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Can I apply for a new yearly multiple entry Non-B visa before my current one expires?

Mar 12, 2025
22 days ago
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have had a yearly multiple entry Non-B business visa for many years now from the Hong Kong Thai consulate (where I am a permanent resident). Normally, I don't apply for a new one until the previous one has expired, but this year, the timing is off because I will be back in Hong Kong only until a week before my current Non-B expires, then will come back to Thailand (where I will be granted a 90 day stay) but then I am traveling from Thailand to Europe shortly after, then would like to return to Thailand without going through Hong Kong. This means I can't apply for a new yearly multiple entry Non-B visa (e-visa) from the HK consulate for my return to Thailand. Does anyone know if I need to actually wait until my current visa expires before I am allowed to apply for a new one? I tried contacting the consulate but there's no reply.

I can't get an extension of stay w/re-entry permit on a Non-B instead, because the frequency that I travel back and forth doesn't allow me to remain in Thailand long enough to process it.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires whether they can apply for a new yearly multiple entry Non-B business visa before their current visa expires. They have a complex travel schedule involving returning to Hong Kong just before expiration and traveling to Europe, making it impractical to apply for a new visa from Hong Kong. Comments from other users suggest that the annual multiple entry Non-B visa is no longer available at consulates and recommend considering other options such as the APEC card or managing single entry visas.
Ellie *******
What is your purpose of Non-B exactly, visiting Thailand for business purpose or employment?

If former, you can still apply for multiple (at least there is an option on eVisa). If latter, no more multiple entry visa as mentioned already.
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
it's for business purpose as director of a company, although I have a work permit, I was told years ago to give the purpose of the visa as to attend meetings, audit files, and handle other duties as director, rather than based on having a work permit, and they have granted it to me for the past 10 years.
Ellie *******
@Pui ****
, if you are not hired by Thai company directly, you can apply for Non-B for business (not employment) with multiple entry on Thai eVisa system. Check the residency requirement at the website of Thai embassy in the country you will stay in when your visa expires
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
FYI, I am director of a Thai company, and this seems to have been adequate to issue me the Non-B for business (not employment) in past years. A few years ago, the HK consulate said that the multiple entry version was no longer allowed except for company directors and therefore not to put employment or show my work permit as the reason for applying for a multi-entry version, and it has continued to be granted to me on that basis including via e-visa the last 2 years.
Brandon ************
Any chance you qualify for an APEC card? That could be similar to the multiple entry non-B if I understand it correctly? At least as far as entering repeatedly goes. If you want/need work authorization you're obviously going to have to either string together a bunch of single entry non-B's or bite the bullet and get the annual extension.
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I am not sure the APEC card alone allows me to continue to perform the duties as a director of a Thai company, as I am not sure that banks and other institutions that frequently copy your current Non-B visa will see any relevance to the APEC card. The issue is how frequently I come and go, so that the annual extension has been impractical due to the processing time required to stay in the country to get that visa & extension.
Tod *********
You're going to be out of luck, because NO thai consulate in the world sells year-long, multi-entry Non-B visas anymore ๐Ÿ˜ฎ Just 90 day single entry.

So you're going to have to coordinate staying IN the country long enough to apply for a yearly extension either from this current Non-B 90 day entry you're on OR from a 90 day single Non-B you get at a consulate

There's no "work around" anymore for it, since the consulates went to eVisa online web-portal the year/multi-entry Non-B was discontinued
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I got my multiple entry last April. Has the change occurred since last April?
Wannikea *********
@Pui ****
last April was a year ago
Tod *********
@Pui ****
yep, there is no multi-entry Non-B visa sold at thai consulates based on employment anymore
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
someone suggested to me that I could get a re-entry permit on my final entry, which would allow me to return to resume the final 90 day period. I wasn't aware this was allowed on my type of visa. Can you confirm whether such an option is possible for a multi-entry Non-B?
Tod *********
@Pui ****
you could indeed.

get a re-entry permit before you exit thailand on the last 90 day stamp you got from the visa, and then you could re-enter the country during that 90 days and get stamped in until it runs out

A re-entry permit doesn't add any more time to the 90 day stamp you get from the visa BUT it let's you exit/re-enter and get stamped in for the same expiration date as that 90 day stamp
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Just so I understand various permutations, should I get the re-entry stamp on my current entry (which is allowing a stay through 8 June) and leave, but then I am able to return back to Thailand before the 9 April expiration date of my multiple-entry Non-B, do I get stamped in for a new 90 days as I would normally be entitled to, or only for the remaining period granted by my re-entry permit? Also, do you see any issues if I get the re-entry permit, then apply for the single entry Non-B from the HK consulate once the current visa expires? They won't say I have permission to re-enter for a stay through June, will they, and therefore I cannot get a new Non-B until the re-entry permit expires?
Tod *********
@Pui ****
as long as you're re-entering the country again before the current visa expires (which you say is April 9th) I wouldn't get a re-entry permit

Now on the chance you're going to leave until AFTER the visa itself expires, definitely get a re-entry permit on this current entry you have until June 8th) and when you come back you'd get stamped in until that date

The embassy won't care at all that you have a re-entry permit on an entry stamp from a visa when you are applying for a NEW visa thru the online system
Pui *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
you're helpful as always. Thank you!
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