OK I have a friend of a friend who needs some advice :-)

This friend has a B visa (3 months multi entry) which is due to expire in a few weeks time. His company has arranged his work visa and its "due" any day according to the lawyer who is handling it. Its taken quite some time to sort out.

a) What happens if he is found working in an office without his work visa, even though he has applied. What is the risk ? What is the punishment ? Whats worse case and reality ?

If the work visa arrives just before the B visa expires, does he just get a one year extenstion at that point ? Do I have to leave Thailand again to do that ? If the work visa does not arrive before the B Visa expires can he get it extended and if so by how long ?

Thanks, and a little worried for my friend.

Laptopsurfer

Do I have to leave Thailand again to do that ?

No; you never have to leave town for your friends visa.

classic

Do I have to leave Thailand again to do that ?

No; you never have to leave town for your friends visa.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Others can answer your questions; especially (1) better as I have never had a work permit so never learned all the in's and out's.

Your work permit will only be valid until the time you are scheduled to leave so, if you qualify for extension of stay (meet the income requirements for your nationality) you would immediately file for an extension of stay after you get the work permit. Then new work permit for that time period. Can go on several times in this cycle before final one year granted and then work permit for that time period obtained. If you get the extension request in before your current 90 day stay expires you will not have to leave the country to obtain a new visa. If not you will have to obtain another B visa, enter, get work permit to match stay and then extend stay if eligible.

It is for a friend, just not easy writing in third person. Going to give you and pretend its for me.

anyway, so you mean if my B visa expires and I have not got my work visa I have to go and re apply for my work permit? How long does it take to get an extension?

Also, when is the medical certificate done?

Laptopsurfer

Others can answer your questions; especially (1) better as I have never had a work permit so never learned all the in's and out's.

Your work permit will only be valid until the time you are scheduled to leave so, if you qualify for extension of stay (meet the income requirements for your nationality) you would immediately file for an extension of stay after you get the work permit.  Then new work permit for that time period.  Can go on several times in this cycle before final one year granted and then work permit for that time period obtained.  If you get the extension request in before your current 90 day stay expires you will not have to leave the country to obtain a new visa.  If not you will have to obtain another B visa, enter, get work permit to match stay and then extend stay if eligible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your visa expires prior to obtaining a work permit you will need a new visa first - so a trip outside Thailand would be required and when you return the new permitted to stay would be what your work permit should allow - not sure if new application or just update information and no idea how long things take (but know it varies). Don't know about medical.