Applying For A Non-B And Passport Pages Running Out.

[Hawkman]

Just wondering if anyone has had this situation before.

I have applied for a job and after many, many months of the company trying to sort out the visa/WP (first time of employing a Westerner) it looks like I will be able to get the non-b and get the job. So, in 2 to 4 weeks, I should be able to get the Non-B.

Problem is, I'm currently on a Tourist visa and have only 2 pages left and my visa application is being processed on the back of my current passport.

I see I have two options, one, use my current passport when I apply for the non-b (or do I need more than 2 blank pages?). Two, get a new passport and apply for the visa through that? I'm a UK citizen so I can't get the extra pages.

Option 2 looks the more sensible option, the problem I have is how does it work, when I go to the border and I have one current passport with my tourist visa and departure card and then when I go to the consulate and hand in a brand new passport for the Non-B. Is that even workable?

Luckily, I should be accompanied by a Thai, who has/had quite a high job in the police who lives near the border (he is the father of the boss of the company and I've met him a couple of times and we get on well, and he insists on popping along to help), so I think that can help with any confusion at the border.

[Mario2008]

You are going to need that new passport, so best is to get it ASAP.

2 blank pages might be cutting it short, with stamped out of Thailand, stamped into the other country, get a visa, stamped out of the other coutnry and stamped into Thailand again. But also depends on which country you will enter.

[lopburi3]

If you exit with replaced passport and new passport entry is made in new passport (you present both) of this change so when you present new passport for visa it will have stamps in it from both Thailand and entry country.

[Hawkman]

Thanks to your replies guys; so, yes a new passport is a must.

When I applied for the job at the beginning of the year I had 7 free pages. 2 tourist visa runs and stamps later (yes, I know I could have got a double first off, but the visa/wp process has taken longer than they expected), I'm left with just 2.

[digitalchromakey]

If you go to Malaysia you might get away with just two pages, as for UK citizens there is a Visa Exempt entry to Malaysia, so just 4x relatively small stamps in/out. But note thatt the Thai Non B visa you would get from any Consulate in Malaysia is on a sticker which requires a full blank passport page.

If the two pages are together you might get one exit stamp on one page and one one the other, I have used paper clips to 'pin/hide' a blank page and thus 'encourage' stamping on remaining part filled pages - at least this gives you the opportunity to argue your case for retainling a blank page for the visa if the immigration official starts to remove the paper clips.

However if time allows, then the new passport route is the safest option and you'll need it soon either way.