Why would anyone working here go to the trouble of going to Penang for a Visa to continue staying here?

Am I missing something?

Are you saying why obtain a visa rather than extension of stay?

1) If has own business maybe unable to provide 2 years audited accounts/tax receipts to apply for extension of stay based on employment.

2) If out of the country a lot may suit circumstances better to be on multi-entry Non-O visa rather than extension of stay based on marriage.

Or are you saying why go to Penang, rather than say KL?

Yes.

There are a number of situations where persons would have a Work Permit but would not be able to get an extension of stay for working, new companies would be one example, insufficient salary would be another.

Of course, it's always possible that said person does not have a WP.

The company has been operating for many years now. It is a scuba diving business.

Thaiphoon - I disagree with your statement no.2. An extension of stay would cost 1900baht

then a Multi-reentry permit 3800baht. Total cost 5700baht.

Trip to Penang - airfares more than 6000baht, hotel 1000baht, visa 5000, other expenditure

4000baht. Total cost more that 16000baht.

It leads me to think that the company is not properly registered, or that the WP is an issue.

Although a WP10 would be required to obtain a Visa in Penang. The salaries are high enough

so that is not the problem.

Don't disagree with you Beano if looking at on cost only basis, but you did ask a general question why someone may choose visa route over extension of stay, and money of course may not be the main factor. In my post I was refering to someone working outside the country a lot who may not be able to be 'in country' at the right time to renew extension of stay. With more info provided in your post above, suspect company registration itself is probably not the problem, as are many 'touch points' with Revenue Department during the year with filing of monthly tax returns etc. Plus the company has has been trading for many years and annual audited accounts will have been filed. Suspect is more likely to be WP issue in some way - maybe the level of company registered share capital is not enough to support the number of WPs required?

Don't disagree with you Beano if looking at on cost only basis, but you did ask a general question why someone may choose visa route over extension of stay, and money of course may not be the main factor. In my post I was refering to someone working outside the country a lot who may not be able to be 'in country' at the right time to renew extension of stay. With more info provided in your post above, suspect company registration itself is probably not the problem, as are many 'touch points' with Revenue Department during the year with filing of monthly tax returns etc. Plus the company has has been trading for many years and annual audited accounts will have been filed. Suspect is more likely to be WP issue in some way - maybe the level of company registered share capital is not enough to support the number of WPs required?

I see what you mean now, yes I do think you are right about the level of capital.