Changing a 30 day visa exempt extension to a Non-B at Immigration

[bigt116]

Hi, couple of questions;

1. Is it possible ?

2. Sakon Nakhon Immigration have said I will have to go to Bangkok to do it, does that seem correct ?

Thanks :-)

[ubonjoe]

They are little out of date. You would go to Kap Choeng Immigration in Surin. See this topic: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772236-new-locations-for-obtaining-non-immigrant-visas-based-upon-working-and-etc/?view=findpost&p=8598919

​You need15 days remaining on your extension to do it and it might take two trips.

I think if it was me I would go to Vientiane or Savannakhet to get it. Savannakhet does visas on the same day you apply.

[bigt116]

Yeh Laos is an option, but thinking of the waste of the cost of the Laos visa and also the waste of a passport page :-) Cheers, I will check the link.

[bigt116]

PS. But can I do it in Bangkok if I want to ?

[ubonjoe]

Not sure about Bangkok now. The notice says you can do it during a transition period, It has been 2 months since they did the notice. I can also confirm it will mean 2 trips if you do it in Bangkok.

[bigt116]

Yeh, i was not sure how long the 'transition period was'. :-)

Ah well - Savannakhet here I come

PS. I did this at CW a couple of years ago and it only took one visit ? Have things changed about that too ?

[lostinisaan]

Not sure about Bangkok now. The notice says you can do it during a transition period, It has been 2 months since they did the notice. I can also confirm it will mean 2 trips if you do it in Bangkok.

You're the man who seem to know almost all regarding visas and work permits,, but wasn't the rule that you have to have a work permit to do that?

Regarding Laos. I'd reckon Sawannakhet, as they do it on the same day now and it gives you 90 days to sort all out.

Of course depending on what the Op's got in mind what sort of job he/she'll do. I'd never ever rely on what an Immigration officer in Sakhon Nakhon's telling me.

Many of them don't know their own laws, which isn't a Thai bashing one, just the truth.

Edited December 19, 2014 by lostinisaan

[ubonjoe]

To do the conversion a work permit application approval letter would be needed. The paperwork needed to do it is the same as doing an extension. Getting a visa at an embassy or consulate has a much shorter paperwork list.

[simonjeremy]

Hi,

So if going back in the country from Siem Reap (by plane) with 30 days exempt, it's still possible to convert that 30 days exemption to Non-B at immigration right?

[ubonjoe]

Yes but you have to do it within 15 days of entry or apply for a 30 day extension.

[bobthomas]

Went to Chaeng Wattana a few weeks ago to do my conversion. I won't subject my self to that type of misery again. I would recommend Lao- or any other option except for Chaeng Wattana.

[eldragon]

Went to Chaeng Wattana a few weeks ago to do my conversion. I won't subject my self to that type of misery again. I would recommend Lao- or any other option except for Chaeng Wattana.

Why? What happened? I'm looking at trying to do this too, mostly b/c hitting a border would be a lot faster and cheaper than a trip to an embassy outside TH.

[paz]

Why? What happened? I'm looking at trying to do this too, mostly b/c hitting a border would be a lot faster and cheaper than a trip to an embassy outside TH.

Not sure what do you mean but "hitting a birder" does not let you change from visa exemption to non-immigrant visa. The only two choices are conversion at selected immigration offices, or visa at consulate in another country.

[eldragon]

Why? What happened? I'm looking at trying to do this too, mostly b/c hitting a border would be a lot faster and cheaper than a trip to an embassy outside TH.

Not sure what do you mean but "hitting a birder" does not let you change from visa exemption to non-immigrant visa. The only two choices are conversion at selected immigration offices, or visa at consulate in another country.

Sorry, I meant I'd rather go to a border then come back and change to a non-immigrant visa in BKK (if that is possible) versus wasting two or more days getting a tourist visa outside TH and then having to visit an immigration office when I get back anyway.

Does that make sense? Can I indeed change the "visa exemption" stamp to a non-immigrant visa at an immigration office if I have enough time remaining?

[nowretired]

Why? What happened? I'm looking at trying to do this too, mostly b/c hitting a border would be a lot faster and cheaper than a trip to an embassy outside TH.

Not sure what do you mean but "hitting a birder" does not let you change from visa exemption to non-immigrant visa. The only two choices are conversion at selected immigration offices, or visa at consulate in another country.

Sorry, I meant I'd rather go to a border then come back and change to a non-immigrant visa in BKK (if that is possible) versus wasting two or more days getting a tourist visa outside TH and then having to visit an immigration office when I get back anyway.

Does that make sense? Can I indeed change the "visa exemption" stamp to a non-immigrant visa at an immigration office if I have enough time remaining?

Usually only in Bangkok although a few offices will accept applications based on retirement and forward them to BKK for approval.

All applications based on marriage have to be made in Bangkok.

It is often easier to obtain a visa outside the country especially if a person lives outside BKK.

[eldragon]

Why? What happened? I'm looking at trying to do this too, mostly b/c hitting a border would be a lot faster and cheaper than a trip to an embassy outside TH.

Not sure what do you mean but "hitting a birder" does not let you change from visa exemption to non-immigrant visa. The only two choices are conversion at selected immigration offices, or visa at consulate in another country.

Sorry, I meant I'd rather go to a border then come back and change to a non-immigrant visa in BKK (if that is possible) versus wasting two or more days getting a tourist visa outside TH and then having to visit an immigration office when I get back anyway.

Does that make sense? Can I indeed change the "visa exemption" stamp to a non-immigrant visa at an immigration office if I have enough time remaining?

Usually only in Bangkok although a few offices will accept applications based on retirement and forward them to BKK for approval.

All applications based on marriage have to be made in Bangkok.

It is often easier to obtain a visa outside the country especially if a person lives outside BKK.

Ok. This would be for work. I need to get a temporary non-B, then work permit and full non-B. That's doable?

[nowretired]

Ok. This would be for work. I need to get a temporary non-B, then work permit and full non-B. That's doable?

Very unlikely in my opinion.

I expect you will need to apply, with the correct paperwork supplied by your emloyer, in Laos or Penang

NB

There are no "temporary non-B" visas

Edited August 12, 2015 by nowretired

[eldragon]

Well, when you first get a non-B for work, it's only good for 90 days. So I call that the "temporary" non-B. When you get the work permit, it becomes what I call a "full" non-B b/c it's good for up to a year. Anyway, I appreciate your feedback, but I need more than opinion to go on. I got this coming up at the end of the month. A guy in my office turned his visa exempt entry into a non-B. I just want to make sure he didn't get lucky or something.

[ubonjoe]

You first get a single entry non-b visa then you enter the county and get 90 day permit to stay and then you apply for a one year extension of that permit stay (it is not a visa) at an immigration office.

As soon as you enter the country you have a permit to stay not a visa. The visa only allows you to enter the country.

[eldragon]

You first get a single entry non-b visa then you enter the county and get 90 day permit to stay and then you apply for a one year extension of that permit stay (it is not a visa) at an immigration office.

As soon as you enter the country you have a permit to stay not a visa. The visa only allows you to enter the country.

Ok. But can I still enter at a border- visa exempt (30 days)- and obtain/covert to a non-B at local immigration? Provided I have all the necessary paperwork and get everything done in time?

[nowretired]

Ok. But can I still enter at a border- visa exempt (30 days)- and obtain/covert to a non-B at local immigration? Provided I have all the necessary paperwork and get everything done in time?

You can try.

Let us know the outcome.

[eldragon]

Ok. But can I still enter at a border- visa exempt (30 days)- and obtain/covert to a non-B at local immigration? Provided I have all the necessary paperwork and get everything done in time?

You can try.

Let us know the outcome.

Got it. Went to immigration yesterday with a visa exempt stamp and got it turned into a non-B. You just need enough time remaining on the stamp (I think 15 days) and have to use the TM87 form instead of the similar TM86 one.