield.

[lopburi3]

You can not extend without meeting all requirements so the answer is no - not until all requirements, including work permit, are on hand. But you could obtain a new non immigrant B visa for 90 days from a Consulate with company paperwork and receipt for work permit application if required.

You will have until your permitted to stay date to extend your stay - the visa use date does not have to be valid for extension of stay.

[Udox]

You can not extend without meeting all requirements so the answer is no - not until all requirements, including work permit, are on hand. But you could obtain a new non immigrant B visa for 90 days from a Consulate with company paperwork and receipt for work permit application if required.

You will have until your permitted to stay date to extend your stay - the visa use date does not have to be valid for extension of stay.

The chance of having all paperwork (including Work permit in hand) before the 3 months I have left expires are slimmer than slim (but nothing is impossible). So as suspected it will entail a trip outside and obtain a new Non-B with company documents and proof (receipt) of WP application. I guessed that would be the case (just didn't want to hear it).

Thanks for your input - invaluable as ever.