What is the best way for a UK citizen to obtain a Non-Immigrant B Visa in Thailand on a visa waiver?

Non-Immigrant B Visa Visa Application UK Citizens Teaching in Thailand Visa Waiver Immigration Process

Jul 1, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone. Thanks admin for accepting me. I'll try be as sucsinct as possible with this question..

Context:

 I am a UK citizen. I have all required docs from an employer in Bangkok to start as a teacher on July 18. I tried applying for a non-immigrant B Visa via the embassy in London but I may need to scrap that plan as they need a more up to date certificate (DBS).  As this will take a few days to process and send to me, I won't be able to get my visa stamp before travel on July 3rd. (Yes, on Wednesday)

I am assuming it is possible to apply for this type of visa while in Thailand as the visa officer at my school initially thought I was already in Thailand. 

Question :  

What is the best and cheapest way to go about obtaining a non immigrant B Visa in my situation?

The reason I am looking for clarity is because I am now reading that UK citizens can get a visa waiver stamp on entry which means I won't even have a tourist visa stamp when I arrive in Bangkok. If this is the case would I be able to apply for a non Immigrant B Visa while on a waiver stamp? Or would I first need to obtain a tourist visa to do this ? 

The school will be available to help with all of this, however I am wondering whether it would be wise to get a tourist visa on entry in case I have to do this anyway. I am worried that i wont have time to get one (plus process a nonB) before I start on July 18th. 

Hope this makes sense to at least one of you peeps. Please let me know if I'm overthinking things. 

Peace and Love to all who comment. Hope to see you in the land of smiles. Definitely would offer a large beer Leo to anyone who can advise me.

1,362

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK citizen planning to teach in Thailand is seeking advice on obtaining a Non-Immigrant B Visa, as potential delays in obtaining necessary documents for the visa application could prevent timely travel. They are considering entering Thailand on a visa waiver and want to know if they can apply for the Non-B Visa while on the waiver or if obtaining a tourist visa prior is necessary. Suggestions from the community highlight the importance of coordinating with the employer for required documentation, and the need to act quickly upon arrival to meet visa requirements.

James ********

With that helpful information I close commenting.

5 years ago

James ********

Sean E. Harvey ...you have good and wise advice from our Admin

@Tod ********

. Do it ASAP ...following your arrival into Thailand in a few days. You will need the key assistance of your employer as Tod stated. But it can be done. Good luck and Thank You for your coming to teach in Thailand 😉

5 years ago

Tod *********

okay, so you're entering on a 30 day visa exempt entry, AND then you need to apply for a 90 day Non-B visa.

It's totally going to depend on your employer as far as IF they can give you the required documentation to get a Non-B inside the country at your immigration office.

Most offices require you have at least 15 days left on your current stamp (and some require 21) to issue an in country Non-Immigrant type visa so you need to get right on this as soon as you get here.

If you can't get it inside the country from your local immigration office you'll be able to take the documentation to a nearby thai consulate and apply for the 90 day Non-B visa from them.

5 years ago

Sean ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok so I will have to ask my employer what other documents I may need before I leave. ( maybe there will be things I can't get while in Thailand )

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Sean **********

you will have to get with your employer once you're here to have them give you the documentation.

Applying at a thai consulate and applying at the thai immigration office are two separate things entirely

5 years ago

Sean ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

also, I will have all requirements to apply via embassy in London, but I don't know what else I will need to apply at immigration

5 years ago

Sean ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

I will be able to speak with the Visa officer at my school today so will hopefully learn how long this might take to do at immigration

5 years ago

Reply to

Sean ***********

Dominic *****

If you fly here without the Non-B visa, you will have to make a trip out to a nearby Thai embassy/consulate to get it. No possibility of delaying your flight until it’s settled? You aren’t allowed to start work without the correct visa anyway.

5 years ago

Dominic *****

See

@Tod ********

’ reply below. If you check with the school and they can provide you the documents to convert a visa exempt entry into a Non-B, I’d go with that. But if they can’t, you need to weigh delaying your flight against having to make a trip out to a neighboring country.

5 years ago

Sean ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dominic ****

I could delay the flight if I must

5 years ago

Reply to

Sean ***********

Andy ********

The good news is you have come to the right place for accurate up to date information.

5 years ago

James ********