Non-B or Non-O for a short job in Thailand

[NanLaew]

I have a possibility of a short-term consultant job up country next month. What would be the best (easiest and/or nearest) Thai Consulate to obtain a single-entry Non-B or Non-O? What paperwork would I need from the Client to support this visa request?

I am married to a Thai and mostly domiciled in Udon Thani.

I have a UK passport.

Thanks,

NL

[digitalchromakey]

Are you not on an extension based on having a Thai Spouse?

Please excuse me if my recollections are incorrect, but if so, the labour department in the region where you would like to work may accept this in lieu of a 90 day non 'b' entry.

[Maestro]

"Short term job". For now many days?

[NanLaew]

I have two British passports and I am currently in Thailand on a Retirement extension in one of the passports. I changed from marriage extension to retirement extension over two years ago (less paperwork) fully aware that work was prohibited on this type of extension. Thailand doesn't feature as a major source of possible employment so I made that choice. The other passport has no visas, never been used actually so I would plan on doing an out/in to 'flip' passports, getting an appropriate visa at the same time.

The last time I had a short-term Bangkok job come up, I was on a marriage extension (Non-O) and the Labour office my employer was dealing with refused to accept that. So I obtained a Non-B from Hull in my other passport and did the 'flip' as above.

The duration of the new work could be three to six weeks, two months at the most but that's unlikely since it's (mostly) cool & dry.

[digitalchromakey]

I have two British passports and I am currently in Thailand on a Retirement extension in one of the passports. I changed from marriage extension to retirement extension over two years ago (less paperwork) fully aware that work was prohibited on this type of extension. Thailand doesn't feature as a major source of possible employment so I made that choice. The other passport has no visas, never been used actually so I would plan on doing an out/in to 'flip' passports, getting an appropriate visa at the same time.

The last time I had a short-term Bangkok job come up, I was on a marriage extension (Non-O) and the Labour office my employer was dealing with refused to accept that. So I obtained a Non-B from Hull in my other passport and did the 'flip' as above.

The duration of the new work could be three to six weeks, two months at the most but that's unlikely since it's (mostly) cool & dry.

OK, clear - getting a three month non 'b' entry in your other passport seems to be workable.

You will need the prospective employer to file a WP3 application on your behalf, show a scan of your blank passport and get a letter of approval from Labour (= you are effectively outside of Thailand).

Then it's time for some nice curries in Penang, accompanied by all the other required 90 day single entry non immigrant non 'b' visa paperwork, then you should be home and dry.

[Soutpeel]

unless your on an "O" extension for marriage and the DOL accepts this for the WP, you next move is a single entry B visa (90 days) from a local consulate, eg Singapore or similar, one suspects your will need the company paperwork, letter from them saying they require you for a short term job, and the receipt the WP has been applied for

[NanLaew]

Thanks chaps. I have done several of these short jobs in Thailand (O&G related) and manage to get the paperwork from the sponsoring company and the Non-B visa without any problems. In actuality, I have never seen any WP for any of these assignments as the tenure usually expires "before the paperwork is ready" and my understanding is the WP request is subsequently 'withdrawn'. I do retain a copy of a letter that the DMF uses to support the WP application which may be some 'temporary' deal for exploration work

I was just checking on what would be the easiest local Consulate versus sending the other passport away to Hull like I did last time. However, I believe Hull now requires all visa applications to be made in person? So it appears that Penang would be the best bet. I would prefer to avoid the Consulate in Singapore and the [deleted] that work that visa desk! Is KL any good for a Non-B? I got my last Non-O there in 2010 (the one that grandfathered my current marriage-now-retirement extension). They were quite easy and I have some shopping I can do in KL.

Thanks,

NL

[Soutpeel]

Thanks chaps. I have done several of these short jobs in Thailand (O&G related) and manage to get the paperwork from the sponsoring company and the Non-B visa without any problems. In actuality, I have never seen any WP for any of these assignments as the tenure usually expires "before the paperwork is ready" and my understanding is the WP request is subsequently 'withdrawn'. I do retain a copy of a letter that the DMF uses to support the WP application which may be some 'temporary' deal for exploration work

I was just checking on what would be the easiest local Consulate versus sending the other passport away to Hull like I did last time. However, I believe Hull now requires all visa applications to be made in person? So it appears that Penang would be the best bet. I would prefer to avoid the Consulate in Singapore and the [deleted] that work that visa desk! Is KL any good for a Non-B? I got my last Non-O there in 2010 (the one that grandfathered my current marriage-now-retirement extension). They were quite easy and I have some shopping I can do in KL.

Thanks,

NL

Ah the plot thickens, if you have a letter from DMF, then the games changes, you have no issues, I am on the same system and once you have that letter, they could write "coco the clown" on all your paperwork and you will still get the visa and WP

That letter is issued under the mineral act and trumps a lot of the bureaucracy under the "normal visa/WP" requirements, if you dont have it yet, be advised they only meet once a month to approve these letters.

[NanLaew]

Thanks chaps. I have done several of these short jobs in Thailand (O&G related) and manage to get the paperwork from the sponsoring company and the Non-B visa without any problems. In actuality, I have never seen any WP for any of these assignments as the tenure usually expires "before the paperwork is ready" and my understanding is the WP request is subsequently 'withdrawn'. I do retain a copy of a letter that the DMF uses to support the WP application which may be some 'temporary' deal for exploration work

I was just checking on what would be the easiest local Consulate versus sending the other passport away to Hull like I did last time. However, I believe Hull now requires all visa applications to be made in person? So it appears that Penang would be the best bet. I would prefer to avoid the Consulate in Singapore and the [deleted] that work that visa desk! Is KL any good for a Non-B? I got my last Non-O there in 2010 (the one that grandfathered my current marriage-now-retirement extension). They were quite easy and I have some shopping I can do in KL.

Thanks,

NL

Ah the plot thickens, if you have a letter from DMF, then the games changes, you have no issues, I am on the same system and once you have that letter, they could write "coco the clown" on all your paperwork and you will still get the visa and WP

That letter is issued under the mineral act and trumps a lot of the bureaucracy under the "normal visa/WP" requirements, if you dont have it yet, be advised they only meet once a month to approve these letters.

Good to note the once-a-month approvals. I have never had an issue with these 'work permits' although one neophyte Client was really worried that they could be busted on a spontaneous Labour Department visit so had me work from my hotel room until that got old and I told them I may as well stay at home and work from my lounge (with wet bar).