Non B Visa extension in Phuket

[manonthemon]

Hi,

I just got my Non B visa in Penang. I'm about to start working for a local company in Phuket, waiting for my work permit.

The visa I got is for 3 months and was issued on the basis of letter of acceptance of my application for a work permit from the Phuket Labour.

My question is - once I have the work permit how do I go about extending the visa? Where do I deal with it - do I have to go to Penang again for a one year visa based on the work permit or can I do it locally or in Bangkok?

From what I know many people in the company I'm about to work for have one year extensions from Penang BUT they still have to leave Thailand every 3 months to keep their visa valid. Only people who earn a specific, high salary can stay her uninterrupted for a year (with 90 days reports). What is this all about. In my previous job I earned less than I'm about to earn now but I just did the 90 days reports and didn't have to leave Thailand every 90 days. It was a school thought and the current job isn't.

Any info much appreciated!

[lopburi3]

Teaching does not have a financial requirement as business does - based on nationality. You can not extend in Penang - those are one year multi entry non immigrant B visas rather than the single entry you now have and only allow a 90 day stay max for each entry. If seems either wage or other company paperwork will not allow extensions as you previously obtained from immigration.

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

[manonthemon]

OK, so the visa I have now - 90 days, single entry - I can not extend. This I guess means that once I have the WP I have to go to Penang again to get a NEW non B - this time multiple entry. And than leave every 3 months to get another 90 days.

Wow - this sucks.

Is there any way to get a one year extension on a salary below 50.000? I'm Polish.

[ubonjoe]

Are you making less than 35k. I think Poland is considered eastern Europe.

[manonthemon]

I'm making more than that. Where can I check if Poland is in eastern Europe according to Thai law or not? And if it is or isn't than how does it affect my situation?

[Mario2008]

Best to ask immirgation if they consider Poland Europe (50,000 a month) or Eastern Eruope (35,000) a month. Poland being a member of the EU I suspect they will consider them Europe, but you might be lucky.

Call 1111, the government information line or 1178 immigration information directly.

[lopburi3]

Poland is still a visa on arrival country so suspect is still regarded was Eastern Europe.

[manonthemon]

We actually get a 30 days visa waiver stamp when flying to Th and 15 days stamp when crossing by land. Since 2012 or 11 I believe. So I guess I'll have to check with the immigration.

Anyway - what if I'm above the minimum income and what if I'n not?

cheers!

[Mario2008]

Above the minimum income and you can apply for an extension of stay, if the company meets the criteria.

If not, no extensions of stay and you will be forced to keep on doing visa runs, unless married to a Thai national.

[ubonjoe]

Eastern Europe is what I think.

Eastern Europe is normally considered to be the former USSR.

[manonthemon]

Well, PL never was part of USSR so hard to guess. I'll check it out and let you know, for knowledge sake.

Thanx for all the info!

[ubonjoe]

Wiki and the UN agree with me. Check wiki for eastern Europe.

[manonthemon]

Sure, I agree with you too. PL is eastern Europe. The question is what Thais think.

No luck contacting the immigration yet.

cheers

[jrtmedic]

Interestingly Poland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungry, Slovakia and Slovenia are regarded by many as together forming Central Europe.

To be fair there is some debate about this and various configurations have been promulgated some based on geography and others based on cultural or political issues.

Some even argue that Switzerland is part of the Central European Block!

[phuketrichard]

dosen't really mattter if Poland is eastern/western Europe or not

what matters is what immigration says it is. ask them

[manonthemon]

I just got through to them and according to the lady on the phone in Phuket Immigration, Poland is in eastern Europe and my minimum salary is 35.000. Which is great news!

So I guess this might mean that once I have a WP I can apply for an extension...where? Here in Phuket immigration? What is the procedure?

[ubonjoe]

I just got through to them and according to the lady on the phone in Phuket Immigration, Poland is in eastern Europe and my minimum salary is 35.000. Which is great news!

So I guess this might mean that once I have a WP I can apply for an extension...where? Here in Phuket immigration? What is the procedure?

Yes very good news.

Your employer will need to supply a stack of documents. They should know what is needed.

Phuket is where you will do it if that is where you are living and working.

[digitalchromakey]

I just got through to them and according to the lady on the phone in Phuket Immigration, Poland is in eastern Europe and my minimum salary is 35.000. Which is great news!

So I guess this might mean that once I have a WP I can apply for an extension...where? Here in Phuket immigration? What is the procedure?

You will have to apply in Phuket.

A List of required paperwork for a 777/2551 Case 2.1 (Working in the Kingdom of Thailand) Extension at Phuket is attached below:

Visa extension on the basis of employment 777 2551 Case 2.1t.pdf