Clear-cut rules urged on work permit, visas

By NALIN VIBOONCHART

THE NATION

The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce (JFCCT) is asking the government to clarify the regulations on work permits and Non-Immigrant B visas for foreigners working in Thailand, as it has been a problem for years and may affect the country’s competitiveness.

Chairman Nandor von der Luehe said yesterday it would be good if this issue were discussed with high-level people in the government. Foreign investors are ready to abide by Thai law, but they just want the government to have clear interpretation as to whether foreigners working in Thailand need to have both a work permit and a Non-Immigrant B visa.

“Foreigners want to work legally in Thailand. So we would like the Thai government to solve this problem so that the country can increase competitiveness and attractiveness for foreign investors who want to work here,” he said.

The JFCCT yesterday had a meeting with the Industry Ministry and the Board of Investment. Luehe said the BOI expected to find a solution to the problem soon, and the issue would be discussed at its board meeting next week.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

woo hoo - wonder if it will really happen...

woo hoo - wonder if it will really happen...

It would certainly be welcome if they made logical changes to the non B and work permit like combining both in one visa that can be extended in country.

It is a pity that the JFCCT didn't address the current freeze on PR approvals.....

The Non-Im B and the work permit are two different things.

But to get a Non Im B you must have a job application, so really they are double documents for the same purpose.

Why wouldn't one thing work? Well partly because then we would have to get many extra stamps in passports that have nothing to do with immigration issues. And work permits are not immigration control documents. I do think the obsessive 90 day checking on foreign workers, and 90 day visa runs is a waste of resources. The one year renewal and monthly taxes paid by companies should be enough. If you pay enough extra you can do one visa run a year, so why not make that for all with Non Im B and workpapers? But for less than 7,000b extra a month.

Edited November 20, 201015 yr by animatic

woo hoo - wonder if it will really happen...

Asking for clarity? What next.... consistency, transparency, social responsibility? Sure then someone will want corruption eradicated. GEEZE these "Westerners." What next? :-)

Chairman Nandor von der Luehe is another one, of many, who does not know that a visa is only for the purpose of travelling to Thailand, not for staying in Thailand. I wonder what he really thinks to be a problem. Has any foreigner complained to him that he was unable to get a work permit because he was on an extension of stay for the reason of living with his Thai wife? The news report doesn't really say anything at all.

There's also the fact that you can't get a work permit without a Non-B, and for a Non-B you need to be a employed by a Thai company already...thus be working without a work permit and therefore illegally.

Has any foreigner complained to him that he was unable to get a work permit because he was on an extension of stay for the reason of living with his Thai wife? The news report doesn't really say anything at all.

Is that correct?

I had understood that one can get a WP with a Non O (based on marriage) extension as well. The rules for getting a WP state you must have a non-immi visa or extension, obviously the retirement or ED does not apply.