Can I convert a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant B visa while in Thailand?

You're welcome. Titel of WP 3 form is Application form Work Permit for Alien Abroad. Seen in Krabi Labor office: Foreigner is smoking cigarette next to his car and Thai staff enters to apply for the WP with intention to give him the WP3 form and letter so he can go abroad to apply for Non B visa. Manager put application in trash bin and told staff to send foreigner abroad and apply again, do not abuse our system. I found it harse but as I say many times: Be careful out there.

Thank you -- just trying to help clear up the murky waters on this subject

@J*

. In case the employee does not have the correct Visa, the Employer has to use WP application form 3 (W.P.3, not W.P.1). After application is filled correctly Labor office will issue a WP3 application in progress form and a letter that after getting correct Visa WP will be issued. With those 2 papers you get a Non Immigrant B visa at Consulate or Embassy or change your Visa status at local Immigration Office.

My comments are concerning how to 'dovetail' - put in proper sequence applications for both a WP and B Visa -- when a B-Visa can be applied for with a Tourist Visa or Exempt Entry but a W.P.1 form says it requires a Non Immigrant Visa to apply for a WP ... The processes for a WP and B Visa are at some point intertwined one required for the other... Any clarification on this?

On the W.P.1 Application Form to a Work Permit -- For First time application or reapplication due to expiring ... Qualifications for an Application: 'Only a Non Immigrant Visa is acceptable'.

I have read many times that a Tourist Visa would be allowed for applying for a WP - but it is not what is in print. So here we go with another inconsistency. Seems a WP cannot be even applied for with a Tourist Visa or Exempt Entry.

I stand corrected. Trying to navigate all the rules is a tangled thicket, and that was the information that I eventually came out of it with, though I don't recall from where. As an offshoot question: is it also possible to convert a Non-O to a Non-B at Immigration?

I don't know where you're getting your information

@Ste****

, BUT you are incorrect. :/

You do NOT need a Non-B to apply for a work permit, and you can indeed go from a tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry to a 90 day Non-B inside the country at Chaengwattana and indeed most immigration offices.

Here's one from last year out at Chaengwattana;

Yes, it is.

there is no obligation for a company to pay for either your work permit, or you getting the correct visa to be employed. That's between the company and you.

She's from the U.S LA

@Lisa *******

For the whole route you should ask the company.

On a more serious note, they are used to seeing farangs every now and then. But you will still get the odd stare.

Yes. They will. Don't forget to smile back 😁

Finding accommodation will be a bit of a headache. Since it's predominantly a Thai area most online ads will be in Thai. We found a row house to rent by driving around and looking for rental signboards on properties. Again... Ask your co-workers for help. My advantage was that my fiancée is Thai.

And then you can befriend Miss Tamaryn 😁

You can join this group.

Sadly no. We left in 2015. After filtering out the people you don't wanna hang out with I'm pretty sure you will still find a few single expats scattered around the place. Your best bet is your co-workers who can speak English who will introduce you to other Thais. Unlike Bangkok, Rayong is mostly a Thai denominated province.

@Lisa *******

feel free to PM me for any other questions you may have. ☺️

Night scene in Rayong is quiet on weekdays, weekends it's got its own buzz. 2 malls in the city, both with theaters. Lots of restaurants in the malls and on the beach. One discotheque that I know of... Could be more. And a small expat community...

Not ANYONE. Company employees only.

The company bus is very rarely owned directly by the company and most are running under contract to the company. There is no contract or payment required from you. Just be at the stop on time. ☺️

Yeah, Rayong city is in the centre of multiple industrial zones. When we were living there, my fiancée was picked up and dropped off by the company bus. There are song-taews out there but the routes are limited and the frequency is low. Given the traffic that you saw I'd recommend a personal 4 wheeler rather than 2 for safety's sake.

I would also suggest that you speak with the company regarding pick-up and drop by their 'contract bus' if they have one. 90% of the large companies have this.

You can change the reason for extension, not convert a Non-O to any other Non-Imm visa.

I don't think you can convert it but I was originally on a Non-O and applied for a Non-B at renewal time and was granted it. All done at Chaengwattana.

No you can't

Suggest you do a new post so that other people could help to answer.

To bad nobody is answering good luck.

Maybe you can go with her or give the address I saw your'e from Rayong ?

I would suggest to not hurry to get the license now!

Be there after some times.Learn how is the route there.Once you got the work permit.Please ask a Thai person to go with you to process.

Best.

Hi lisa this is the main office in BKK maybe you can contact them for the correct address in Rayong I couldn't get it. On this web are also the info what to do and bring with you to apply.

drivers license back

Driving in Thailand's main page

Getting a Thai drivers license

about Thai car and motorcycle license plates

Where to apply for a driving licence in Thailand

Getting a Thai license renewed or extended

Travel tips on where to go next

Thai traffic signs:

Warning Signs

Regulatory Signs

Where to apply for a Thai driving license

the department of land transportation is the thai version of the DMV

The Thai equivalent of the US department of Motor vehicles is called the Department of Land Transportation. The department of Land Transportation is the government organization that is, amongst many other things, responsible for the issuing of both the regular Thai drivers licenses and international Thai driving licence's.

The department of Land transportation's head office is based in the Chachutjak district of Bangkok, opposite the well know weekend market. You can visit this location to get a driver's licence or you can visit the DLT station in your district or province. Below is a list of the Bangkok offices and the districts they cover.

Head office

1032 Phaholyothin Road

Lardyao, Chatuchak district.

tel: 02-272-5322, 02-272-5493.

Covers the districts: Pomprarb Satruphai, Samphanthawong, Patumwan, Bangrak, Dusit, Phayathai, Bangsue, Huay kwang, Bangkhen, Bangkapi, Don muang, Chatuchak, Din daeng, Lardprao, Saimhai and Rachathevee.

Bangkok Area 1:

Soi Wat Hua Krabu at km 4.5,

Bangkunthian Thaithalae,

Thakarm, Bangkhunthien district,

Bangkok

tel: 02-415-7337

Covers the districts: Bangkhunthian, Bang bon, Jomthong, Thonburi, Klongsarn, Radburana, Thungkru, Bangkolaem, Yannawa and Sathorn.

Bangkok Area 2:

51 Moo 5 Suanphak Road

Chimplee Talingchan

Bangkok

tel: 02-882-1620 to 35.

Covers the districts: Talingchan, Bangplad, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Phasichareon, Nongkhaem and Pranakorn.

Bangkok Area 3:

opposite Soi Sukhumvit ,

Bangjak Prakhanong,

Bangkok

tel: 02-332-9688 to 96

Covers the districts: Prakhanong, Pravate, Suan luang, Klong toey and Wattana.

Bangkok Area 4:

Liabwaree Road

Kokpad NongJork

Bangkok

tel: 02-543-2010 to 12

Covers the districts: Minburi, Nongjok, Lard krabang, Bungkum, Saphansoong and Kannajao.

This website is listed on

If I'm at home tomorrow I can give you the adress.

If you come from Mapthaput not the 36 road but city then it is on the Sukumvit after the road from busstation number 2.

Same with a car 555

Yeah this is Thailand even if you fail the test you can go on it back home and the next day you can try again.

It's not so difficult to get take the papers you need and go early in the morning to the office for a driving test ( bring a motorbike with you ) and in the morning for a written exam after you pass you get your motorbike licence for 250 baht.

Even for a little scooter/motorbike you need a Thai driverslicence.

@Lisa *******

Better you send me PM for personal info.thnx

Hope the company has good connection with immigration so that it can be easy for you.