Business Visa / Non Imm O Laos Inquiry

[Bingo66]

Well to cut a long story short, I got rid of my accountant / lawyer firm (a TV sponsor) who handled my company setup, accounting, WP, Visa etc. Mostly because the extreme charges they keep sending me and lack of professional / reliable staff.This will be the 3rd time my business visa expires since the startup April, the last time I didn't have the WP so went to SG.

I just couldn't afford the 27,000 (im trying to run a legit business) they were trying to charge me for the 1 year business visa extension. And it was a surprise as I thought it was included in the money I paid them. So now i'm left with no accountant / lawyer and business visa expiring in 2 weeks with a limited budget. I do however have a work permit this time and 3- 4 months of paid VAT / SSO and 1 month of WHT (I think or 3 i'm unsure) .

Can I go to Laos? I really can't afford flights and hotels to SG, a bus to lao on the cheap would really be preferred right now. I heard if you have WP you can get a non imm b at laos, however someone else said the company needs to be at least 1 year old? If I can, what documents do i need to take? (They gave me paperwork last time)

Would a Non Imm O (Not marriage / retirement age) be a better option as i can still get the WP?

Advice would be appreciated please!

[lopburi3]

You do not qualify for a non immigrant O visa from what you said and if you have a work permit would guess that you are working so below is what MFA says is required and believe that will be what consulates in Laos will expect you to provide:

2. Application for Visa

2.1 Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business Visa) is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to work or to conduct business.

(1) Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand must provide the following 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.

- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this letter, the applicant’s prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province. More information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 (only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand).

- Corporate documents of hiring company in Thailand such as:

1) business registration and business license

2) list of shareholders

3) company profile

4) details of business operation

5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions

6) map indicating location of the company

7) balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)

8) value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only).

N.B.

- An alien who receives a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she is being granted a work permit. An alien in violation of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning taking up employment without work permit or the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning holding employment in certain restricted occupations and professions shall be prosecuted and imprisoned or fined, or shall face both penalties.

- It is recommended that the applicant should apply for visa at the Thai Embassy/ Consulate in the country where he/she has the residence

[Bingo66]

Thanks Lopburi

Regarding this:

- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this letter, the applicant’s prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province. More information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 (only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand).

How long does the letter usually take? and income tax is WHT, 1 month is sufficient?

There is nothing about a P.51 form or such that a company must exist for 1 year+?

[Mario2008]

You have to distinct bewteen the requirements for a visa and the requirements for an exension of stay. For a visa the company doesn't have to exist longer then 1 year, but for an extension of stay it must and you must also have a minimum salary (depending on the job).

[Bingo66]

You have to distinct bewteen the requirements for a visa and the requirements for an exension of stay. For a visa the company doesn't have to exist longer then 1 year, but for an extension of stay it must and you must also have a minimum salary (depending on the job).

Extension of stay being 1 year extension?

I could have got that, however I don't have 27,000 right now for the fees. I presume half of the fee is a bribe to immigration from the visa company.

So I shouldn't have any problems getting a non b in laos now I have the WP? Before I had the WP I could only go to SG / KL or HK.

[lopburi3]

Troll post removed.

[ubonjoe]

You will only get a single entry B visa in Laos.

[Bingo66]

Single Entry is fine, thanks! I will go to Laos then I guess, saving 10,000 ++ is preferred than going to SG.

I suppose I better find a better company and get my 1 year extension, this is annoying to say the least.

[Mario2008]

An extension of stay costs 1,900 baht. But as you only started the company last April it is not an option as you lack the required tax documents.

[Bingo66]

An extension of stay costs 1,900 baht. But as you only started the company last April it is not an option as you lack the required tax documents.

Extension of stay is 1 year??The company can give me the 1 year extension guaranteed, but it wants 27,000, government fees are listed as:

7 G Visa 1 Year Government Fee for One Year Visa 1,900.00

8 G Visa Multiplle Government Fee for Multiple Re-Entry Permit 3,800.00

9 G Capital Increase Ce... Government Fee for Certification of Document 1,500.00

I presume the rest is a bribe and their "service fees"?I have the minimum salary and I also pay WHT/VAT/SSO .

[Mario2008]

An extension is for up to one year and normally for the full year, unless contract is for shorter term. The firm mistakenly calls it a visa, but it is an exension of stay. (probably because mst people don't know the difference and call it a visa).

Most times you need at least tax documents over the last year, but from Bangkok there are some positive stories with the help of a lawfirm.

[Bingo66]

I guess that's why it's so expensive then because half fee to law firms are bribes??

I will go every 3 months to Laos and get a Nonn Imm B until the 1 year is up and try and get the extension then.

Is there no way to get a Non Imm O? Visiting friends or something? as they are 1 year and the work permit is valid with O or B?

[lopburi3]

Visiting friends is not a valid reason for non immigrant O visa issue.

[Bingo66]

Visiting friends is not a valid reason for non immigrant O visa issue.

About 3 years ago, I had to choice of ED and Non Imm O, I could get Imm O with "visiting friends and family" from Hull, UK.

Whats the valid reasons? Without Marriage and Retirement of course, i'm 24 and don't plan to marry anyone / anything.

[lopburi3]

That was 3 years ago - it is no longer available. So unless you are an NGO volunteer it probably is not for you.