Re: Non-immigrant “b” Visa

[ausguy27]

Hey guys,

First time poster, long time unregistered lurker. I have a question about the Non-immigrant "B" visa that I was hoping someone could clarify.

First some background info. I was hoping to head over to Thailand later this year to undertake some training and make some contacts, so that when I return home I can start a small business. I was hoping to stay for a period of 6-12 months, depending on the training. I had previously thought that I would be able to squeeze my training into three months and just use a tourist visa, but having the leave the country every 15 days after the first 30 just seems like a massive hassle. Also I'm an Australian, in my 20's and currently own and run a small business here, in an unrelated field of work.

So that's what got me thinking about a Non-immigrant "B" visa - multiple entries visa. Here's what I found when I checked out the consulate site (I wasn't able to attach a link here due to posting rules - google: sydney thai consulate).

"The application must be supported by the followings; a letter form an employer in Australia and a business counterpart in Thailand which stating clearly the necessity of getting a multiple entries one year visa, a work contract, a business registration of a company he/she working for (the Consulate reserves the right to request more documents). The fee is $ 225.00 AUD (nonrefundable)"

The first document required on the list is the one that is going to stuff me (I think). As I am self employed I can't get a letter from my employer, unless I was to write one myself, which I am not sure is acceptable or not. I can get the get the letter from a business counterpart in Thailand, so that's not a problem. A work contract I haven't really thought about yet (probably another hurdle), a business registration of a company he/she will be working for, again not sure.

The more I think about it, the more of a long shot it seems. But yeah, can anyone answer the question of weather or not I, as a self-employed Australian business owner can get a Non-immigrant "B" visa - multiple entries visa? and if not what visa should I be looking at to be able to stay for 6 months?

Cheers for the help guys

[InterestedObserver]

You need to contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate where you intend to apply and ask them what is required. From a practical point of view, a multiple-entry anything will due, Non-Immigrant "B" or "O". Both would be valid for multiple 90 day entries for up to 1 year. It all depends what you can talk the Thai Embassy or Consulate into. Note: Training can not involve any work, for which a work permit and Non- Immigrant "B" would be required.

A Tourist Visa is good for a maximum stay of 90 days (60+30) per entry. So a double-entry Tourist Visa will get you a 6 month stay in Thailand with only 1 trip to the border.

[Mario2008]

It would depend on what kind of training and where, but you might be able to apply for an educational visa. You wouldn't be able to work on that one, but you can make business contacts.

[niteswim]

Hi, I read these entries with some interest. I am Australian and would like to live in Thailand for 6-12 months. Can you clarify some things:

1) the tourist visa enables a 60-day stay in Thailand (employment, paid or unpaid, is strictly prohibited) -- when people refer to this visa as 'double entry' does it mean that I will not be able to travel outside of Thailand for more than two times during the duration of the visa ? That would be a shame as I plan to travel and see the region a bit, using Thailand as my base as I have a mate there.

2) After the 60 days has expired, do I then leave Thailand, and upon re-entry I can get a 30 day extension ?

3) Overall, the tourist visa does not seem long enough for my purposes. Will I need to obtain a Non-Immigrant 'B' visa ? Although I am qualified for banking jobs, I do not want to get a job in Thailand, at least not straight away. But there is mention that I need supporting document from an employer of some sort. Is this the case, and if so, what options are available for me. I don't think I will have any prospective employer who can provide this letter of approval.

Thanks !!!

[Mario2008]

A tourist visa is for 60 days and can always be extended in Thailand itself by another 30 days for 1,900 baht. A double entry means you can do this twice (60 days + 30 days) leave the country and come back and again (60 days + 30 days). So you can strech it out to almost 180 days.

If you plan to travel a lot, every time you enter Thailand by air you will get 30 days if you don't have a visa. If you enter Thailand by land you will get only 15 days.

[Lite Beer]

Hi, I read these entries with some interest. I am Australian and would like to live in Thailand for 6-12 months. Can you clarify some things:

1) the tourist visa enables a 60-day stay in Thailand (employment, paid or unpaid, is strictly prohibited) -- when people refer to this visa as 'double entry' does it mean that I will not be able to travel outside of Thailand for more than two times during the duration of the visa ? That would be a shame as I plan to travel and see the region a bit, using Thailand as my base as I have a mate there.

2) After the 60 days has expired, do I then leave Thailand, and upon re-entry I can get a 30 day extension ?

3) Overall, the tourist visa does not seem long enough for my purposes. Will I need to obtain a Non-Immigrant 'B' visa ? Although I am qualified for banking jobs, I do not want to get a job in Thailand, at least not straight away. But there is mention that I need supporting document from an employer of some sort. Is this the case, and if so, what options are available for me. I don't think I will have any prospective employer who can provide this letter of approval.

Thanks !!!

Your best option if you can get it would be a Multi Entry Non Imm. O Visa. This gives unlimited entries of up to 90 days at a time. Is valied for a year and can be stretched out to 15 months by doing the final border run just before it expires. You can also work with this if you get a Work Permit.

Not sure about Canberra but people have reported success by applying to the Thai Consulate in Perth. Reason for the Visa would be for Visiting Friends and Family.