Working on a Non-imm O (from the RTE in London)

[bifftastic]

Hi there, I need some advice please.

I was always led to believe that working was permitted on a non-imm O visa issued on the basis of being married to a Thai national.

A friend of mine was issued one recently (multi-entry) and it had the words 'employment prohibited' stamped on it.

It's not the retirement version, as they (in London) will point you towards an O-A for that, unless you are claiming the state pension.

Also, on their website, it says;

Category "O" To visit Thai spouse, children, parents, voluntary job, Retirement (with State Pension)

And the only visa they issue that mentions the possibility of working is the non-imm B

Category "B" To conduct business, to work, to study teaching course, to work as an English teacher, to take scuba diving or boxing lessons, to work as a sport coach, to do an internship, to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter for a short period.

Is this rule change specific to the London embassy? Is working no longer permitted on a non-imm O visa?

If I were to extend my stay based on a non-imm O visa which stated 'employment prohibited' would this status continue if I extended my stay based on that visa?

Would it be best to enter Thailand on a visa exempt or a Tourist visa, have that visa status changed, then extend based on marriage?

Your help is, as always, much appreciated.

[Soutpeel]

I was always led to believe that working was permitted on a non-imm O visa issued on the basis of being married to a Thai national.

Strictly speaking working is not permitted on a Non-imm B or O visa....the only thing which allows you to work is the WP.

Can a WP be issued on the back of a Non-imm O for marriage ?, rules speaking yes, but some DOL's, don't want you doing this and insist people get a Non-imm B....in other words someone comes off the "O" and goes onto the "B"

Don't forget there are two different departments involved in working in Thailand, Immigration and the DOL, ultimately its the DOL you are dealing with who decides what they want to issue a WP under their jurisdiction.

[ubonjoe]

As is the norm for them the London embassy did it wrong. That stamp should not be there. Normally those stupid stamps are ignored by immigration and the labor ministry.

The rules are clear that a person married to a Thai can obtain a work permit and work on a non-o visa or extensions of stay based upon marriage to a Thai, There are even special regulations for those married to a Thai. Just insure that copy of your marriage certificate is included when the work permit is applied for.

[chrisinth]

Agree with what Soutpeel says above, all my extensions are based on a non-o visa from 2004 and to date that has never been questioned.

However, if it is the embassy/consulate policy to stamp multi non-o's with 'employment prohibited' then you may have problems with the department of labour for the issue of the WP, and later with immigration when you extend said visa with this wording stamped on it.

As I am sure you are aware there is currently a clampdown on visa exempt users (border runs) scheduled to start on the 12th August but reports are already coming in about some people having problems. Although based on visa exemption, some of the statements issued by officials in the immigration department have mentioned closer inspection of back to back tourist visas and even non-o visas (without WP) to prove you are a visitor.

When you are employed here, it is up to the company to issue the paperwork for the work permit and extension if required. If you need to change your visa to a non-B (trip out of country) the company should provide the covering letter and paperwork for the issue of that visa.

The other obvious advantage on having a WP based on a multi non-o (without extension) is that in the event of getting fired or resigning, yo don't immediately have to leave the country.

As a disclaimer, the above is how I see it, I am sure one of the experts will be along soon to either verify or correct .

Good luck anyway..................

[bifftastic]

Thanks for all the replies.

So, seeing that it's unlikely that the embassy in London will stop making this mistake any time soon, the best thing to do would appear to be to arrive on visa exempt, or tourist visa status, have that status changed at immigration (showing the required financial evidence) and then extend based on marriage.

Can someone please confirm that this conversion is only possible at the larger regional immigration offices?

If that is the case, and that an extension based on marriage can only be done at the office responsible for the area you live in, is it possible to convert to the non-imm O status at say, Bangkok immigration and then extend at your local office?

[wayned]

You would most likely have to do the conversion in Bangkok, 2000 baht, and during the last 30 days of your permission to stay do the extension at the office responsoble for the area where you are living, 1900 baht.

[bifftastic]

You would most likely have to do the conversion in Bangkok, 2000 baht, and during the last 30 days of your permission to stay do the extension at the office responsoble for the area where you are living, 1900 baht.

Thanks, so it is possible to do the two things in separate offices then?

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for all the replies.

So, seeing that it's unlikely that the embassy in London will stop making this mistake any time soon, the best thing to do would appear to be to arrive on visa exempt, or tourist visa status, have that status changed at immigration (showing the required financial evidence) and then extend based on marriage.

Can someone please confirm that this conversion is only possible at the larger regional immigration offices?

If that is the case, and that an extension based on marriage can only be done at the office responsible for the area you live in, is it possible to convert to the non-imm O status at say, Bangkok immigration and then extend at your local office?

It they gave you a visa with the stamp on it and you saw it before leaving you could ask them to correct their error. That stamp should not be on a visa based upon marriage.

If you planned on the doing the extension the best thing to do would be to get a single entry non-o visa.

You can do the conversion in Bangkok only and you would probably have to make 2 trips to get it because they are giving a 15 day under consideration stamp before doing the visa/entry stamps.

[bifftastic]

It's unlikely that they will regard this as an error. My preferred option would be to have as little to do with them as possible. I don't want a visa with 'employment prohibited' stuck in my passport. I think it would cause too many problems down the line.

Looks like the conversion route is my best option.

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

It's unlikely that they will regard this as an error. My preferred option would be to have as little to do with them as possible. I don't want a visa with 'employment prohibited' stuck in my passport. I think it would cause too many problems down the line.

Looks like the conversion route is my best option.

Thanks

If you only want a single entry apply at one of the consulates in the UK. They can issue those without approval of the embassy and it can be done while you wait at most of them.

If you apply at the embassy check for the stamp and point out their error and ask for them to correct it.