2Nd 12 Month Multiple Entry Non B Visa Question

[DrChopper]

I am here on a Non B which expires imminently. I did a visa run not long ago so I am stamped in for a good while yet.

I got this visa in the UK on the basis of coming here to hold meetings and evaluate the market for our UK company, not on the basis of a job offer here.

Following that research I am now incorporating a Thai company to carry on business here and will need a new multiple non B to get my work permit.

I have been advised that I would be unlikely to be granted a second multiple non B in KL, or possibly anywhere close to Thailand and it has been suggested the further afield I go the easier this application will be - eg. back to the UK or Australia.

I would rather avoid a long trip if possible. Does anyone have any experience of this, and any advice on recommended embassies?

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

You will not obtain anywhere for working here until you have the work permit but a single entry will take care of that - once you have that it should be available but once you qualify for extensions of stay you will probably want to do that (new company may take a year or more however).

[DrChopper]

Thanks Lopburi.

Do you mean a 90 single entry? Would that give me enough time to get a WP? And then from there I just get 12 month extensions of stay?

It will be a new company, which bit do you mean might take a year?

[lopburi3]

Being able to extend your stay for a year at a time from immigration may take longer than a year with a new company because you will not have required paperwork. You can obtain the single entry non immigrant B visa to allow the work permit to be issued and after than 90 day stay visit a Consulate for a multi entry visa valid for one year of up to 90 day stays. So only difference to the extension is you will have to leave country for a few minutes every 90 days.

[digitalchromakey]

Thanks Lopburi.

Do you mean a 90 single entry? Would that give me enough time to get a WP? And then from there I just get 12 month extensions of stay?

It will be a new company, which bit do you mean might take a year?

You need to successfully file an application for a Work Permit before you do the Visa Run to get the 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa; you use the 90 day entry stamp in your passport to pick up your WP once it is issued.

Lopburi is referring to the fact that you cannot get a One Year Extension Of Permission to Stay (issued by Immigration within Thailand) based on Employment in the Kingdom of Thailand (Police Order 777/2551 Section 2.1) until you have one year+ of Tax Records/Accounts for a new Thai Company.

But once you have a WP it is however possible to get a One Year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa at a Consulate outside of Thailand, which would then allow entry with a maximum of 90 days between border runs until the Visa expires.

[DrChopper]

Many thanks both

[DrChopper]

Folks, one more question on this.

I am currently here on the final stamp of my previous 12 month non B. So the visa itself has run out but I am well within my 90 day stamp from that B visa.

Can I apply for a WP with this status?

If so I then go to KL with my WP3 and will have no problems getting a 90 day right?

[Mario2008]

You can apply for a wp and recieve the wp with no problem on your current entry. If you qualify you can also get an extenson of stay.

[digitalchromakey]

Folks, one more question on this.

I am currently here on the final stamp of my previous 12 month non B. So the visa itself has run out but I am well within my 90 day stamp from that B visa.

Can I apply for a WP with this status?

If so I then go to KL with my WP3 and will have no problems getting a 90 day right?

You don't need any visa entry status to apply to make a WP3 application for a WP, but you do need the correct visa/entry stamp to pick it up.

However with a valid 90 day Non B Entry Stamp (even with one day left) - you can pick up the WP itself once the application has been successfully filed, plus processed/signed, etc.

As you will have a new company you wil not be able to apply to Extend your Permission to Stay on the basis of Employment in The Kingdom of Thailand until you have more than a year's worth of tax papers and accounts.

However you can then do a Visa run to say KL and then with the WP and more correct paperwork get a One Year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa which will be good for 15 months of 90 day Non B entries..

[DrChopper]

Fantastic news!

It would be even better if I could not only apply but also pick up the WP before this stamp expires!

Would it be reasonable to expect a WP to be issued within say 1 month of application?

No problem at all doing visa runs in the future until I have tax papers etc.