Job Discussion Forums

xswa2003 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 6

If it is easier to enter on a tourist visa and proceed to find a job in-country, then what happens next? Is everybody working illegally??????Do you have to hop down to Malaysia and make a quick turn around????

Thank you in advance to all the veterans that can hold my hand through the process.

seachange · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 6

If you have a job already you apply for a 12 month "B" visa with multiple entries (for those inevitable holidays) but you need a letter from your employer to do this. Otherwise, blow in and get a job. A reputable employer will arrange a visa for you, otherwise, you will have to do a "visa run" to Vienteiene or Malaysia.
Enjoy Thailand,
Bruce

hagakuri · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2003 1:59 pm Post subject: Play it safe.

The fact is that many do work in Thailand

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Many people may work illegally in Thailand, but I would say that there are many more teachers that have full-time contracts, work permits and 12 month visas. If you are an actual teacher working for an actual school, institute or university then, yes, it should be taken care of for you by the school. Yes, it does require several trips to both the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration dept, but there's no 'pay off'. It's just a 'fee'.

Normally you would leave the country after receiving a letter from your intended employer in order to get a 90-day non-immmigrant visa which would then be extended to a year in Thailand, but I believe that now you can convert a 60-day tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa at the immigration dept. in Thailand without leaving the country with the proper documentation from your employer. Or at least that's what I did the last time I changed jobs. Either way, your initial step is to come here on a tourist visa and then find a job and then convert your visa and then extend it, unless you've been hired in advance, which is also possible. In that case, the employer would send you a letter that you could present to the consulate in your country and you could arrive with the non-immigrant visa.

you can get more visa info at: http://www.thaivisa.com/
although I can't vouch for the accuracy of their info, but it looks like a good site.
Also, if you do have to go on a visa run, I would agree with hagaruki that Malaysia may not be the best place to go thesedays.

markoinbangkok · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 27

Thaivisa.com is top notch. The forum will answer all your questions and the information on the site is 'up-to-the-minute'. Very friendly lot.

There are absolutely NO hassles at the Cambodian border at all. Don't be worried about popping over there to extend your tourist visas. (Don't look like a slob, and smell a lot!) Just do it before the 13th!

Leigh · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 12 Location: Bangkok

You don't extend your Visa by doing a run, you get a whole new one.

Also it's super easy to get a Non-imm B from a Visa service. The only problem is most countries surrounding Thailand (Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia) will ONLY issue a single entry (90 days) or (from Khota Baru) a double entry (two lots of 90 days). Once you have a work permit your Visa (you have to be on a Non-imm B. And while I too have HEARD it's possible to change a tourist to a Non-imm B at Immigration I'm yet to meet anyone that has actually done this) is extended by 9 months initially (as you've used three months to begin with) then when you renew your work permit your Visa in turn is extended by a year at a time, although you'll still need to register your address every 90 days at Immigration.

Hagakuri,

You've given some pretty bad info there. A 12 months Non-imm B is actually vaild (or can be made valid) for 15 months in 90 day intervals. You NEED to be on a Non-imm B to get a work permit (although again I've HEARD it's possible to get a WP on a Non-imm O).

You generally CAN'T get work permit on your own, you need the school to vouch for you. And remember if you leave or get the sack although it may look like you're good for another 6 months or so (your extended Visa stamp) you'll actually have to leave the country within 7 days or possibly get into trouble next time you leave or apply for a WP.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

When I last worked in Thailand 1999-2000 I arrived on a non-imm 'O' and I was able to get a work permit which was sponsored by a Rajabhat. No biggie, just loads of paperwork, about a zillion photos, and going to immigration with a grumpy Thai secretary (heaven forbid she should actually do something besides shag the vice-president) and bob's your uncle, the little blue book was mine.
My daughter, although born in Thailand and having a Thai mother, also had to go to immigration to get a one year visa. That was a 500 baht fee. No big thing, that. But I hear things will be changing on the visa front soon.
Boy, I could sure go for a super spicy som tam and an icy-cold Beer Chang right about now. Isaan food is aroi dee.