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

Aug 4, 2020
4 years ago
Genevieve ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there - will breakdown my situation:

* US National

* Here on single-entry non-B with work permit

* Work for a registered charity (exempt from 1 year extensions)

Work permit is expiring 22 September but I cannot leave the country to renew my non-B and return to apply for a new work permit.

My non-B visa expires 21 Aug. (Have not left the country since I obtained my non-B visa Aug 2019 but have done extensions every 3mos).

Need help please!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US national with a single-entry Non-B visa and a work permit for a charity is facing an impending expiration of their Non-B visa and work permit. They require assistance due to restrictions on leaving the country to renew their visa.
Tod *********
Just keep doing extensions, there's nothing that says you have to leave and get a new Non-B visa, I know people who work for foundations who have 90 day extensions and have been getting them for years and years now every 3 months.
Genevieve ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the advice! What about my work permit?
Tod *********
@Genevieve **********
get ahold of your foundation to renew it :/ The Ministry of Labor is doing work permit renewals
Genevieve ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Ok. The last I heard from them they said I need to leave by September 26, maybe it was a communication error? Our person who has been handling the visas I think heard from our lawyers that I would need to leave the country in order to renew my WP. Do you know why that would be?
Tod *********
@Genevieve **********
, I think there is a lost in translation going on. You don't need to leave the country to renew a work permit,

AND you aren't gonna get back in if you DO leave so get that out of your head now
Genevieve ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry one last thing - I think the reason they are saying I need to leave is because with my visa I am not allowed to stay past the 1 year mark, which is coming up this August (ie why they are saying I can't continue to do 90-day extensions).
Tod *********
@Genevieve **********
there is nothing like that in any visa rules. That's something the foundation is making up. your VISA was only good for 90 days when you entered the country and you've been on extensions since then..

There is no "you can only get a year of extensions" rule at immigrations for Non-B's based on working at a foundation.

That is between you, your foundation, the immigration office, just like renewing your work permit is between you, your foundation and the ministry of labor.
Genevieve ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Hahah oh no. Leaving is not an option for me! No chance in hell I am leaving under that impression. Thanks for the help again!
Tod *********
If you were on a single entry Non-B VISA it was used the second you entered the country and you would be on extensions of stays not that 90 day visa entry.
Tod *********
there is no "exempt from 1 year extensions" :O I think what you're saying is that due to the foundation you can only get 90 day extensions not the one year one.
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