Tourist visa > Work permit > Non B (without leaving Thailand)

[SooKee]

Hoping to clarify this for a buddy of mine who is travelling to Thailand this week and pondering the best way to change his status upon entry from visitor to working.  Sorting the work might take 1-2 months and he'd rather avoid having to do a border run if it does take longer than 30 days to finalise the offer etc.  He also would rather not have to exit Thailand again to apply for a Non B if that's possible.  I've read multiple threads but several date from 2014 so I'm just checking if what I've fathomed is still correct.  AFAIK he could:

 

1) Apply for 60 days Tourist at Penang

2) If necessary, extend that by further 30 days in BKK 

3) Sort the job and apply for work permit.

4) At least 15 days before the expiry of his current permission to stay, visit Immigration at BKK and apply to convert the Tourist Visa to a Non B (although this   I think requires more paperwork than if he did exit Thailand?)

5)  Receive the Non B based on work

 

I did read somewhere that he could get a non-b and get 90 days from that but wouldn't the non B require the work permit, and if the work permit had been issued, wouldn't the non b be for a year?

[JaseTheBass]

The Non-B application would need a letter of intent from a Limited Thai company, who would then procure the work permit after his arrival.

[ubonjoe]

1 to 3 OK.
4. It does require a lot more paperwork to apply the visa.
Some people have been unable to do it because they were unable to present a legalized copy of their degree.
All nearby locations require a work permit application approval letter to get a single entry non-b visa.


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[SooKee]

Thanks both. I'll let him know. Forgot to ask, he would have to apply for a Non B wouldn't he? Can't just extend on the tourist visa with some kind of extension. Just want to make sure I'm not telling him he needs to do any more steps than are needed.

 

Never had the need to look into any work related stuff here myself as I'm in full relax mode. But on the degree front, does every occupation require a degree or is that requirement only for occupations where a degree is a criteria for employment? Or is that just a 'within Thailand Non Imm B application' immigration policy?

 

AFAIK he will be doing something in hotel management. Not sure if he has a degree in it or not. I know he's got about 30 years experience but before degrees became the norm for anything upwards of a street sweeper.

 

Does look like the Non B would be easier to get outside for the sake of a trip to somewhere like Vintienne.

 

 

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[ubonjoe]

The degree is not required to get a work permit unless the job requires it. Same to get an extension of stay based upon working.
The degree is only needed to change to a non immigrant visa at immigration.

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[SooKee]

Very kind. Just one more thing. I might have misread this. Sorry, as I say but the work thing is a complete mystery to me.

But, he would NEED to get a Non B wouldn't he? He couldn't just go for an extension directly off a tourist visa. Somebody told him he doesn't need a non B at all if he doesn't want one. I thought they could only do an extension off a Non O or Non B.


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[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, SooKee said:

But, he would NEED to get a Non B wouldn't he?

If would have to have a non-b visa from a embassy or consulate or do a change from a tourist visa entry to a 90 day non immigrant visa (category B ) at immigration.

Here a list of required documents from the Bangkok immigration' website to bo\\do the change. change visa to non-b docs.pdf

[SooKee]

Thanks a lot, jeez, lucky him with all those documents.  What a nightmare!  Mind you, I imagine for companies it's the same as the routine you get into with retirement extensions, it all becomes so familiar that they are conversant with what's needed and just supply the appropriate bundle, at least for companies doing it often.  Must be a real PITA for a small business owner though.

 

I've told him this:

 

1) Apply for 60 days Tourist at Penang

 

2) If necessary, extend that stay by further 30 days in BKK at any time within the last 30-45 days of that visa (but don't leave it to the last minute - do it several days in advance to be safe).

 

3) Sort the job and apply for work permit at any stage after arriving, wait for WP approval letter from Ministry of Labor.

 

4) Get letter of intent to employ you from company PLUS the documents listed here: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=399720

 

4) At least 15 days before the expiry of the tourist visa, visit Immigration at BKK or an Embassy Consulate outside Thailand (e.g. Vientiane, Savannakhet and Penang) and apply for a Non B. This seems to be slightly easier if you exit Thailand.

 

5)  Receive the Non B 90 day based on work

 

6) Return to Thailand and get the work permit issued.

 

7) At least 15 days before the expiry of the Non B (once you have the WP), apply within Thailand at Immigration for an 'Extension of stay based on work'.  Not sure if you have to wait until your are within the last 30-45 days of your Non B before you can extend it.

 

As far as I can see all the docs at step 4 will likely be needed again at step 7.  If you are lucky the employer will do the WP application, and maybe assist with the Non-B, as it requires a bucket load of company documents.