Switching Non-B Visas

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

I am currently living in Thialand on a NonB visa (that expires on Dec 10th) with a company who may or may not still employ me. I have started a new position with a company who has given me documentation for a new NonB visa. I have been told that I may need to cancel my current nonB before I go on my border run. Can anyone tell me if this is correct, and if so who, how, what, where when and why? Is this process difficult and legthy? If I am no longer employed with this company is the fact that I am still on the visa a problem? If I cancel my visa before I engage on my boarder run would this cancel the legality of my stay? As you can tell time is of the essence on this so quick replys would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[Mario2008]

Are you on a visa entry of 90 days or are you on a 1 year extension of stay from immigration?

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

90 Days. Thanks!

[Mario2008]

You do not have to cancel anything. You can just apply for a new work permit on your curent permisison to stay, having cancelled you current work permit.

As long as you get the new work permit before the 90 days are and apply for a 1 year extension of stay you do not need to leave the country. If not finished by Dec. 10th, you would need to leave the country to get a new non-B visa, but do not need to cancel your current one. You would need to apply for the work permit before you go abroad to get the new visa.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

Okay well that sounds promising however since my both companies have handled most of the paperwork I am not certain what paperwork has been applied for and what has not. I know that my previous position did apply for a work permit. but suppose my employment endedand the procsess for that document was canceled. How badly would that complicate things? I am assuiming that my new company has gotten the ball rolling on my new work permit, but as the 90 days are almost up I am operating under the assumption that it will not be completed by December 10th. Which would mean I would need to do another boarder run anyway for a 15 day extension correct?

[Mario2008]

No, you would need to apply for a new visa to get a new non-B. With a border run you would get extra days, but they will not issue a work permit (or extension of stay) on such entry. For that you will need the non-B visa.

[ubonjoe]

It would be best to go out for a new visa if your employer has applied for a work permit rather than making a border run for a new entry (it is not an extension).

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

I think it is safe to assume that the company has applied for a new work permit. However the permit itself was not included in the packet I was instructed to take with me on my boarder run for a new NonB visa. I am sorry for my misunderstanding, the way I am enterpreting your words. Are you saying that if I go on a boarder run they will issue a new nonb visa without any permit? I believe the packet includes what is a copy of an application for this form, but since most of it is in Thai I cannot be sure. Or are you saying a boarder run is unessesary? Sorry for my confusion.

[Mario2008]

If you go and apply for a new non-B visa abroad, they will probably want to see the wp3 form. That indicates that a wp has been applied for and that you will get the WP once you have a new non-B visa.

[ubonjoe]

You have to go a embassy or consulate for a visa. You can get a non-b visa with a letter of approval for the work permit application plus company supplied documents.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

Alright, perfect! So to be sure I need to make sure there is a copy of that paticular form filled out and stamped (or whatever) in my packet here? After a quick googling I've found (on this site actually) what appears to be a blank copy of this form. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672244-thai-bussiness-visa-non-imagrant-b-and-wp3/ (response #3 ) however it seems only the 11th page of this document is included in my packet. Is it safe to assume that this is all that they will need in order to process my application? Thank you again the two of you are saints!

[ubonjoe]

Not sure what you have but the nearby consulates now want a letter of approval.

Vientiane's requirements can be found here: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

Alright sounds good. I think what I have will fit the requirements. Worst case scenario I can always get the 15 days which obviously isn't ideal but will give me a chance to take it again. Thanks again! It's great to know that I don't actually have to cancel anything, that would be one more pain in the ass step. Thank you again for all of your knowledge!

[ubonjoe]

If you are at a embassy best is to get a tourist visa.

[digitalchromakey]

Alright, perfect! So to be sure I need to make sure there is a copy of that paticular form filled out and stamped (or whatever) in my packet here? After a quick googling I've found (on this site actually) what appears to be a blank copy of this form. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672244-thai-bussiness-visa-non-imagrant-b-and-wp3/ (response #3 ) however it seems only the 11th page of this document is included in my packet. Is it safe to assume that this is all that they will need in order to process my application? Thank you again the two of you are saints!

What is needed to apply for a Non Immigrant 'B' Visa at a Thai Consular Facility is the receipt for a successful filing of form WP3, this is an A5 sized piece of paper.

As Ubonjoe posted, some Consulates in the region are asking for the Letter of Acceptance from Labour, which can be requested/issued by Labour only once you get the stage of a successfuly filed WP3/WP1 application.

Many Thai Consulates will accept the WP3/WP1 receipt in lieu of the Letter of Acceptance, but it's best you check directly with the consulate you intend to visit first.

Don't come back with a 15/30 day Visa Exempt entry, as you will then need to go on a visa run to get a Non Immigrant 'B' visa and 90 day entry therein before your WP will actually be issued.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

"What is needed to apply for a Non Immigrant 'B' Visa at a Thai Consular Facility is the receipt for a successful filing of form WP3, this is an A5 sized piece of paper."

any idea what this looks like I may have it in my packet but I cannot be sure. If its not in there can you tell me how to go about getting one? Thanks in advance!

[digitalchromakey]

"What is needed to apply for a Non Immigrant 'B' Visa at a Thai Consular Facility is the receipt for a successful filing of form WP3, this is an A5 sized piece of paper."

any idea what this looks like I may have it in my packet but I cannot be sure. If its not in there can you tell me how to go about getting one? Thanks in advance!

Here is an example of a WP1 receipt (application for a new WP whilst resident in Thailand).

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

I definitely do not have anything in my packet resembling that...okay well I am going to just go forward with what I do have and if they want more ill just do a 15 day visa and take another crack at it in a week. I will let you all know how it goes. Thanks again for all the help.

[digitalchromakey]

I definitely do not have anything in my packet resembling that...okay well I am going to just go forward with what I do have and if they want more ill just do a 15 day visa and take another crack at it in a week. I will let you all know how it goes. Thanks again for all the help.

So you still have 2 weeks - go talk to your new employer and get the WP application filed.

Then you can do a visa run, get a single entry non 'b' with a 90 day entry stamp in your passport then pick up your WP and start work.

[ubonjoe]

If you go Vientiane without letter of approval you will not get the visa. There has been a report about this happening to a person with only a receipt.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

I may have a letter of approval in my packet. What does this look like?

[ubonjoe]

Is there anybody you know that can read Thai you could ask to help you find out what you have in your packet? I think that would be a quick and easy way to get your question answered.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

Alright, it appears there is no "letter of aproval" in the packet. I have contacted myt employer about this to see if they can get me a copy. The other thing I'm now wondering is when to go. I understand that the document processing takes a day. One of my Co-workers suggested that it used to be if you dropped off your material on a Friday you could then pick up the nessessary documents on Saturday even though the offices were technically closed! If this was ever true is it still true today? I'd rather not take two full workdays off to get this matter resolved, even if it costs me a weekend. Thanks again gang you guys have helped me out a lot!

[Mario2008]

In all neighbouring countries it is submit day 1 before non, get back on day 2 in the afternoon. Exception is Cambodia, where it takes 4 days.

Not heard of being able to get paperwork on Saturday.

[Emptycanofdrpepper]

Drat! alright. Looks like I will have to take the two days off. Ah well...thanks for all of your help everyone!