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Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day stamp and apply for an extension of stay without a Non-Immigrant B visa?

Visa Rules Extension of Stay Non-Immigrant B Visa Re-Entry Permit Work Permit Business Visa Smart Visa

Jun 25, 2021

5 years ago

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, 

I have a one-year extension of stay issued by immigration in Samui. Im the managing director of a company. I’m currently outside Thailand and have a re-entry permit. I have a work permit. 

It looks like I won’t make it back to Thailand in time to extend the current one-year extension of stay. 

Can I enter Thailand on a 30(45) day entry stamp and then apply for the one-year extension of stay? Or do I need a non-immigrant B to do the extension?

All my company documents are up to date, audited balance sheets and paid up social security for 4 Thai employees. 

Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster has a one-year extension of stay and a re-entry permit but is currently outside Thailand and may miss the deadline to renew the extension. They are inquiring whether they can enter Thailand on a 30-day entry stamp and subsequently apply for the one-year extension or if a Non-Immigrant B visa is required for the extension. Responses indicate that without returning on time, they may need to initiate a new Non-B visa process upon re-entering, starting from scratch for the yearly extension.

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Wayne **********

That link is just one of the industry categories. There are about 4 or 5 others...

5 years ago

Wayne **********

Depending on the nature of your business you may qualify for one of the Smart visa's. But are -from some accounts difficult to qualify.

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5 years ago

Wayne **********

You are welcome. I am contemplating one myself if a business venture I have planned proceeds. 4 years multiple entry no work permit and annual reports to Police instead of ninety days. And you only pay IF approved - when you go pick it up.

5 years ago

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne *********

that sounds like a proper business visa. Smart as the name suggests. I’ve never understood the split business visa and work permit. Two ministries. Twice the hassles 🙏🏻

5 years ago

Reply to

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wa***

thanks for this. If I end up back in Bangkok on an entry stamp I’ll look into this. 🙏🏻

5 years ago

Reply to

Anthony **********

Ellie *******

Better to make sure your company has all the required documents to do the first non-B visa in-country. Or get single entry non-B before you fly into Thailand.

5 years ago

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

oh good. I can convert a 30(45) day entry stamp into a 3 month NON-B in Thailand and then extend for one year?

What would those documents be? Or where can I find them? My accountant is quite resourceful.

Thanks 🙏🏻 .

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Anthony *********

yes, you can as long as all requirements are fulfilled.

Then the best is that have your accountant check with the local immigration office about the requirements for those two processes.

5 years ago

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

thank you. We will investigate the way forward🙏🏻

5 years ago

Reply to

Anthony **********

Tod *********

you're on a one year extension with a re-entry permit and if you can't get back into the country before that date you're done.

You could enter on a visa exempt entry and then have to start all over with a new Non-B and then a new yearly extension.

5 years ago

Anthony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Tod thanks. Yeah it’s done if I don’t make it.

Re-entry and extension both finish on the 10th August. Work permit is good til 12th November.

Earliest I can arrive is 7th August.

My company accountant will have all the extension documents prepared. And a friend will pick up my passport from the quarantine hotel on the 8th and fly to Samui and deliver it to our company accountant.

Appointment with immigration on the 9th to do the extension.

What worries me is the Immigration Officer at the airport thinking I’ll be on overstay 3 days after I arrive. And I’ll be in Quarantine. Do you think they will let me in?

Does this plan sound feasible to you?

5 years ago

Reply to

Anthony **********

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