Work Visa - Help!

[Sadie]

Hello,

I'm heading off to Thailand next month to do some teaching work. What I want to know is... is getting a visa a difficult thing? What I've read so far sounds a bit confusing!

I have the opportunity to work straight away in a language school on a part time basis, I am however bit concerned that would mean I wouldn't be issued with a work permit. Does your employer have to organise it? I know prior to getting the work permit I need the Non-Immigrant B visa (correct me if I'm wrong)... Can I get this visa with evidence saying that a language school will offer me employment? (Figure it will save the hassle of the visa run).

If anyone can shed any light for me it would be greatly appreciated... I really don't want to do the wrong thing over there and have to bribe my way out jail

Sadie

[Mario2008]

getting the visa depends on the coutry where you apply, in Asian countries a letter from your employer that they will hire you is not enough, in most western countries a letter from the company would give you a non-B visa.

The workpermit for a teacher is easy to obtain, you do it together with your employer. Make sure that he knows what he does and don't take no for an answer. if he sin't able to help you with the work permit in a short time, move on to another employer. Working without a wp is illegal.

[Sadie]

Hi Mario,

Thanks for the reply. I'm in Australia and out of curiosity does a letter need to be physically posted to you or does an email suffice for non immigrant B visa purposes... or is it a matter it depends on the officer of the day?

So once in Thailand, I can apply for the work visa with my employer. I def don't want to do anything illegal so for me working without a permit is out of the question. Is it best to raise the work permit situation once in Thailand or do I raise it prior?

I assume applying for the visa just requires filling in some forms and handing them in? Is it a timely process or is one that can take forever and a day? Also, can you work once you have applied for the visa or do you literally have to wait till you have the visa in hand?

Lots of questions I know...!!

[lopburi3]

You do not need a B visa to apply for a work permit - so you can arrive/apply and then get your B visa if unable to get now. But be very careful to obtain a work permit as it is you on the line.

[Mario2008]

In Australia you should be able to get it with a letter from your employer, not sure about the email. Call them first. You can aply for the visa by mail, just choose a honoray consulate. they give the best service.

You don't get a work visa. You get a visa and a WP. The visa allows you to stay in Thailand and the work permit to work.

I would certainly ask your employer how long he thinks it will take to get a wp. He should be able to get one within a week, otherwise he is either unexperienced in etting one, doesn't have his paperwork in ordr or is not interested in getting you a wp.

You would have to wait till you have the wp before you can work.

In which region will you be applying?

[thaiphoon]

First, apply for NonB visa at consulate in your own country. You will need original letter from your employer. Your own consulate may also require sight of other papers from your employer, so I suggest you phone your consulate first to check before applying for your visa.

Second, when in Thailand, apply for your WP. Your employer should take care of this for you.

[Sadie]

Thanks for your help!!

First things first I'll enquire with the Thai consulate here to see what exactly they need in order to get the non-B visa, then organise the paperwork to get that.

I'm looking to work in Phuket.

Good to know it should only take a week to organise so if they say it will take longer I know it's a bit of no deal. I assume then I can just go and look for other work easily enough seeing as I'd have the non-B visa?

[Mario2008]

As long as you are on the original 90 days you get with the non-B there is no problem leaving your job or not starting to work at all. Once you are on an extension of stay from immigration in Thailand you will need to leave the country when you lose your job, but can get an extension of stay of 7 days.

[thaiphoon]

I assume then I can just go and look for other work easily enough seeing as I'd have the non-B visa?

Correct, as NonB visa is issued outside Thailand. If visa renewed in Thailand you would be on extension of stay and would have to leave Thailand on the day your employment terminated (or apply for 7 day extension as Mario has mentioned)

[Sadie]

Thank you so much for your help! You have helped ease my mind on what I thought would be a tricky situation.

I will phone the consulate tomorrow to find out what I need and then when I arrive in Phuket see how I go with the work permit situation.... I will def walk if a school seems to be difficult in arranging the permit.

Also, thanks for the heads up about the fact you have to leave the country on the day you're employment is terminated, that's a fact I hadn't realised before!

[lopburi3]

You only have to leave if you are on an extension of stay - you do not have to leave if on a 90 visa entry.

[thaiphoon]

Here are the rules, which may help you ...

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

Source: MFA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[benton]

First, apply for NonB visa at consulate in your own country. You will need original letter from your employer. Your own consulate may also require sight of other papers from your employer, so I suggest you phone your consulate first to check before applying for your visa.

Second, when in Thailand, apply for your WP. Your employer should take care of this for you.

I do not think he needs to have a 'B' Visa..a Non Immig 'O' is what is required..stamp obtainable in BKK.

[lopburi3]

The poster intends to work and has not mentioned being married to a Thai so should have a non immigrant B visa. Poster can not obtain a non immigrant O visa in Thailand for work.

[thaiphoon]

The poster intends to work and has not mentioned being married to a Thai so should have a non immigrant B visa. Poster can not obtain a non immigrant O visa in Thailand for work.

I agree with Lopburi - NonB visa is required.