How Long Does A Work Visa Take To Arrange?

[invogue]

I was given a job offer by a Thai company and signed the employment contract on February 14. I was told it should take one week to arrange the work visa. One week later with no word from the employer I emailed and asked if there was any update.

I was told ‘I will send you the documents for your visa next week because we are still waiting for everything from Ministry of Labor’.

It’s now beginning of March and there still is no news. I’m slightly concerned they are just keeping me in the wings as an ‘understudy’ with no intention of flying me over.

What do others think?

[Ginkas]

Firstly - there is no such thing as a "work visa".

Normally, you apply for a non-immigrant 'B' visa from the local Thai embassy/consulate with supporting documents (these are dependant on which country you are in) from your prospective employer.

On arrival in Thailand you, with your employer, apply for a work permit from the local Ministry of Labour.

After getting the work permit you are entitled to start work (sometimes while the application is being processed).

[Gone]

I agree with Ginkas. No such thing. They could have sent you a letter to take to your local Thai Consulate then you could have simply come here with a Non-B visa and started work while they proceed with your work permit.

Depending on who the employer is it could happen very fast or very slow. For instance if Shell Oil is applying it's done fast. If some language school thats another story.