Changing From A 90 Day Non-Immigrant B Visa To A Tourist Visa

[amccbkk]

Hello everyone

I currently have a 90 day non-immigrant B visa for employment issued by the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. When I applied for it I was hoping my employers would be able to get me a work permit but as of yet they haven't and it doesn't look likely because of the amounts of paperwork they have to produce. (I've been here for 3 years on back-to-back tourist visas with a Canadian passport, but changed on my last trip out of the country to my UK passport, which doesn't have any Thai visas in it, just the 90 day non-. The non B expired on November 30th and a hospital visit has made me unable to get out to do a visa run, so I, as of today, have overstayed my visa 7 days. I have been told the best thing to do would be to go to Vientiane, pay the overstay and apply for a double entry tourist visa since it would be difficult to get the non-B again.

I have a couple of questions that I hope I'll be able to get some help with. Thanks in advance for the input.

What is the closest and/or easiest border to do the run? I live near Kanchanaburi city, a couple of hours from Bangkok. In the past I have always gone to Vientiane by minibus or train to get a new double entry tourist visa but I know they have become pretty strict of late. Also it would be kind of nice to just to go somewhere else. Myanmar is closer to me but I've heard it's difficult cause there's only a few places to do the crossings.I'm okay about paying more for convenience as well -- so indeed if anyone knows a service that takes care of everything (overstay processing, etc) (and better still, without me having to be there) that would be great!

I've thought about flying to Vientiane or Phonm Penh just because when I went overland last time it took ages to get the overpayment processed and then the visas were late the next day. I imagined it would be a lot quicker at the airport but I guess I would still have to go to the embassy, submit the forms, etc., unless you can do that at the airport too. Another thing I heard is that the train to Vientiane itself (instead of Nong Khai and then tuktuk, etc) is also easier. Does anyone know if there is a separate border crossing for the train or is it the same one you get if you go from Nong Khai and can you do all the overstay stuff there?

Thanks once again for your consideration.

[wayned]

If you can get a lettrer from the hospital/doctor stating that you were/are to sick to travel, it's possible that you may be able to get a 60 day extension from the local immigration office. It's worth a try and will give you time to work out the other details. But it will also raise the flag that you have overstayed if they don't buy it!

[amccbkk]

If you can get a lettrer from the hospital/doctor stating that you were/are to sick to travel, it's possible that you may be able to get a 60 day extension from the local immigration office. It's worth a try and will give you time to work out the other details. But it will also raise the flag that you have overstayed if they don't buy it!

I was wondering whether or not that was an option. Thanks so much for the speedy reply. Does anyone know if Kanchanaburi City has an immigration office by the way? If so I'll try it there. I am sure the hospital will issue something for me.

[wayned]

Yes there's one . Here's the address:

Amphoe Mueang

Changwat Kanchanaburi

71000 phone: 0-3456-4279

There's a map in one of the other threads but I can't down;oad itt for some reason. Google Kanchanaburi immigration office and you can find it.

[amccbkk]

That was great advice -- thanks so much. You may have saved me a lot of time and money. I just spoke to someone at the Kanchanaburi office and she said that if I got a note from the doctor I can at least get 7 days mercy. But she said if the doctor said I am not able to travel for 1 month, or what have you, then I can just get the paperwork sorted there -- an extension and no overpay. They were really helpful.

Thanks again

[wayned]

I've heard of people getting 60 days, so have the doctor lay it on thick. Good luck!