Hi,

 

I wonder if somebody knowledgeable could advise me on the following. I know that there are very knowledgeable people on TV who know the score so I kindly request that I don't want opinions from people who are just guessing. Thanks.

 

I am British, have been living in Thailand for 18 years and have a Non O Guardian Visa based on supporting a Thai national - my 9 year old Thai daughter. I have had this type of visa for the last 7 years (renew it every year of course).

 

I have never been married and I am a single Dad. (My daughters Thai mother lives overseas).

 

My understanding is that I am entitled to obtain a work permit based on a Non O Guardian visa.

 

The HR Manager at the company that I've started work at had made an application for a work permit based on this and the BOI and Immigration Departments have signed off on it. However the Labour department officer says that I need a Non B.

 

I have colleagues who work in other companies that have work permits based on Non O visas.

 

I would be very grateful if someone could confirm if I should be able to get a Work Permit on a Non O Guardian visa?

 

The HR Manager is young and not very knowledgeable and I had to explain some of the process to her and I suspect that the Labour department officer is just being a bit difficult (as the HR manager mentioned once that she suspected that the Labour Department officer wanted some tea money to sign it off).

 

I Know I can change to a Non B but I really want to stay on a Non O as it suits my circumstances much better without going into detail.

 

Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

David.

 

 

 

Was copy of your child's birth certificate submitted with the work permit application? That serves as proof of what your visa was issued for. 

Are you on a multiple entry non-o visa from and embassy or consulate or do you have an extension of stay based upon being the parent of a Thai done at an immigration office?

Hi UbonJoe,

 

I confirm that the child's birth certificate was submitted with the work permit application. (I also submitted a copy of the court order from the Thai family court stating that I am the legal father).

 

I am on a multiple non entry non-O originally issued by the Thai consulate in Hull, UK many years ago and I apply for a 12 month extension every year at the Thai Immigration in Chaeng Wattana based on being a parent of a Thai national.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Many thanks.

 

David.

So you do not have a Non Imm O Visa.

You have an extension of your permision to stay.

I have an extension of stay based on my Non O Visa. Yes.

5 minutes ago, Siamesepiggster said:

I have an extension of stay based on my Non O Visa. Yes.

 

No. You have an extension of stay based on living with your Thai child.

The Visa dies years ago.

The reason for your extensions should be shown on the page where they are stamped. That alone should satisfy the work permit office.

Some work permit office will wrongly insist that a non-b visa is required when the rules only state that a non immigrant visa is all that is needed.

The visa does not get you a job in Thailand, does it?

Nor does the visa get you a work permit in Thailand.

It is the job, and being sponsored  by a Thai company for that job, that gets you a work permit.

 

Thanks UbonJoe.

 

Any suggestions how I can get around a stubborn work permit officer who is unaware of the rules?

 

Thanks.