Non-B Extension

[NanLaew]

In the country working with a multi-entry Non-B visa and WP. The visa will expire in July whereas the work has at least another 6 months to run beyond that. Apart from exiting and re-entering just before the expiration date and gaining up to 90-days permission to stay at that time, how would one handle an extension that would cover the whole enchilada? Can Non-B's be extended to fit validity of the WP or can they be extended like a Non-O (marriage or retirement) and get a 1-year extension?

If it is any easier, I could always get a new multi-entry Non-B while home in the UK for the summer holidays. How would that impact the WP that has already been issued against a different, expired Non-B.

With either scenario, is it a major paper shuffle with Labour Department and Immigration bureaucracy or can it all be done reasonably quickly and painlessly? Based in Bangkok BTW.

Thanks,

NL

[guavagirl]

The requirements are here

http://www.thaivisa.com/extensions/new-non-imm-b-extension-regulations.html

[digitalchromakey]

Here is a more comprehensive list.

If you are married to a Thai it is possible and much easier to extend on that basis (2.18) rather than under 2.1; also your extension is locked to your marriage not you employment.

[digitalchromakey]

Vis a vis your question regarding Extension of Permission to Stay on the basis of employement 2.1 - normally this is also for a one year period, but it may be issued for less than one year if, say, your contract ends less than one year from the Permitted to Stay Until Date of your current nonimmigrant 'B' visa entry.

Anyway the day your work finishes, a 2.1 extension become invalid, even if it is issued for one year.

[Mario2008]

You either go for an extension of stay to immigration, (if you qualify), or you get a new non-B visa as you suggested.

A new non-B visa doesn't invalidate your current WP.

[bencottrell]

That's easy

Your visa expires in July

If you go back to the UK before the expiry date ( or before end date of your final permission of stay) then get a new multiple non b visa in the UK.

your work permit is not affected by a non b visa renewal. I've done this for years, renewing in Malaysia or UK

You will get a full 1 year multiple entry non b visa- when you renew your WP you'll get a year as well, which means that the visa and the WP will be out of sync. This is no problem.

[bencottrell]

However in the future be careful as some embassies won't give you a multiple entry non b if you've got less than 6 months left on your WP