Non Immigrant B Visa

[Oddsox]

I have a legitimate job with large company, I am currently in Chiang Mai on a tourist visa and need to leave Thailand along with my relevant paperwork and convert to a NIM B Visa and then return for work permit application. What is the quickest, easiest, most efficient Thai Embassy to go to from Chiang Mai? Any help welcomed

[digitalchromakey]

You or your employer needs to successfully file your Work Permit application plus get the WP3 or WP1 receipt and/or a Letter of Approval from your local Labour Dept before you leave Thailand to apply for a 90 Day Single Entry non immigrant 'B' visa at a Thai Consular Facility.

Here is the MFA list of required documents.

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

Malaysia or Laos wold be the quickest and most convenient to visit for your visa.

When you re-enter Thailand with your new visa and get your 90 day non 'B' stamp, you can then use this to apply to pick up your WP.

You cannot start work until your WP is actually in your hand.

[ubonjoe]

From Chiang Mai Vientiane would be a good choice. You can fly on Nok Air to Udon Thani then by van from airport to bridge in Nong Kai. Info on their requirements here: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

Kl Malaysia is not a recommended location now they have been turning down applications for frivolous reasons lately. Only Penang can be recommended.

[Oddsox]

Thanks guys.....very helpful.....was thinking of KL but don't want to get there and find they don't want to play nicely! Any reasons why they are playing hard-ball? Anybody else heard of difficulties in KL?

Cheers

[Mario2008]

Since there were problems with visa stickers being stolen they have become very strict as a result.

[ubonjoe]

They changed after a bunch of visa stickers disappeared last year.

They are very picky on every visa application now and seem to be finding any excuse to deny accepting the application. I think they just don't want the business now.

[Tomtomtom69]

I'm in a similar situation to the OP only a little further behind as my new company hasn't even started issuing any documents for me yet.

However, why can't the OP just convert his tourist visa to a non-B (or extension for work) in Chiang Mai? I don't understand the need to travel to an overseas embassy or consulate for that, if he has all the paperwork with him.

I have been told in a separate thread that I started, that I can just convert a tourist visa or exemption inside the country (assuming that there isn't enough time left to extend an existing extension that is about to be cancelled due to leaving a previous job).

[Mario2008]

often there is simply not enough time left to do a conversion, especially keeping in mind that one first has to get papers from the labour office before the conversion will be granted.

In addition, now many people have to go to BKK to get a conversion. Especially if based on marriage.