What about Visas?

[appleseed024]

I'm currently working on a Non-Immigrant B visa here in Thailand, as my contract provides me with a 1 year stay, having to check in every 3 months with an immigration office to prove that I'm still working for the same people.

As I've posted before, I'm thinking about quitting my job, and starting a career in diving. Actually, I KNOW it's what I want to do.
Since I'm already in Thailand, and have access to some awesome diving opportunities, I figure it would be most convenient to do my training here.

But getting visas for Thailand isn't necessarily easy when you don't have a legit-long term reason to stay in the country.

I will be going on to do my AOW to Divemaster, and wonder if it's possible to get a long term visa for that...
or...
if it would be easier to leave the country, comeback in on a 60 day tourist visa, and extend it another 30 days and so on..

Instructors/divers across Thailand...what is your experience with acquiring visas for the purpose of scuba diving? What would you suggest I do? ( beside going back to my home country to apply for a 1 year Non-Imm visa)

Thanks!

 

[katdiver]

That 90 day check in you do is only to say you've resided in Thailand for that time and not that you're with the same company. Last year my DM did his training and then IDC (instructor course) with the same visa you have. He originally asked for an education visa back home, but was given the B visa. All his training from Open Water Diver to OWSI was completed on Phi Phi. When he moved to Ao Nang to work with me it was straight forward to get his work permit as he had the B visa.
So, long term visas will be education visa or B visa. Education visas can be 3-6 months or as required.
Once you are in, with the B visa and work permit, you can apply for a 1 year permit to stay as I have. You don't have to leave Thailand every year, the visa is renewed here. The other option with the B visa is to run to the border every 90 days and once a year return home for another B visa, which is what my other instructor does. It's all about local rules as towards salaries paid, taxes due, social security etc, then make your choice.

 

[Ex-Aquanaut]

Hi Appleseed,

You might be able to keep your visa until it expires. But, in any case, we arrange 1-year visas for all our students. We generally get ED visas, which you cannot legally work on, but do arrange Non-Imm B in special circumstances. Again, drop me a note if you want to talk more specifically.

 

[appleseed024]

hey thanks for the replies guys.

the problem I think I will have with my visa, is that once I quit my job with my school, they will have the authority to cancel my visa, which gives me seven days to leave the country.

I'm thinking I might be able to change, or keep my visa, if I have a legitimate reason (diving instruction) for staying an extended period of time 3-6 months, and use a letter from a dive company to show to Thai Immigration
If I can't do it like that, I'm afraid the tourist visa is my only immediate option, and while I could potentially finish my training up to divemaster in the time given on a tourist visa, I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a Non Imm B visa so I can work in the dive industry as well.

??????

 

[Ex-Aquanaut]

I think if you left your current employer on good terms then they'd have little motivation to cancel your visa. Work permit, yes. Visa? Seems strange they'd do that. The stamp is in your passport already.

If you head back home for a visit, you can get a new long-term visa. Here in SE Asia will be much tougher. A tourist visa run to Laos is really your best bet. That's 6 months. During that time if you go home you could get a B there.

 

[DevonDiver]

I went to Thailand with a 1year multi-entry education visa. As with a work visa, you renew it every 3 months on a visa run. Including the last re-entry, it means 15 months of relatively stress free stay in Thailand.

Ed visas are easy to obtain in the UK...I cannot comment about getting them from elsewhere. All I needed was a letter stating the training/time requirements from a dive center and I mailed that, with an application form, my passport, a stamped return envelope and the application fee (around 80 quid) to the Thai Embassy in Hull. It was returned withing 48 hours with the appropriate visa stamp.

Check out the Thai embassy in Hull, UK, for details... Visas & Downloads :: The Royal Thai Consulate

 

[UnderwaterAsia]

Visas laws in Thailand change quite a lot, so it's difficult to keep on top of.

I believe visas and work permits are now considered separately though. If you went to work somewhere else, you need to inform the labour department and apply to have your work permit amended, but if you are just training to become a DM, then I don't think this should be an issue.

If you do need a new visa, an education visa could be an option. You normally need to get these from your home country, but you may be able exit Thailand to Malaysia, courier your passport to your consulate back home and get your visa. It depends on your consulate and if you are comfortable with the idea. You would also need a supporting letter from the dive centre you decide to base yourself with.

 

[lord khram]

If you are only training and not actually working why not use a non immigrant O visa. I obtain a multi entry one from the UK and can stay in Thailand 12 months, the only thing I have to do if I dont leave the country is visit the local immigration office for a re entry stamp every 3 months. They are very easy to obtain and cost £100 from any Thai consular office in the Uk. I am not sure about obtaining one of these visas in Asia if you dont want to go back to your own country. It maybe worth checking with a Thai travel agent that specialises in 'visa runs' as they should be up to date with current requirements.
With regard to actually working as a diving instructor, my understanding is that you need a work permit, but the general cosencus on another thread was that Diving Instructors working in Thailand generally don't bother with work permits, maybe some of the shops that commented on the said thread can enlighten you on that one as I know little about the work permit situation.

 

[Quero]

Try to keep your visa and get just your work permit withdrawn. You can get a new work permit based on the old visa (if it's still in force), once you finish your training and get a job. You get the 1-year visa renewed when it expires, even if your new WP is still valid. I got one of those 1-year renewable-in-country B visas through a different company from the one I have my current work permit from. I never have to do visa runs, though I do have to report my presence in the country every three months if I haven't gone abroad during that period.

 

[appleseed024]

thanks for all the info everyone!