Non Imm B Questions

[tourleadersi]

Have spent hours trawling looking for the answers, and there whilst there are some out there, the fluidity of the system makes me question their current accuracy. So, if someone could spare the time to shed some light on where they believe things stand at the moment myself and I am sure many others would be really grateful.

I hold a UK passport, and have just changed jobs. My previous employer cancelled my non imm B multi entry visa and WP without giving my new employer the chance to have them transferred (really nice, as the previous one has extended them the same courtesy after they had head hunted me...). So I need to pop out and get myself a new Non Imm B visa. Can I:

• Get a Non Imm B Multi visa in Phnom Penh or will they only issue 3 month single entry?
  
• If they only do single entry, can I get this extended and changed to a Multi entry once my WP has been issued?
  
• If it has to remain a single and I get it extended, will I need to obtain a 're-entry permit' every time I leave (about every 2 weeks) at the cost of about 1,000 Baht a pop?
  
• Considering my needs above, is there somewhere better in the region for me to go to get this done at this present time?
  
• As I am married to a Thai with 2 sons, would it make more sense to try and get an 'O' visa in Phnom Penh and get the work permit off of that?
  
• If so, are multi entry versions of the O visa easier to obtain?
  

My present employer uses a lawyer that will prepare all the necessary paperwork, and can fax over anything else that is needed. I have also contacted a visa company in Phnom Penh but they were vague on most things so I was hoping someone had some prior experience.

Most grateful to the wise ones taking the time to share.

[lopburi3]

You would not obtain more than a single entry B visa. If you are sure work permit can be issued on non immigration O visa (some reports that some offices will not recently) then a multi entry non immigrant O visa from Savannakhet would seem to be your best option if you can not extend for some reason. The travel on extension does require re-entry permit but the cost for multi entry valid for full extension time would be 3,800 baht so not much more than a multi entry O visa total. If using Savannakhet have marriage/her ID copy and home register copy signed to present.

[digitalchromakey]

Here's another possibility:

If your employer produces all the correct paperwork and applies for a Work Permit, then take the WP3 Receipt (issued against a successfully filed WP application) plus paper work to a Thai Consulate of your choice (in Malaysia Penang may require an office Accepatnce Letter as well), then hopefully you should be isued with a 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant B - you will subsequently need to get a Multi Re-entry Permit from your local Thai Immigration to preserve the 'Enter Until' date if you are leaving Thailand every 2 weeks.

Your employer/you can then use the non B entry stamp/visa to complete the WP application.

Then about a month before your 'Enter Until' date go to Thai Immigration with the correct paperwork for a National Police Order 777/2551 2.18 Extension of Permission to Stay Based on a Thai Spouse (requires 400k in the bank for 2x months, or proof of monthly income > 40K THB pcm (last month's PND 1 plus last year's PND 91 - as you are changing employers this probably won't count but you probably will be asked to show it)).

This 2.18 one year extension should be good to renew your WP and so on.

[digitalchromakey]

Here's another possibility:

If your employer produces all the correct paperwork and applies for a Work Permit, then take the WP3 Receipt (issued against a successfully filed WP application) plus paper work to a Thai Consulate of your choice (in Malaysia Penang may require an office Accepatnce Letter as well), then hopefully you should be isued with a 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant B - you will subsequently need to get a Multi Re-entry Permit from your local Thai Immigration to preserve the 'Enter Until' date if you are leaving Thailand every 2 weeks.

Your employer/you can then use the non B entry stamp/visa to complete the WP application.

Then about a month before your 'Enter Until' date go to Thai Immigration with the correct paperwork for a National Police Order 777/2551 2.18 Extension of Permission to Stay Based on a Thai Spouse (requires 400k in the bank for 2x months, or proof of monthly income > 40K THB pcm (last month's PND 1 plus last year's PND 91 - as you are changing employers this probably won't count but you probably will be asked to show it)).

This 2.18 one year extension should be good to renew your WP and so on.

BTW if you are successful with this One Year Extension, then please don't forget you will need to apply for and purchase a new Multiple Re-entry Permit as the previous one will expire with the single entry visa!

[TerryLH]

"My previous employer cancelled my non imm B multi entry visa and WP without giving my new employer the chance to have them transferred..."

Shouldn't a multiple entry visa that hasn't been extended still be good?

[tourleadersi]

"My previous employer cancelled my non imm B multi entry visa and WP without giving my new employer the chance to have them transferred..."

Shouldn't a multiple entry visa that hasn't been extended still be good?

"My previous employer cancelled my non imm B multi entry visa and WP without giving my new employer the chance to have them transferred..."

Shouldn't a multiple entry visa that hasn't been extended still be good?

I think it had been extended, so there wasnt the chance to transfer it or something.

[Mario2008]

The extension will be cancelled, but maybe the multiple entry visa itself is not cancelled. Simply look at the visa itself and tell if that one has a stamp on it that says cancelled. If not, your visa might still be valid for a new entry of 90 days.

[tourleadersi]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to clear this one up for me. So the way I see it, I will go to Phnom Penh, apply for a single entry Non Imm B visa, come back in on it, apply for the work permit and get re-entry permits should I need to leave in the next 3 months. Then once the WP has been issued I get an extension on the Single Entry visa and apply for a multi re-entry permit. This can be extended annually after that.

All clear now, thanks for helping to put me and many others out of their misery.

[digitalchromakey]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to clear this one up for me. So the way I see it, I will go to Phnom Penh, apply for a single entry Non Imm B visa, come back in on it, apply for the work permit and get re-entry permits should I need to leave in the next 3 months. Then once the WP has been issued I get an extension on the Single Entry visa and apply for a multi re-entry permit. This can be extended annually after that.

All clear now, thanks for helping to put me and many others out of their misery.

You/your employer must apply for the WP before you leave Thailand on the Visa Run - you will need the WP application receipt (WP3) for the non B visa application at the Thai Consulate.

[Soutpeel]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to clear this one up for me. So the way I see it, I will go to Phnom Penh, apply for a single entry Non Imm B visa, come back in on it, apply for the work permit and get re-entry permits should I need to leave in the next 3 months. Then once the WP has been issued I get an extension on the Single Entry visa and apply for a multi re-entry permit. This can be extended annually after that.

All clear now, thanks for helping to put me and many others out of their misery.

You/your employer must apply for the WP before you leave Thailand on the Visa Run - you will need the WP application receipt (WP3) for the non B visa application at the Thai Consulate.

"My present employer uses a lawyer that will prepare all the necessary paperwork"

Not trying to be funny here, but shouldnt the lawyer be telling you what you need to do ?.....where to go and what to get ?.......certainly been my experience over the last 10 years....

Gave me a stack of papers, go to embassy in Singapore, hand your PP in, with paper work and pay the fee....come back next day pick up your pp and fly back, submitting expense claims when you get back.

[tourleadersi]

"My present employer uses a lawyer that will prepare all the necessary paperwork"

Not trying to be funny here, but shouldnt the lawyer be telling you what you need to do ?.....where to go and what to get ?.......certainly been my experience over the last 10 years....

Gave me a stack of papers, go to embassy in Singapore, hand your PP in, with paper work and pay the fee....come back next day pick up your pp and fly back, submitting expense claims when you get back.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to clear this one up for me. So the way I see it, I will go to Phnom Penh, apply for a single entry Non Imm B visa, come back in on it, apply for the work permit and get re-entry permits should I need to leave in the next 3 months. Then once the WP has been issued I get an extension on the Single Entry visa and apply for a multi re-entry permit. This can be extended annually after that.

All clear now, thanks for helping to put me and many others out of their misery.

You/your employer must apply for the WP before you leave Thailand on the Visa Run - you will need the WP application receipt (WP3) for the non B visa application at the Thai Consulate.

"My present employer uses a lawyer that will prepare all the necessary paperwork"

Not trying to be funny here, but shouldnt the lawyer be telling you what you need to do ?.....where to go and what to get ?.......certainly been my experience over the last 10 years....

Gave me a stack of papers, go to embassy in Singapore, hand your PP in, with paper work and pay the fee....come back next day pick up your pp and fly back, submitting expense claims when you get back.

Valid and fair point. He is out company lawyer (outsourced) so can sort out the paperwork no problem, however is not sure on the nuances of what paperwork is expected.

When I spoke to him he said that as far as he understands, I cant apply for the work permit until I return on a visa. He said that if they insist that I have a WP3 then it will mean I have to stay out of the country for 2 weeks whilst it gets sorted out.

Seems very confusing to me, and very frustrating as he doesnt seem to have any clear answers. So I came here and thanks for those who have helped so far.

Is it possible to apply for the WP3 form before I leave, if so, how long will it take to get that paper to take over to the Embassy in PNH?

Thanks in advance.

[Soutpeel]

Valid and fair point. He is out company lawyer (outsourced) so can sort out the paperwork no problem, however is not sure on the nuances of what paperwork is expected.

When I spoke to him he said that as far as he understands, I cant apply for the work permit until I return on a visa. He said that if they insist that I have a WP3 then it will mean I have to stay out of the country for 2 weeks whilst it gets sorted out.

Seems very confusing to me, and very frustrating as he doesnt seem to have any clear answers. So I came here and thanks for those who have helped so far.

Is it possible to apply for the WP3 form before I leave, if so, how long will it take to get that paper to take over to the Embassy in PNH?

Thanks in advance.

I would be telling your company to get another lawyer....very sure you will need to submit your WP-3 application along with the other paperwork, so yes it needs to be applied for.

Embassies/Consulates want to see that the WP has been applied for.....I think there is some miscommunication/understanding going on here, as he is correct about the WP in the sense that yes you will only get that sorted out when you come back with your visa, but the application still needs to be made before going to the embassy/consulate to apply for your visa, as this supports your application

[tourleadersi]

Valid and fair point. He is out company lawyer (outsourced) so can sort out the paperwork no problem, however is not sure on the nuances of what paperwork is expected.

When I spoke to him he said that as far as he understands, I cant apply for the work permit until I return on a visa. He said that if they insist that I have a WP3 then it will mean I have to stay out of the country for 2 weeks whilst it gets sorted out.

Seems very confusing to me, and very frustrating as he doesnt seem to have any clear answers. So I came here and thanks for those who have helped so far.

Is it possible to apply for the WP3 form before I leave, if so, how long will it take to get that paper to take over to the Embassy in PNH?

Thanks in advance.

I would be telling your company to get another lawyer....very sure you will need to submit your WP-3 application along with the other paperwork, so yes it needs to be applied for.

Embassies/Consulates want to see that the WP has been applied for.....I think there is some miscommunication/understanding going on here, as he is correct about the WP in the sense that yes you will only get that sorted out when you come back with your visa, but the application still needs to be made before going to the embassy/consulate to apply for your visa, as this supports your application

Valid and fair point. He is out company lawyer (outsourced) so can sort out the paperwork no problem, however is not sure on the nuances of what paperwork is expected.

When I spoke to him he said that as far as he understands, I cant apply for the work permit until I return on a visa. He said that if they insist that I have a WP3 then it will mean I have to stay out of the country for 2 weeks whilst it gets sorted out.

Seems very confusing to me, and very frustrating as he doesnt seem to have any clear answers. So I came here and thanks for those who have helped so far.

Is it possible to apply for the WP3 form before I leave, if so, how long will it take to get that paper to take over to the Embassy in PNH?

Thanks in advance.

I would be telling your company to get another lawyer....very sure you will need to submit your WP-3 application along with the other paperwork, so yes it needs to be applied for.

Embassies/Consulates want to see that the WP has been applied for.....I think there is some miscommunication/understanding going on here, as he is correct about the WP in the sense that yes you will only get that sorted out when you come back with your visa, but the application still needs to be made before going to the embassy/consulate to apply for your visa, as this supports your application

Many thanks, makes sense! As I am planning to travel this Sunday, are you aware of how long it takes to submit this application and have it back ready for the visa application over seas? Do I have enough time now to get it done?

[Soutpeel]

Many thanks, makes sense! As I am planning to travel this Sunday, are you aware of how long it takes to submit this application and have it back ready for the visa application over seas? Do I have enough time now to get it done?

Not knowing which labour office you are dealing with, this would be one for your lawyer, but would suggest you get the receipt once the application has been submitted, ie if you fill in the required paper work and submit you should get the receipt there and then,

I am not sure about this side of the process practically as never done it, the times I have done a new visa/WP I was given all the required paperwork and wished on my merry way for a couple of nights of beer drinking in Singapore

But do I think this is doable in a week....should be

[tourleadersi]

@Soutpeel Really, thanks for your help.

[digitalchromakey]

Valid and fair point. He is out company lawyer (outsourced) so can sort out the paperwork no problem, however is not sure on the nuances of what paperwork is expected.

When I spoke to him he said that as far as he understands, I cant apply for the work permit until I return on a visa. He said that if they insist that I have a WP3 then it will mean I have to stay out of the country for 2 weeks whilst it gets sorted out.

Seems very confusing to me, and very frustrating as he doesnt seem to have any clear answers. So I came here and thanks for those who have helped so far.

Is it possible to apply for the WP3 form before I leave, if so, how long will it take to get that paper to take over to the Embassy in PNH?

I would be telling your company to get another lawyer....very sure you will need to submit your WP-3 application along with the other paperwork, so yes it needs to be applied for.

Embassies/Consulates want to see that the WP has been applied for.....I think there is some miscommunication/understanding going on here, as he is correct about the WP in the sense that yes you will only get that sorted out when you come back with your visa, but the application still needs to be made before going to the embassy/consulate to apply for your visa, as this supports your application

Many thanks, makes sense! As I am planning to travel this Sunday, are you aware of how long it takes to submit this application and have it back ready for the visa application over seas? Do I have enough time now to get it done?

Your Company's Lawyer certainly does not seem to know what he is doing as regards WP/Visas.

Is Phnom Penh your choice, or your Lawyer's recommendation?

Tomorrow you need to be at Labour with all the papers and forms filled out for the Work Permit Application - go there neatly dressed with a Thai speaker.

If/when the WP filing goes ok then you will get the WP3 receipt (small A5 slip of paper) indicating that your papers are filed correctly that is required for the non B visa application.

Do not delay as there will almost certainly be problems with the paperwork, particularly as your company's lawyer doesn't have a clue.

See this MFA link for papers required at the consulate and then check the consulate's website/phone them for specifics: http://www.mfa.go.th...482.php?id=2492

You need a whole bunch more papers for the WP application including Social Security returns, work place photos, maps, organisation charts, employment contracts, explanations of why a foreigner needs to be employed and so on.

Good luck and hurry!