Proper Visa for New US Company Branch Office

[SMEinBangkok]

I thought if I lurked long enough and searched enough I could find the answer to this question....no luck. Fairly unique situation (maybe?), but I'm hoping one of the experts here will be able to point me in the right direction.

I own a small consulting business in the US and am planning to open a branch office in Bangkok in the coming months. Already traveled last November to do the research and get the basic lay of the land in terms of initial operating plans. My intention is to apply for B visa from the US, but I have no way to obtain the list of needed documents. Sort of chicken and egg situation..... Embassy's website asks for the Thai company's documents...invitation, etc. Sent an email to the consular section at the embassy and big surprise....no response.

From the great advice I've been reading I know there are an infinite number of variations, but I'd like to avoid entering on a tourist visa because I'm not coming to be a tourist and in a perfect world I'd like to do everything I can to avoid the 90-day visa run in order to reduce short-term expenses.

I have researched and spoken with Thai BOI staff about the particulars of forming the branch office....seems fairly easy once I'm there.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[ubonjoe]

What you would need to get a non-b visa would depend upon where you apply for it. You should be able to get one from one of honorary Thai consulates with just a letter from your company in the states. I suggest you contact one of them: www.thaiembdc.us/dcdp/Thai_Consulate_Directory2

If not then a 2 entry tourist visa would be a good option. Each entry would give a 60 day entry that you could extend for 30 days at immigration.

Then once you have your office set up and a work permit application done you could then get a single entry non-b visa from one of the nearby embassies or consulates and then a apply for an extension of stay at immigration under clause 2.1 of Thai Police Order 777/2551 .

Have you looked at this A Business Guide to Thailand (English) (2014) from the BOI.

[SMEinBangkok]

Really appreciate the quick response on this. You guys ought to be able to invoice for this kind of advice!

Any one of the honorary consulates a better option? Are there any potential lingering 'issues' with getting a visa from an honorary consul, vice the the regular Embassy?

Definitely have a copy of the business guide, but thanks for passing it along. Although it helps, the wording of much of the section leaves a lot to interpretation. My previous efforts to find a decent attorney in Bangkok to help were unsuccessful. They wanted a lot of money and even I could tell some of their advice was stretching the rules and regulations.

[ubonjoe]

A visa from a honorary consulate is just as good as one from the embassy in DC or the 3 official consulates.

The honorary consulates are more flexible in getting visas because the are not staffed by Thai government employees they operate as a business and are part of another business such law offices and such. You should choose one that is convenient to use since they cannot accept mail in applications.

[SMEinBangkok]

I'll start calling around tomorrow morning....thanks for the clarification about them not accepting mail-in applications.

[skiller]

Does someone know the requirements for a "branch office"? Pls. do not mix it up with a "representative office"

The big advantage of a Branch office is, the head office is 100% the owner. No hassle with Thai share holders.

[ubonjoe]

Does someone know the requirements for a "branch office"? Pls. do not mix it up with a "representative office"

The big advantage of a Branch office is, the head office is 100% the owner. No hassle with Thai share holders.

Look at 3.3 on page 15 in A Business Guide to Thailand (English) (2014)

[Arkady]

Does someone know the requirements for a "branch office"? Pls. do not mix it up with a "representative office"

The big advantage of a Branch office is, the head office is 100% the owner. No hassle with Thai share holders.

Look at 3.3 on page 15 in A Business Guide to Thailand (English) (2014)

Branch offices of foreign companies cannot be registered or do business in Thailand, except in the case of foreign airlines and banks.

[ubonjoe]

That is certainly not mentioned in the BOI business guide I posted a link to for download of it. I am fairly confident in the accuracy of the guide.