Hello,just needed some advice if anyone can help. Ive been visiting Thailand for a few years and made many friends there. I currently live in the UK. Recently a Thai friend called me and said he's opening a new bar and would i like to go and help out. Obviously i'd like the chance to go and stay there and work in the bar for a while but im worried about visa's and work permits and basically misunderstanding something and ending up in a immigrant holding pen lol. Could anyone please advise me on the best course of action to take?

Hello,just needed some advice if anyone can help. Ive been visiting Thailand for a few years and made many friends there. I currently live in the UK. Recently a Thai friend called me and said he's opening a new bar and would i like to go and help out. Obviously i'd like the chance to go and stay there and work in the bar for a while but im worried about visa's and work permits and basically misunderstanding something and ending up in a immigrant holding pen lol. Could anyone please advise me on the best course of action to take?

You need a work permit to work in a bar; for this you need a non immigrant B visa.

You should be able to get a one year multiple non B visa from Hull with just an invitation letter from your friend's bar.

You will need to pay tax and social security in Thailand, plus do 90 day border runs as well.

Good luck.

Ok thanks for that :-)

Hello,just needed some advice if anyone can help. Ive been visiting Thailand for a few years and made many friends there. I currently live in the UK. Recently a Thai friend called me and said he's opening a new bar and would i like to go and help out. Obviously i'd like the chance to go and stay there and work in the bar for a while but im worried about visa's and work permits and basically misunderstanding something and ending up in a immigrant holding pen lol. Could anyone please advise me on the best course of action to take?

Dont get caught....

First thing you would have to do is see if the business even qualifies for the issue of WP.

If it does qualify you need to get a Non-imm B visa and a work permit

If the business doesnt you are stuck with tourist visa and visa waivers and hope you dont get caught...

Ok thanks for that :-)

I should also add that work permits (which you apply for in Thailand at your local labour dept) require a lot of paperwork; your friend's bar may be required to have 4x Thai employees and you might also have to put a monthly salary of 50,000 THB in the WP.

So what documentation do i need to supply for a non-immigrant B visa? And where can i get one from?

So what documentation do i need to supply for a non-immigrant B visa? And where can i get one from?

Follow this link for the full list: non immigrant B visa

At many 'far away' honaray consulates like Hull, you may well not not requires the full list; in fact Hull often only ask for a 'invitation letter' from your putative employer.

Thats excellent,thanks. As for a tourist visa am i right in thinking these can last for 90 days? If i return to the UK after the 90 days is up when can i next return to Thailand? Also if i get a 60 day visa but end up only staying 40 days what happens then?

Thats excellent,thanks. As for a tourist visa am i right in thinking these can last for 90 days? If i return to the UK after the 90 days is up when can i next return to Thailand? Also if i get a 60 day visa but end up only staying 40 days what happens then?

With a multiple entry non immigrant visa, you can turn round at the border and go straight back.

With a tourist visa you can only stay for 60+30 (30 day extension from your local immigration), then you need to go to the border.

To be honest 3 months is probably the longest i would stay anyway due to certain commitments at home. What i'm wondering is do i have to then wait 90 days in the UK before i can go back to Thailand?

No

The 90 day thing is only for 30 day visa exempt entries.

To be honest 3 months is probably the longest i would stay anyway due to certain commitments at home. What i'm wondering is do i have to then wait 90 days in the UK before i can go back to Thailand?

no

Ok thanks for all your help

Ok thanks for that :-)

I should also add that work permits (which you apply for in Thailand at your local labour dept) require a lot of paperwork; your friend's bar may be required to have 4x Thai employees and you might also have to put a monthly salary of 50,000 THB in the WP.

That salary level would only be required IF going for the annual extension of stay.

That salary level would only be required IF going for the annual extension of stay.

Some labour departments are now asking for the same minimum salary (as required for an extension) with new WP applications.

Edited October 24, 200817 yr by digitalchromakey

So if i do decide to do a visa run where is the best place for me to head to? I will be staying in Krabi province and have friends who will drive. Also,i may sound stupid to you more experienced Thai travellers or residents but what do i do and what documents do i need on a visa run?

So if i do decide to do a visa run where is the best place for me to head to? I will be staying in Krabi province and have friends who will drive. Also,i may sound stupid to you more experienced Thai travellers or residents but what do i do and what documents do i need on a visa run?

For a Border Run (out/straight back in): Ranong, Burma: Passport, new $10 bill and copy of passport ID page, or Sadao, Malaysia: Passport.

For a Visa Run: Penang or KL. Papers depend on what visa you are going for. Check this site for visa requirements: Thai MFA - Visa Requirements

You could be asked to show you have > 20,000 THB on your return to Thailand Immigration, but this is rare.

Just a simple 30 day extension i guess. So from Krabi maybe Sadao sounds like the best option. Is there a limit to the amount of times i can do that?

If you just sit as a regular customer in a bar chair checking the staff, you'll be OK.

Never go behind bar desk (then you're working).

The problem is that if someone don't like you (staff ex_GF) they probably report you to immigration.

So my advice is to do it legal, get a WP.