Work Permit

[Foxhound]

Anyone has come across that a work permit only issued for 6 months for a newly formed Company? I rented an office downtown for a 6-month contract, I wonder this is part of their reason.

Also, can they accept a 6-month work permit for exemption of excise duties on shipment for personal effects?

[ubonjoe]

Work permits can be issued for increments of 3 months.

The 6 month lease is probably the reason for the shorter than normal length.

The length of issuance of work permit should not be a problem for exemption.

[Foxhound]

It is a relieve to hear that length of issuance of work permit should not be a problem for duties exemption, I am most worried about this as the duties are quite high based on my declared value.

Nonetheless, I shall post the outcome so that people are duly informed.

As to the work permit renewal, not sure how's the process? Any specific requirements?

[Mario2008]

A 1 year work permit is not necesarry, but in case the work permit is not for 1 year you need to be on an extension of stay from immigraiton for 1 year.

See: http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

For the work permit extension a lot of the same forms needs to be filled in, but some can be left out a already submitted. But the company and you have to show you still qualify.

[lopburi3]

Actually the requirement is one year and is specifically required if that is being presented for customs rather than the one year extension of stay. If you have a one year extension of stay it would not be required however in my reading.

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand are regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

[Foxhound]

Well, I shall keep my fingers crossed.

If I only have a six months work permit, will I get a one year extension from immigration? In my mind, I thought it is unlikely as the extension of stay granted would normally coincide with the period of the work permit?

[lopburi3]

One year extension is normal for employment if you qualify for extension. They are not tied to work permits but by employment so if your job ends your extension ends the same day.

[Foxhound]

Now this is clear. Can I apply for the extension in Thailand (where in Thailand? Immigration?) or I have to travel to another country to apply the extension at the consulate? If I need to travel out of Thailand, can I do the application in my home country? Thanks in advance for the advise.

The visa Company is charging me quite a big sum to do it in Thailand!

[lopburi3]

You do yourself at immigration office for the province you live/work. Cost is 1,900 baht using TM.7 form and photo. You will need company paperwork, work permit and contract (believe most the same as required for work permit application). You do this during the last 30 days of your current 90 day entry.

[digitalchromakey]

Now this is clear. Can I apply for the extension in Thailand (where in Thailand? Immigration?) or I have to travel to another country to apply the extension at the consulate? If I need to travel out of Thailand, can I do the application in my home country? Thanks in advance for the advise.

The visa Company is charging me quite a big sum to do it in Thailand!

Attached below is a list of required documents for an extension on the basis of working in the Kingdom of Thailand, this list is for my area (Phuket), but does not reportedly vary a great deal around the country.

Visa extension on the basis of employment 777 2551 Case 2.1t.pdf

Your will almost certainly have a problem because since your company is newly formed it thus cannot produce a financial statement at the end of two years trading.

[Foxhound]

So I suppose my option would be to obtain a 90 day non-B visa, in Thai consulate ....

[Mario2008]

So I suppose my option would be to obtain a 90 day non-B visa, in Thai consulate ....

In case of a new company, yes.

But you can ask the labour office to give you a1 year work permit, explaining your situation. I'm not sure about Bangkok, but they can be very helpful and it won't hurt to ask. With a 1 year WP you could might also get a multiple non-B visa in Malaysia, which is another argument.

[PoorSucker]

Extension of Thai Business Visa

The Thai "B" or Business Visa can be extended to a one year visa in country as follows.

The extension of the visa is normally based on employment and as such there are certain regulations governing the company who is employing you.

These are the regulations for the extension of the "B" Business Visa:

1. The business must be registered in Thailand.

2. The company must be capitalized to at least Baht 2 Million while operating fund must be at least Baht 1 Million.

3. The company must have a ration of at least 4 : 1 - Four Thais for every foreigner.

4. You must earn at least in accordance with the level specified for each nationality by the Labour Department.

Duration of the Extension

- One year at a time.

Documents required for the extension:

1. Application form (T.M. 7 )

2. Passport or document used in lien of passport and its copies .

3. The applicants 4 x 6 cm. photograph .

4. Extension fee Baht 1,900.-

5. The company letters certifying as follows ;

- Nature of business

- Reason or necessity in employing the applicant his / her position, salary and education background.

- Number of Thai and foreign employees.

6. Copies of work permit or receipt of work permit application.

7. Company's annual balance sheets.

8. The juristic persons Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.50) of the latest year and its receipt of payment.

9. Thai employees Monthly Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.1 ) of the latest month and its receipt of payment.

10. The applicants Annual Income Tax Declaration Form (Form No.91) of the latest year and its receipt of payment.

11. The official letter that certify the registration of such juristic person.

12. Business Registration or Business License.

13. Value Added Tax Registration and list of share holders.

14. A map that indicate location of the Company.

15. For those who operate export business, the documentary evidence clarifying its export activities is needed.

16. For those who operate tourism business, the documentary evidence clarifying its total number of tourist that brought in by the company is needed.

Some Immigrations offices.

17. Picture of all the company's employees at work

18. Picture of all company's employees in front of the office with clear name of the company showing

N.B. In case of necessity , documents No.7 , 8 , 9 , and 10 can be substituted by the company letters stating its reason.

[Foxhound]

My shipping agent presented my 6-month work permit to the customs to collect my shipments. I was informed that I need to pay part of the excise duties as a 6-month work permit does not have the privilege of duties free. I am told to pay an amount which is acceptable so I gave the green light as I have few expensive audio video electronics in the shipment. Wanted to just get my stuffs fast and get over with all these nuisances.

I am expecting to receive my shipment on Monday which I really look forward to it.

[Arkady]

My shipping agent presented my 6-month work permit to the customs to collect my shipments. I was informed that I need to pay part of the excise duties as a 6-month work permit does not have the privilege of duties free. I am told to pay an amount which is acceptable so I gave the green light as I have few expensive audio video electronics in the shipment. Wanted to just get my stuffs fast and get over with all these nuisances.

I am expecting to receive my shipment on Monday which I really look forward to it.

Anything is possible with Customs, if you are prepared to pay bribes. They are open for business. Don't be surprised if on Monday the customs agent announces a new problem but suggests an easy quick fix at the same time. When I imported household effects years ago, the paperwork was entirely in order but the agent advised me that Customs planned to open all the crates to check everything was as described and that things invariably got broken during this procedure. Thankfully he was able to persuade them not to open anything with a little baksheesh.

[Foxhound]

Well, I guess TIT and this is how it's or it'll work! I received my shipment on Monday as promised and there was no loss or spoilage, but I have yet to test my electronic items.