Changing 0 visa to a B

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nikkisue
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Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by nikkisue »

Can anyone please tell me if it is possible to change an 0 visa to a non-imm B visa without doing a visa run out the country. I am on an 0 visa due to my daughter having dual citizenship but I have been offered a teaching job and will need to have a B visa to obtain a work permit.

I was hoping that I could change my visa without doing a visa run as I have a young daughter and it is difficult as a mother to go out the country without her.

Any suggestions would be grateful.
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Super Joe
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by Super Joe »

Hi Nikkisue,

Yes you can change over to 'B' visa without leaving Hua Hin, that's what I did. Not familiar with teaching work but below link says you may need upto 6 weeks left on your current 'permit to stay' to allow your employer time to arrange all the relevant paperwork. Think that periods only about 3 weeks for other types of work.

But you can legally obtain a work permit staying on your Non-Imm 'O' (unless employer is insistant on a 'B'), not sure if that means a few visa runs (assuming you've got a multi-entry visa), until you can apply for your annual extension based on 'Support of Family'. Those visa runs may be worth the hassle now, compared to having to leave the country within 24 hours (or a 7 day extension) if your work is terminated on a 'B' visa. Then you'd have to re-apply outside Thailand for a new Non-Imm 'O' again, hassle.

This link's got a lot of useful info, not sure if it's a competitive forum and will be allowed by mods or not: http://www.ajarn.com/help-and-guides/wo ... -visa-faq/

There's a few teachers on here who will put me right if any of the above is incorrect, please double check it all, good luck.

SJ
nikkisue
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by nikkisue »

thank you, very helpful information
bapak
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by bapak »

Confirm that you can get Work Permit on O Visa....and permit to stay will usually be for the period in your Work Permit..
nikkisue
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by nikkisue »

Just returned from the Hua Hin immigration. They said that I can not change my 0 visa to a B visa inside Thailand and that I can not work on my 0 visa. They said I have to go out the country and change apply for a B visa. I am very confused as not just on this forum but on others it seems that getting a work permit on my 0 visa is possible. It is very difficult for me to go out the country as I will have to take my daughter out of school. I wish there was one rule. Do you think it would make a difference if I asked at a different immigration office?
bapak
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by bapak »

Nonsense ...
True you cannot change O to B ...
We have staff with O and with Work Permit (including myself)...
Check with Labour Office (Work Permit) 032 603 824 Ext. 16 - 16
bapak
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by bapak »

bapak wrote:Nonsense ...
True you cannot change O to B ...
We have staff with O and with Work Permit (including myself)...
Check with Labour Office (Work Permit) 032 603 824 Ext. 16 - 16
Sorry.. Extention 14 - 16
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Super Joe
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Re: Changing 0 visa to a B

Post by Super Joe »

nikkisue wrote:and that I can not work on my 0 visa. They said I have to go out the country and change apply for a B visa.
As bapak rightly said, you should contact the Dept. of Employment in Prachuap town, it is they who say what you can, and can not do fegarding the work permit.

Immigration may have said you can not work on your 'O' if they saw written on your actual 'O' visa sticker words along the lines of 'not permitted to work'. Some people have had this additional text added, something to do with what particulars you put down on the application form, or maybe the odd overzealous official adds it.

If your stamp doesn't include those words, and you have approx. 3 weeks left on your permit to stay (plus whatever teaching documents/licences are required) then you will be able to obtain the WP staying here on your 'O'. Your employer or a visa agent (fees) can help make sure it goes through smoothly.

Good luck,
SJ
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