I'm a UK passport holder, currently on the first of a 2-entry tourist visa. The first 60 day entry runs out on 25th November (in 14 days at the time of writing). However, I have just accepted a teaching job at a Thai Government university starting next week. I am, therefore, now looking to apply for a Non-Immigrant B.

Is it possible to make this change at an immigration office in Bangkok? The university insists I need to go to Laos. I just want to check, before heading up to Vientiane, as Bangkok is nearer and would be so much more convenient. I have heard this might be possible.

The uni. have provided me with 3 documents (a letter addressed to The Thai consulate in Vientiane requesting a Non-Immigrant B, a certified copy of an acceptance letter for the job with contract dates, and a certified copy of the completed form of Employment Certification) along with Thai and English versions of my contract.

I'm obviously aware that I would also need to submit copies of my academic certificates, photos, payment, copy of passport, visa application, etc.

If there is a chance of processing this in Bangkok, would I need the university to provide another letter addressed to the immigration office in Bangkok? And if so, which office?

Regardless of where I apply, I'm also slightly concerned that I'm a bit 'light' on the required documents and that the university haven't started the work permit application process.

Below I have copied a list of requirements from the Vientiane consulate website. As far as I can see, I don't have 1. Ministry letter; 5. registration certificate and 7. police clearance. Would I also need evidence that my WP is being applied for?

Thanks, in advance, for any advice or links to relevant threads.

For applicant who wishes to work for an academic institute; as full or part-time teacher, tutor or teaching assistant, documents required are;

1. Official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the employment of foreign academic personnel
2. Recommendation letter addressed to the Embassy (stating about the employment and visa application) and accompanied with the certified copy of the ID of the endorser
3. Employment contract
4. Form of the Employment Certification
5. Copy of registration certificate of the concerned academic institute
6. Copy of applicant’s academic certificate/record
7. Copy of the recent police clearance or certificate of no criminal conviction.
8. Copy of the previous/current work permit (if any)

(http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/)

If it is a government university, it might be possible. With emphasis on might. But in that case you first need to apply for a work permit, as immigration will want to see that you have applied for one with a WP3 form you will get from the labour office.

You can try it, and the university have to prepare the same papers but than addressed to immigration. But don't be surprised if they tell you to apply abroad for the non-B.

You might not have enough time on the tourist vise entry anyway, unless you extend for 30 days, to convert.

Immigration in BKK is situated at Cheang wattana road, you cannot use the other locations in BKK.

If you can produce all the paperwork at Cheang Wattana Immigration in BKK including a successfully filed WP application receipt and you are found to be eligible for a National Police Order 777/2551 Case 2.6 Extension of Permission to Stay - Teacher in a Government institution, then you may be able to use Form TM87 to convert your Tourist Visa Entry into a 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant 'B' Entry for 2,000 THB, which could then in turn be used to pick up your WP and start work, without your leaving Thailand.

As Mario has posted, you may get lucky, or they may ask you to leave Thailand and visit a Thai Consular facility for a Non 'B' Visa, but you will certainly need to produce a full set of paperwork and have the full support of your University.

Edit <Re reading your post I notice that your University may not be situated in BKK, so I am not sure of the procedure for you as the 2.6 Extension would need to be granted by the Thai Immigration Dept in the area where you are employed. Ditto for the WP application. You probably will not have enough time to jump through all the hoops as your current entry is only until the 25th November, you are not in BKK and there used to be a >21 days stay remaining limit on such conversions>

tm87.doc

Edited November 11, 201312 yr by digitalchromakey

Thanks guys for your informed responses. Very helpful, and most appreciated. I'll head up to Vientiane as it doesn't seem as though I could get all the paperwork together for the conversion within such a short space of time.

For Vientiane, though, I'm still concerned that I don't have:

1. Official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the employment of foreign academic personnel
5. Copy of registration certificate of the concerned academic institute
7. Copy of the recent police clearance or certificate of no criminal conviction.

as well as no WP application receipt.

If I am refused a visa at Vientiane, I am guessing that they'll just throw my application back at me when I submit saying I still need documents x, y and z, or is it possible that I could go back to collect my passport the next day, only to find the visa has been declined?

I'm going to take the attitude that if I can't get the non-b in Vientiane, I can still come back on the second entry of my TR visa. I can then vent a bit of frustration at the uni, and hopefully persuade them to get everything together for a conversion at Thai immigration.

Cheers Guys, again, for the all the really useful information.

The police certificate and work permit application will not be needed but the others are needed or you will not get the visa.