Dependents Of Those On Business Visas

[ajw]

Hi All

I hope someone can help a newbie to the forum.

My husband is being sent by his company in the UK to work in Bangkok for 12 months on a business visa. I wish to accompany him, but his company cannot apply for a business visa on mybehalf. What options are open to me? I have an Australian passport.

Thanks,

AJW

[lopburi3]

You will come under family member provision of his non immigrant B visa as per MFA regulations:

Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand

          - Visa application Form completely filled out

          - Applicant’s passport with validity not less than six months and its copy

          - Two 4x6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months

          - Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Mit-Maitree Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 Tel 662-245-2745 / 245-3209 / 617-6578 / 617-6584  Fax. 662-6176576, 245-2593)

            [ For those foreigners who wish to work in Thailand, their employer in Thailand should submit Form WP3 (Application for applying a work permit on behalf of alien) together with other related documents such as a certificate issued by the Department of Commercial Registration, documentary evidence of educational qualifications, etc. at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.]          - Official marriage and birth certificate (In case of the applicant’s family members)          - Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)

          - Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom )

( Remarks  1. An alien who receive a non-immigrant visa can work in Thailand after having received a work permit. Any violation thereof shall make the employee liable for imprisonment not exceeding three months, to pay a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht, or both penalties.

                2.      An alien who performs work that is prescribed by the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) which prohibits alien employment in certain occupations and professions is liable to be imprisoned not exceeding five years, will be fined from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht, or both penalties.)

[Indo-Siam]

Your passport should accompany his application for a Class B visa - your application is for a Class O visa to accompany him. The employer sponsor letter should specifically ask that you - by nmae - be issued a Class O vsia to accompany him.

Once you get to Thailand, if your husband becomes eligible for an extended entry permit, and your passport accompanies his, you can be granted a matching extended entry permit.

Good luck!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

[email protected]

www.thaistartup.com

[ajw]

Thanks both very much!

AJW

[ajw]

I've looked into this issue a little further and was wondering if anyone could help with these questions:

-- I understand that an extension to the visa should be applied for no less than 60 days, but before the expiration of the 90 day visa. This can take up to 40 days to obtain.

-- What is the situation if my husband and I need to leave Thailand during this time (between the 60 & 90 days)? We will need to fly to Europe for a family wedding

-- Is it possible to apply for the extension just prior to the end of the 90 day period, even if the time it takes to extend the visa goes beyond the expiration date?

Does anyone have suggestions?

Many Thanks

AJW

[lopburi3]

If you have to leave be sure to obtain a re entry permit first or you will lose your visa stay and have to obtain a new visa. Yes you can leave day 60 - return day 80 and apply for extension of stay on day 89 if you so desire. Just make sure you use that re entry permit information when you return to Thailand so your permitted to stay stamp remains the same as your original visa entry. The re-entry permit will cost 1,000 baht each.