Hi all,

I have a job to teach in Thailand beginning in May, however I want to travel the country for a few months before I begin work, preferably leaving in the next month. I have the paperwork needed for the Non Immigrant B Visa but will they grant me one here in the UK knowing that the employment doesn't begin until May?

My other option would be to get a 60 Day tourist visa and convert this into a Non Immigrant B Visa once I am in Thailand? This would obviously be more expensive and more complicated which is why I would prefer to get the NIB visa before I leave the UK.

Sorry if this is confusing, I have tried looking on the web for answers but get different answers depending on when you look.

Thanks and please ask any questions if you have them.

They would probably issue a single entry visa that would give you a 90 day entry which would not give you enough time to do your travels and then get a work permit needed for you to start working.

You could try and get a multiple entry visa which would give you more than one entry.

Other wise it would it would better to get a tourist visa and then get the non-b later from one of the nearby embassies or consulates. It is very doubtful that you will be able do a conversion to a B visa at immigration.

You can always apply early for a visa, but keep in mind you will get a single entry non-B visa, which you must use to enter Thailand within 3 months of issuance. Once you enter Thailand you get a stay of 90 days and in that time frme you must get your work permit ect, in order to be able to get a 1 year extension of stay.

With paperwork from the school you will likely be able to get the visa a bit early. But per above it will not give you enough time for your current plans, unless you would be able to get a multiple non-B, which I doubt.

Alternative is indeed to get a double entry toruist visa and when the time comes apply for the non-B visa in a neighbouing country of Thailand.

Thanks for your replies. However, my employers have now advised me to get a NIB visa and to visit their office once I get to Thailand, so I assume they will be able to get my work permit before the NIB runs out?

That depends on how much time you will have left on your permission to stay of 90 days when you apply for the work permit and the kind of job. For a teacher the application process can be quicker than for a person working for a company.

Thanks. Out of interest, what is the worst that could happen if the school can't get a work permit before the 90 days are up? I have to do a visa run to get another NIB?

Thanks. Out of interest, what is the worst that could happen if the school can't get a work permit before the 90 days are up? I have to do a visa run to get another NIB?

Yes, just would need to do a visa run to get another visa.

Thanks. I'm going to apply for the visa in the next few days, how long does a NIB visa typically take to process here in the UK after sending everything to Hull?

Thanks. I'm going to apply for the visa in the next few days, how long does a NIB visa typically take to process here in the UK after sending everything to Hull?

Since the 15th Hull can no longer accept mail in applications. Only the embassy can now do them.

See: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/401

Going in person at one time was same day service.

Perhaps one of the other consulates is closer to where you live. List of consulates here: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/179

Thanks. I'm going to apply for the visa in the next few days, how long does a NIB visa typically take to process here in the UK after sending everything to Hull?

Hull have not been doing very well on Non 'B's for the last six months, better you go elsewhere.

The Thai Emabassy in London now offers a postal service.

Some of my documents such as the company invitation letter are still letter-headed with the Hull address. Will this be a problem? Also do I include the money for the return postage or do I include an envelope that is already stamped?

Since the 15th of this month Hull and all the other consulates no longer can accept mail in applications as directed by the Embassy. The embassy is the only place that you can do a mail in application.

I suspect you will need a new letter addressed to which ever location you choose.

Some of my documents such as the company invitation letter are still letter-headed with the Hull address. Will this be a problem? Also do I include the money for the return postage or do I include an envelope that is already stamped?

A good friend of mine tried to get a Non immigrant 'B' visa from Hull, they messed him around and he ended up with a Tourist Visa and no time to go elsewhere (about as useful as a chocolate kettle as he had a valid WorK Permit at the time).

My friend ended up arriving in Thailand and having to go on a visa run to Penang to get a non 'B' the day after he arrived in Thailand

Hull do not understand Thai Company papers, in my opinion you are wasting your time and money if you try them for a non 'B'.

Also Hull and the other UK Honorary Consulates no longer accept postal applications.

Deal with the THai Embassy in London (who now also offer a postal service - cash or PO only). or go to another consulate.

To confirm, I am applying to the embassy in London. I was just wondering whether I would have to go to the hassle of contacting my employer to change all of the official letterheads as they are currently addressed to Hull, not London. Thanks again.

To confirm, I am applying to the embassy in London. I was just wondering whether I would have to go to the hassle of contacting my employer to change all of the official letterheads as they are currently addressed to Hull, not London. Thanks again.

Try it, if London pulls you up on this issue then politely remind them that the regulations only just changed on the 15th January.

Worst comes to the worst you get your employer to fax/email new papers.

Thanks. I'm filling in the form, for duration of stay is it alright to put 9 months or should it be a lesser period? Also if I don't know my Thailand address or departure information should I just leave this blank? This is a confusing process.

Your visa will only give you a 90 day entry so that should be what you should put on the form.

Just put an approximate departure date. Just put any address in Thailand or just put a hotel name.

I'm just about to send the form off. As I'm sending £50 cash is it best to send it Special Delivery? I was going to put a Special Delivery stamp on the envelope that comes back to me and a 1st class signed for stamp to send to them?

You need to send it to the special delivery so that you have proof that it was delivered. Same for the return.

An update - I had a call from the Thai Embassy today saying they need the school registration from the Ministry of Education before they can give me a NIB, but the agency I'm working for hasn't yet placed me in a specific school until I attend training in Thailand. Is there anything I can do I should I just change my application to a tourist visa?

It seems your only option is to get a tourist visa.

I don't understand why the OP can't apply for a 1-year multiple entry non-B especially as he would be applying in London. I thought multiple entry non-Bs are generally not difficult to get in western countries?

More easily, but the line is that mutiple non-immigrant visas are getting more and more difficult to get every where. One can apply, but chances are only a single will be issued, especially wit London not being the easest to deal with in Europe.

Another factor is that his job will start a few months after he applies for the visa, which will raise questions.

More easily, but the line is that mutiple non-immigrant visas are getting more and more difficult to get every where. One can apply, but chances are only a single will be issued, especially wit London not being the easest to deal with in Europe.

Another factor is that his job will start a few months after he applies for the visa, which will raise questions.

Right, I see.