Going To Hull

[belushi]

I am returning to the UK from Egypt to get myself a non-Imm B visa.

My plan is to go to Thailand and set up a business to get a work permit to work as a scuba diving instructor.

It says, on the application form, I need a letter from a sponsor.

I have 6 weeks before I return to Blighty and I would like some advice on the tack to take to get the visa.

Thank you.

[NHJ]

set up your company first and write yourself the sponsor letter.

[Dave the Dude]

I am returning to the UK from Egypt to get myself a non-Imm B visa.

My plan is to go to Thailand and set up a business to get a work permit to work as a scuba diving instructor.

It says, on the application form, I need a letter from a sponsor.

I have 6 weeks before I return to Blighty and I would like some advice on the tack to take to get the visa.

Thank you.

Hull have a great postal service. I got my PP with visa returned within 5 days. Application forms can be downloaded from thier website

Dave

[Crossy]

It would be better to apply for a Non-O visa from Hull, get a 12 month multi-entry on the grounds of visiting friends and family. Drop Hull an email to check the documentation required, not much IIRC

Gives you up to 15 months (90 day border hops required) in country to sort out how you're going to survive and you can get your work permit against it once you get going

[belushi]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have been told my friends in the diving community in Thailand, if I didnt set up the business and went with the non Imm-B, I would be able to get a job and subsequently a work permit.

So, I am back to the tricky issue of the sponsor.

What do I do about that, if I do apply for the B?

As I dont have much time in the UK (only 4 days) I will be travelling to Hull to do the application in person.

I trust the postal service in the UK as much as I trust the Egyptian postal service!

Thank you again

[jamesjdaly]

I trust the postal service in the UK as much as I trust the Egyptian postal service!

You can use the Royal Mail Special Delivery option. They will deliver either the next working day at noon or, for an extra fee, before 9am.

See http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/cont...mpaignid=HLPML1

for more details on the service.

[Crossy]

If you're going to go to Hull, give them a buzz / email to make an appointment, there is an extra charge for personal service (check their website).

I will re-iterate for the hard of reading, a non-o requires no sponsor, you can get a WP with it

[gzu88bv]

By gosh, you should listen to powerposters and people who have something to say. And Crossy is definitely right. If you go in person to Hull, call them the previous day to make an appointment (very important!). Fill in the forms 3+6+7 of their application package.

Attached you will see what my (form sheet 3) looked like. Instead of “Visit Wife” you write “Visit Friends”. The Non-O-Visa costs £ 100, if you go there in person it will cost an additional £ 10 and you are done in 10 min, with no questions asked.

If I can get a visa there (my 2nd consecutive Non-O-Visa from Hull) as a none-EU citizen, then I assume hat you as a Brit should have no difficulties either.

[torrenova]

It is true that you do not need a "B" visa to obtain a WP but I raise the question of whether the "O" visa you would get would be canceled when you got a WP. If so, and you changed jobs or lost your job, then you would lose the extension based on WP and thus have only 7 days to sort out another visa or leave the country. If you had a mulyiple entry "B" visa then you would not have that problem and would only need to find a new job and get the appropriate WP. Of course if the "O" visa is not cancelled then it would work the same as the "B" visa should you lose your WP and job.

You can get a "B" visa from Hull if you have a letter from a UK company, on company paper, stating that you will be travelling to Thailand on business. This is totally unconnected with any job you would get there. Thus, if you know someone who has a UK company or if you have one yourself, I would suggest you copy the wording from Hull's website onto their company paper and apply for a "B" visa. Totally straightforward (if you have a company or know someone who has).

[lopburi3]

A multi entry O or B visa would work the same - 90 day entry.

[torrenova]

A multi entry O or B visa would work the same - 90 day entry.

Agreed but would the "O" still be valid if the OP got a job and then WP but then either wanted to change jobs or lost his job ?

Thinking really about the often posted scenario of someone having an extension based on WP which is cancelled (save 7 days) when the WP is cancelled after loss of job. Could the OP revert back to the multi "O" in the same way as they could revert back to the multi "B" ?

[Maestro]

Torrenova, it depends on the reason for which the extension was obtained. If it was for employment, the permission to stay ends on the last day of work, unless a new application for extension is files on that date and approved. If it is to live with Thai wife, the extension remains valid until the date stamped on the extension. This is why a foreigner working in Thailand and married to a Thai should preferably go for the marriage extension, regardless of the type of non-immigrant visa with which he entered the country.

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Maestro

[beechguy]

I don't think it makes any difference. If his "Extension of Stay" based on business gets canceled, he would probably still need to leave and get another visa. Also, if he forms his own company, it would be awhile before he could meet the qualifications for the extension on his own.

[Maestro]

beechguy, I don’t quite understand what you mean. If a foreigner employed in Thailand has a marriage extension he has no "Extension of Stay based on business” to get cancelled.

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Maestro

[beechguy]

beechguy, I don't quite understand what you mean. If a foreigner employed in Thailand has a marriage extension he has no "Extension of Stay based on business" to get cancelled.

--

Maestro

My apologies for the confusion, I was replying to Torrenova's last post, and did not see yours at the time. Yes, I agree, if one is married it would make a difference. I just did not see the op indicate that was a factor.

[Familyonthemove]

I found the team at Hull to be very helpful. As suggested, make an appointment and ask them for advice. You may be able to use a letter from a UK based company who can act as a sponsor? Is there a UK or International dive school who run any sort of franchise system?

[lopburi3]

If here using visa entry (90 day stays) it makes no difference. Only when you extend for work would the immediate end of extension with loss of work apply (there is no 7 days anymore).