Non Imm B Visa

[NanLaew]

We have just one of our PI-domiciled consultants fobbed off at the Thai Embassy in Manila, saying they need a letter from the MFA first. He was supposed to get the visa today and meet a client in Singapore on Sunday and come up to Thailand on Monday. He is on a US passport.

How 'easy' is it to get a Non-B from the Thai Embassy in Singapore if he submits application on Monday? He will have a standard 'letter of invitation' from the Thai client (this worked for me 2 years ago) but need to know if there's any recent changes to requirements.

Thanks!

[thaiphoon]

You are generally able to obtain Non-B visa with simple letter of introduction outside the region at some of the honorary consulates, but within region the rules are more stringently enforced. The embassy in Manila unfortunately has a reputation for being unhelpful. Attached link to Singapore embassy website details what documents are required. Be aware that the rules at the embassy seem to frequently change and without notice, so would suggest checking ahead of applying.

Alternatively, KL is popular and will issue relatively easily with correct documents; Penang too but company must have registered share capital of at least 8 million baht. Will be single entry visa first time around.

http://www.thaiembassy.sg/consular-visa-ma...mmigrant-visa-b

[lopburi3]

A letter is not normally accepted for B visa issue AFAIK for third country passports - they need full company paperwork and even a receipt for work permit application.

[NanLaew]

Thanks thaiphoon. It appears that our Client in Bangkok supplied our consultant with an 80-page document bundle to support a basic Non-B application in Manila. I would surmise that such a bulky package is probably meant for someone seeking a Non-B in conjunction with a current WP which is not our intent, hence this request for a letter from the MFA. My consultant is coming on purely for short-term technical meetings over 2-3 weeks.

Unfortunately, our consultant left his passport with the RTE in Manila instead of quick-thinking and getting it back so we could proceed getting the simple Non-B elsewhere. With Fridays holiday, he is now stuck in PI until at least Monday and any application in Singapore would not be ready until Wednesday afternoon as he won't get anything submitted till Tuesday morning.

[NanLaew]

A letter is not normally accepted for B visa issue AFAIK for third country passports - they need full company paperwork and even a receipt for work permit application.

I agree that may be the case with Manila but I know that a regular Non-B for a non-Singaporean was obtainable with an original Letter of Invitation... 2 years ago. That's why I am asking for anyone with newer experience.

As a UK passport holder, I have obtained Non-B's with a simple LOI at Thai Consulates in Houston and Hull so maybe we should have flown our chap to Perth as that appears to be the closest 'friendly' consulate.