I have been informed, that in order to apply for working permit with my company in Thailand, I need to change from Non-immigrant type "O" to type"B" visa. In this case, I am wondering, if this lead to losses in my rights under the type "O" visa, as I already have been here for more than 2 years and was planning to apply for citizenship after the grace period.

Any assistance will be appreciated.

Best of all

Andy

I have been informed, that in order to apply for working permit with my company in Thailand, I need to change from Non-immigrant type "O" to type"B" visa. In this case, I am wondering, if this lead to losses in my rights under the type "O" visa, as I already have been here for more than 2 years and was planning to apply for citizenship after the grace period.

Hmmm, who gave you this 'information'?

AFAIK You can still get a work permit against a non-o, the process is very slightly different. Certainly in the past my employers have baulked at processing against my O but have been "persuaded" to try and bingo, work permit.

Sunbelt, please confirm this is still true

BTW, you 'aint gonna get citizenship, Permanent Residence more possible.

It is my understanding that a Non-Immigrant visa is a Non-Immigrant visa. The "O" or "B" is just the purpose under which it was issued.

The labor office wants to see a Non-Immigrant visa, they don't care if it was issued on the purposed of visiting thai wife, investment or even retirement (apparently now you can obtain a work permit with a non-immigrant that was issued or extended on the base of retirement).

I have been informed, that in order to apply for working permit with my company in Thailand, I need to change from Non-immigrant type "O" to type"B" visa. In this case, I am wondering, if this lead to losses in my rights under the type "O" visa, as I already have been here for more than 2 years and was planning to apply for citizenship after the grace period.

Hmmm, who gave you this 'information'?

AFAIK You can still get a work permit against a non-o, the process is very slightly different. Certainly in the past my employers have baulked at processing against my O but have been "persuaded" to try and bingo, work permit.

Sunbelt, please confirm this is still true

BTW, you 'aint gonna get citizenship, Permanent Residence more possible.

You are correct.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com