Can I hold an Elite Visa and accept a job in Thailand?

Thailand Elite Visa Business Visa Work Permit Immigration Process Visa Transition Non-B Visa

Nov 30, 2024

12 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi there a very quick question as I’m not getting a straight answer from Thailand Elite. If someone who currently holds an Elite Visa accepts a job here in Thailand my understanding is that they would need to obtain a Business Visa which would then support a work permit as an Elite is simply a long term Tourist visa.  Is this correct and what’s the process and the approximate cost of this ; and secondly if the job didn’t work out how would someone move back onto the Elite Visa? 

Apologies for the long question but Thailand Elite don’t seem to be giving the right information.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A holder of a Thailand Elite Visa can accept employment in Thailand by applying for a Non-B visa, which will allow them to secure a work permit. While on the Non-B Visa, the Elite Visa will be on hold, and its validity will continue to deplete. If the employment does not work out, the individual can revert to the Elite Visa by canceling the Non-B Visa and reactivating the Elite Visa.

Myles *******

U dont get the visa to support work permit. U get work permit first which then allows u to get visa

12 days ago

Ellie *******

@Myles ******

, not totally correct really. Your employer has to submit the application for WP first to get the receipt of application (or pre-approval) <- not actual WP. You apply for Non-B visa with documents from employer including the WP application receipt. Then your WP is issued based on your Non-B, you can get your WP.

You cannot receive your WP without visa/extension that allows holding WP.

12 days ago

Myles *******

@Ellie ******

pretty much the same though! U still apply/receive WP prior to applying for Non B whatever way it is worded! Thks for clarifying though.

12 days ago

Ellie *******

@Myles ******

, not really. WP will NOT be issued until you get Non-B, also you cannot receive WP without proper visa.

12 days ago

Myles *******

@Ellie ******

so u apply for Non B before WP?

12 days ago

Nigel *********

@Myles ******

Ellie is correct

You apply for a work permit ( effectively permission to employ a foreigner)

Labour department issues a "receipt" i think called wp3

You then apply for non b outside Thailand ( probs e visa now days)

You then return on non b and finalise for wp.

11 days ago

Myles *******

@Nigel ********

so as I said originally u apply for WP before applying for Non B.

11 days ago

Ellie *******

@Myles ******

, the employer has to submit documents for WP permit application for Non-B visa application for an foreign employee, but work permit can NOT be issued until the employer is actually on entry stamp from Non-B visa.

11 days ago

Myles *******

@Ellie ******

so again as I said u apply for WP prior to Non B

11 days ago

Ellie *******

@Myles ******

, you submit WP documents first, but you can NOT get work permit BEFORE you get Non-B like you said

Submit application for WP and getting WP issued are different/separate procedures

11 days ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Ryan ********

It helps to understand that Thailand Elite is a club with a special visa as a perk. You don’t have to use the visa, but your club membership counts down regardless if you use the perks or not.

12 days ago

Tod *********

The Elite visa is the one of the only visa types that you can have one AND also get another visa/extension if you get employment.

So you would get a Non-B visa, the elite visa would go on 'hold' (the validity still runs down).

Then when/if you stop work, you go back on the Elite visa by canceling the visa/extension based on employment bouncing out/back to activate a new entry on the existing Elite visa you had

12 days ago

Alex *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you so much for the clear answer.

12 days ago

Steve *********

@Tod ********

@Alex ********

Exactly right. I obtained an Elite visa after being made redundant in 2019 with the intention of finding a new job and had detailed discussions with TE about the process for getting a non B. As it happened I did get a new job but it was during Covid travel restrictions and I wasn’t able to travel to a regional consulate to obtain a non B and lost the job opportunity. Eventually I got married in March 2024, travelled to Penang in May and obtained a 90 day non O ( marriage), reentered Thailand on the non O and obtained a 1 year extension to the non O in July at CW. My Elite visa was unaffected and is still valid. The process would be the same if I wanted to obtain a non B. The only thing I would suggest that you look out for is that if you leave Thailand to get a non B make sure that you show the IO the non B visa on entry so he doesn’t stamp you in on the Elite visa. BTW even if you enter on a different visa TE still provides assistance at the airport and airport transfer as your membership privileges are still available to you. Note that most of the regional consulates are moving to the E visa system now so the days of being able to bounce out to Singapore or Penang for a few days to get a non B seem to be over.

12 days ago

Alex *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ********

thank you

12 days ago

Reply to

Alex *********

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