I've registered a company in Phuket but I don't have any employees at the moment and won't have them any time soon. I've been told that if I apply for a multiple non-b, the officers from Phuket immigration might visit to inspect whether I'm really hiring Thai employees.

Could anyone suggest what I should do? I can't afford a proper office and hire employees at the moment since I'm doing a small freelance work alone.

Thank you for reading.

You are breaking the law by working without a work permit. An inspection might indeed happen and I am not sure if you can apply for a NON-B at all with your employee free company. I would guess not. So your little company is probably a bit pointless.

I think you're confusing a non-immigrant visa obtained in another country at a Thai embassy or consulate, with an extension of stay obtained in Thailand at immigration.

Now, I'm afraid that currently your company is unable to provide supporting paperwork for either one, so you should look into another way to obtain a visa.

Also be aware that if you're visibly working without a work permit, that is risky. And if you're working online, you will be attacked on this forum for doing it.

Application for the multiple-entry non-B visa is made at a Thai consulate, ie outside Thailand, not at an immigration office in Thailand. Inquire from the consulate where you plan to apply for the visa about their requirements, but please not that this type of visa is intended for a person who is employed by a company outside Thailand and needs to travel to Thailand multiple times within 12 months for business discussions.

Thank you for your replies.

I am sorry I probably failed to explain it clearly.

I have already obtained a work permit and single entry non-b from Thai consulate through a visa company that assisted in putting Thai employees on the paper. Then the consulate advised me to apply for an extension at immigration office in Thailand if I want a 1 year multiple non-b . The visa company is saying that an inspection from immigration is likely to happen once I apply for an extension in Thailand.

So I'm quite worried. Any ideas?

Thank you for your replies.

I am sorry I probably failed to explain it clearly.

I have already obtained a work permit and single entry non-b from Thai consulate through a visa company that assisted in putting Thai employees on the paper. Then the consulate advised me to apply for an extension at immigration office in Thailand if I want a 1 year multiple non-b . The visa company is saying that an inspection from immigration is likely to happen once I apply for an extension in Thailand.

So I'm quite worried. Any ideas?

Yes, they are correct that it can happen.

Alternatively Penang, Malaysia can issue multi-entry non-imm 'B' visa. For that you will need all the relevant paperwork and nine months remaining on the work permit. You will then need to do border hops every 90 days.

It would probably be best for you to apply for a multiple entry non-b visa in Penang if you have at least 8 months remaining on your work permit.

There is chance they may not even accept your application for an extension unless you have one year of tax records for your company. Do you have records of you being paid a salary of 50k baht? That is also one of the requirements.

I can tell you there's a high possibly they will check your office and said employees when renewing your work permit... It's just happened to a friend of mine for the first time in 8 yrs and he was told it would be standard practice now.

A off topic post has been removed.

To the OP if you can't afford a proper office or staffs why did you go that lane from the beginning with a None B visa.

I was almost 20 years on None B visas and never had a problem. If you do freelance work for a Thai company as them to withhold 15% tax on your overseas billings and you should be fine.

I have been doing it for such a long time and paid over 10 million Baht in the last 20 years on withholding taxes alone and I even billed government agencies in Thailand.

A work permit is only needed if you work for some small companies in Thailand, If you work for large companies with a minimum of 200 staffs you have absolute no problems.

Oh yes, never try to claim that withholding tax of 15% that was deducted from the fees you collected as this would trigger an audit by the government. Just markup your quote/bill by 15% and write it off.

This way if you want to apply to finance a car, apply for a credit card etc you don't need to have a work permit but they want to see the documents filed with the Revenue Department you have to make sure you have all those documents.

I am keeping all the records for at least 10 years in the past. Those revenue department receipts are Gold if you want to stay longterm in Thailand and don't claim the money.

You will get an inspection if you do an extension based on your current visa. This is routine now.

Thank you for your replies.

I am sorry I probably failed to explain it clearly.

I have already obtained a work permit and single entry non-b from Thai consulate through a visa company that assisted in putting Thai employees on the paper. Then the consulate advised me to apply for an extension at immigration office in Thailand if I want a 1 year multiple non-b . The visa company is saying that an inspection from immigration is likely to happen once I apply for an extension in Thailand.

So I'm quite worried. Any ideas?

Inspection of company/office sounds very correct.

If I was in your situation I would reconsider applying for extension of Non-B, as if you have done work in Thailand without a proper Work Permit, you may be in trouble. Better find another solution to stay in Thailand and keep a low profile “under the radar” with any work you may do...

To my knowledge you shall have a registered shareholder capital of minimum 2 million baht in a limited company, 4 Thai employees and at least one-year annual statement (best showing a profit), for 1 foreigner’s Work Permit.

Yes they do do inspections to verify the office and the employees. Even if they don't catch you this way they will get you if you don't pay SS for the 4 employees and yourself as well as tax. On each renewal of your non B visa and work permit they will check for the SS and taxes of the company. We pay taxes for me and the SS for 5 people (including me) and it costs about B 14 700 per month. After 3 years the company must show a profit and then there will be 20% company tax to pay on this.

Removed a troll post.