A friend of mine got the "normal" 3 month single entry Non B visa in Penang late last year. Based on that (and sufficient paper work) he recently got his work permit. According to rules the work permit expires same time as the visa (beginning next month).

Phuket Immigration does not extend the Non B visa. This would mean that he has to make visa runs every 3 months to Penang (loss of at least 3 days work and cost of about Baht 7 - 8000) or to K.L. (with chance to get 1 year visa). Is that true?

It would mean that even if you have valid work permit, pay taxes and social security, you still have to leave the country!

A friend of mine got the "normal" 3 month single entry Non B visa in Penang late last year. Based on that (and sufficient paper work) he recently got his work permit. According to rules the work permit expires same time as the visa (beginning next month).

Phuket Immigration does not extend the Non B visa. This would mean that he has to make visa runs every 3 months to Penang (loss of at least 3 days work and cost of about Baht 7 - 8000) or to K.L. (with chance to get 1 year visa). Is that true?

It would mean that even if you have valid work permit, pay taxes and social security, you still have to leave the country!

If your friend can provide the following, he can stay...

List of documents required to support an application by a foreigner for extension of a Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B”

1. Application Form (TM.7)

2. A signed photocopy of the foreign application’s passport

3. An Immigration Division document which provides the details of the employing company

4. A signed photocopy of the foreign applicant’s Thai work permit

5. A photocopy of the company affidavit, provided by the Ministry of Commerce within the past 6 months and a photocopy of the company certificate

6. A photocopy of the employing company’s Shareholders’ List, provided by the Ministry of Commerce within 6 months.

7. A photocopy of the previous year’s balance sheet an in come statement (showing a sound financial condition with total shareholder’s equity of not less than Baht 1 million. The audit must also have higher gross turnover in the previous year than the upcoming years expense for the salaries of the foreign employees )

8. A photocopy of the employing company’s monthly personal income tax return for the previous month for all employees including foreign employees with receipt.( must have 4 Thai employees per work permit with a minimum salary of 5,250 Baht per month)

9. A photocopy of the foreigner applicant’s past year’s annual personal income tax return with receipt

10. A photocopy of the previous months’ Social Security Fund return for all employees (Sor.Por.Sor 1-10)

11. A letter or Documents from the employing company’s management explaining why the company needs to employ a foreigner rather than a Thai national to fill the position held in the employing by the foreigner

12. A location Map of the employing company’s offices

A letter or any other documentation requested by the Immigration Committee

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Otherwise depending on his nationality, registered capital, PND #1 withholding, he may get a one year multi entry visa in KL, after they feel he is legit. Case by case is applied.

Best bet is to go to Hanoi or his home country and get a one year multi entry visa. He still will need to travel every 90 days buts its just to cross the border rather than going to a Thai Embassy/ Consulate for three days.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Hallo Sunbelt,

many thanks for your detailed reply.

Hallo Sunbelt,

many thanks for your detailed reply.

You are welcome. Good luck.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com