As we have regular new members, I think it is a good time
to explain some differences, as I see today people are getting confused about names.
a Work Permit is a blue book on your name, your employer applied for this at the Ministry of Labor and if you have this booklet you are allowed to work inside Thailand.
a Visa from an Thai Consulate gives you a xxx amount of days to stay inside Thailand, it does not guarantee that you are allowed to go inside Thailand, that is always the decision of the Immigration Office at the check point.
Not every visa has the same rules and regulations.
Most confusing seems to be the Non Immigrant O visa, where the O stands for Other, meaning there are different reasons to get this visa and every reason has his own rules and requirements.
Example for this Non Immigrant O:
- Being over 50 years of age
- Married to a Thai National.
- Being the parent of a half Thai child.
- Being dependent on a foreigner who has a long permitted to stay inside the Kingdom.
Al these Visa and Extensions of Stay are based on one particular reason based on your personal situation.
You can not just compare your situation with somebody else his/her situation.
Be informative if you ask advice, just I have a Non Immigrant O visa, raise the question on what reason did you get this visa. If you are not sure with the terminology of Thai visa or Extension, don't worry we all had to learn.
In that case post a picture without the personal data of your latest visa or stamps from Immigration.
We will explain what is what and it avoids lot of questions to you to find out what you actually have and most of all it will avoid incorrect advice if a person assume what kind of visa or stamp you have.
Thanks for all the questions and enjoy your time in Thailand.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post clarifies the distinctions between a Work Permit and a Non-Immigrant O Visa for expats in Thailand. A Work Permit is issued by the Ministry of Labor, allowing foreigners to work in Thailand legally, while a visa allows for entry and a stay for a specified period, with actual entry at the discretion of the Immigration Office. The Non-Immigrant O Visa can be obtained for various reasons, including age, marriage to a Thai citizen, or family ties to a Thai national, each with unique rules. The conversation emphasizes understanding personal circumstances and encourages seeking clarification through documentation for accurate advice.
