New to the forum so here goes (I hope I can return the favour with advice in the future)…

I’m currently on a 9 month contract working in Bangkok and will need to renew my Visa in just under a month’s time.

I obtained my first 90 day non-immigrant B visa in Vientiane, Laos with no problems as my company provided all the necessary paperwork etc.

Due to the short contract length the plan was that each time after 90 days I would make further runs to get a new Non-immigrant B visa).

I realised this was a hassle but all the expenses are covered by the company and the work requires us to visit Vientiane, Laos on a regular basis in any case.

HOWEVER, a bit of a problem appears to have arisen. A colleague in a similar situation to me recently visited Vientiane, Laos to get their second B type visa but hit problems as the officials there said that technically once the first B type visa has been issued the holder should in most cases return to Thailand, obtain a work permit and extend their stay to a year that way.

Eventually, my colleague got the visa he required for a further 90 days but it took a bit of wrangling and was seemingly issued rather begrudgingly. This has got me a little worried about my upcoming trip to obtain my next Visa, I’m worried that the officials there will refuse to issue me with a further 90 days as I too haven’t obtained a work permit since they issued the original Visa.

So, in short can any posters offer any general advice and suggestions of other Thai Consulates in neighbouring countries other than Vientiane (despite the convenience) where they may be more lenient in this respect? Or is this somne sort of new policy? Any thoughts?

Apologies for the long post and thanks in advance…

Edited June 8, 201511 yr by PapaDontPreach

Working without a work permit is illegal.................

There is no "new" policy and I suspect if any consular staff suspect a visa is going to be used illegally they will refuse.

Edited June 8, 201511 yr by nzexpat

Hope you realize that both yourself and the company employing you are in breach of the rules & regs at the moment.

A work permit doesn't have to be for one year and doesn't have to be based on an extension..............................

You and your employer are bothy breaking the law by your working without a Work Permit.

Personally you are at risk of arrest, detention, fine, deportation and black listing if caught working or if someone turns you in.

You also have a near zero percent chance of getting a further non immigrant 'b' visa anywhere in South East Asia without a valid application being on file for a work permit, at your local labour department.

If your employer tells you any different, they are lying or at best ignorant of the law (note that their full legal liability in this case is only to the extent of a court fine).

Sorry to be blunt, but get either a Work Permit, or a new employer that will provide you with one.

Fine thanks all for the guidance. Actually obtaining the WP with this company should not be a problem. It was more a case of trying to use the three month thing to tie in with trips to Laos. Obviously that is not viable going forward which is probably for the best. WP application it is then....

Fine thanks all for the guidance. Actually obtaining the WP with this company should not be a problem. It was more a case of trying to use the three month thing to tie in with trips to Laos. Obviously that is not viable going forward which is probably for the best. WP application it is then....

The application for a WP does seem to be a problem, it appears you have worked for 3 of your 9 month contract without one, no reputable company would do this to someone