Non-b 1year In Kuala Lumpur - I Did It!

[brt224]

Just come back from Kuala Lumpur and have been lucky enough to get a 1y non-B. This was a renewal of the visa (last one done in Amsterdam) and my Work Permit has been renewed every 3 months for more than one year now.

From what I understand, the fact that it is hand-written on my WP that it is valid until April 2009 helped a lot. The copy of the WP is the only document that the officer at the embassy looked for more than 2 seconds. She even seems to appreciate to be able to see the original WP.

That's all I can tell...

[travelbucho]

Same here, also just got a 1yr multi non B from KL.

if you have all your documentation, and your WP has more than 6months left, they can issue you a 1yr.

If you have less than 6 months left, they'll only issue 3months. It's what I could make up from all the half answers that I got when asking the people at the embassy.

I called in before I went, explained that I was 3-4 months into my new WP and wanted to get new multi B, they said was ok, since i had 8months left. So maybe good idea for anyone else who is going and not sure, to ring them first and see if it is worth applying for the 1yr (if refused, no refund of visa fee which currently stands @ 550RM)

bring your original WP as well so they can have a quick look at it.

[digitalchromakey]

Same here, also just got a 1yr multi non B from KL.

if you have all your documentation, and your WP has more than 6months left, they can issue you a 1yr.

If you have less than 6 months left, they'll only issue 3months. It's what I could make up from all the half answers that I got when asking the people at the embassy.

I called in before I went, explained that I was 3-4 months into my new WP and wanted to get new multi B, they said was ok, since i had 8months left. So maybe good idea for anyone else who is going and not sure, to ring them first and see if it is worth applying for the 1yr (if refused, no refund of visa fee which currently stands @ 550RM)

bring your original WP as well so they can have a quick look at it.

I would be very interested to know the answers to the following seven questions.

1) Precisely what do you mean when you stated that you had 8 months left on your Work Permit?

2) What was the original 'valid until' date on you WP?

3) What was the 'renewed until' date on you last WP stamp?

4) Had you made a WP5 application to renew your WP permission and did you show the WP5 receipt?

5) What was the validity until period marked at the bottom of page 5 of your WP?

6) Which labour dept issued your WP?

7) Were you already on a 1 year non immigrant B visa and if so, what was the 'enter before' date on it?

Your answers may help others trying to get a 1 year multiple entry non immigrant B visa from KL.

[smartecosse]

well i too am just back from KL with a new i yr multi entry in my passport

Out of 40 odd pages of paperwork the only one that was really looked at was the copy of the note in the work permit extending it for another year from the current date. They then asked to see this in the actual work permit as well - just to make sure.

So it seems that even if all your paperwork is in order if you or your accountant hasn't bothered to get the wp "updated" then you are only going to get a single entry.

[digitalchromakey]

well i too am just back from KL with a new i yr multi entry in my passport

Out of 40 odd pages of paperwork the only one that was really looked at was the copy of the note in the work permit extending it for another year from the current date. They then asked to see this in the actual work permit as well - just to make sure.

So it seems that even if all your paperwork is in order if you or your accountant hasn't bothered to get the wp "updated" then you are only going to get a single entry.

I am very curious about this, particularly since you are from Phuket. A friend of mine who needs to do a visa run to KL later this month went into Phuket Labour last week and asked about this specific matter regarding his current, now three years old, work permit. He was told that there is no such stamp, that the WP one year validity is always applicable and does not need to be 'renewed'.

What does this note in your work permit 'extending it for another year' look like?

Could you please post a scan of it?

[opalhort]

my Work Permit has been renewed every 3 months for more than one year now.

Your WP was probably renewed and approved for one year at a time but only validated for 3 months to match your visa status. The 'approved for 1 year' is usually only in handwriting.

From what I understand, the fact that it is hand-written on my WP that it is valid until April 2009 helped a lot. The copy of the WP is the only document that the officer at the embassy looked for more than 2 seconds. She even seems to appreciate to be able to see the original WP.

That's all I can tell...

Some questions raised in this thread may have been answered in some posts of

this topic

opalhort

[shadiadi]

I put a post here last night saying my Non B I have had for 2 years but the post seems to have dissapeared. My visa nad work permit both expire this month and i have been told to leave the country to apply. My lawer says just take my work permit? Don't I have to take nay company documents with me? Just all seems too easy can someone ust clarify I only need to take my work permit and passport and no company documents thanks.

[brt224]

The "time left" on your WP refer to the date of renewal. Let's say you get your work permit on April 1st 2008. Every 3 months you will extend it for 3 months. But after one year (April 1st 2009) you will have to renew it for one year. If you apply for a visa on july 1st 2008, the "time left" on your WP is 9 months.

Hope this helps.

[digitalchromakey]

I put a post here last night saying my Non B I have had for 2 years but the post seems to have dissapeared. My visa nad work permit both expire this month and i have been told to leave the country to apply. My lawer says just take my work permit? Don't I have to take nay company documents with me? Just all seems too easy can someone ust clarify I only need to take my work permit and passport and no company documents thanks.

Check my reply to your original post here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Apply-Non-Im...ed#entry2069786

[digitalchromakey]

my Work Permit has been renewed every 3 months for more than one year now.

Your WP was probably renewed and approved for one year at a time but only validated for 3 months to match your visa status. The 'approved for 1 year' is usually only in handwriting.

From what I understand, the fact that it is hand-written on my WP that it is valid until April 2009 helped a lot. The copy of the WP is the only document that the officer at the embassy looked for more than 2 seconds. She even seems to appreciate to be able to see the original WP.

That's all I can tell...

Some questions raised in this thread may have been answered in some posts of

this topic

opalhort

Opalhort, I was interested to look at the scan of your WP, from Bangkok Labour.

Bangkok Labour have a wording on their stamp which says:

'Extension of work permit is granted on present position until'

Phuket labour have a stamp which says:

'Renewal of the work permit is granted in respect of previous occupation until'

Possibly a very different meaning ..

I presume however that your WP stamps are based on a visa extension for one year rather than a non B multiple. This may explain why your work permit is marked as it is. The writing in green is the date 20/4/2551, which will be the date of your 1 year extension when ratified. I guess this date is put in to go with your 30 day extension while you wait for the 1 year approval,

This, I think, is quite different to the situation where you renew your WP based on a 1 year non B multiple with 90 day entries.

Edited July 5, 2008 by digitalchromakey

[shadiadi]

I have just spoken to my lawyer again she says i only need to take my work permit should i change my lawyer?

[digitalchromakey]

I have just spoken to my lawyer again she says i only need to take my work permit should i change my lawyer?

Yes

[opalhort]

I presume however that your WP stamps are based on a visa extension for one year rather than a non B multiple. This may explain why your work permit is marked as it is. The writing in green is the date 20/4/2551, which will be the date of your 1 year extension when ratified. I guess this date is put in to go with your 30 day extension while you wait for the 1 year approval,

This, I think, is quite different to the situation where you renew your WP based on a 1 year non B multiple with 90 day entries.

Yes, you may be right about the WP extension being valid for one year because of my visa status. My WP runs from 20.04.yy to 20.04.yy+1 and my permit to stay extension (spouse) runs from 08.05.yy to 07.05.yy+1

The reason why I mentioned it is because the OP (brt224) is apparently on a multi entry B visa yet has a hand-written note about the WP expiry date in his WP.

This is why I think that WPs are granted for one year regardless of visa status but of course only validated to match the current permit to stay extension date.

Is there anybody else here on TV with a multi Non-B and WP? Has the WP any hand-written notes about validity?

opalhort

[digitalchromakey]

Thanks for your clarification, however I still do not understand your point

The "time left" on your WP refer to the date of renewal. Let's say you get your work permit on April 1st 2008. Every 3 months you will extend it for 3 months. But after one year (April 1st 2009) you will have to renew it for one year. If you apply for a visa on july 1st 2008, the "time left" on your WP is 9 months.

Hope this helps.

When you renew your WP at Labour using form WP5, this renewal is done in accordance with Section 15 of the working of Aliens act 2521 which states that:

Section 13. Permits issued under this Act shall be valid for one year from the date of issue except that:

(1) the permit issued to an alien under Section 10 shall be valid for a period as long as he has been permitted to work under such laws;

(2) the permit issued to an alien under Section 12 shall be valid for the period prescribed by the Director-General or official entrusted by the Director - General which must not exceed one year from the date of issue;

(3) the permit issued to an alien who has been permitted entry into the Kingdom

for temporary stay under the law on immigration shall be valid for a period as long as he has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom at the time of the issue of the permit;

(4) the permit issued to an alien who has been permitted entry into the Kingdom for temporary stay under the law on immigration without definite period shall be valid for thirty days from the date of issue.

Section 15. Before a permit is expired and the holder of the permit wishes to continue

working, he shall apply for a renewal of the permit to the Registrar prior to the expiration thereof. In such case, the applicant for renewal of the permit may continue working until the Registrar issues an order refusing the renewal of the permit.

Each renewal of permit shall be valid for one year, except that:

(1) under Section 13(3)shall be made for a period not more than the extension which the holder has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom;

(2) the renewal of permit under Section 13(4) shall be made for a period of thirty days each time except that, in the case where an alien has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom under the law on immigration for a definite period which is longer than thirty days, the renewal of permit shall be for a period as long as he has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom, but not longer than one year.

So you can apply to renew for up to the the validity period which under section 15 is one year, but you are always given an extention based on the current 'admitted until' date on your passport entry stamp. Even though you can apply for a one year WP extension using form WP5, because of the 13 (3) clause, this extension will not be more than 90 days.

So using this logic your WP will always be 'valid' for a little more than 9 months when you do your visa run, assuming you were already on a non immigrant B visa, with a current WP.

So I still do not understand what KL are actually looking for in terms of specific WP validity.

[digitalchromakey]

I presume however that your WP stamps are based on a visa extension for one year rather than a non B multiple. This may explain why your work permit is marked as it is. The writing in green is the date 20/4/2551, which will be the date of your 1 year extension when ratified. I guess this date is put in to go with your 30 day extension while you wait for the 1 year approval,

This, I think, is quite different to the situation where you renew your WP based on a 1 year non B multiple with 90 day entries.

Yes, you may be right about the WP extension being valid for one year because of my visa status. My WP runs from 20.04.yy to 20.04.yy+1 and my permit to stay extension (spouse) runs from 08.05.yy to 07.05.yy+1

The reason why I mentioned it is because the OP (brt224) is apparently on a multi entry B visa yet has a hand-written note about the WP expiry date in his WP.

This is why I think that WPs are granted for one year regardless of visa status but of course only validated to match the current permit to stay extension date.

Is there anybody else here on TV with a multi Non-B and WP? Has the WP any hand-written notes about validity?

opalhort

Thanks for that. If you check my reply to the OP's (brt224) latest post I have also come to a similar conclusion.

It appears that some Labour departments are noting this by hand in the WP and some are not.

My local area (Phuket), for example, say that there is no need to make such a note because the one year validity is implicit in renewal if it is the stated working period in the WP (bottom of page 5).

KL seem to have locked onto this subtle difference as a reason to refuse and this could well explain why people from some areas are consistantly being refused 1 year multiple entry Bs and some are not.

[opalhort]

It appears that some Labour departments are noting this by hand in the WP and some are not.

My local area (Phuket), for example, say that there is no need to make such a note because the one year validity is implicit in renewal if it is the stated working period in the WP (bottom of page 5).

Yes, on page 5 it has to show "work period" 1 year (1ปี) but here in BKK they always add the period in handwriting as well on the page with the last renewal stamp.

AND when you apply for a renwal always state 1 year in the WP5 form IF 1 year is listed on page 5!!!!

opalhort

[chiangmaijohn]

In April the law changed and regardless of your multi entry B visa you are able to renew your work permit for one year instead of the 3 months previously attached to your visa runs and you will be charged accordingly and should check with your respective employment departments.You can look in the Chiang Mai section to confirm this.

[smartecosse]

last years "stamp"

this years "stamp"

If you don't have this and your work permit does not have almost a year left to run you will not be given a multiple entry at KL.

Both last year and this year my lawyer told me that I did not need it as it isnt an official requirement according to the labour office here on Phuket. However KL embassy insist that it is.................

[smartecosse]

In April the law changed and regardless of your multi entry B visa you are able to renew your work permit for one year instead of the 3 months previously attached to your visa runs and you will be charged accordingly and should check with your respective employment departments.You can look in the Chiang Mai section to confirm this.

can yuo let me have a link to that? Had a look and couldnt see it, plus when tried the search button because the "work" in work permit is less than 5 letters it doesnt let you do the search????

[digitalchromakey]

Thanks for this, its most helpful and it perfectly illustrates the current problem with KL

last years "stamp"

this years "stamp"

If you don't have this and your work permit does not have almost a year left to run you will not be given a multiple entry at KL.

Both last year and this year my lawyer told me that I did not need it as it isnt an official requirement according to the labour office here on Phuket. However KL embassy insist that it is.................

The first stamp is from the back of your work permit and it's a stamp changing the WP validity from 6 months to 1 year. This was why KL were refusing to issue one year multiple non Bs last year.

The second stamp is adjacent to your most recent renewal of permission to work. I also see it's signed by a senior officer from Phuket Labour - K. Janya Jingyong.

Some offices, like Bangkok and Chang Mai, apparently have been making a mark like this - for some time now, some like Phuket have not.

The 'detail' people at KL seem to have picked up on this. Hence the intermittant 1 year multiple non B refusals from KL.

Looks like this is the KL one year multiple entry B problem 'cracked' - for the time being - thanks for your help.

Edited July 6, 2008 by digitalchromakey

[digitalchromakey]

I think he's referring to a directive in Chaing Mai, which according to a law firm web site there, has been applicable for some two years now.

In April the law changed and regardless of your multi entry B visa you are able to renew your work permit for one year instead of the 3 months previously attached to your visa runs and you will be charged accordingly and should check with your respective employment departments.You can look in the Chiang Mai section to confirm this.

can you let me have a link to that? Had a look and couldnt see it, plus when tried the search button because the "work" in work permit is less than 5 letters it doesnt let you do the search????

[PattayaParent]

I thought your Work Permit is only valid as long as your visa is valid.

Mine (and everyone's I work with) certainly is as have been my previous WPs.

[opalhort]

I thought your Work Permit is only valid as long as your visa is valid.

There is a difference between renewal and validation of WP. Renewal has to be done based on the period stated on page 5 of the WP, but validation has to be done matching the visa.

Read through all the above posts and you will understand the difference.

opalhort

[surface]

Do the number of days remaining on the WP have any effect on being given a 1 year multi? My WP validation expires on the 17th and I will be getting my new Visa in KL on the 14th or 15th. I'm guessing my WP renewal is not necessary for another 9 months or so, but my lawyer has it at the moment so I wonn't be certain until tomorrow, but I did get it 3 months ago in Bangkok. If it doesn't have the mark mentioned above, would going to the Labor office tomorrow and asking for it be of any help?

Edited July 10, 2008 by surface

[travelbucho]

I would be very interested to know the answers to the following seven questions.

1) Precisely what do you mean when you stated that you had 8 months left on your Work Permit?

2) What was the original 'valid until' date on you WP?

3) What was the 'renewed until' date on you last WP stamp?

4) Had you made a WP5 application to renew your WP permission and did you show the WP5 receipt?

5) What was the validity until period marked at the bottom of page 5 of your WP?

6) Which labour dept issued your WP?

7) Were you already on a 1 year non immigrant B visa and if so, what was the 'enter before' date on it?

Your answers may help others trying to get a 1 year multiple entry non immigrant B visa from KL.

1) WP was issued on 18March 2008, Work period on p.5 stated 1 year. That means I was already about 3-4 months into it , leaving me 8. When giving this info to KL officer on the phone, she said was ok to get multi entry.

2) if you refer to bottom left corner of p.5, under where it says work period, then this was blank, no date written.

if you refer to "valid until on p.7, than that says 4th May, as that was date in my passport at time of application.

3) 13th of July (I went to KL on 2nd or so)

4) no idea what the WP5 application is, so no & no. Can someone explain what WP5 does?

5) as stated before, this was left blank. I do have a condition on p.21 that states that after 1 year I need to show up for interview at labour office with one of my staff, show I have taught her about my job, in order to renew for another year.

6)Krabi

7)Yes, was still on my previous multi non B. This one had to be utilized before 16 April 2008. (and I did my last border run on 15th April to get those extra 3 months.)

[digitalchromakey]

I would be very interested to know the answers to the following seven questions.

1) Precisely what do you mean when you stated that you had 8 months left on your Work Permit?

2) What was the original 'valid until' date on you WP?

3) What was the 'renewed until' date on you last WP stamp?

4) Had you made a WP5 application to renew your WP permission and did you show the WP5 receipt?

5) What was the validity until period marked at the bottom of page 5 of your WP?

6) Which labour dept issued your WP?

7) Were you already on a 1 year non immigrant B visa and if so, what was the 'enter before' date on it?

Your answers may help others trying to get a 1 year multiple entry non immigrant B visa from KL.

1) WP was issued on 18March 2008, Work period on p.5 stated 1 year. That means I was already about 3-4 months into it , leaving me 8. When giving this info to KL officer on the phone, she said was ok to get multi entry.

2) if you refer to bottom left corner of p.5, under where it says work period, then this was blank, no date written.

if you refer to "valid until on p.7, than that says 4th May, as that was date in my passport at time of application.

3) 13th of July (I went to KL on 2nd or so)

4) no idea what the WP5 application is, so no & no. Can someone explain what WP5 does?

5) as stated before, this was left blank. I do have a condition on p.21 that states that after 1 year I need to show up for interview at labour office with one of my staff, show I have taught her about my job, in order to renew for another year.

6)Krabi

7)Yes, was still on my previous multi non B. This one had to be utilized before 16 April 2008. (and I did my last border run on 15th April to get those extra 3 months.)

Thank you for taking the time to post your replies to my questions.

As you stated, the fact that your work permit was only 3/4 months old meant that it unquestionably had 8/9 months of remaining validity. So this apparently met with KL's current 'reading' of work permit validity periods.

WP5 is the form that you submit with relevant paperwork to Labour when you apply to renew your work permit for an additional period. You should apply for a one year period even though the extension will only be granted up to the date on your most recent passport entry stamp if you enter on a non immigrant B visa(max 90 days).

People with long established work permits (> 1 year) are the ones who seem to have been having most problems recently at KL.

It has become clear that some labour departments are marking a one year valid until date and signature next the latest permission stamp, some are not.

KL it seems are now looking for this mark which will show a date in thai sometime around 9 months in the future and currently are ignoring the one year validity period indicated at the bottom of page 5 of the WP.

[jadran]

in my WP, on page 5, says work period 3ปี - i assume this means 3 years.. WP is now 18 months old. (extending it every 3 months)

Is this sufficient? Or do I need to get that writing on one of the "Particulars on Renewal" pages?

[digitalchromakey]

in my WP, on page 5, says work period 3ปี - i assume this means 3 years.. WP is now 18 months old. (extending it every 3 months)

Is this sufficient? Or do I need to get that writing on one of the "Particulars on Renewal" pages?

It does mean three years.

For KL you definitely need the special mark, most of those with work permits, who were refused a one year multiple entry non immigrant B, already had 1 year (1ปี ) marked for the work period.

[jadran]

just an update if someone is heading to KL to make new visa - they've checked the page 5 where it says 3ปี, but nobody looked at the last "particulars on renewal" page. i did have a special mark, but they didn't even open the page (saying they, coz the girl that was handling application asked the other one if it is okay - and was showing her page 5).

[TopDogger]

just an update if someone is heading to KL to make new visa - they've checked the page 5 where it says 3ปี, but nobody looked at the last "particulars on renewal" page. i did have a special mark, but they didn't even open the page (saying they, coz the girl that was handling application asked the other one if it is okay - and was showing her page 5).

And they gave you a multi entry or not? Also, does anyone have an idea what Vientianne is like for multi-B's?