B Visa

[stephehr]

Ok I leave the country either from Laos/Cambodia exiting with my married to a Thai visa (this I want to change) then come right back in the van with the 30 day visa (that is if you can still get the 30 day visa from either of these places). Now can I go to the local immigration office say in Pathumthani and get a B visa if I have all the correct documents from my employer? I ask you guys for you know a lot more than these lawyers. I know there is a lot of advise on the B visa etc, but I do thank you for taking the time to explain.

Thanks for you help/advise.

[ubonjoe]

You don't need to change your visa you can work with a non-o visa or extension of stay based upon marriage.

Who is telling you that you need a non-b?

The chances of you being able to do conversion to a non-b from a exempt entry is very small and then it would have to be done in Bangkok more than likely. Also you will only get 15 days unless you are from a G7 country.

[Mario2008]

Per above. it ispossible to get an extension of stay based on your marriage and get a work permit with that extension. You can simply apply for an extension based on employment on your current permisison to stay.

[stephehr]

Ok I am thinking of getting a divorce, so if I get a divorce then I have to leave Thailand based on my visa that is why I want to get the B visa now. I also work, so I can’t take time off later and this is a good time to change the visa. I now understand that I would have to go to one of the two offices that have been replaced by Chang with all my documents. I hope there is nothing else to do. But as usual something will come up.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Ok I am thinking of getting a divorce, so if I get a divorce then I have to leave Thailand based on my visa that is why I want to get the B visa now. I also work, so I can’t take time off later and this is a good time to change the visa. I now understand that I would have to go to one of the two offices that have been replaced by Chang with all my documents. I hope there is nothing else to do. But as usual something will come up.

If you really do have a "visa" then it remains valid even after a divorce.

The chances of "changing" a visa within Thailand for the purpose you describe are, I suspect , minimal.

Good luck

[ubonjoe]

Ok I am thinking of getting a divorce, so if I get a divorce then I have to leave Thailand based on my visa that is why I want to get the B visa now. I also work, so I can’t take time off later and this is a good time to change the visa. I now understand that I would have to go to one of the two offices that have been replaced by Chang with all my documents. I hope there is nothing else to do. But as usual something will come up.

If you are currently on an extension based upon marriage from immigration you do not have to change anything other than the reason for your extension to one for working. You can do the change when your extension is due renewal or when you get divorced.

If have a multiple entry non-o visa from an embassy or consulate it will still be valid after your divorce and you could get an extension based upon working during the last last 30 days of any of your 90 day entries.

[Mario2008]

If your extension is based on your marriage, you ned to visit immirgaiton on the day of your divorce to cancel your current permission to stay. At that time you can ask for an extension of stay based on your employement with all required document. You should not wait till your curent permission to stay ends!

If your extension of stay is already based on your employment, you do not have to do anything. Same goes if you are on a 90 day visa entry.

[stephehr]

Today I got a call on my cell phone from a lawyer (so he says) who is beside the British Embassy (Thailand) (so he says) he wanted to know if I was going to change from the married to a Thai visa to ( extension to say based on marriage) a B visa, and I said yes as I have a work permit, and that is why I want the B visa. He asked me was I sure I had a work permit book. I related yes and I have had one for several years along with the married to a Thai visa. At this point all the bells and whistles are going off for how did he get my phone number for I don’t give my number out. Secondly if you are a lawyer (immigration, divorce etc) are you not aware that a married to a Thai visa permits you to have a work permit? He then related that I should bring my passport, work permit book, and marriage certificated, so that the can look at it, and that he can change the married to a Thai visa to a B visa without leaving Thailand. I asked him how much and he related that he would have to see my documents first. One thing he did not ask the documents from my employer. Maybe that would be the next thing he would ask to see. I can not see being able to change the visa without leaving the country. Maybe he has an inside track? This was the short version.

[ubonjoe]

I can't imagine how the lawyer got your phone number unless perhaps he got it from another lawyer you had contacted for the divorce.

You don't change visas. You just change the reason for your extension from marriage to working under clause 2.1 of the police order. You already have a non immigrant visa entry from your non-o and that is all that is needed. The rules only state you need a non immigrant visa they do not state a class of visa.

[thepool]

An unsolicited phone call ?? From someone not known ?

The only possible course of action was/should have been to hang up and forget abut it !

[stephehr]

2.1 In the case of business such as employment with a company or partnership, etc.: Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien must have a temporary visa

(2) The alien must have an income consistent with that set out in the Income Table attached hereto; (exhibit a)

(3) The business concerned must have a registered capital of not less than Baht 2 million, fully paid-up;

(4) The business concerned must have duly submitted its financial statement as at the end of the two fiscal years and certified by an auditor or tax auditor, showing a sound financial condition and an on-going active business as attached order (exhibit

(5) The business needs to employ the aliens

(6) The business concerned must have a ratio of 1 alien to 4 Thai permanent employees.

(7) The following businesses are exempted from the requirements of clauses (3), (4) and (5), and the ratio of aliens to Thai employees under clause (6) shall be reduced to 1:1.

(a) International trade enterprise (Representative Office)

( Regional Office

© Multinational company (Branch Office)

So according to this all I would have to do is get TM 86 (application for change of visa) and I don’t have to make a visa run to change anything from an extension of stay based on a marriage to a B visa as the above has stated bring the papers from my company. Now would I have to go to the immigration office that is on the 5^th floor at big C or a local office?

[thepool]

stephehr

You seem to have the problem solved !

Please let us know about the outcome.

Doubt that a local immigration office would make the changes you seek but there would be nothing lost by asking.

[ubonjoe]

The TM86 is the wrong form. You will a TM7 form to apply for an extension of stay.

[stephehr]

Ok thanks guys I will wait and see when my friend comes back as she knows some officers in her area, but it would be nice to change here and not do a visa run. And if I have go to 5^th floor at big C or a local office no problem I will be prepared to stay all day not to worry. I will down load TM 7 thanks.

Thanks guys great help and I will let you know what my friends immigration friend says

[stephehr]

Today I went to immigration with my friend as her friend works in the immigration office. This is the short version.

I asked the officer if I could change from the visa based on a marriage to which she asked why I wanted to change. She was told that I was thinking of getting a divorce and I wanted to get a B visa before I go the divorce. I related that I would have all the paperwork from the company to change to a B visa. I also brought up Royal Thai Police Order 2 and that it talks about to 2.1, but she related that because I was married changed things what can I say I am not going to argue with her. Here we go she related that it can not be done because I was still married, but when I go the divorce then it could be done and I would not have to leave Thailand. I then asked if I left Thailand and came back in and did not get the exit re-entry stamp, and I got the 30 day stamp could I change to a B visa. YES. Would I have to go to one of the two immigration offices that have taken over from Chang. NO she could do it at her office (money needed). Now that the money question has come up I asked. Is there some way I could change my extension based on a marriage to a B visa without leaving the country. She is going to ask her boss to see what can be done, so I will wait and see what she tells me.

[thepool]

You were given good advise earlier in this thread.

Would suggest reading it again

[ubonjoe]

They told you what has been said before on this topic. You cannot change the reason for your extension until you get divorced.

Why don't you just wait until then? You are just complicating matters by trying to do it now.

[stephehr]

I did not say I was going to pay for anything I want to see what they say. I will leave and come back in on a 30 day then change to a B visa.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I did not say I was going to pay for anything I want to see what they say. I will leave and come back in on a 30 day then change to a B visa.

Good Plan.

Be sure to tell the outcome .