Moving to Thailand have Job. Which Visa. Please Help!

[beldin]

Hi All,

I am a UK Citizen moving to Thailand from India in March to take up a new Job. I have been trying to sort a visa out and I am having issues so i am wondering the best Visa to get. I tried to go for a Non Immigrant B here in India where I have lived for six Years, but i need to provide a copy of any previous Work Permit, and tax documents. I worked for a Government School on a WP from 2006-2008 and had to return my WP to them before i left. However i spoke to someone at my previous employer and they have advised that it may not be possible to get it as it was so long ago. Also they advised getting the tax info would require me to go to the tax office personally, which is not possible while I am still here in Bangalore.

I have been advised by my previous employer to get a six month tourist visa and have it transferred in country to get a work permit. They have advised that this is no problem as long as the visa is longer than 40 Days. My new company says this should be possible too, but they dont seem as sure.

I just don't want to face any issues and have to travel out country again. I would rather concentrate on my new job. Additionally, as my wife is thai i possibly have the option of applying for an "O" visa, but i am not sure if i can transfer to a Work permit straight away, and while the application only asks for my marriage certificate and my wife's ID and passport, different sites mention Baht 400,000 amount in a Thai bank account and 40,000 Income a month

I want to do the best thing and do things properly but i am a little confused as what to do.

Any help would be much appreciated

B

[Maestro]

Get the non-O visa, purpose of application "visit Thai wife"

The financial requirement of 400k Baht in a bank or 40k monthly income is for yearly extensions of stay for the reason to live with your Thai wife.

With a single-entry non-O visa you get permission to stay for 90 days and during the last 30 days of this you can apply for your first one-year extension of stay. Being in Thailand with this visa you can apply for and receive your work permit. You will not have to change to a non-B visa.

[Crossy]

An off-topic post and one giving invalid advice removed.

Talk to the consul in Chennai via the BLR VFS office in Infantry Road (assuming you're still in Bangalore), the consul has been helpful in the past when I didn't meet the local requirements for an O, can't hurt to talk.

Failing an O your best bet will be a tourist visa as advised by your employer, once your work permit is in process you can nip to KL or another local embassy for a B or, convert to an O in-country.

[ubonjoe]

You might want to apply for a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage to a Thai. This visa would allow your more time to get things sorted out unless you can meet the financial requirements for an extension of stay within the 90 day entry you will get from the single entry.

You will need the original and a copy of your marriage certificate and at least copies of one of the following, You wife's ID card, house book and/or her passport photo page when you apply for the visa.