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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.

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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.

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Nick *******

@Jonathan ******

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

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

we'll see in about a week...

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Jonathan *******

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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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?

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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Stuart *********

@Jonathan ******

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

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

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

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Jonathan *******

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Benjamin ******

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

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Benjamin ******

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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

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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

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Jonathan *******

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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.

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Correct. That is where I will be going tomorrow

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Jonathan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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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?

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Tod *********

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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

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Jonathan *******

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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)

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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.

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Tod *********

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