Okay so I've been on Thailand for a little over a year, and can never find any consistent info on visas. I'm currently on a Non B, that is mine and is not linked to any employer. I know this because I've had two work permits processed on the same Visa, and have been able to leave and enter Thailand after work permits have been cancelled without any problems.

Here is my situation, my current Non B is expiring in April. My current employer is in the process of applying for a new Non B so that it will be linked to them and also because mine is expiring. They are however insisting that I go to Laos or wherever and apply for a tourist visa ASAP. Which is fine, but I'm South African and need a ton of supporting docs to do so. Bottom line it becomes quite costly. I can legally stay in Thailand until April, which should be enough time for the employer to get all my documents sorted so that I can legally stay for an indefinite amount of time. So my question is: Can one apply for a new Non B on a current Non B, or can Non B's only be acquired from a Tourist Visa?

I've been messed around so many times with unnecessary BS wasting time and money, so just want all the facts.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

You cannot work legally without a work permit.

In the region, you will not get a non-b visa without having filed for a work permit and showing a letter of approval from the labour office.

Only a teacher can get a non-B without having applied for a WP.

If the company gets all paperwork in order you can apply for extension of stay based on employment at your local immigrations office.

Extension of Thai Business Visa
The Thai "B" or Business Visa can be extended to a one year visa in country as follows.
The extension of the visa is normally based on employment and as such there are certain regulations governing the company who is employing you.

These are the regulations for the extension of the "B" Business Visa:
1. The business must be registered in Thailand.
2. The company must be capitalized to at least Baht 2 Million while operating fund must be at least Baht 1 Million.
3. The company must have a ration of at least 4 : 1 - Four Thais for every foreigner.
4. You must earn at least in accordance with the level specified for each nationality by the Labour Department.

Duration of the Extension
- One year at a time.

Documents required for the extension:
1. Application form (T.M. 7 )
2. Passport or document used in lien of passport and its copies .
3. The applicants 4 x 6 cm. photograph .
4. Extension fee Baht 1,900.-
5. The company letters certifying as follows ;
- Nature of business
- Reason or necessity in employing the applicant his / her position, salary and education background.
- Number of Thai and foreign employees.
6. Copies of work permit or receipt of work permit application.
7. Company's annual balance sheets.
8. The juristic persons Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.50) of the latest year and its receipt of payment.
9. Thai employees Monthly Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.1 ) of the latest month and its receipt of payment.
10. The applicants Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.91) of the latest year and its receipt of payment.
11. The official letter that certify the registration of such juristic person.
12. Business Registration or Business License.
13. Value Added Tax Registration and list of share holders.
14. A map that indicate location of the Company.
15. For those who operate export business, the documentary evidence clarifying its export activities is needed.
16. For those who operate tourism business, the documentary evidence clarifying its total number of tourist that brought in by the company is needed.

Some Immigrations offices.
17. Picture of all the company's employees at work
18. Picture of all company's employees in front of the office with clear name of the company showing

N.B. In case of necessity , documents No.7 , 8 , 9 , and 10 can be substituted by the company letters stating its reason.

I assume you have a multiple entry non-b visa from an embassy or consulate.

If you have an entry from a non-b visa there should be no need for you to go out of the country for a tourist visa.

They can apply for the work permit and have it issued with it. And then you can apply for the extension of stay.

Thanks a mill! Will run this by the school.

Much appreciated!