What is the required duration for travel insurance before applying for the COE, and is it easy to switch from a tourist visa to a working visa in Thailand?

Mar 5, 2021
4 years ago
Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
what is the minimum amount of months you need for travel insurance coverage before you submit your application for the COE? I also wanted to ask while on the tourist visa, is it easy to switch that visa into a working visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE), it is generally required to have travel insurance that covers the entire duration of your visa. Regarding the visa situation, while there is no specific 'working visa,' you can transfer from a tourist visa (TR) to a Non-Immigrant B Visa in certain circumstances, especially during COVID-19, which may allow for an in-country change.
Greg ********
For insurance pretty sure it is only for period of your Visa. Can double check with pal but pretty certain he only paid 60 days TR period for Covid cover
Daniel ************
there is no working visa - and yes you can transfer a tourist to non immigrant business
Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Greg ********
There is no such thing as a working visa. There is a Non-Immigrant B Visa and a Work Permit. You get the B from Immigration and the WP from the Department of Labour. It is possible during covid to change from a TR to Non-B in-country. Previously you normally had to leave to apply at Embassy / Consultate outside of Thailand. And with that I am now leaving for Chamchurri Square in 10 mins to get both an extension on my visa and WP. :-)
Tod *********
@Greg *******
you are incorrect that it is only possible because of this covid shit show. The ability to apply for an in country Non-B visa from a tourist visa entry or a visa exempt entry has ALWAYS been possible IF your employer could meet the in country requirements AND you had enough days left on your current stamp to cover the under consideration stamp you get when you apply for the Non-B in country.

I think the reason that most employers sent their employees OUT of the country to a thai consulate to get the 90 day Non-B is that the bar was much lower insofar as the documentation required at a consulate versus in country at the immigration office
Greg ********
@Tod ********
OK - we send all of our staff out. We employ over 10k Thais here and have been BOI for over 45 years so easy to qualify. Pretty much a rubber stamp job for anyone we want to bring in. I am not complaining. i got 2 trips to Singapore in a 5* hotel on exes. I lived there for 10+ years previously so had a few party nights with pals :-)
Tod *********
@Greg *******
, regular people getting Non-B's and people with BOI companies getting their immigration stuff done at the One Stop Service Center at Cham Churi are whores from different gogo bars completely :O

That's like comparing apples to durian :P

Thanx for taking time to brag you're going to get your extension and work permit, employ 10K thaiz, have been BOI for 45 years, that you have 2 trips to Singapore in 5 star hotels and anyone you wanna hire is rubber stamped <- none of those things actually add a shred of information as far as answer the questions the O/P asked (but again thanx for that glimpse into your life, you're clearly living the dream :P)
Greg ********
@Tod ********
I am hiring someone local though for a vacancy - plenty of well qualified Thai's :-)
Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
yes, sorry I used the wrong work when saying working visa lol.. yes I remember when I lived there I had to leave the country but due to the times we are in, that's why I was asking if I could switch from a TR to Non/b..thanks again for your help
Greg ********
@Daniel ******
Yeah I had to go to Singapore to get Non-B. In fact had to go twice but that is a long story. Now due to Covid more accomodating.
Darren *******
@Greg *******
I hope you've put on your finest shirt for your mug shot
Greg ********
@Darren ******
The place is absolutely packed. Luckily we send our staff ahead to keep place in queue. 15 minutes and done for 2 years.
Darren *******
@Greg *******
same, whenever me or my dependents have had to go there we're always met by our staff who queue up ahead of us.

I'm amazed they didn't reject your application for wearing a nice shirt than the photographer!
Greg ********
@Darren ******
Very quick today. I was there 20 minutes total in the actual place. That is me sorted for 2 years. It is very busy indeed. Got told lots of people arriving for jobs. Since this is BOI it just reflects what I am hearing. Outside of tourism Thailand is doing OK.
Darren *******
@Greg *******
yeah I agree with that about companies recruiting again. Tourism has been hit but that's worldwide and not just here.
Greg ********
@Darren ******
I am recruiting at the moment. Will be for a local though. Got some great candidates on paper. Chula MBA's, PhD from Aussie etc. Happy about this as less hassle
Darren *******
@Greg *******
same, had some good local candidates apply for role which was good to see. And yes, no visa/ASQ issues which is one less thing to worry about!
Greg ********
@Darren ******
CYC bespoke from Singapore actually. Lee Kyan Yew wore one of their shirts when he declared Singapore independent from the Malay Federation :-)
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