Non-B, Penang, Hotel And Visa-Service

[TAWP]

Some years back I used two different Visa-services when going to Penang. One was a man on a motorbike and other was a full family with an office. Both was performing as they should and no problems. All applicants stayed at the Oriental (if I remember correctly).

Now...does anyone remember names or numbers or emails to either of these services? I am, apparently, going to Malaysia (gf decides) instead of planned destination and I just discovered that all old business cards etc are long gone (been some years now and have moved). Are the services still operating? And Non-B is still issued in Penang?

I am decently sure I got the hotels name atleast partly right, but hopefully someone recognizes it and can correct me otherwise.

[TAWP]

This is also perhaps a good time to ask what they charge for a Non-B in Penang now?

Edited January 13, 2011 by TAWP

[lopburi3]

If I recall correctly the Oriental was the very tired hotel on Penang Street with an Indian restaurant in the basement (although there is also a Eastern & Oriental 5 star place on the shore) but don't recall any visa service there. There was a Mr. Moto at the Chinese guest house just behind it that many people used but that was 10-15 years ago and from reports most of the players have changed. If you Google suspect you will find some of the current agents.

[TAWP]

Does it still take, if arriving at some 18.00 in the day, 2 nights to get a Visa or is it 3 nights for Non-B?

[TAWP]

Eventually found some references using google

When I need a new Thai Visa I go to Penang and stay a few days.The Thai Consulate will issue triple entry Visas.There are a number of bookshops in Chulia Street who do all the leg work for you.You simply do the paper work with them and pay the fee and they take your documents to the Consulate and get them processed.They only charged me 10 Ringitt per entry as commission.You collect you passport two days later.

If you stay in the Continental Hotel the desk manager will do the same service for a similar fee.This hotel is about 60 Ringitt (660 Baht) per night and is in the centre of the night life area.Directly across the street is the Soho Bar which is a good hang out.

This is what I did, now it is coming back to me.

Sadly phone-numbers and emails are long gone from memory.

[lopburi3]

Believe it should be the same for any visa - apply in morning and receive next workday afternoon.

[TAWP]

Here is a thread that gave me some numbers and emails, found it now. I have used 2 of them listed.

[PoorSucker]

Contact my old friend in Penang.

Jim's place.

Good hotel in central Georgetown on Pulau Pinang for aprox. 1000 baht is Hotel Malaysia

Edited January 13, 2011 by PoorSucker

[TAWP]

Is a WP3 demanded by the Penang Consulate?

I have a lot of papers but not the WP3 since it was planned to be filed when I returned [and because the original destination didn't require it].

I have heard of people getting Non-B for the purpose of 'investigating investment opportunity' [read: long vacation], so it is kinda disconcerting that one has to present so much paper when one has a legit company that wanna hire one and get one in the books properly...

[TAWP]

I can not find any online resources regarding requirements from Penang, however the main Embassy in KL lists: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1387.php?&id=2881 - can not see WP3 here. Could the consulate have different rules - but at the same time be lazy enough to not publish any of them?

[TAWP]

Note: Malaysian Visa agents answer emails as fast as normal Thai business - very slowly and not so informative. (Some Thai Visa agents however has been really fast to me in the past, one huge exception to the norm.)