Hello,

I am holding a NON-IMMIGRANT-B issued in Vientiane 18 month ago. I used it to work for 5 month, but then quited the job.When stopped working I got a retirement-stamp(without a new NON-IMMIGRANT-O) from the immigration office in Jomtien.

Now I will apply for a new job. My question: Do I need a new NON-IMMIGRANT-O or can I get a work permit with the still valid(?) visa?

Thanks for any advice..

Since you are now on an extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon retirement you will need to go out for a new non-b visa.

The labor ministry more than likely will not even accept a work permit application with the extension of stay you now have that will be needed to get the non-b visa.

You may have to do it in two steps. First get a tourist visa and apply for the work permit then go out for the non-b.

hi ubonjoe, thanks for your reply.

Why do I need to get a tourist visa first???

Because unless you will be teaching you cannot get the non-b visa without a letter of approval for the work permit application.

You might be able to do it with a 30 day visa exempt entry but you might not have enough time to get the application done and approved.

ok, though it's pretty confusing, thanks for your advice.

You problem is your extension based upon retirement. Most work permit offices will not even accept an application with that type of extension. That is why you would need to leave and get a new entry.

ok, I do understand that, but why not leave and get the non-B?

Form Vientiane website. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

Non–Immigrant "B"

This type of visa is issued to applicant who wishes to enter the Kingdom for business purposes

Documents required are :
1. Recommendation letter addressed to the Embassy (stating about the employment and visa application) and accompanied with the certified copy of the ID of the endorser(s)
2. Employment contract
3. Form of the Employment Certification (Download Here)
4. Approval Letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand or Copy of the current work permit
5. Copy of corporate documents, namely;
- company registration certificate
- list of company shareholders
- memorandum of company’s regulation
- latest income tax statement
- latest registration of value added tax

No letter of approval for the work permit application no non-b visa.