Ask question

What options are available for renewing a non-B visa in Thailand without exiting the country?

Non-B visa Visa renewal Extension of stay Immigration Quarantine Work permit Amnesty policy

Aug 25, 2020

4 years ago

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for accepting me to the group!

I am a US citizen who has been working in Thailand on a non-B visa since September 2018. My re-entry visa expired on August 17th 2020 and unfortunately my employer failed to renew it prior to that date. My last 90 day check-in was completed on June 4th.

Normally I understand I would have to exit the country, reapply for a new non-B visa, and re-enter. But given the challenges of finding a flight back and forth to a country which I can enter with a US passport, it is unclear if I will be able to do so. I would obviously also like to avoid quarantining if possible.

So are there any options available for me to renew my non-B visa without leaving the country?

Thank you in advance for the advice.

1,999

views

4

likes

52

all likes

18

replies

0

images

4

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen working in Thailand on a non-B visa faces challenges after their re-entry permit expired. The discussion revolves around possible options for renewing the non-B visa without leaving the country, especially considering the ongoing amnesty policy. Advice suggests that if the individual applies for a new yearly extension before the amnesty period ends, they can still obtain it. Additionally, the conversation touches on the process of securing a new re-entry permit after receiving the extension.

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

So here's an update on my situation in case it's useful to anyone else:

Returned to immigration this morning. It seems that the issue is that the Board of Investment, which handles work permitting, is under the impression that the amnesty policy applies only to people on tourist visas. I had to very firmly argue my case that the amnesty grace period applies to visa holders of all types.

They eventually conceded that this was the case. However, since they were not previously aware of this, they apparently already removed my previous work permit from the system. I was told it will take them a week to prepare a new work permit for me after which I will then be able to extend my extension of stay and purchase a new re-entry permit as though it had not expired.

Like

Reply

Nick *******

@Jonathan ******

thanks for keeping us updated. Good luck. It looks like you won round 2, but the game is not over yet.

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

we'll see in about a week...

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jonathan *******

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

No luck today. My company's representative aparantly didn't bring the necessary documents. Guess I'm trying again tomorrow

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Oh I guess related question now that I know the re-entry permit is unrelated to my extension of stay - should I be able to renew or purchase a new one of those as well if I am able to get my extension of stay granted again?

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks guys, If I'm still in Bangkok next month I'm buying everyone in this group a beer 😅

Like

Reply

Stuart *********

@Jonathan ******

you do realize there 40,000 members in this group? 😀

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

I said I'm buying you "a beer" you can all figure out how to divy the bottle up 😅

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jonathan *******

Reply

Benjamin ******

Yes, you can purchase a re-entry permit after you get a new extension of stay.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Reply

Tod *********

@Jonathan ******

at least in theory, the way it works is IF you were on an extension that expires while amnesty is in effect AND you go on amnesty BUT you apply for a new extension before the amnesty runs out it does not affect your ability to get a new extension (the amnesty 'strings together' the time from your old extension expiring and you applying for the new one so that it's okay)

That's the theory anyway,

Report back if you would about how it goes

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much for the advice. Unfortunately my current HR rep isn't the most knowledgeable. I will report back my experience tomorrow for sure

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jonathan *******

Reply

Tod *********

You need to be talking to your employer (or who ever helps them get their employees extensions) because when this extension expired you went on amnesty automatically AND as long as you apply for a new yearly extension (just like you have every year) BEFORE the 26th of Sept (the day this amnesty runs out) you will be able to get your application in and get a new year extension.

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Correct. That is where I will be going tomorrow

Like

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

The extension of stay would be for a year? My original one was for roughly two years

Like

Reply

Tod *********

@Jonathan ******

if you got an extension for 2 years it means you work for a company that has their employees use the Cham Churi Square One Stop Service Center Immigration office right?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

whew okay so if I go to immigration tomorrow I should still be able to get the extension? My new HR person told me I would have to leave and reapply for a new non B visa like I did originally and I don't think it's plausible for me to accomplish that given the circumstances

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jonathan *******

Reply

Tod *********

Okay, you aren't or weren't on ANY visa :( If you were doing 90 day reporting you were on a yearly extension of stay (Look at the stamp in your passport and it should say "extension of stay permitted until" and have a date of 17 Aug 2020)

Like

Reply

Tod *********

your "re-entry permit" has nothing to do with any of this and it was only purchased after your extension was gotten so you could exit/re-enter the country and get stamped back in for the rest of your extension.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What options do I have to extend my stay in Thailand with an expiring Non-B visa?

12 comments

3 years ago

What options do I have for my Non-B visa and work permit gap between contracts in Thailand without leaving the country?

1 comments

3 years ago

What are my options for extending a Non-B visa in Thailand before it expires?

6 comments

3 years ago

What options do I have for extending my Non-B visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

0 comments

3 years ago

Can I get a new Non-B visa while in the USA and return to Thailand before my current visa expires?

1 comments

3 years ago

What are my options for obtaining a Non-B visa in Thailand after being on a Non-B during the COVID crisis?

6 comments

4 years ago

Can I apply for a NON-B type visa or extension within Thailand after receiving a new job offer?

8 comments

4 years ago

Can I apply for a new non-B visa and extend my stay in Thailand without leaving the country?

3 comments

4 years ago

What should I do after my visa expired while on amnesty in Thailand, facing issues with the Non-B visa due to Covid?

4 comments

4 years ago

Can I reapply for a Non Immigrant B visa without leaving Thailand if my single entry has expired?

11 comments

4 years ago

What are the options for extending my stay in Thailand with a B-Multiple Entry Visa?

11 comments

4 years ago

What should I do if my Non-B visa is expiring and I cannot leave Thailand for renewal?

10 comments

4 years ago

What options do I have to extend my stay in Thailand after going on Amnesty while seeking a Non B visa?

3 comments

4 years ago

What Are My Options for Visa and Work Permit Renewal in Thailand After Late Application?

6 comments

4 years ago

What Options Are Available for Extending a Non-B Visa in Thailand After Covid Amnesties?

1 comments

4 years ago

Can I Obtain a New Non-Immigrant B Visa in Thailand Without Leaving the Country?

2 comments

4 years ago

What should I do if I'm stranded abroad and my Non-B visa and work permit are expiring due to COVID-19?

4 comments

4 years ago

What are the options for extending a non-B visa in Thailand after resigning from a position during lockdown?

14 comments

4 years ago

What Should I Do If My Non B Visa Is Expiring While I'm Outside Thailand?

7 comments

4 years ago

Can I Extend My Non-Immigrant Multi-Entry Business Visa Without a Work Permit While in Thailand?

1 comments

4 years ago

Can I convert my visa amnesty or visa exemption to a Non-B or tourist visa while in Thailand?

11 comments

4 years ago

What Should I Do About My Non-B Visa Expiring on May 25 While Stuck in Bangkok?

9 comments

5 years ago

Can I Renew My Non-B Visa Without Leaving Thailand?

2 comments

5 years ago

What are my options for renewing a Non-B visa while my work permit is expired in Thailand?

5 comments

5 years ago

What options do I have for obtaining a non-B visa while unable to leave Thailand?

11 comments

5 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.