Getting A One Year Visa Through A Third Party?

[ourshuar]

I was in Thailand for about a year back in 2009 and 2010. My wife and I kept getting the three month tourist visas while we were there. We are now returning long term working for a non profit. We are wanting to get a longer term visa so we don't have to do the visa run every three months. I have heard that it is fairly easy to get help form a third party such as a tour company, or other smaller offices who help with visas. I heard that it may be a bit more expensive, but these people have better connections to help you work through or around some of the requirements.

My question is: Has anyone gone through a third party and had success with getting a one year visa? We will enter Thailand through Bangkok, and then be living in Khon Kaen, so any information on how to go about getting something longer term would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

* We are launching our organizations first team here, so our NGO is not set up through the Thai government yet.

[Mario2008]

Volunteering gets you a non-"O" visa, and you can get one year extensions of stay on that one with paperwork from the registered charity and work permit. (Volunteering also requires a work permit, working without one carries a maximum jail sentence of 5 year). And that is wherre your problem lies.

You are not a registered charity yet or a foreign charity approved to work in Thailand. Because of that you will not get 1 year extensions of stay and maybe no work permit also. I would discuss how to go around this with a lawfirm.

In the meantime it might be better to get a multiple non-O with 90 day border runs, till the organisation is recognised by the Thai government and 1 year extensions of stay are open to you.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Two approaches - the one you seem to imply you're leaning toward (A) is of course illegal, but many people do manage to things that way here - I personally don't recommend it. Regarding your actual question I would say that using third parties is a complete waste of money and may in fact work against your long-term purposes.

By reviewing the wealth of information here, and asking smart questions in the right way - certainly avoiding obvious statements that reflect the illegality and deception implied by your OP, you will be able to figure it out yourself and do it as well or better than any local offering their "help".

The proper way ( is also relatively straightforward, especially to the extent that your NGO is already well established outside of Thailand and simply looking to set up a local office.

I can't speak to the NGO-specific side of things, but in my past experience as long as you initiate everything from a first-world country far from Thailand with your local embassy/consulate, you can simply get an official letter sent from your organization headquarters stating what you're planning on doing, and it's most likely you'd be given a non-immigrant "B" visa for the first year without much trouble.

It's when you're here in Thailand (or a nearby or third-world location) looking to renew, and haven't made substantial progress toward your stated goals that you'll run into trouble, but the initial year is pretty easy to get.

Unless of course things have changed in that regard over the years, in which case I'm sure other posters will chime in to correct me.

[ourshuar]

Thank you both for your quick and informative responses. I feel bad, though, as I did not mean to word anything wrong that implied anything illegal. Reading over my wording, I could see how it was misinterpreted. What I was meaning, though, was people who would have a better idea of how to go about getting a year visa, and not people who could get around the system. It was poorly worded though, and I appologize.

Thank you for the info and the links. I appreciate it.

[IMA_FARANG]

* We are launching our organizations first team here, so our NGO is not set up through the Thai government yet.

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Not to be rude.... and as Mario mentioned in another post.... statements like that one start alarm bells ringing for many of us living here in Thailand.

The fact is that you can't "work" in Thailand.... even for a real non-profit NGO....without a Work Permit.

A Work Permit requires paperwork from the NGO to get it. That paperwork requires them to be set up.... approved.... by the Thai government.

But, sticking to the original point of your question, I would NOT try going through a 3rd party to get a visa here in Thailand.

In the first place, visas are not issued in Thailand. Visas are issued in a Thai consulate OUTSIDE of Thailand.

For that very reason, any "visa" you do obtain by any other method .... even it has the correct stamps on it ....is not legitimate.

So. even though it may be possible to get a Thai visa inside of Thailand with the (paid) "help" of some agency and their "friends" in the Thai government ..... it is not legal.

But this being Thailand, it is possible by an "acommadation" and some money changing hands.

Just remember, if somrthing does go wrong; you as the foriegner will be at fault for offering the bribe.

The 3rd party will not be touched, (all they did is folow your instructions, they will say) but you can be fined or even deported for that bribe.

Just a word to the wise there.

[Mario2008]

I was just pointing out the legalities about volunteering, as the work permit can be a major issue and many people don't know that you need one even to volunteer. I didn't read your post as trying to circumvent the rules.

[ignis]

Not sure, well have no idea, but often see Law Firms and big Law Firms offering to do paperwork, or supply Sponsorship paperwork for you to take to a Thai Embassy outside of Thailand for a 1 year Non 'B' is that what the OP is asking about.... if to use one of these Companies ?

[ourshuar]

Again, I am sorry for the confussion. IMA Farang, I am not trying to raise any alarms with anyone and am sorry for my sketchy wording. I am definitely NOT wanting to do anything illegal. I am just very uninformed on the process of getting something other than just the 90 days. Thank you all for your input and help in understanding what I need. I appreciate it.

[ourshuar]

Thanks Mario. I missed your post before I responded. But thanks.

[lopburi3]

I have heard that it is fairly easy to get help form a third party such as a tour company, or other smaller offices who help with visas.

Believe above is the cause for concern as most such places will only end up hand holding at very costly price - you must actually qualify - and they more often than not have less knowledge that you will likely gain in a few hours of internet search (or asking questions here). The small minority may actually act illegally in there own interest (money) and that is never a good thing for you in the long run. You have specific requirements to meet for setting up a new NGO so either face the paperwork or hire a legal firm experienced in such activity to help. A tour company or small office who help with visas could be a danger.

[ignis]

G.A.M. have offices in Bangkok., UK. USA and Australia, looks like no problems to get a 1 year Non 'B' Google and read, also Live online support help

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Again, I am sorry for the confussion. IMA Farang, I am not trying to raise any alarms with anyone and am sorry for my sketchy wording. I am definitely NOT wanting to do anything illegal. I am just very uninformed on the process of getting something other than just the 90 days. Thank you all for your input and help in understanding what I need. I appreciate it.

Well be aware it's pretty impossible to live in Thailand and strictly stay within the bounds of the maze of very confusing and often conflicting laws.

It's my theory that the legal system here is primarily designed to facilitate the ability of the authorities to extract baksheesh.

Basically the definition of "legal" here is "whatever the most powerful person involved in the situation is willing to let you do".

Getting third parties involved simply expands exponentially the number of people looking for their piece of the action.

Dealing with Immigration et al directly at least keeps you within the normally accepted boundaries of practice.

Not sure, well have no idea, but often see Law Firms and big Law Firms offering to do paperwork, or supply Sponsorship paperwork for you to take to a Thai Embassy outside of Thailand for a 1 year Non 'B' is that what the OP is asking about.... if to use one of these Companies ?

Yes, and I am specifically advising against that.

Unless you're the sort of person that would hire a lawyer to do your grocery shopping for you.

[Mario2008]

The visa problem can be overcome by getting a visa trhough a company, but not the work permit problem.

[sysardman]

Again, I am sorry for the confussion. IMA Farang, I am not trying to raise any alarms with anyone and am sorry for my sketchy wording. I am definitely NOT wanting to do anything illegal. I am just very uninformed on the process of getting something other than just the 90 days. Thank you all for your input and help in understanding what I need. I appreciate it.

What visas were you on before because you keep talking about 90day (or 3 month) tourist visas which do not exist. Are you talking about 60 day tourist visas with 30 day extensions?

[lopburi3]

Actually a tourist visa is valid for 3 months and allows up to 90 day stay for most if using the allowed 30 day extension.

[sysardman]

Actually a tourist visa is valid for 3 months and allows up to 90 day stay for most if using the allowed 30 day extension.

Which makes it a 60 day visa with a 30 day extension! The OP was talking about 90 day visas with visa runs and no mention of visiting immigration after their 60 days to get the extensions.

[ignis]

Yes, and I am specifically advising against that.

Unless you're the sort of person that would hire a lawyer to do your grocery shopping for you.

Some time ago when I was look at all the different Visa's is appeared then and reading now is still the same, there are 2 types of 'B' one for working and going to get a work permit, and one for looking at the possibilities of setting up some Business in Thailand which you cannot get a work permit on..,,,,,,,,,, Sponsorship paperwork for the later appears to be from 7,000 baht, and you go yourself to get Visa from Thai Embassy/Consulate

[ubonjoe]

If the OP is working with a large international NGO he should get a letter from them stating that they will be setting up new operations for them here in Thailand and request a visa. With that letter they could possibly get a multiple entry non immigrant O visa. This visa would require border runs every 90 days until they can get things set up for getting work permits and one year extensions.

The OP has not stated which country he is from but if there are honorary Thai consulates in the country one of them would be the best choice for applying for the visa.

[Mario2008]

Yes, and I am specifically advising against that.

Unless you're the sort of person that would hire a lawyer to do your grocery shopping for you.

Some time ago when I was look at all the different Visa's is appeared then and reading now is still the same, there are 2 types of 'B' one for working and going to get a work permit, and one for looking at the possibilities of setting up some Business in Thailand which you cannot get a work permit on..,,,,,,,,,, Sponsorship paperwork for the later appears to be from 7,000 baht, and you go yourself to get Visa from Thai Embassy/Consulate

There is only one non-B visa, but issued for different reasons.

[straycat911]

To The OP

I used a visa service to obtain my 1 year visa, and yes it was expensive, The company sent me to Laos to get a Non-O visa, for 3 Months, Then after that expired, I passed over the fee he required plus the paperwork that he needed (he filled out and sent to the proper immagration people) and was able to get a 1 year visa for me,

1st step is make sure you have the money for the fee

2nd - Take a trip with the said company to laos to get a proper Non-O or a Non-B visa (depending on what 1 year you are after and quilify for)

3rd, Wait for visa to near expire (3 months)

4th - Go back to the company with your documents, (marrage docs, Language learning docs, or what ever is needed to get the one year and give to the company with the fee

5th, Thats about it, your passport will get a stamp from immagration with one year (every 3 month a Check at the immagration office) but you never leave thailand again, after the visa expire, go back to the company, and start at step 4 again, and do that every year

It was very easy and hassle free,

If you want more info, PM me, Yes its legal, My company is a large one, and is known in immagration, Because I asked

Sorry for my spelling

[Mario2008]

That is something one could easliy do yourself and save a lot of money.

The OP's predicament is that he needs to have an organisation who can sponsor both visa and work permit.

[ubonjoe]

That only works if you are already qualified to get the initial visa and then the extension of stay (not a visa).

If qualified anybody should be able to do it with out paying money for something that quite easily can be done.

[MacChine]

Yes, its illegal. If you have your paper work in order you should not pay out for expensive go- betweeners . It's getting the paper work in order that'll cost ya.

Welcome to Thailand.