Non-Immigrant B-Visa Obtained In Taipei?

[Tippaporn]

To obtain my non-immigrant B-visa I used to travel to Taipei, Taiwan (first time in 2002 and the last time was summer of 2008). While Taipei does not have a Thai embassy they do have what they call the Thailand Trade and Economic Development Office. The reason I would go to Taipei was that the B-visa was issued in a single day . . . submit the application before noon and receive your visa generally after 4 PM. (Well, I also have friends in Taipei I would visit so I would kill two birds with one stone . . . three if you count the opportunity to party and get drunk.) I'm curious as to why I have never read or heard of Taipei as a destination to receive a B-visa? It's not even listed as a choice in the "Latest reports of getting a visa in the region:" thread. Any reason why? I've never had a problem there.

FYI, I plan on getting my next B-visa there next month. Please let me know if anything has changed since 2008 and my decision would be a mistake but apparently they still issue B-visas according to their website.

Cheers,

Tip

[beano2274]

Non Immigrant B based on working?

You might find if working that a receipt for the work permit or work permit itself might be required.

[Mario2008]

Simply not that many reports, as it isn't in the direct neighbourhood.

[Colabamumbai]

Yes my next question based on work with work permit and supporting documents from Employer as to why they must employ you etc.?? You don't mention anything about that in obtaining your Non B.

[Tippaporn]

Non Immigrant B based on working?

You might find if working that a receipt for the work permit or work permit itself might be required.

I've just completed registration of a new company and do not have a work permit yet. I need to get the 90-day B-visa, obtain my work permit, then get a one-year extension on the B-visa, which will get done in Thailand. Please correct me if I'm wrong but this is the sequence of events as have been explained to me.

Simply not that many reports, as it isn't in the direct neighbourhood.

Perhaps that is the explanation. I would have thought, though, that while Taipei is a bit further out than Singapore or Kuala Lumpur (3:15 flight for approx. ฿13,000 r/t) the saving of a full day in processing time would appeal to some. Often times I'm in the middle of a job which I can't afford to let sit idle for two days. In any case, it works well for me.

Cheers,

Tip

[Mario2008]

If it really is a new company, you might not get a 1 year extension of stay from immigration as for that you require tax papers of the company, which a new company doesn't have. In that case you will have to stay on a multiple non-B visa for a while and leave the country every 90 days.

[Tippaporn]

If it really is a new company, you might not get a 1 year extension of stay from immigration as for that you require tax papers of the company, which a new company doesn't have. In that case you will have to stay on a multiple non-B visa for a while and leave the country every 90 days.

I hope you're not inferring that I would need to get 2 more 90-day B-visas out of country (according to my rationale by the time the 3rd 90-day B-visa would expire a full calendar year would be up, in which case the 4th time I would go back it would be for a one-year B-visa). That would be lovely! <sarc>

I've been told, though, that an extension for a one-year B-visa could be had in country. Have I been told correctly?

My, how things have changed. I did not need to go through this my first go-around with my former business back in '04 & '05. I received a one-year immediately. I have to say that I was at least able to retain my work permit, which transferred from my then employer to my new business. But I certainly did not have tax papers as that was a start-up as well.

In any case, the rules get changed so frequently it's hard to keep up with what is required.

Cheers,

Tip

Edited July 25, 2012 by Tippaporn

[lopburi3]

Your sponsoring company must have a years tax records available to qualify for extensions of stay so it can mean up to almost two years of border runs for 90 day visa entry for some. Immigration Order 305/2551

1. Application form

2. Copy of applicant’s passport

3. Certificate of alien’s employment in the format prescribed by the Immigration Bureau

4. Copy of work permit (in the case of change of workplace, an acknowledgment of application

may be used)

5. Copy of evidence proving company registration, such as a certificate of company or partnership

registration, certified by the registrar within the previous six months

6. Copy of list of shareholders certified by the registrar within the previous six months

7. Copy of balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the latest year, together with income tax

return for companies or juristic partnerships and payment receipt

8. Copy of latest monthly withholding income tax return specifying the names of employees and of

the alien applicant together with a copy of payment receipt

9. Copy of the individual income tax return for the latest year and payment receipt (if any)

10. Copy of social security contribution return for the latest month, as filed with the Social Security

Office (Form Sor Por Sor.1-10) and payment receipt

11. Document or evidence proving the necessity of the business to hire the alien, for example, in

case a job opening was posted for Thai candidates but there were no applicants

12. Location map showing the applicant’s workplace and photographs of interior and exterior of the

workplace during business hours

13. Documents or other evidence requested by the Committee monitoring official proceedings of

officers of the Immigration Bureau

14. For an international trade business (representative office), regional office, and overseas company

(branch office), documents specified in Criteria 6, 7, and 11 are not required.

[Tippaporn]

Your sponsoring company must have a years tax records available to qualify for extensions of stay so it can mean up to almost two years of border runs for 90 day visa entry for some. Immigration Order 305/2551

Not sure I follow, lopburi. I questioned whether or not my thinking was correct as to needing 90-day B-visas for an entire year until I finally have my company's first year's tax documents. Once I have my tax documents then I can apply for a one-year B-visa. What scenario exists that would require up to two years of border runs?

[lopburi3]

It is a one year extension of stay that you will apply for from Immigration. You normally have already been doing border runs and believe the tax/statements and such can be in excess of year out to get all the receipts required together for extension of stay and then extension can only be done during the last 30 days of a 90 day stay so total time can be a fair bit (but multi entry visa would make it just a border crossing for new 90 day stays)..

Suspect the most common factor would be starting company a month after tax due so first year due date would not be a full year of returns so an extra year might then be required.

[Tippaporn]

I guess the confusing part (and confounding as well) is the fact that without tax documents I can only obtain a B-visa good for 90 days. It appears I have to go out of country every 90 days and apply for new 90-day B-visas until my tax documents can be had. I'm having a hard time comprehending that for new business start-ups the Thai government would force business owners to go through this. Sorry if I'm slow and trying your patience but is there no way around this?

[lopburi3]

Consulate will normally provide multi entry visa once you obtain a one year work permit so the single entry may only be required to obtain that.

[Tippaporn]

Thanks, again, lopburi.

[digitalchromakey]

No idea about Taipei, but generally in the SE Asia region you must first apply for the Work Permit and get a receipt for the successful filing of papers from Labour (WP3 Receipt) before you do the Visa Run.

You use the WP3 receipt plus the other company papers required (some consulates also ask for a Letter of Approval from Labour) to then apply for a Single Entry 90 day Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa.

When you re-enter Thailand you use the 90 Day Non B entry stamp in your passport to get the WP itself issued.

Once you have the WP as Lopburi has posted you can get a One Year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa, which then means you only need to do border runs for the next 15 months.

After one year you should then have the necessary Company Tax Papers and Accounts to apply for a One Year Extension of Stay under Police Order 777/2551 Section 2.1 - Employment in the Kingdom of Thailand at your Local Immigration Dept.