Okay, I'm not dumb, but my workplace keeps telling me to do things that I think are BS, so I'm checking here. Please be nice.

For reasons that are hard to explain, i will be reentering Thailand tomorrow with a nice new 30-day tourist visa exempt stamp after having failed to renew my non-immigrant visa. My work place wants to turn it into another 90 day non-immigrant visa, but my current contract expires in 30 days. They tell me that Immigration will give me a 90 day visa even though my contract and work permit expire. I think they won't, and that they will only give me 30 days. I think I should stay on the tourist visa exempt stamp and extend it for another 30 days so they can get my contract sorted out late as usual. If I get the non-Immigrant and they are late doing my contract, I'm afraid I will have to leave the Kingdom again to get another tourist exempt stamp, if they would even let me. I just don't know the details well enough. Please advise. Thanks, K

Give up on this "workplace"

They are clearly at best "misinformed" and at worst ???????????????

I agree. But if I mess this up I won't even have time to pack. That's what I'm really worried about. I think my employment there is over.

But do you know this NZ? Then I can figure out how to get out of the country best.

Can some one give me visa advice, please? The job advice is great but I'm trying to figure out immigration options.

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I agree. But if I mess this up I won't even have time to pack. That's what I'm really worried about. I think my employment there is over.

But do you know this NZ? Then I can figure out how to get out of the country best.

Sorry, I did not mean to be abrupt.

You will not be entering with a "tourist visa" but rather a "30 day visa exempt " entry which can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office (1900 Bht)

You would still then have the option (if wanted ) of applying for a single/double entry tourist visa in Laos which would provide for(upto) almost a 6 month stay.

Best wishes

Edited May 4, 201511 yr by nzexpat

Without a work permit they will not convert to a non-immigrant visa and currently you are working illegal as you do not have the required visa.

Thanks NZ. You've confirmed that part of it! I needed to be sure about that.

That's a fair assessment, Mario. But I do have a work permit for another 30 days, and I did have the proper visa a week ago until it expired.

The tricky question I'm asking is whether Immigration will give me a 90 nonimmigrant ? Visa if I only have 30 days on my contract. I don't think they will. My employer does. It's important because I know my new contract will not be done on time either, making me leave again if I only have 30 days.

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That's a fair assessment, Mario. But I do have a work permit for another 30 days, and I did have the proper visa a week ago until it expired.

The tricky question I'm asking is whether Immigration will give me a 90 nonimmigrant ? Visa if I only have 30 days on my contract. I don't think they will. My employer does. It's important because I know my new contract will not be done on time either, making me leave again if I only have 30 days.

IF the employer is funding and supporting this "application" then go with it !

Nothing to lose but I suspect here will be many excuses and "reasons" for not producing all the required paperwork.

Hope I am wrong.

Edited May 4, 201511 yr by nzexpat

Supported but not funded. Supposedly they will reimburse us after 6 months. Right. But the paperwork has been a problem the whole time, so I'm not holding my breath. Thanks for the wishes.

Non of the information you have given about your personal situation indicates that you qualify for a change to a non-O visa at the immigration office and they will will not do a change to a non-B visa. Despite your currently unexpired work permit you must get a new non-B visa, from a Thai consulate, before resuming work in Thailand.

Thanks Maestro. I suspected as much. My contract is up for renewal or termination this month. I will remain on the 30 day visa exempt stamp until a decision is made and then set a the appropriate non-immigrant visa if needed.