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Posted

3 days ago I went to BKK to apply for an extension of my non-immigrant type O visa as my 1 year multiple entry non immigrant type O has expired. I'm working as a "volunteer" (I earn a tiny salary so really shouldn't be defined as volunteer at all) for a charity organisation and I don't have a work permit.

I was given a stamp which says "applicaton for extension of stay is under consideration of the police department applicants must contact the temporary permit section in person on 9th Nov 2006" (after 30 days)

Another volunteer I know was given the same stamp this week also when she went in to do her 90 day report. She is in the same situation except her non-immigrant type O visa is still valid. Both she and I have never had a stamp like this before.

Anyone had this stamp before when applying for an extension of stay or doing their 90 report?

Anyone know what it's about? Do the changes affect the non-immigrant type O visa? I can't find any reference to changes to non-immigrant type O.

Posted

You do not make 90 day reports at immigration on multi entry O visas so not sure what your friend is doing. A multi entry visa is valid for 90 day stay. You must leave the country at the end of that period. If, as it sounds, you were not leaving the country every 90 days I don't know what was taking place but it does not sound normal. Immigration can grant a one year permitted to stay for acceptable reasons and with that you would make 90 day address reports - but that has nothing to do with visa. So this reader is not able to say much other than a 30 day under review is a normal first stamp on a support Thai wife type extension of stay. But if you did not present a bunch of required paperwork for some specific extension of stay would not be too optimistic - but if there was additional information provided the stamp could well be the first of several leading to a one year permitted to stay stamp.

Posted
You do not make 90 day reports at immigration on multi entry O visas so not sure what your friend is doing. A multi entry visa is valid for 90 day stay. You must leave the country at the end of that period. If, as it sounds, you were not leaving the country every 90 days I don't know what was taking place but it does not sound normal. Immigration can grant a one year permitted to stay for acceptable reasons and with that you would make 90 day address reports - but that has nothing to do with visa. So this reader is not able to say much other than a 30 day under review is a normal first stamp on a support Thai wife type extension of stay. But if you did not present a bunch of required paperwork for some specific extension of stay would not be too optimistic - but if there was additional information provided the stamp could well be the first of several leading to a one year permitted to stay stamp.

For the last 12 months I've been on a multiple entry non immigrant type O until it expired. On this visa I did have to do a border run every 90 days. The reason I went to to immigration was to apply for an "extension of stay".

So, at this point in time I'm not sure what visa my workplace has applied for (I asked our administrator and the answer was "you'll get a non-immigrant type whatever" :o ), I did show them a bunch of paperwork for the organization I work for including its registration as a charity, staff lists, etc.

The immigration officer told me 2 things before actually giving me a stamp:

1. I had to go out of the country to get a new 1 year type O non-immigrant visa

2. I had to go away and get a work permit and come back and apply for a non-immigrant type B visa

But then she took my passport and gave me the "extension of stay is under consideration of the police department" 1 month stamp.

I believe my friend is also doing border runs every 90 days however I'm not sure and don't know why she went to immigration in BKK this week instead of the border - but it doesn't matter. I'd just like to understand what my situation is.

What did you mean by "the stamp could well be the first of several leading to a one year permitted to stay stamp" - is it likely that I'll have to make lots of trips to BKK immigration before they'll approve it?

Thanks for your reply

Posted

For some extensions of stay, such as work or support, there is normally about 3 such 30 day under review extensions of stay before being approved. So expect your application was accepted and is under review but that may only be to allow you to obtain the work permit. Do not believe you will receive an extension of stay without it. But it sounds as if you need more information from both your employer and immigration as to what exactly you need to do. Do not believe this type of extension is easy to navigate without outside help for most people and your employer may not be aware of all the details unless doing a number of them.

Posted
For some extensions of stay, such as work or support, there is normally about 3 such 30 day under review extensions of stay before being approved. So expect your application was accepted and is under review but that may only be to allow you to obtain the work permit. Do not believe you will receive an extension of stay without it. But it sounds as if you need more information from both your employer and immigration as to what exactly you need to do. Do not believe this type of extension is easy to navigate without outside help for most people and your employer may not be aware of all the details unless doing a number of them.

Unfortunately I can't get any straight answers from my employer or immigration. My employer has about 15 foreign staff and does this process all the time, so they understand it, but I don't!

I also have the option of leaving the country and applying for a brand new non-immigrant type O multiple entry visa in Kuala Lumpur with supporting documents from the volunteer sending agency.

Is this is a better option? It will work out cheaper than paying for travel to BKK each month and it seems that I will be denied an extension of stay anyway without a work permit.

Has anyone obtained an extension of stay without a work permit after starting on a non-immigrant type O visa?

Posted

I've just had a read of my passport and my multiple-entry non-immigrant type O visa... and right at the bottom of the stamp reads "EXTENSION OF STAY NOT PERMITTED"

Why oh why did the administrator send me all the way to Bangkok to apply for a god damned extension of stay! Managing foreign staff visas is her JOB! When she told me not to leave the country because I could have everything fixed up in Bangkok I had serious doubts. But I followed her instructions, thinking she knows what she's doing since she does it a hundred times a year and ignoring her instructions woud be RUDE. Argggg LOS drives me crazy sometimes.

Clearly I have to leave the country and apply for a new multiple entry non immigrant type O visa, right?

Posted
I've just had a read of my passport and my multiple-entry non-immigrant type O visa... and right at the bottom of the stamp reads "EXTENSION OF STAY NOT PERMITTED"

Why oh why did the administrator send me all the way to Bangkok to apply for a god damned extension of stay! Managing foreign staff visas is her JOB! When she told me not to leave the country because I could have everything fixed up in Bangkok I had serious doubts. But I followed her instructions, thinking she knows what she's doing since she does it a hundred times a year and ignoring her instructions woud be RUDE. Argggg LOS drives me crazy sometimes.

Clearly I have to leave the country and apply for a new multiple entry non immigrant type O visa, right?

In order to get a extension of stay based on business, you need a work permit, even if you are a volunteer.

The immigration officer told me 2 things before actually giving me a stamp:

1. I had to go out of the country to get a new 1 year type O non-immigrant visa

2. I had to go away and get a work permit and come back and apply for a non-immigrant type B visa

No idea how you ever got even a 30 day extension? Could they have liked your smile. :o

If you were going to do #2, no need to get a one year from KL. You simply get the 90 days, get the wp and then apply for the extension of stay. The one year multi entry from the Embassy would be a waste as the extension goes off the 90 day stamp when you enter into Thailand. Once you get the extension of stay, you do not need to leave the country.

In that regard, if you did get a work permit. Then you could even do the extension of stay inside the Country at Immigration. No need to leave to get the one year or 90 days at a Embassy/Consulate.

Clearly I have to leave the country and apply for a new multiple entry non immigrant type O visa, right?

KL is not giving one year multi entry visa unless you have a work permit and have filed three months PND 1 ( monthly withholding tax) Penang is not giving one year multi entry visas in any circumstances as is Singapore.

I've just had a read of my passport and my multiple-entry non-immigrant type O visa... and right at the bottom of the stamp reads "EXTENSION OF STAY NOT PERMITTED"

Embassy/Consulates put this on some passports but its meaningless if you go to Immigration. They still will do it, as you saw you got a 30 day extension.

Has anyone obtained an extension of stay without a work permit after starting on a non-immigrant type O visa?

Marriage or retirement you could but not on a extension of stay based on business. ( in all business cases, you need a work permit)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Posted (edited)
In order to get a extension of stay based on business, you need a work permit, even if you are a volunteer.

No idea how you ever got even a 30 day extension? Could they have liked your smile. :o

If you were going to do #2, no need to get a one year from KL. You simply get the 90 days, get the wp and then apply for the extension of stay. The one year multi entry from the Embassy would be a waste as the extension goes off the 90 day stamp when you enter into Thailand. Once you get the extension of stay, you do not need to leave the country.

In that regard, if you did get a work permit. Then you could even do the extension of stay inside the Country at Immigration. No need to leave to get the one year or 90 days at a Embassy/Consulate.

KL is not giving one year multi entry visa unless you have a work permit and have filed three months PND 1 ( monthly withholding tax) Penang is not giving one year multi entry visas in any circumstances as is Singapore

Marriage or retirement you could but not on a extension of stay based on business. ( in all business cases, you need a work permit)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

I was wearing my blue "love mum" t-shirt and a big smile (despite my frustrations!!!!!) - I think that helped. At first she turned me away. With little options left my husband and I sat down in immigration wondering what to do. We went back up to the counter to ask if my husband could get HIS extension, since it was really only me she was refusing on grounds of the work permit (he is eligible for type O as my spouse and doesn't need a work permit, but I should have type B because I'm working). She then took both our passports and gave us both the 1 month "under consideration" stamp. I think it was pot luck that we got the one month stamp at all.

What are my options if my workplace refuses to get a work permit?

So I wont be able to get a new 1 year multiple entry non-immigrant type O visa without a work permit at KL, Penang or Singapore? What about a 90 day single entry non-immigrant type O?

Edited by skeetaboat
Posted (edited)

How and where did you get your previous Non O? Was it issued to you based on the fact that you will be volunteering here, or do you have a Thai wife or friends here?

Edited by aussiestyle1983
Posted
I was wearing my blue "love mum" t-shirt and a big smile (despite my frustrations!!!!!) - I think that helped. At first she turned me away. With little options left my husband and I sat down in immigration wondering what to do. We went back up to the counter to ask if my husband could get HIS extension, since it was really only me she was refusing on grounds of the work permit (he is eligible for type O as my spouse and doesn't need a work permit, but I should have type B because I'm working). She then took both our passports and gave us both the 1 month "under consideration" stamp. I think it was pot luck that we got the one month stamp at all.

Your lucky day for sure. No way he and you should of gotten a 30 day "under consideration" stamp. As he needed to piggyback on your extension of stay. You are not suppose to be able to piggyback as a wife on his extension of stay unless he qualifies. ( Is he by chance over 50 years old and they did it on retirement? That is the only way, I can see, this could of been allowed at all. Then they gave him 30 days to show money in the bank or pension)

hat are my options if my workplace refuses to get a work permit?

Think about quitting as its illegal to work without a work permit.

So I wont be able to get a new 1 year multiple entry non-immigrant type O visa without a work permit at KL, Penang or Singapore? What about a 90 day single entry non-immigrant type O?

Penang requires a WP3 ( pre clearance for a work permit) or work permit to even get a 90 day visa.

KL and Singapore will give you a single 90 day visa with the company paperwork and invite letter from the foundation/association.

www.sunbeltasia.com

Posted (edited)
How and where did you get your previous Non O? Was it issued to you based on the fact that you will be volunteering here, or do you have a Thai wife or friends here?

I got my first non-O from the Thai consulate in Melbourne, Australia. It was issued based on a supporting letter from the volunteer sending agency. Actually I'm not sure what documents they provided because the agency took care of it for me and gave me back my passport when it was done.

I don't have a Thai wife - I don't think lesbian marriages are legal in LOS :D . Pity - maybe life would be easier with a Thai wife?? (I'm married already, to another Australian - male, as it happens). My husband got his first non-immigrant type O visa also at the Thai consulate in Melbourne based on a letter form the volunteer sending agency about my work, our marriage certificate and my already issued non-immigrant type O visa.

I didn't need a work permit for the first Non-Immigrant type O visa. My employer was supposed to organise a WP in the first 90 days after my arrival but 9 months passed and they never managed to organise one (despite lots of promises!) :o

Edited by skeetaboat
Posted
Your lucky day for sure. No way he and you should of gotten a 30 day "under consideration" stamp. As he needed to piggyback on your extension of stay. You are not suppose to be able to piggyback as a wife on his extension of stay unless he qualifies. ( Is he by chance over 50 years old and they did it on retirement? That is the only way, I can see, this could of been allowed at all. Then they gave him 30 days to show money in the bank or pension)

He's not over 50 - we're both in our 20s. My husband is the one piggybacking my type O visa with his type O visa. You're right - I think we were lucky to get anything at all and she used her "discretion".

hat are my options if my workplace refuses to get a work permit?

Think about quitting as its illegal to work without a work permit.

I don't want to quit - I just started this job and left my last job in Bangkok over visa and work permit issues (among other things). Leaving 2 international jobs in 1 year will look terrible on my resume. And, If I go home now I'll have sour taste in my mouth and will have wasted so much time and money in Thailand - which would be a terrible way to leave the country and end my experience here.

Penang requires a WP3 ( pre clearance for a work permit) or work permit to even get a 90 day visa.

KL and Singapore will give you a single 90 day visa with the company paperwork and invite letter from the foundation/association.

So I can get a single entry 90 day visa type O at KL or Singapore and renew it every 90 days?

Has anyone successfully done this without a work permit after the October 1 changes?

Posted
So I can get a single entry 90 day visa type O at KL or Singapore and renew it every 90 days?

Has anyone successfully done this without a work permit after the October 1 changes?

KL will give you a warning that you need to get a work permit the second cycle of you getting a 90 day non -B visa and will stamp it in the passport. Not sure how many times Singapore will allow you to get the 90 day visa before the warning.

Clients are getting 90 day visas without the work permit in KL or Singapore.

Best is to go home for the Holidays and try there.

Be very careful working without a work permit. We strongly advocate to put pressure on the foundation to get one for you. Their is no limit of foreigners working for foundations, associations and other non-profit or civic organizations. No excuse for them not to get it for you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Posted

Maybe if you can not extend and you have to apply for a new visa, it would be best to go back to Oz. I got my last Non O from Brisbane based on only having a girl friend here, that was enough to get the visa, no doccuments required. Getting a visa from your home country can be easier if you dont have all the necessary doccuments you need. Brisbane seems very relaxed and a good place to get a visa of any sorts.

Posted

I'll advocate strongly for a work permit - especially as it was promised when the position was offered to me.

I'd really love to go back to Australia to renew but just haven't got the cash to do so, (and can't afford to borrow the money on a Thai wage).

Thanks all for the input.

Posted

I'll advocate strongly for a work permit - especially as it was promised when the position was offered to me.

I'd really love to go back to Australia to renew but just haven't got the cash to do so, (and can't afford to borrow the money on a Thai wage).

Thanks all for the input.

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