Answered6 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?
Hi - I have a question relating to visa extensions given the covid situation. I'm currently on a Non-B visa which expires on Oct 1, as does my work permit, but am currently stranded in Australia due to covid. I fear I might get back to Thailand too late to renew my work permit and then extend the visa.
In that event, will I have to leave Thailand again to apply for a new Non-B visa at a Thai consulate? Given the border closures and the difficulty of traveling, are the Thai authorities making any allowances for people to get new visas in-country? Thanks in advance - you're doing god's work.
In that event, will I have to leave Thailand again to apply for a new Non-B visa at a Thai consulate? Given the border closures and the difficulty of traveling, are the Thai authorities making any allowances for people to get new visas in-country? Thanks in advance - you're doing god's work.
Answer summary
The user seeks advice on their Non-B visa and work permit expiring while they are stranded in Australia due to COVID-19. They worry about returning to Thailand and being unable to renew their visa and work permit before expiration. The discussion points include options for getting a new Non-B visa from Australia, the necessity of having a valid work permit for that process, and any leniencies from Thai immigration regarding extensions.
4 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Sebastian **********
OPOK, good to know - thanks for your help!
Sebastian **********
OPThanks. Actually - a correction, I'm on the Non-B visa, not the Non-O.
Firstly, am I correct in assuming I would need a valid work permit to apply for a new Non-B visa here in Australia? Since this expires the same day as my visa, I don't see how it would be doable without returning to Thailand first. If I did that, would there be any way to apply for a new visa in-country?
Alternatively, if I were to make it to Thailand before Oct 1, but with less than the mandatory 21 days remaining on my visa, is the immigration dept easing any of their rules about granting extensions due to covid? Thanks.
Firstly, am I correct in assuming I would need a valid work permit to apply for a new Non-B visa here in Australia? Since this expires the same day as my visa, I don't see how it would be doable without returning to Thailand first. If I did that, would there be any way to apply for a new visa in-country?
Alternatively, if I were to make it to Thailand before Oct 1, but with less than the mandatory 21 days remaining on my visa, is the immigration dept easing any of their rules about granting extensions due to covid? Thanks.
Benjamin ******
>Firstly, am I correct in assuming I would need a valid work permit to apply for a new Non-B visa here in Australia?
You can get a Non-B visa BEFORE getting a work permit. You'll get the Non-B visa, fly to Thailand, and get the work permit and the one year extension of stay based on employment.
>f I did that, would there be any way to apply for a new visa in-country?
*SOME* immigration offices allow people to purchase a Non-B visa *INSIDE* Thailand, but the requirements are extremely strict.
>is the immigration dept easing any of their rules about granting extensions due to covid?
We don't know :( There's a certain set of rules for people who are already in Thailand on amnesty, and they *MAY BE* able to get an extension of stay under certain circumstances, however the amnesty can only let a person stay no later than July 31.
We have no idea what will happen after July 31 :(
You can get a Non-B visa BEFORE getting a work permit. You'll get the Non-B visa, fly to Thailand, and get the work permit and the one year extension of stay based on employment.
>f I did that, would there be any way to apply for a new visa in-country?
*SOME* immigration offices allow people to purchase a Non-B visa *INSIDE* Thailand, but the requirements are extremely strict.
>is the immigration dept easing any of their rules about granting extensions due to covid?
We don't know :( There's a certain set of rules for people who are already in Thailand on amnesty, and they *MAY BE* able to get an extension of stay under certain circumstances, however the amnesty can only let a person stay no later than July 31.
We have no idea what will happen after July 31 :(
Benjamin ******
If you are outside of the country, and your visa expires, you will have to start the process over again. I'm assuming you have a Non-O visa based on either marriage or as a volunteer (since those visas allow a work permit).
You can get those visas in Australia before you leave, and then return to Thailand and get an extension of stay.
You can get those visas in Australia before you leave, and then return to Thailand and get an extension of stay.
Activity
2 joined2
people
Related
25Can my friend extend his work visa in Thailand given the current circumstances in the Gulf and the lack of a canceled flight?
5.7k231278mo
Should I cancel my Non-O extension before leaving Thailand for a Non-B visa application?
9904112y
What should I do about my Non-B visa when traveling to Australia for work?
759363y
Can I extend my Non-B visa in Thailand while waiting for my teaching license, or do I need to exit the country?
591143y
Can I convert my Non-B visa to a tourist visa while remaining in Thailand?
8443105y
What should my boyfriend do if he missed the expiry date to extend his non-B visa in Thailand?
1.7k14105y
Can I extend my Non-Immigrant O visa at the Thai Embassy in Spain if I'm currently outside Thailand?
1.1k875y
Can I get a new Non-B visa while in the USA and return to Thailand before my current visa expires?
448125y
Can I extend my tourist visa while my Non-B visa and work permit are expiring?
1k96y
What are the best visa extension options for my son in Thailand due to job searching and COVID-19?
1.1k3216y
What steps should I take to stay in Thailand after my work permit is canceled and my visa is expiring?
961586y
What are the options for extending a Non-B visa in Thailand due to job loss and medical reasons?
1.9k15136y
What should I do if my Non-O visa is expired and I want to work in Thailand?
9561166y
Is my Non-B multiple entry visa still valid if I leave Thailand before my amnesty expires?
2.9k22286y
What Should I Do with My Non-Immigrant B Visa Before Expiration?
1k4136y
What are the options for extending a Work Permit and Visa in Thailand after expiration?
2.3k19106y
What Should I Do If My Non B Visa Is Expiring and Border Bounces Are Not Possible?
817396y
What should I do if I won't continue with my current employer regarding my Non-B visa and work permit in Thailand?
1k666y
Can My Fiancée Extend Her Non-B Visa If She Can't Return to Russia Before Expiry?
1.1k787y
What Should I Do If My Non-B Visa Expires and I Can't Extend It Before April 30th?
32917y
What Should I Do If My Visa Expires While I'm Outside Thailand During Covid?
571237y
What are my options for extending a Non-B visa while still in Thailand?
1.2k887y
What should I do if my Non-ED visa is about to expire and I need to apply for a Non-B visa in Thailand?
877577y
What should I do if my Non-B visa and work permit expire and my employer won't renew my contract?
37917y
What should I do after entering Thailand on a tourist visa while holding a work permit and non-B visa?
2.1k2069y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served