Non Immigrant B Renewal And Latest Rules

[MickeyHolland]

Hi everyone !

I'm working in Thailand for 11 months now and soon my Non Immigrant B Visa is about to expire.

In the last couple of months i heard/read many different stories, news and rules and i need some specific advise about my situation.

I will break it down in several points, all your expertise advise is more than welcome as my lawyer does not seem to care to much and says i not need to worry 2 much !

* My Non Immigrant B Visa expires on 15-02-2009

* On 28 November 2008 my work permit has been extended until 28 May 2009 after my last border run to Malaysia (new regulation instead of every 3 months i heard from my lawyers office)

* I work for a small company and will not reach the new higher demands of the new Penang rules issued late 2008 i read about on ThaiVisa.com

* Question: is it true that if i go on another border run before my visa expires on 15 february 2009 i will get an extra 3 months stay under the Non Immigrant B conditions and will have to apply for a new visa 3 months later in May 2009 ?

* Question: can anybody explain to me why my work permit has been extended until 28 May 2009 and not until my visa expires ?

* Question: where in the neighboring countries (or perhaps even in Thailand's 1 stop in BKK) can i apply for a new 1 year Non Immigrant B visa when you not reach the demands of the new Penang rules ? I cannot travel to my home country Holland unfortunately and don't know the situation in for instance Kuala Lumpur etc ( i stay on Koh Phangan Suratthani)

* Question: what will i need for documents etcetera when i'm going somewhere to apply for a new new Non Immigrant B visa ?

Thanks in advance for all your help, i hope you guys will be able to help me with fresh, up to date advise..

Mickey

[Lite Beer]

If you have a Multy Entry Non B Visa you can exit and return on 14th Feb and get another 90 days entry,

It is not looking good to get another 12 month Non Imm B Visa in this area.

You know about Penang.

Singapore is no go. This report from KL is not encouraging.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Non-1year-Ku...It-t198265.html

Look at the last 2 posts on page 3.

[MickeyHolland]

Ok, are you sure that all other countries in the area won't issue a new 12 months non imm B as well ?

That would be very bad news for me !

And i'm so curious, when i read the post about the new Penang rules somebody said you can get new non imm. b visas easy at the 1 stop office in BKK without having to leave the country ..

All is getting very confusing..

[Lite Beer]

Ok, are you sure that all other countries in the area won't issue a new 12 months non imm B as well ?

That would be very bad news for me !

And i'm so curious, when i read the post about the new Penang rules somebody said you can get new non imm. b visas easy at the 1 stop office in BKK without having to leave the country ..

All is getting very confusing..

Visas are issued at consulates outside Thailand not in country.

No I am not 100% sure about other countries. Hopefully someone else will chip in.

But they seem to want you to get 12 month extensions within Thailand rather than Multi Entry Visas.

Police Order dealing with Extension of stay. Look at 2.1

Here is a recent report from Sydney. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Report-t232596.html

[MickeyHolland]

But what about other countries, for instance Hong Kong, Vietnam etcetra ?

[MickeyHolland]

i just explored the forum and read about people going to Laos, Cambodja and Indonesia as well for the visas..

It's getting more confusing !

[PoorSucker]

* Question: is it true that if i go on another border run before my visa expires on 15 february 2009 i will get an extra 3 months stay under the Non Immigrant B conditions and will have to apply for a new visa 3 months later in May 2009 ?

Yes if you enter Thailand before your non-B expire.

* Question: can anybody explain to me why my work permit has been extended until 28 May 2009 and not until my visa expires ?

It's always goes on your arrival stamp, in this case three months.

* Question: can anybody explain to me why my work permit has been extended until 28 May 2009 and not until my visa expires ?

This stamp is that you'll get every year, It does not allow you to work.

This one is only to tell when your WP expires and is only for non-B issues in consulate.

The other stamp you get is the allowance you can work.

You must get another stamp from Surathanni for another year for visa.

If you have that one you get a 1-year non-B in KL.

* Question: where in the neighboring countries (or perhaps even in Thailand's 1 stop in BKK) can i apply for a new 1 year Non Immigrant B visa when you not reach the demands of the new Penang rules ? I cannot travel to my home country Holland unfortunately and don't know the situation in for instance Kuala Lumpur etc ( i stay on Koh Phangan Suratthani)

Penang is a no go right now.

If you have one year validity in your WP, then KL might give you one.

Kota Bahru is going to give you double entry non-B.

For the Kota Bahru trip contact Herbert opposite side immigration in Samui.

For the paperwork, here's a checklist from MFA

2. Application for Visa

2.1 Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business Visa) is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to work or to conduct business.

(1) Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand must provide the following documents:

- Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months.

- Completed visa application form.

- Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.

- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this letter, the applicant’s prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province. More information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 (only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand).

- Corporate documents of hiring company in Thailand such as:

1) business registration and business license

2) list of shareholders

3) company profile

4) details of business operation

5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions

6) map indicating location of the company

7) balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)

8) value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only).

N.B.

- An alien who receives a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she is being granted a work permit. An alien in violation of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning taking up employment without work permit or the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning holding employment in certain restricted occupations and professions shall be prosecuted and imprisoned or fined, or shall face both penalties.

- It is recommended that the applicant should apply for visa at the Thai Embassy/ Consulate in the country where he/she has the residence

Easiest travel plan for you to KL.

Check out firefly from Samui to KL.

Book early to get a cheap flight.

One moth from now is the return ticket Samui-Subang 7000bt.

And no no no, you don't want to go on the minibus-hel_l.

[MickeyHolland]

Thanks for all the info !

I just don't get it with the dates of the workpermit you described.. sorry but maybe you can explain a bit more

For example, how can i get my WP extended for 1 year if i don not yet have a new non imm b visa ?

Thanks again !

[ubonjoe]

What you need is a stamp in your work permit that says it is approved for one year but awaiting a visa.

[MickeyHolland]

Ok, will i have to arrange for this stamp at the labour office in Surat Thani and is it a standard thing or are there certain requirments that you know of ?

Thanks !

[Maestro]

If I remember correctly, that "magic" stamp would be on page 5 of your work permit book.

--

Maestro

[MickeyHolland]

Update and new questions:

Last friday i went to see my lawyer again but instead of more answers i have more questions haha.. (must be more farang in Thailand with the same experience.. and yes, i have to look for a new lawyer i guess)

But ok, i'm lucky that i can ask you guys also !

I think now that my best bet is to go to Kuala Lumpur for my new Non Imm. B and following questions popped up:

* My current visa expires 0n 15-02-2009 and i was wondering if you still can get the 3 months extra bonus if i do a visa run on 14-02-2009

* If that is still possible will this mean i have to apply for a new NIB visa before the 3 extra months are finished or earlier ?

* I attached 2 copies of my workpermit, please let me know if this is ok (stamps, validity) to go to Kuala Lumpur to apply for a new visa

* Does anyone know if there is a certain amount of turnover a company has to show in the balance sheet in the KL embassy ?

We currently have a "sleeping" company and when i applied for my visa the first time in Amsterdam no balance sheet had to be shown..

* Does anyone know how many days i will have to stay in KL and what the rate is for a new Non imm. B visa ?

Thanks !

[MickeyHolland]

O yeah, i wrote about a renewal but it is about a new Non Immigrant B Visa..

Please help me out if you can.. !

I saw already 7 persons downloaded my Work Permit details, must be a good reason for that i guess so please advise me the best you can.. !

Thanks !!!!

Mickey

Update and new questions:

Last friday i went to see my lawyer again but instead of more answers i have more questions haha.. (must be more farang in Thailand with the same experience.. and yes, i have to look for a new lawyer i guess)

But ok, i'm lucky that i can ask you guys also !

I think now that my best bet is to go to Kuala Lumpur for my new Non Imm. B and following questions popped up:

* My current visa expires 0n 15-02-2009 and i was wondering if you still can get the 3 months extra bonus if i do a visa run on 14-02-2009

* If that is still possible will this mean i have to apply for a new NIB visa before the 3 extra months are finished or earlier ?

* I attached 2 copies of my workpermit, please let me know if this is ok (stamps, validity) to go to Kuala Lumpur to apply for a new visa

* Does anyone know if there is a certain amount of turnover a company has to show in the balance sheet in the KL embassy ?

We currently have a "sleeping" company and when i applied for my visa the first time in Amsterdam no balance sheet had to be shown..

* Does anyone know how many days i will have to stay in KL and what the rate is for a new Non imm. B visa ?

Thanks !

[MickeyHolland]

This is a response i received froma major Thai Law Firm..

Making it all more confusing.

Anyone know about a minimum turnover in your balance sheet for obtaining Non Imm B ?

I can change our sleepng company in an active one but with low turnover if necessary..

And no good law firm around here unfortunately!

Email:

Sir, Unfortunately, each embassy and consulate have their own rules. You might be able only to get a 3 months visa Non-B, and when you will come back in Thailand, then you will have to try to extend your visa according to the new immigration rules of Nov 2008. It will be difficult for non-B if your company is not active but an audit and a good law firm should be able to do it. Verify with a Law firm in your city. I would personnally think that Penang would be easier than KL. In Vientiane, on their website, they have the list of documents required for a non-B.

[MickeyHolland]

Another replyon my many emails, from Hong Kong this time.. (see under)

Isn't there any who can help me out ?

Please have a look at my previous posts and if there is only 1 question you know something about please let me know..

My sitiution must be bad as nobody replied in the last couple of days..

I hope i'm wrong !

Thanks in advance !

Dear Sir, The attached documents are good for Non-B visa application. Normally, the consulate will issue a single entry Non-B for you to get or extend your workpermit first. Then you can ask for a multiple re-entry in Thailand. The visa procedure will take 2 working days. If your application is on Monday, then the collection will be on Tuesday. Both the application or the collection will be during 9.30 am. to 12.30 pm., Monday to Friday. The holidays in January is 24-28 Jan. For more visa information please visit http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/ENG/ThaiC...Visa/vsmenu.htm and http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/ENG/e-index.htm