Answered4 years ago

Do I need to leave Thailand to extend my Non-B Work Visa, and what documents are required?

Non-B Work Visa Covid Extension Visa Exempt Visa UK Embassy Documentation Immigration Requirements Visa Extension Procedures

Angela *********

asked Jun 21, 2022

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Hey everyone

I have been in Thailand for over seven and a half years working so therefore, I have been on a Non-B Work Visa the whole time.

However, I am leaving Thailand (around 23 August) but my Non-B  Visa expires on 1 July so therefore I need to stay for a few weeks.

At first, I was advised that I would need to leave the country and return on a visa exempt visa and then extend for 30 days.

However, I was then advised that I could do it without leaving the county. Therefore, I went to Immigration today who said that I do not have to leave the  country but that I needed a letter from the UK Embassy along with a cancellation letter from my school and then I  go to immigration again and change my visa.

So, I spent the whole afternoon trying to contact the British Embassy, via email, phone and Facebook. However, very unhelpful and unclear information and on I am no further forward on that and what I need to proceed?

So, ultimately my questions are:

Do I need to leave Thailand and return? and if not

what documents do I need from my Embassy (and how do I get these?) and my school for the process and when do I need to lodge these?

For information, I hold a UK Passport.

Thanks so much 

Angela

Answer summary

The individual has been in Thailand for over seven years on a Non-B Work Visa, which expires on July 1st. To stay longer without leaving the country, they received conflicting advice regarding the need for a letter from the UK Embassy and other documents from their school for a possible visa extension. After consulting with others, it appears they might not need the embassy letter, and instead, they should focus on applying for a Covid extension at immigration. They can still get a 7-day grace period if rejected, allowing for a brief exit and re-entry if necessary.

13 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

So you get the documents from the school saying you stop work on xx date, you go to the immigration office BEFORE that date, they will cancel your current extension, THEN you apply for a 60 day covid extension (having proof that you will leave in 60 days will help). The immigration office you deal with knows good and well that the UK consulate here doesn't issue the letter. SO you'll either get the 60 day covid extension OR you'll get a 7 day extension denied stamp that gives you a week to leave. THEN you'd have to exit/re-enter the country.

That's what you do, and no one can tell IF you'll get the covid extension or not, you just have to go try for it yourself.

4 years ago

Angela *********

Hi Tod

Thanks for getting back to me and for the very helpful reply.

So, I think I just need to try at Immigration to see if they can do whilst providing as much documentation as I can. If not approved, I then need to exit and re-enter Thailand. I had looked at my options for this already, as I initially thought it was my only option.

That is useful that you tell me that if denied, I would get a 7 day extension denied stamp giving me a week to leave, I did not know this so this is handy to know as I thought if I was denied I would then have to leave straight away.

Thanks again and enjoy your day 😀

4 years ago

Stephen *********

Depending on the immigration office you won't need a British Embassy letter. Apply for a covid extension on your last day without it. Some offices are more lenient. A TM30 showing your address or hotel will be needed.

4 years ago

Angela *********

@Stephen *******

Thanks for getting back to me and letting me know re. British Embassy letter and the others have indicated the same.

I just need to give it a try and hope for the best and if not leave the country and re-enter.

Cheers

Angela

4 years ago

John **********

I think what immigration are implying is that you need to get a letter from your embassy saying you can't travel and they will then give you what's known as a Covid extension. Frankly you have no charge of getting such a letter from the UK embassy. I'd just go cross a border and come back on visa exempt which gives you 30 days and can be extended for a further 30

4 years ago

Angela *********

Hi John

Thanks for your advice. I think in the first instance I will try and change to Covid extention at Immigration without leaving the country and show them an email saying the Embassy cannot supply this along with the other documentation and hope they will approve. Then if not, I will then need to leave and re-enter Country. However, this is time and money so it is worth trying at Immigration first.

Angela 😀

4 years ago

Paul *********

The British embassy does not issue the letter for unable to travel due to Covid. I know because they emailed me 2 weeks ago when I asked for one. They also said in the email that immigration know that the British embassy no longer issues this letter. I went back to immigration with this information and they told me I need a plane ticket out of Thailand and a reason why I can’t leave now. So I just flew to Phanom Phen and back the next day. Stamped in no problem on 30 day visa exempt.

4 years ago

Angela *********

@Paul ********

thanks so much for letting me know re letter and for providing the email they sent. It would be worthwhile to print this and show them if asked. I will give it a try and hope for the best. Angela 😀

4 years ago

Paul ********

@Paul ********

.Your married Paul to a Thai,therefore why do you need to go down this route and not be sorted in Thailand on an extension of stay on a married status to a Thai national?.

The British Embassy is nothing of it's former self.

In actual fact it has become a complete shambles of it's once former self under the once proud British flag?.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Paul *******

they are showing that there is NO embassy letter from the UK embassy here only. AND

@Paul ********

you would have gotten a 60 day covid extension if you'd just booked a ticket out 60 days from the date your current stamp expired (and cancelled it after you got the extension).

Proof of onward travel has been being asked for more and more on covid extensions at immigration offices

4 years ago

Paul *********

This is the email from the British embassy.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

What you need to do is:

1. within (but as near as possible) your last day with your current job, apply for cancellation of your work permit then cancel your extension based on employment/teaching. You can apply for cancellation several days in advance.

2. At your local immigration office, immediately apply for a Covid extension when you do 1, bring possible required documents as much as you can.

You can try to apply for a Covid extension and I think that was what the immigration office advised you. If IO asks for an embassy letter when you apply for a covid extension and you cannot provide it, your application may not be approved.

IF your covid application is approved, your extension would start on that application day, you still get enough time for your plan.

In the worst case, IO accepts your application but doesn't approve it, and gives you a stamp for 7 days to leave the country. These 7 days also may start on the day of application.

If you cannot talk UK embassy, send an email to ask for a letter for an extension application. They may send you an email saying that they don't issue the letter. A hard copy of this email may or may not work for you. But that is what you can do to follow the advice by IO.

Be ready with a plan of short international travel around.

Attached is general information for the so-called Covid extension.

4 years ago

Angela *********

Hi Ellie

Thanks so much for providing such a detailed and helpful reply. It really helps me to know exactly what I need to do. Also, yes, it is worth having a copy of an email/letter from the Embassy to say they do not issue this.

So, firstly, I will try at Immigration by providing as much documentation as I can and hope they can approve. Then if not, I have to leave the country and return.

Many thanks

Angela 😀

4 years ago