Martouf

@Martouf, I would be very careful if I was your friend. I was today at Chaeng Wattana to extend my non-B based on my WP and they found out I/company let the previous WP expire so I am technically in overstay. The officer found it was very funny that these new rules started being enforced today. I was handled a document to acknowledge that 90 days overstay = 1 year blacklisted if you surrender yourself (I guess immigration, border or airport), and I was explained that it would be enforced from today. BTW this was the head of business visa extensions section at Bangkok immigration, so I would assume she knows what she was talking about.

Practically speaking, for a Thai immigration or police officer to ban anyone from entering Thailand all he/she has to do is login with the right credentials and key in something. That has always existed and there is evidence that occasionally it has been done even without a sound legal basis.

Now, I think that is a task normally reserved to specialized police officers that execute courts decisions, e.g. ban as a consequence of having been sentenced, often at the same time of deportation. I have no problem in believing they can enforce it at any time with little chances for one to even know or appeal. No surprise they will try to hook it on the date of today, a typical approach of simplifying things when convenient for them, but complicating when it is not.

However, from the reliable information, fully legalizing banning needs approval at a level above the one that is currently available to Immigration Bureau itself - some say Cabinet. Given the current situation there is not hard to think there are some issues in getting things done, beside as with everything in Thailand there may be some power fight behind the scenes of which we don't and will never know.

I can tell you the officer made me feel very scared. I have dealt with this same lady for all my previous non-B extensions and she was always funny and smiling (even when we missed some document), but today's face when found out about the gap between the WP was not nice at all. She then send us to another officer for further review, and this one was even less nice. To me it looked like they got some direct orders on being way more strict (they were even questioning the office photographs and trying to find issues everywhere [like my current cheapskate company declares a lower base salary and covers the rest with incentives, I guess for tax saving or something, but they declared my real salary and the officers were questioning which one was the real one. This has been the same practice for the previous 3 years and this is the first time it has ever been questioned]).

Given the current 'government' I wouldn't be surprised to know that they can do whatever they please. Well it can't be hard for them to get ministerial approval or whatever they need, I guess.

Assuming my friend does go by Monday I'll post an update as to what Nong Khai's attitude is like

If he does get a ban, in his case he only has himself to blame as many people have tried to help him

Unfortunately my friend has decided to bury his head in the sand and get pissed - we have all told him to stop being stupid !!!

Therefore, unfortunately I cannot give an update of the current situation in Nong Khai

I will as soon as this friend gets off his arse !

I finally got it. On the Thai teachers council website (not the English version) it confirms when it is issued.

There wasn't a problem but it still took just over 4 weeks

Congratulations.

The link to check if issued is

www.ksp.or.th/ksp2013/home/index.php

Then click on "check foreign license"

If it comes up saying no data scroll down the page but your name etc will be in Thai ... And probably not the correct translation

ubonjoe and mario2008 thank you once again for offering trustworthy advice in such a quick fashion yet again, you lads don't get enough kudos.

I agree with Ubon and Mario - Vientiane don't ask for it. My further non b application was approved ok in July

My colleague went to Laos back in late May to get his Non-B and applied immediately after his return. (He applied by mail with help from our senior supervisor, in charge of this matter)

After 7+ weeks nothing had happened so my colleague asked our supervisor to call and check up on the process. Turned out that they were in need of a translation of his BA degree. Alright, 2nd batch was sent off. At this time he had learned about the TCT's website where you can track the process. Up until few days before his visa would expire the status expectedly changed, but now they said that he was missing a degree + Toeic test.

Long story short - TCT had misplaced his docs making it look like a completely new application. +/- he of course went to try his extension (waiting 11hrs) but got declined, not because of the missing waiver but due to a post receipt from the 2nd batch. Our supervisor had to spent a full day on the phone with TCT to finally get the waiver faxed. 1500bt in overstay + his waiver he could finally smile.

I'll go there in person next time.

If anybody doesn't get it back within three weeks, there's something wrong with the documentation.

It's always better to go there in person, if there's a missing document, they also accept a fax from a school.

I had this issue a couple of years back, when applying for a provisional, being on a Non-O. They wanted to see my marriage certificate, which is pretty much understandable.

Phoned my wife, she'd sent it within an hour and all was fine.

And never trust what any "coordinators", or HRM are telling you. They could lose face by telling you the truth.

Just recently, they'd sent a Filipino to Khurusapha, together with two application forms of "native English speakers."

He came back having his own provisional and a bunch of lies that they'd denied the native English speaking teachers' application. Both applications denied for the same reasons?

One didn't send his transcript, okay a reason not to give him the docu, but the other one only needed a stamp from school, which would have been easily fixed, if they'd let the guys drive to Bangkok as well.

It turned out that the Filipino had made that bs up. Always nice to look better than the "white overpaid monkeys."

Watch your back, when teaching here....

I finally got it. On the Thai teachers council website (not the English version) it confirms when it is issued.

There wasn't a problem but it still took just over 4 weeks

It doesn't take longer than 14 days now. If you don't receive it, there's something wrong and you should get in touch with them.

Best option is to go there in person, or send a Thai teacher/administrator from your school.

Thanks I will still to the school in the morning - it has now been 3 1/2 weeks but they did mine and several renewals at the same time

How long should it take to receive the waiver from the TCT once they receive the application form?

@Martouf, I would be very careful if I was your friend. I was today at Chaeng Wattana to extend my non-B based on my WP and they found out I/company let the previous WP expire so I am technically in overstay. The officer found it was very funny that these new rules started being enforced today. I was handled a document to acknowledge that 90 days overstay = 1 year blacklisted if you surrender yourself (I guess immigration, border or airport), and I was explained that it would be enforced from today. BTW this was the head of business visa extensions section at Bangkok immigration, so I would assume she knows what she was talking about.

Practically speaking, for a Thai immigration or police officer to ban anyone from entering Thailand all he/she has to do is login with the right credentials and key in something. That has always existed and there is evidence that occasionally it has been done even without a sound legal basis.

Now, I think that is a task normally reserved to specialized police officers that execute courts decisions, e.g. ban as a consequence of having been sentenced, often at the same time of deportation. I have no problem in believing they can enforce it at any time with little chances for one to even know or appeal. No surprise they will try to hook it on the date of today, a typical approach of simplifying things when convenient for them, but complicating when it is not.

However, from the reliable information, fully legalizing banning needs approval at a level above the one that is currently available to Immigration Bureau itself - some say Cabinet. Given the current situation there is not hard to think there are some issues in getting things done, beside as with everything in Thailand there may be some power fight behind the scenes of which we don't and will never know.

I can tell you the officer made me feel very scared. I have dealt with this same lady for all my previous non-B extensions and she was always funny and smiling (even when we missed some document), but today's face when found out about the gap between the WP was not nice at all. She then send us to another officer for further review, and this one was even less nice. To me it looked like they got some direct orders on being way more strict (they were even questioning the office photographs and trying to find issues everywhere [like my current cheapskate company declares a lower base salary and covers the rest with incentives, I guess for tax saving or something, but they declared my real salary and the officers were questioning which one was the real one. This has been the same practice for the previous 3 years and this is the first time it has ever been questioned]).

Given the current 'government' I wouldn't be surprised to know that they can do whatever they please. Well it can't be hard for them to get ministerial approval or whatever they need, I guess.

Assuming my friend does go by Monday I'll post an update as to what Nong Khai's attitude is like

If he does get a ban, in his case he only has himself to blame as many people have tried to help him

Then new overstay rules have not been approved yet.

Them starting today is a rumor or a twisting of facts the only thing that started today was a new police order for extensions of stay.

Ok / thanks Ubonjoe - I'll tell him

I have a friend who messed up with his non-o visa renewal and as of today he has overstayed 90 days. We have all been telling him to get it sorted but he didn't listen and he only has himself to blame.

He gets his pension maybe tomorrow and he is intending to go Laos via Nong Khai by monday. However if the rules on people overstaying more than 90 days are being enforced as of today then he is banned for a year.

does everybody agree ? or do you think they may be lenient?

It does not fall under OBEC. It falls under the Office of the Private Education Commission as stated in the info I posted from the MFA website. Contact the school about it,

Thanks Ubon - before I was thinking our local Education office covered everything.

The problem with the college is that they have never done this before, hence I keep going around in circles

It is listed on the Vientiane website as being needed. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

And this is on MFA website. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

thanks Ubonjoe

my interpretation was it is required - I will send them the links

Having sent the links to the local education office they are still saying I don't need a letter from them because the position is at a technical college and is outside of OBEC!

I have tried to telephone the consulate in Vientiane but no answer!

Ubonjoe or anyone else what do you think about the education office response ?

It is listed on the Vientiane website as being needed. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

And this is on MFA website. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

thanks Ubonjoe

my interpretation was it is required - I will send them the links

last year when I applied for a non-B visa it was for a teaching english at a government school and I submitted a letter from the Ministry of Education.

Next week I need to go to Vientiane and apply for a new non-B but this time the teaching position is with a private school - I contacted my friend at the Ministry of Education who said they don't need to do a letter because it is a private school.

Having looked at the non-B requirements it refers to the letter from the MoE and does not distinguish between a government and private school.

Does anyone have any experience of the above ? do I need the letter from the MoE when its a private school ?

thanks for help

To get a 60 day extension does not require money in the bank You can get one and then do the one year extension without a problem.

Your current extension based upon teaching will end as soon as your job ends. You need to go to immigration with a letter stating that your job has ended on that date and apply for the 60 day extension.

Ubonjoe - I have a similar problem but with a slight difference.

I got a 3 month non-B visa last July which was then extended for 1 year based on a work permit with 90 day reporting. Today I was told that they have sold the tutoring school and my work permit will end on 30th April!!!! In the past I have had extensions using my childrens birth certificate (I am not married) - will immigration continue my extension based on my children until I get a new job or must I still leave the country within 24 hours and get a new visa

Thanks

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I believe the foundation is in the same building, yes. But it sounds like what you are concerned about is not the foundation but the PDA clinic.

Their charges are minimal - under 1,000 baht for most things -- and are waived in case of inability to pay.

Be forewarned though that it is a very "no frills" place. Perfectly safe but no hand-holding or amenities. Farangs are usually fine with it (some male TV members have opted to have vasectomies there, and a number of female TV members have used their FP and other services). But I find that middle/upper class Thai women sometimes react negatively to it.

Thanks Sheryl

Yes I think my friend needs the PDA clinic

Do you know if this is the address

Population and Community Development Association (PDA)

6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Tel : (+66)2229-4611-28 Fax : (+66)2229-4632

E-Mail : [email protected]

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Mechai Viravaidya's Foundation would be a good place to go. It's in Sukhumvit Soi 12 (next to Cabbages & Condoms). They can provide good, legal advice and can also provide solutions should your GF decide to proceeed.

http://www.pda.or.th/e_index.asp

A friend just asked me about a similar problem - is the Meechai Viravaidya's foundation in the same building as the PDA headquarters ? Do you know how much they charge?

Thanks

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I'm curious and a friend may have a similar problem - he has a contract and earns 14k a month as per the contract, work permit with 12 month extension - he works at a tutoring school - the income is such that over the year no tax is payable - can he still go and get a new non B visa in vientienne in July on the same documents as before ? I ask because last year I worked at a government school last year for 4 months and had to pay 100 baht each month for some kind of stamps, but I never knew exactly what they were for ? Does anyone know ? At the time the salary was about 26k a month

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Your friend should be able to get another extension of stay without getting a new visa if he is working for the same company. There is no need to get a new visa every year.

Your 26k baht income is high enough you should of been paying taxes unless you have enough allowed deductions. Besides taxes you should also of been paying social security. I don't know what the 100 baht was for.

Thanks Ubonjoe - I will find out about the 100 baht per month

I am confused by the different comments about the tax forms and immigration - so if you earn on paper 14k a month as an English coach/teacher you must still complete pnd 91 and if a tutoring school pnd 1 - even if no tax is payable .... And get a receipt etc to show 0 baht is payable

Dates taught

I accept social security is different and that I am researching

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I'm curious and a friend may have a similar problem - he has a contract and earns 14k a month as per the contract, work permit with 12 month extension - he works at a tutoring school - the income is such that over the year no tax is payable - can he still go and get a new non B visa in vientienne in July on the same documents as before ? I ask because last year I worked at a government school last year for 4 months and had to pay 100 baht each month for some kind of stamps, but I never knew exactly what they were for ? Does anyone know ? At the time the salary was about 26k a month

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Not sure you will get a visa based on your child, as you didn't legitimize the child through the court. So legally speaking you are not the father.

Probabilities are good you will get at least a tourist visa in Laos (Savanakhet), whcih should be enough as at the end of that you cn apply for a non-B visa. But do try to apply for a non-O visa based on your child, with birth certificate and copy of household registration book of mother and child, GF's ID-card and short note asking for a visa for you as you take care of her and the child and are living together.

A friend went to Vietienne yesterday and got a single non-o visa based on his daughter (not married) only thing asked for was copy birth certificate and girlfriends ID card (signed)

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They did in Nong Khai - although some friends had to also take 2 witnesses to confirm - which is crazy

Screen shot of last page after going through steps starting here. https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Even though it says apply in person, you can post the form and documents to BKK - a friend applied 2 weeks ago for his sons first passport

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If it is first passport you can apply by post to the embassy in BKK - a friend posted his son's passport applicant 2 weeks ago - no problem

They was a similar post last week, I will try and find it

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I teach IELTS and it is popular even in a small isaan town (Phon Phisai) - granted mainly with the Thai Chinese as they are the ones that can afford to pay

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I understand the documents required ...The main question was whether I have to attend the british embassy with wife and Daughter ..The view so far is Yes 

 

 

I believe so ! 

 

Sorry  about the debate with ubonjoe but hope you found it useful. 

 

If a journey is involved an email or telephone call to the Embassy may prove to be helpful. 

 

 

Yes thanks ..

 

will e-mail and update later

A friend recently applied for his sons first passport and BKK accepted it by post

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This is a neutral blank form I downloaded in May 2009, can't remember from where but probably from the website of the Department of Employment.

medical certificate 20090502.tif

thanks - this is the one I found on the web. Although it makes no reference to alcoholism which is referred on the guidance notes from the MoE - to be sure I may ask the clinic to just write it on and sign

the medical certificate uploaded by Maestro was ok for Nong Khai Labor Office, no problem - thanks Maestro

funniest medical check-up I have ever had - never even saw the Doctor!! Girl took the form it came back signed and I paid the 100 baht