Have Non Imm B, Do I 'Convert' To Non O In Thailand Or Exit To Obtain New Visa

[Hotrats]

Advice needed.

Some background info. I'm British Male aged 61. Have lived in Thailand for 11 years on a Non Immigrant B visa obtained through my employer on continuous, unbroken yearly extensions of stay.

I am now on the point of ceasing my employment, but intend to stay in Thailand. I have been married to my Thai wife for 3 years with one son born here in Thailand. The obvious next step is for me to obtain a Non O type visa on the basis of marriage to a Thai citizen.

My questions are:

1. Should I cancel my work permit and thus my Non B visa and immediately apply for an extension of stay based on my marriage at my local Immigration office?

Or, 2. Should I immediately leave the county to a consulate in a neighbouring country, and appply from scratch for a Non O type visa there?

Question 3. If I go with the second option is it true that I have to leave the same day as my work permit is cancelled? Or do I have 7 days to leave?

What are the advantages / disadvantages of either of options 1 or 2 above?

I meet all the requierments for the full Non O marriage visa, except that I don't have the required 400,000 Baht in my Thai bank account yet. It is taking some time to sort out getting it from the UK. I don't want the Retirement visa as a) I can't afford it, and I want to keep open the option of being able to work.

I would appreciate any advice.

[beechguy]

1. You probably no longer have a Non-Immigrant "B" Visa, you are staying because of the extension, it is cancelled when the job is finished. I don't know how you would apply for a one year extension for marriage if you don't qualify, 40K Baht per month income or 400K in the bank. You would qualify for a 60 day extension though.

2.You could apply for a single entry "O" Visa for a 90 day entry, or a one year multi-entry, Savnakhet, Laos seems friendly, would just have to do a border run every 90 days until ready for the one year extension .

3, Unless a BOI promoted company, yes leave immediately, or apply for a 7 day extension.

[Hotrats]

1. You probably no longer have a Non-Immigrant "B" Visa, you are staying because of the extension, it is cancelled when the job is finished. I don't know how you would apply for a one year extension for marriage if you don't qualify, 40K Baht per month income or 400K in the bank. You would qualify for a 60 day extension though.

2.You could apply for a single entry "O" Visa for a 90 day entry, or a one year multi-entry, Savnakhet, Laos seems friendly, would just have to do a border run every 90 days until ready for the one year extension .

3, Unless a BOI promoted company, yes leave immediately, or apply for a 7 day extension.

Many thanks for the prompt response.

1. Ok, you're correct, I'm here now on the basis of the extensions to the original Non. Imm. "B" visa I obtained 11 years ago.

I realise the extension will be cancelled when I stop work. I haven't finished yet, but want to get all my options clear in advance. I also realise I can't qualify for the 'full' one year extension based on marriage, but need to 'buy time' while I get the required 400,000 Baht in my account. I understand it must be deposited 2 months before the application. Is that correct?

2. From what you say, it seems that a trip to Savakhet is my best option as that would get me either the 90 day single or 1 year multi entry. The 60 days you say I would qualify for locally will not give me enough time to sort out the required bank deposit.

3. Re. leaving after the cancellation of the work permit, the 7 day extension you mention, would that be to my existing Non. Imm "B" extension of stay? Costing 1900 Baht?

Once again, thank you for the advice.

[wayned]

Because you have a Thai wife, you can get a 60 day extension at the termination of your employment rather than a 7 day extension. I would also ask them if you can extend your present stay for marriage purposes rather than getting a new visa. I worked for years and when I stopped, I extended for 60 days and then applied for a retirement extension with no problem (1900 baht for the 60 day extension, 1900 baht for the retirement extension). It seems to be up the the office that you are using. I did mine in Korat 3.5 years ago.

[Lite Beer]

As he does not qualify for a 12 month extension yet I think the best option would be to apply for a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa at Savanakhet or KL Malaysia.

[lopburi3]

But he should be able to qualify within a single 90 day entry or a little more so I would get the 60 day extension and then get a single entry non immigrant O visa if needed for more time to season money (yes it must be in account 2 months). If you would prefer to just make border runs for 90 day stays for a year then a multi entry from Savannakhet using marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card and home register would be indicated (as that would allow a longer period to obtain money if more than a short delay is expected).

[Lite Beer]

Yep. It all depends on how long it is going to take to get the money in the bank.

[ubonjoe]

You can also use 40,000 baht income if you can get a letter from UK embassy. If you have savings that would be equal to an annual income of 480K baht they may issue the letter. You should contact them to see what you would need to get the letter.

I think I would get the 60 day extension first before running to a consulate to get a visa.

[Hotrats]

Many, many thanks for all your helpful advice. After considering all the points, I think I'm going to go with Lopburi3's recommendation (seconded by Ubonjoe) of getting the 60 day extension locally first, followed up later by the 90 day single entry Non. Imm "O" from Savanakhet. The time allowed by those should buy me enough time to sort out the necessary funds in my account for the required 2 months period.

Thanks again to everyone for the help.

[Hotrats]

But he should be able to qualify within a single 90 day entry or a little more so I would get the 60 day extension and then get a single entry non immigrant O visa if needed for more time to season money (yes it must be in account 2 months). If you would prefer to just make border runs for 90 day stays for a year then a multi entry from Savannakhet using marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card and home register would be indicated (as that would allow a longer period to obtain money if more than a short delay is expected).

Having decided to go ahead with the plan as suggested by Lopburi3, a couple of important questions have occured to me.

If I am applying for a 60 day extension, based on my marriage to a Thai citizen, to my current Non. Imm. "B" extension of stay, can this be done at any time? Or do I have to wait until the last day when the work permit is actually cancelled? If I do have to wait until the permit is cancelled, do I have to provide proof of that cancellation from the Ministry of Labour when I go to the local immigration office (Nonthaburi, in my case)?

Thanks again for the help.

[lopburi3]

Yes your extension of stay must have come to an end to obtain a new extension of stay so it can not be done early. And both of your must be present at Immigration to obtain such an extension of stay.

[Hotrats]

Yes your extension of stay must have come to an end to obtain a new extension of stay so it can not be done early. And both of your must be present at Immigration to obtain such an extension of stay.

Thanks for that vital piece of information. I knew my wife had to accompany me to interviews for the "full" Non. Imm. "O" application process, but I hadn't realised she had to be present for the 60 day extension application. Lucky you mentioned that. Am grateful for the info.