Answered3 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a visa exemption and get a year-long work visa without leaving the country?

Visa Exemption Non-B Visa Work Permit Visa Rules Immigration Process Employer Sponsorship

asked Jul 27, 2023

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Hi, Is it possible to enter the country on a visa exemption, get a job and without doing a visa run get a year long visa through an employer?

Answer summary

Entering Thailand on a visa exemption and obtaining a year-long visa through employment without leaving the country is highly unlikely. Most employers will require you to exit Thailand to apply for a non-B visa due to the extensive paperwork involved in converting your visa status within the country. Typically, you would receive a 90-day non-B visa upon applying and could then seek a one-year extension later. The process, while possible, is often cumbersome and may involve multiple border runs.

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Mma *******

A more likely scenario would be come in on Exemption, do another border bounce Exemption- then, get sent to Laos to get the non-B. Towards the end of the non B (3 months) you would get the 12 month work permit (which is only valid at the job you are at- non transferable). It takes months-(to get the work permit).

3 years ago

Paul *********

@Mma ******

thanks.

3 years ago

Paul *********

Is the whole process relatively painless or a complete pain in the butt? I have stickers and stamps on my documents from the WP in Vietnam , hopefully they're still valid.

3 years ago

Nigel *********

What Brendon said, possible but not worth it for the company in most cases.

3 years ago

Paul *********

Thank you, same goes if I enter the country on a non immigrant visa? I can't stand the visa/work permit process! Really don't fancy the idea of border runs!

3 years ago

Graham ******

@Paul ********

Needs must

3 years ago

Brandon ************

99% of the time no. Most companies will send you out of Thailand to apply for a non-B visa after they hire you because they cannot or will not produce the very large amount of paperwork required to convert to a non-B visa inside Thailand.

Even if the company can do the conversion you won't be getting a year long visa. You'll be getting a 90 day non-B visa, the same as every non-B visa. After that you can apply for a 1 year extension. Visas and extensions are not the same thing.

3 years ago