Best Place To Go To Get A Non Im B

[BillHanna]

Judging from these forums it sounds like Lao has gotten stricter with issuing tourist visas and I was wondering if the same applied to non Imm B visas. I got a job at a public Thai Uni who will give me all the necessary paperwork but was wondering which country I should head to in order to get the visa and how long the embassies are currently taking to issue visas. Anyone out there got any input?

[beano2274]

Do you have the receipt for your WP application? If not then you will find it a little bit difficult to get a Non IMM B.

With all the paperwork Malaysia might be a good bet.

[BillHanna]

Do you have the receipt for your WP application? If not then you will find it a little bit difficult to get a Non IMM B.

With all the paperwork Malaysia might be a good bet.

Don't have the paperwork yet. Will get it next week and will then go to get my visa. Don't think I will have a WP application receipt though because from my understanding you can't apply for a work permit until you have a Non Imm B visa. Am I wrong?

[beano2274]

you can apply for a WP with a tourist visa, however when you go to collect it you must have a valid Non Immigrant Visa. Most places will not issue a Non Immigrant B visa without the receipt.

[lopburi3]

I believe they may make an exception for teachers at Consulates that normally require the WP or receipt. Any teachers with first hand knowledge?

[BillHanna]

you can apply for a WP with a tourist visa, however when you go to collect it you must have a valid Non Immigrant Visa. Most places will not issue a Non Immigrant B visa without the receipt.

Even if I am teaching? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website doesn't list that as a requirement for teachers below the university level - but it also doesn't list what they expect from teachers at the university level.

The rumors I've heard over the years have always made is sound like visa issues are much easier if you are teaching at a public university (I heard a few years ago that Chula profs don't even have to bother to check in or renew their visa) but I've never been able to get a hold of any concrete info.

I don't want to spend the money/time to travel abroad just to end up at an embassy that won't grant my request so I'm trying to get a hold of as much concrete info as I can.

[beano2274]

Chula has an officer that does all the paperwork for the teachers, same as my old place.

You need to apply for a WP then take the Receipt and the paperwork to the Consulate, they will issue a Visa, then come back and get your WP.

[beano2274]

If you are teaching now, you are doing so illegally

[beano2274]

I believe they may make an exception for teachers at Consulates that normally require the WP or receipt. Any teachers with first hand knowledge?

Years ago schools gave you a letter and you could use this to get a Non Immigrant, then do the paperwork for a WP.

[lopburi3]

Current MFA website (who are the authority for visa issue) does not mention work permit or receipt requirement for teaching issue of non immigrant B visa.

2.4 Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Teaching) Foreigners who intend to take up employment as school teachers at the levels below university level in Thailand must submit the following required 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.

- Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.

- Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

- Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.

- School license or business registration, list of shareholders and school profile.

- Applicant’s resume.

- Police certificate verifying that applicant has no criminal record or equivalents or letter issued by authorised agencies in applicant’s country. (The requirement of the submission of such police certificate is optional. The applicant must submit it if consular officer requests he/she to do so. This requirement is effective as from May 2007)

[BillHanna]

Current MFA website (who are the authority for visa issue) does not mention work permit or receipt requirement for teaching issue of non immigrant B visa.

2.4 Non-Immigrant Visa Category "B" (Teaching) Foreigners who intend to take up employment as school teachers at the levels below university level in Thailand must submit the following required 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.

- Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.

- Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

- Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.

- School license or business registration, list of shareholders and school profile.

- Applicant's resume.

- Police certificate verifying that applicant has no criminal record or equivalents or letter issued by authorised agencies in applicant's country. (The requirement of the submission of such police certificate is optional. The applicant must submit it if consular officer requests he/she to do so. This requirement is effective as from May 2007)

That is what I was referring to. The problem is it also says that it is only for people teaching at below the university level but never lists the requirements for people teaching at the university level. Hence my confusion.

[beano2274]

Why not write an email to the consulate in Penang, last time I did a WP receipt was required.

[beano2274]

On that list it does not state a medical certificate about HIV testing and other tests, that have recently been reported here as a rquirement.

[lopburi3]

Where did you see a requirement for HIV testing of visa applicants?

[beano2274]

I am sure I saw something about medical tests for teachers here, maybe I misunderstood and it was for the WP.

NOTE _ Actually reread the topic and I am mistaken

But Scott does mention a Syphilis test

But we all know medicals are easy to get done

[beano2274]

taken from my email to a contact in Penang Consulate:

email dated Sept 2009

Documents required for application for Non-Immigrant 'B' & 'O' visa, Tourist Visa & Transit Visa

(THE VALIDITY OF THE PASSPORT MUST BE MORE THAN 6 MONTHS)

Tourist Visa (60 days stay): two recent photographs, copy of passport , the applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly. ( SINGLE entry is issue in Penang currently)

Transit Visa (30 days stay): two recent photographs, copy of passport, living expenses, produce instrument of transport out of Thailand (full paid ticket)

Non-Immigrant (Single-90 days stay, Visa validity 90 days, Multiple-90 days stay, Visa validity 12 months)

For employment purposes

1. Copy of passport and two recent photographs

2. Copy of academic degree(s) or curriculum vitae

3. Original letter of recommendation of the company/employer stating the reason for employment, position and salary.

4. Copy of the company's registration certified by authorized director(s), if teaching-school registration duly certified.

5. Copy of list of company's shareholders(s) (if any)

6. Copy of Memorandum of Association/company's Regulation (if any)

7. Copy of the company's latest income tax statement (Por. Ngor.Dor50 and 30)

8. Copy of the company's latest regulation of value added tax (por. Ngor 20)

9. Copy of the Company's latest balance –sheet

10. List of expatriates and foreign workers employed by the company (specified by name, nationality and position)

11. In case of exporting company, bill of lading or bank statement(s) indicating exporting transactions is required.

12. Original Copy of the 'Application Receiving Form' WP.3 from the Department of Employment- a must or work permit.

For Business purposes

1. Copy of passport and two recent photographs

2. Letter of recommendation of the applicant's company indicating the reason of visit.

3. If self-employed, please present financial state of the applicant.

4. Documents required from the inviting company in Thailand

4:1 Letter of invitation stating reason of visit

4:2 Copy of the company's Registration certified by authorized director(s)

4:3 Copy of list of company's Shareholder(s)

4:4 Copy of the company's latest registration of value added tax (Poor. Nor.20)

4:5 Copy of the Company's latest balance-sheet

Original Copy of the 'Application Receiving Form' WP.3 from the Department of Employment- a must or work permit.

(for MULTIPLE ENTRIES: ORIGINAL WORK-PERMIT MUST BE PRODUCE with the application)

For Retirement/Married to Thai National (Non-Immigrant Category " O") also to spouse & children of Foreigners working/retires)

Copy of passport and two recent photographs

1. Retirement-(should be more than 50 years old)- prove of pension/fund/ Thai bank account must be produced and pension documents certified, if possible by respectful Embassies/Consulate (pension/fund should be at least 40,000 bhat monthly). 800,000 fixed deposit for multiple entries- 1 year validity. (evidence of address, e.g. tenancy agreement)

2. Married to Thai National-Original married certificate, also a copy/ or birth certificate of children, living expenses-original Thai Bank Account, copy of spouse's Thai house Certificate (Tabian Bank), copy of spouse's Thai Identity Card. (evidence of address, e.g. tenancy agreement)

3. Spouse working: a letter from Employer, copy of passport, copy of Thai work-permit, copy of marriage certificate.

REMARK: Applicants with Non-Immigrant "B" visa (working) After entering Thailand is advised to apply for work-permit which should be presented to the authorities upon visa application next time.

All documents submitted must be translated into Thai or English certified by Embassies/appropriate authorities.

Consular hrs: 09.00-12.00 hrs. For submitting visa application

14.00-16.00 hrs (of the next working day) for collecting visa

Weekend closed: Saturday & Sundays. Public Holiday in Sept-17

Visa Fees: Non-Immigrant RM220.00-single entry RM550.00- Multiple entries within 12 months

Tourist Visa-RM110.00 per entry, Transit Visa –RM90.00 per entry (as from 2 July 2007)

(All fees must in Malaysia Ringgit & cash only)

Gratis to Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea & Tunisia Passport holders.

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL,

No. 1 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman,

10350 Penang, Malaysia

*Item No. 12, Your future employer must lodge an application for work=permit before Non-Immigrant B can be issued and bring the original receipt (WP 3) Teachers too

Wp 3 receipt is not a work permit, it is a acknowledgement receipt from the Labour Office that you have lodged an application for work permit.

Nationals of INDIA, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, SRI LANKA, IRAQ, IRAN, LIBYA, LEBANON, SYRIA, SUDAN PALISTINE, ALGERIA, YEMEN, EGYPT, ARAB EMIRATES AND QATAR are required to apply for a visa only at the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant's country of residence, or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence ONLY.

[BillHanna]

Why not write an email to the consulate in Penang, last time I did a WP receipt was required.

Best. Advice. Ever.

I'll e-mail the Lao, Cambodian, and Malay consulates to see what they want and then choose whichever one seems to be the least hassle.

On another note I can confirm about the Syphilis test. I had to get one (not sure if it was for work permit, teaching license, or visa) and give it in to the University for their paperwork.

[Soutpeel]

I don't want to spend the money/time to travel abroad just to end up at an embassy that won't grant my request so I'm trying to get a hold of as much concrete info as I can.

Why dont you ask the place who is doing your paper work for you, they will tell you which consulate to go to ?....

How are wasting your time and money travelling abroad, surely all costs associated with this little trip are reinbursable ?

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Hanoi was a pain in the rear !

[monty1412]

Just got my non immigrant B visa the other day at Thai consulate in Brisbane. Walked in with all the paperwork and AUD 220 and there it was one hour later.

Seriously one hour

Consulate is at 87 Annerley Road South Brisbane.

Try comparing this to three times trying to navigate the Business Visa application page for India and paying AUD 589 for a one year multiple entries.... felt like asking if I was buying land in India as well. Form is such a hassle...and Im Australian by birth with aussie by birth parents... if I had of had some Pakastani in me well the form is 20 times as long... that would be even worse.

Which brings me to bar girls.... apart from equating AUD589 with multiple entry to what this means at Nana Plaza or some other den no wonder they are so non keen on taking Pakistani customers.. it must be the extra paperwork.......

Pretty unfair to our Pakistani brothers.. after all the did introduce gambling to that noble game of cricket.

[IMA_FARANG]

I'm confused by some of the responses here.

It sounds to me like some of you are saying that the OP has to have a Work Permit BEFORE he gets a visa?

From the way I read it he has just recieved a letter offering employment.

Now i'm far from an expert on this, but isn't or a least hasn't it been, the normal procedure to apply for the visa using the letter of offer of employment or a copy of that at a Thai consulate to get the visa first. Once that is obtained you go can get the Work Permit.

Is it actually the standard procedure now to have to have a reciept for the application for the Work Permit just to be able to get a visa?

It seems to me like a "catch 22" situation...you can't get a Work Permit until you are here legally on a valid visa to get the job?

But to get a valid visa you need to have the school that is willing to hire you apply for a work Permit for you?

Why would any school offer you a job if you didn't already have a visa?

I would think in my ignorance that the offer letter from the school would be the determining factor in any Thai consulate towards issueing you a visa.

But most of all, why wouldn't a Thai consulate issue you a visa with a signed copy of your offer of employment from a recognised Thai university or school?

Yes, you might need other documents also...but wouldn't that offer leter signed by the school prove that they intnded to hire you?

Am I missing something here?

[Soutpeel]

Try comparing this to three times trying to navigate the Business Visa application page for India and paying AUD 589 for a one year multiple entries.... felt like asking if I was buying land in India as well. Form is such a hassle...and Im Australian by birth with aussie by birth parents... if I had of had some Pakastani in me well the form is 20 times as long... that would be even worse.

Which brings me to bar girls.... apart from equating AUD589 with multiple entry to what this means at Nana Plaza or some other den no wonder they are so non keen on taking Pakistani customers.. it must be the extra paperwork.......

Pretty unfair to our Pakistani brothers.. after all the did introduce gambling to that noble game of cricket.

Bit early to be on the Chang isnt it .... ..... are we feeling better after our little rant are we.. ?...

[Soutpeel]

Am I missing something here?

Yes...you dont need the WP before applying for the Non-imm B visa, you need the receipt to say the WP has been applied for, but to be issued the WP will need a valid Non-imm O or B visa

[monty1412]

Try comparing this to three times trying to navigate the Business Visa application page for India and paying AUD 589 for a one year multiple entries.... felt like asking if I was buying land in India as well. Form is such a hassle...and Im Australian by birth with aussie by birth parents... if I had of had some Pakastani in me well the form is 20 times as long... that would be even worse.

Which brings me to bar girls.... apart from equating AUD589 with multiple entry to what this means at Nana Plaza or some other den no wonder they are so non keen on taking Pakistani customers.. it must be the extra paperwork.......

Pretty unfair to our Pakistani brothers.. after all the did introduce gambling to that noble game of cricket.

Bit early to be on the Chang isnt it .... ..... are we feeling better after our little rant are we.. ?...

Actually vodka and grapefruit juice here in chilly old Brisbane.... feelling better.. better get a bucket.

[beano2274]

I'm confused by some of the responses here.

It sounds to me like some of you are saying that the OP has to have a Work Permit BEFORE he gets a visa?

From the way I read it he has just recieved a letter offering employment.

Now i'm far from an expert on this, but isn't or a least hasn't it been, the normal procedure to apply for the visa using the letter of offer of employment or a copy of that at a Thai consulate to get the visa first. Once that is obtained you go can get the Work Permit.

Is it actually the standard procedure now to have to have a reciept for the application for the Work Permit just to be able to get a visa?

It seems to me like a "catch 22" situation...you can't get a Work Permit until you are here legally on a valid visa to get the job?

But to get a valid visa you need to have the school that is willing to hire you apply for a work Permit for you?

Why would any school offer you a job if you didn't already have a visa?

I would think in my ignorance that the offer letter from the school would be the determining factor in any Thai consulate towards issueing you a visa.

But most of all, why wouldn't a Thai consulate issue you a visa with a signed copy of your offer of employment from a recognised Thai university or school?

Yes, you might need other documents also...but wouldn't that offer leter signed by the school prove that they intnded to hire you?

Am I missing something here?

Countries around Thailand want a WP Receipt. The UK, Europe and Australia just want the letter.

[emilyb]

I've had several non-imm B visas in the past without a work permit receipt, using only proper paperwork. It's fairly routine. When you get back to Thailand they'll tell you to apply for your work permit sometimes at immigration, but that's it. Obviously you should only legally get a non-imm B if you're planning to get a work permit. Try KL.

[ericthai]

Current MFA website (who are the authority for visa issue) does not mention work permit or receipt requirement for teaching issue of non immigrant B visa.

2.4 Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Teaching) Foreigners who intend to take up employment as school teachers at the levels below university level in Thailand must submit the following required 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.

- Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.

- Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

- Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.

- School license or business registration, list of shareholders and school profile.

- Applicant’s resume.

- Police certificate verifying that applicant has no criminal record or equivalents or letter issued by authorised agencies in applicant’s country. (The requirement of the submission of such police certificate is optional. The applicant must submit it if consular officer requests he/she to do so. This requirement is effective as from May 2007)

just to let you guys know. I went to Laos back in Feb without a work permit receipt, just gave them all the paper on my company, (tax paid, shareholders, company reg etc etc) and received a 3 month non-B, again with no work permit receipt. I was told I need the B visa before I can apply for the work permit. Not sure about teachers might be different. If you PM me I can send you a copy of what the consultant in Laos gave me of what I needed, the first day I went I did not have everything, had to call my office and have them fax a few things to them. I do want to say the girl at the consultant was very nice and helpful, I think if they believe you are not trying to stay or work illegally they are ready to help you.

[mit]

Could someone clear up a question.

With a non im B if the passport holder leaves

the country the day before the visa expires.

will they then be allowed back in for a further 3

months on that visa or must a new one be obtained.

[beano2274]

Could someone clear up a question.

With a non im B if the passport holder leaves

the country the day before the visa expires.

will they then be allowed back in for a further 3

months on that visa or must a new one be obtained.

Is it a multi entry B visa or single?

If you have a multi entry then you can get a further 3 months

If a single then you can kiss it goodbye you need a new one.

[PoorSucker]

Could someone clear up a question.

With a non im B if the passport holder leaves

the country the day before the visa expires.

will they then be allowed back in for a further 3

months on that visa or must a new one be obtained.

With a multiple entry visa, entering before the visa expires gives you a 90 day extra.