Visa Suggestions. Ib Visa Or B Visa. Avoiding Visa Runs?

[ThaiExpat2008]

I know this subject probable has been over talked about but I do not have a clear understanding. I'm wondering what would be my best path. I'm looking to live in Thailand permanently. I'm 29 in the U.S. I like to open a business or explore investment opportunities when I settle down. My goal is to get a visa without doing any visa runs. I don't mind reporting in Thailand if its an option. I believe I can qualify from a non immigrant IB visa (Investment business visa) and hopefully take advantage of its benefits. Most threads that I have read is not to bother getting IB visa because of its rigorous process but I'm up for the challenge perhaps. My other two options is just to get a non immigrant 3 year B visa only but the policy seems to say I can't work with that option. It seems I can't get a work permit according to policy. I'm not sure how you can open a business without working. I don't want to risk being classified that I am working without a work permit. Just give me any comments with a 3 year visa only option. So my third and last option is a non immigrant 1 year B visa with work permit. The last option is ok too but I don't want to do any visa runs every 90 days. Retirement, marriage or education are not viable options. I tried to get in touch with BOI, and visa companies but I haven't heard back from them. I am assuming its due to current holidays. I've done thorough research before sending this post. I hope someone can help clarify and make suggestions. I guess with the current political situation, Applying for a visa might not be a good time with government structure is up in the air. What visa would you suggest so I don't have to do visa runs? How can i avoid visa runs and still go for permenent residency. Correct me if I was incorrect above. I like to be in Thailand within the next month.

I will open my own business. I won't work for a corporation or anyone else. I perhaps will do business to business consulting. I might have a store front. I perhaps like to own land if I get a IB visa.

[Maestro]

When looking at the requirements for obtaining the IB visa from a Thai consulate you have to remember that it serves these purposes:

1. It allows you to travel to Thailand.
   
2. On your arrival in Thailand, it tells the immigration officer that you are entitled to a permission to stay for 90 days.
   
3. It allows you to apply at your local immigration office for annual extensions of stay if you meet the requirements.
   

The IB visa itself does not allow you to stay long-term or permanently in Thailand. For that, you need extensions of stay. To apply for an extensions of stay you must have any type of non-immigrant visa in your passport, it does not have to be an IB visa, and you must meet the requirements for any of the various types of extension. See Thai Police Order 777/2552 and Order of the Immigration Bureau 305/2551.

--

Maestro

[Phatcharanan]

The 3 year B Visa is very difficult to obtain. It is usually issued to employees of multi-national companies wish to visit Thailand to see friends, have discussions etc.

You will need to have letters inviting you to travel to Thailand (from the company) stating the reasons why, what your position is, salary blah blah blah.

They can only be issued from Embassies, NOT Consulates.

The IB visa requires some serious money behind you. You probably won,t get one unless you can show some business background, established company or a realistic business plan with the proof of funds to support all of that.

Board of Industry approval process CAN be quite rigourous but I suppose "tea-money" can solve most things. It is still quite a lengthy process in any event as BOI status is highly prized for companies working here.

An "Investment Visa" used to be obtainable if you could show 3 million baht in the form of capitol, company value or condo value. I believe it is now 10 million baht.

Your best options still seem to be obtaining Non Imm O or B.............you will still have to do some form of border runs initially in any event, even if you set up your own company here. This is due to the fact that extension of stay will not be granted until you can provide previous year (years?) tax receipts.

[lopburi3]

They can only be issued from Embassies, NOT Consulates.

Perhaps you mean "Honorary Consulates"?

Embassies do not issue visas - that is a Consulate function - even if the physical location may be in an Embassy building.

[Phatcharanan]

They can only be issued from Embassies, NOT Consulates.

Perhaps you mean "Honorary Consulates"?

Embassies do not issue visas - that is a Consulate function - even if the physical location may be in an Embassy building.

In the UK it can only be obtained by visiting the Thai London Embassy.

Can you support your statement with some facts please? I am not aware of any consulate sections within the Thai London Embassy or the one in Washington DC. I am aware of visa services, but they are not named as consular services which would suggest they are obtainable at other stand-alone Consulates. The websites of those Embassies also suggests that it is the Visa section of the Embassy that issues these.

They will also refer you to CONSULATES within those countries if you wish to apply by post. Again, that suggests no consulate service within the Embassy.

You are perhaps a bit out of date with these modern times.

[lopburi3]

The Embassy handles relations with foreign governments - the section providing visas and service to home country nationals will be the Consular section and will be headed by a Consular officer. It may or may not be in the same building. For the US they are separate offices here in Bangkok. For Thailand they are co-located in the USA. If you check the website you will see it is clearly marked as Consular. I am old - but not that old.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/Default.aspx

[Phatcharanan]

The Embassy handles relations with foreign governments - the section providing visas and service to home country nationals will be the Consular section and will be headed by a Consular officer. It may or may not be in the same building. For the US they are separate offices here in Bangkok. For Thailand they are co-located in the USA. If you check the website you will see it is clearly marked as Consular. I am old - but not that old.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/Default.aspx

I stand corrected. Apologies.