Work Permit And Non B Visa Question

[scoey50]

Hello All

I have had a work permit for the last 3 or 4 years and have never had a problem with renewal of work permit or non b visa. My employer is very efficient and always provides the correct documents. I have always renewed my non b in Penang. Recently a work colleague went to renew his non b but he was only given a 3 month visa. The embassy in Kota Bahru said that he was not given a 1 year visa because his work permit needed to be renewed within 6 months, or in other words to be given a 1 year non b your work permit must be valid for at least 6 more months. He renewed his work permit and then got a 1 year visa without a problem.

Now here's my question - my work permit needs to be renewed every year on the 26th of November. My non b expires on the 7th of May. I just arrived back to Thailand so my passport has been stamped until 16th July. Should I renew my non b before 26th May (ie 6 months before work permit expires), or could i wait until 16th July before renewing? I guess what I am asking is does anyone know if the 6 month work permit validity rule is always enforced in Penang or is it one of those rules that is different at every embassy?

I don't fancy 2 trips in 3 months to Penang so I hope it is clear what my situation is and i would greatly appreciate any information or help that you might have.

Cheers

[Mario2008]

I believe they require even a validity of 8 months, if memory serves me well. But your history there could also make a positive difference, so contact them.

[arthurwait]

Why are you not getting visa extensions running alongside your work permit ?

[BrianCR]

Why are you not getting visa extensions running alongside your work permit ?

Agreed, this post is slightly confusing if, you have a Thai work permit, each time you renew it, you only need to take it to your local immigration office and they will extend your visa usually the extension will be for the length of the WP - i.e. - if the work permit is issued for 3 months that is the length of your visa extension the same applies (for the normal) 1 year visa extension

[scoey50]

In early November I went to Kota Bharu and got a 3 month non b. I then got a 1 year work permit at the end of November. My employer organises everything for the work permit. I give them my passport and a few weeks later i am given my passport and work permit. At the end of my 3 month non b I went to Penang and got a one year non b around 10th of Feb. Every time I enter Thailand I am granted entry for 3 months. So 4 visa runs to Myanmar later my non b is expiring in Feb. I did another visa run which allowed me to stay till mid May My employer renews my work permit in Nov and then I went to Penang to get a new 1 year non b in May. Work permit renewed again in November and visa runs every 3 months but this year I go home for a while and reenter Thailand in mid April so I would like to get new non from Penang in mid July but work permit will need to be renewed in 4 months.

Can I just extend my 1 year non b at an immigration office each year and not have to travel all the way to Penang?

[lopburi3]

That is what most people do - but you must meet the requirements (established company with tax records available) and obtain the paperwork from them for extension of stay. For normal employment (not teachers and such) there is also a minimum income per month requirement as below:

Nationality Minimum Income

1. European countries(except Russia),Australia

continent, Canada, Japan, and U.S.A.

Baht 50,000/month

2. South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong Baht 45,000/month

3. Asian countries (except Japan, South Korea,

Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia,

Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam),South America

continent, Countries in Eastern Europe, Countries in

Central America, Mexico, Turkey, Russia and South

Africa

Baht 35,000/month

4. African countries(except South Africa),Cambodia,

Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam

Baht 25,000/month

[Soutpeel]

Can I just extend my 1 year non b at an immigration office each year and not have to travel all the way to Penang?

Why dont they put you on extension of stay, then you never have to leave as long as your working, all you do is a 90 day report to immigration in country