Visa change from Tourist to Non-Immigrant B

[simonjeremy]

Hi,

I have read some subjects already posted but I would need some advice and info urgently.

I recently went to the Bangkok Immigration to apply for a visa change from Tourist to Non-Immigrant B.

(Documents are to be submitted 15 days before visa expiration).

My visa expires on 23rd December so I needed to apply before the 8th which is this coming Monday.

The immigration agent went through all the list of documents with me, everything was there but one:

"A copy of the evidence of education" which had to be certified by my embassy and by the Legalization Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

As my original diploma is somewhere in my house back in my home country, I will not be able to get it on time before Monday.

So I have to get out of the country to apply for the visa.

A few questions:

-How come I don't see this "certified evidence of education" on any of the Thai embassies website (requirement list). Do i need this document when applying from outside Thailand?

-Is the list of documents different when applying in another country?

-Now that I have to get out, do I need to certify this document in the country where I will be going, or in Thailand is enough?

-The embassy of Singapore is mentionning: "a recommendation letter from a company in Singapore".. Why would I need that?

-Which would be the safest embassy to apply knowing that I already have all the documents immigration asked me and I'm waiting to certify my university diploma before flying out?

Thanks in advance

[ubonjoe]

Are you working for a company or are you going to be teaching? That makes a difference in the documents required to get a visa and an extension of stay.

In order to apply for a non immigrant visa at immigration you need to meet the qualifications for an extension of stay. Those requirements will not be posted on an embassy website.

Do you have a work permit application approval letter form the Labor ministry?

[simonjeremy]

Are you working for a company or are you going to be teaching? That makes a difference in the documents required to get a visa and an extension of stay.

In order to apply for a non immigrant visa at immigration you need to meet the qualifications for an extension of stay. Those requirements will not be posted on an embassy website.

Do you have a work permit application approval letter form the Labor ministry?

Working for a company (hotel).

I am on a tourist visa already extended until 23rd December.

When i went to extend this tourist visa a couple of weeks ago, I have asked the list of documents needed to change to a Non-immigrant B.

So I have all these docs (except the evidence of education)

That includes:

- the usual application form, passport copy, photos..

- The company's letter explaining why they need to hire me

- Employment certification (Labor's Department application form) --> is this what you were talking about?

- copy of the company certificate

- copy of the company registration certificate

- copy of VAT registration certificate and memorandum of Association (list of shareholders)

- copy of financial statements

- copy of the company income tax returns

- copy of the list of income tax of Thai employees for the past 3 months

- photos of the building, environment, workplace...

- location map of the company

So are these documents enough to apply in another embassy? Or do I need this evidence of education? (Can the evidence be a letter from my university certifying that i passed the exams?)

Thanks for your time

[ubonjoe]

They seem to be going well over the normal requirements asking for an education certificate much less wanting the certification. See: 2.1 for documents required for an extension of stay of Immigration Bureau Order 138/2557

You have not been to an embassy yet.

Here is the embassy in Vientiane Laos requirements for the non-b.

"Non–Immigrant "B"

This type of visa is issued to applicant who wishes to enter the Kingdom for business purposes

Documents required are :
1. Recommendation letter from the employer addressed to the Embassy (stating about the employment and visa
application) and be accompanied with the certified copy of the ID of the endorser(s)
2. Employment contract
3. Form of the Employment Certification (Download Here)
4. Approval Letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand or Copy of the current work permit
5. Copy of corporate documents, namely;
- company registration certificate
- list of company shareholders
- memorandum of company’s regulation
- latest income tax statement
- latest registration of value added tax
- the name list of current foreign employees "

Source: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

​Number 4 is the letter of approval from the labor ministry I mentioned,

[simonjeremy]

They seem to be going well over the normal requirements asking for an education certificate much less wanting the certification. See: 2.1 for documents required for an extension of stay of Immigration Bureau Order 138/2557

You have not been to an embassy yet.

Here is the embassy in Vientiane Laos requirements for the non-b.

"Non–Immigrant "B"

This type of visa is issued to applicant who wishes to enter the Kingdom for business purposes

Documents required are :

1. Recommendation letter from the employer addressed to the Embassy (stating about the employment and visa

application) and be accompanied with the certified copy of the ID of the endorser(s)

2. Employment contract

3. Form of the Employment Certification (Download Here)

4. Approval Letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand or Copy of the current work permit

5. Copy of corporate documents, namely;

- company registration certificate

- list of company shareholders

- memorandum of company’s regulation

- latest income tax statement

- latest registration of value added tax

- the name list of current foreign employees "

Source: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

​Number 4 is the letter of approval from the labor ministry I mentioned,

I don't get why the list of documents is not the same for every embassy/immigration.

So on the list the immigration gave me, I don't see any mention of "Approval letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand".

That means that's another document we need to get now?

[ubonjoe]

Immigration has different requirements than an embassy. Embassies only issue visas.

immigration only has requirements to get an extension of stay and that is what you have to meet to get a non immigrant visa from them,

No sure what you now. If you only have the receipt for the work permit application it will not be enough.

In the requirements for an extension they call it a "an acknowledgment of application",

[simonjeremy]

I see, so one more document to ask for... damn it!

And about that certified evidence of education, should i still bother? or that would be useless once at an embassy? (or maybe i should just get it done for any other matter..)

The list you sent me mentions:
"10. Copy of social security contribution return for the latest month, as filed with the Social Security Office (Form Sor Por Sor.1-10) and payment receipt"

So i guess that's also an extra piece of documentation i need from my company now..

[ubonjoe]

That is for an extension of stay at immigration. You will not need it until after you get your non-b.

[simonjeremy]

So I thought I could understand the difference between extension of stay and visa but this got me confused.

When i went to the immigration, it was to change my visa from Tourist (already extended 30 days) to a non-immigrant B.

Why is it qualified an "extension of stay"?

My visa stamp will be changed to a non-immigrant B just as if I had applied abroad, no?

One more question: I heard that the Singapore embassy is the safest bet in terms of having no trouble to get the visa? Is this info any relevant?

[Mario2008]

The conversion is only done if you not only qualify for the visa itself, but also for an extension of stay.

Singapore is good only when you are a resident in Singapore.

[simonjeremy]

I have another question (probably more than one).

This is the list of documents provided by Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur:

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA (

1. Business / Employment Purpose

1. Original passport valid not less than 6 months with a copy of information page(s)
2. Visa application form duly filled out with one 4x6 cm. sized photograph (white / blue background taken within the past 6 months)
3. Copy of work permit
4. Letter of approval from the ministry of Labour
5. Documents required from the company in Thailand:

5.1 Letter indicating applicant’s name, passport number and the objective of the visit to Thailand, etc., requesting for Non-Immigration Type ‘B’ visa.
5.2 Copy of the company’s registration and business license.
5.3 Copy of the company’s list of shareholders.
5.4 Copy of the company’s latest balance sheet.
5.5 Copy of the company’s registration of value-added tax (VAT).
5.6 Map indicating the location of the company.

Number 3 shows "copy of work permit".. Is that like i saw in a few other lists (only if the applicant has previously worked in Thailand) or they actually want us to apply for the work permit before getting the visa?

To apply for a work permit, aren't we supposed to get the visa first?

And do all embassies have the same requirements on that?

[ubonjoe]

You do not need a non-b visa to apply for the work permit. You apply for it and and then when you have the visa they will issue it.

Info you posted should be 3 or 4.

Singapore is the only location in the region that I know of that will do the non-b without a work permit or a work permit application letter.

The Ministry or Foreign affairs states a work permit or a letter of approval for the application. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

[simonjeremy]

Thanks a lot for all your answers. I will look into it and make my plans.

Even though I'm quite sure i will ask more questions very soon!

[simonjeremy]

Yes actually.. does anyone know about that document from the list of Thai embassy in Singapore:

6. Recommendation letter from a company in Singapore (Original in the company’s letter head)

Would that mean that I need to work/live in Singapore if I want to apply there?

[ubonjoe]

That is to get a non-b for business purposes not working for a Thai company.

You can apply for the visa In Singapore but your paperwork will have to be perfect and chances are good that they will ask for something that is not the list. It is not the best place to apply for any visa.

[simonjeremy]

So you recommend Vientiane as the safest option, am I correct?

[ubonjoe]

Yes

They will ask for no more than is shown on the webpage I posted earlier.

[simonjeremy]

That's the kind of answers i like!

Thanks once again

[simonjeremy]

It does look like they make it complicated on purpose though..

When I call the embassy in Vientiane, the answering machine starts listing all required documents for non-B.. and the list is actually shorter than the one from the website / the one you gave me.

Some documents they don't even mention.

[ubonjoe]

There are different requirements for non-b visas based upon working and teaching. That is probably the differences you heard.

Look on the website to see what I mean.

[simonjeremy]

No no, I see what you mean..

But when I actually called the embassy, the lady (automatic message) literally starts reading the list you gave me.. starting exactly the same (first working then teaching) except she doesn't mention the approval letter, or certificate of employment nor the list of current foreign employees..

She goes:

"Documents required are :
1. Invitation letter and
2. Employment contract
3. Copy of the work permit if previous work
5. Copy of corporate documents, namely;
- company registration certificate
- list of company shareholders
- memorandum of company’s regulation
- latest income tax statement
- latest registration of value added tax

[ubonjoe]

I can confirm you will not get the non-b without all the documents listed on the website.

[mikecat]

They seem to toughening up in this area. For employment other than teaching they want to see evidence of education relevant to your employment i.e degree or diploma. As far as I know they only require copies and in my case they wanted letters from the providers of the cerificates to say I attended the courses. (Faxed or emailed ok). They also want to see relevant experience i.e resume and references. They will also want to see a work permit or letter showing that an application has been lodged.

If you dont have the required documents but can get them, they may grant a seven or thirty day extension.

As usual, this may vary from office to office and indeed officer to officer.

If you apply outside of the country it is usually easier as long as you have the all the work documents. They will give you ninety days which you will extend to twelve months in Thailand. This will give you time to get everything sorted.

[mikecat]

They seem to be going well over the normal requirements asking for an education certificate much less wanting the certification. See: 2.1 for documents required for an extension of stay of Immigration Bureau Order 138/2557

You have not been to an embassy yet.

Here is the embassy in Vientiane Laos requirements for the non-b.

"Non–Immigrant "B"

This type of visa is issued to applicant who wishes to enter the Kingdom for business purposes

Documents required are :

1. Recommendation letter from the employer addressed to the Embassy (stating about the employment and visa

application) and be accompanied with the certified copy of the ID of the endorser(s)

2. Employment contract

3. Form of the Employment Certification (Download Here)

4. Approval Letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand or Copy of the current work permit

5. Copy of corporate documents, namely;

- company registration certificate

- list of company shareholders

- memorandum of company’s regulation

- latest income tax statement

- latest registration of value added tax

- the name list of current foreign employees "

Source: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

​Number 4 is the letter of approval from the labor ministry I mentioned,

I don't get why the list of documents is not the same for every embassy/immigration.

So on the list the immigration gave me, I don't see any mention of "Approval letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand".

That means that's another document we need to get now?

The list they gave you is what they want, so this is what you have to get. You are right it does vary all over the place. It is easier to go to Laos where they will give you a non B for 90 days. However, you will need to extend to twelve months nearing the end of your ninety days and so will still have to supply the requested documents at this point.

My application for an extension last time was nearly two inches thick and I had to supply two copies of everything. No point in arguing if you want the extension just provide what they want.

[paz]

The list they gave you is what they want, so this is what you have to get. You are right it does vary all over the place. It is easier to go to Laos where they will give you a non B for 90 days. However, you will need to extend to twelve months nearing the end of your ninety days and so will still have to supply the requested documents at this point.

My application for an extension last time was nearly two inches thick and I had to supply two copies of everything. No point in arguing if you want the extension just provide what they want.

If one can't meet all the extension requirements, after having received the non-imm 'B' single-entry and the work permit, can travel to Penang to apply for a non-imm' b' multiple entry.

[mikecat]

So I thought I could understand the difference between extension of stay and visa but this got me confused.

When i went to the immigration, it was to change my visa from Tourist (already extended 30 days) to a non-immigrant B.

Why is it qualified an "extension of stay"?

My visa stamp will be changed to a non-immigrant B just as if I had applied abroad, no?

One more question: I heard that the Singapore embassy is the safest bet in terms of having no trouble to get the visa? Is this info any relevant?

Dont go to Singapore this will be no good to you unless you live in Singapore. Savanaket or Vietenne in Laos are your best bets.

They will give you a 90 day visa. You will then apply in Thailand for and extension of stay for the purpose of employment ( This is not a visa ) it means you have been granted permission to stay in the country for longer than the period mentioned on your original visa.

It is generally the case with non B extensions that they always require more than what is listed on the website. It is always best to check with your local immigration before going to find out the exact requirements for the extension.

Good luck

[simonjeremy]

Aaaaand I'm back!

Concerning that approval letter from the Ministry, my company says that I will get it when the work permit will be finished (which will take 7-15days).

Is that really the case? Does it take this long to get the letter?

[ubonjoe]

It should not take that long. It can done before the work permit is finished.

[simonjeremy]

Ok so here's my situation now:

My tourist visa expires on Tuesday 23rd (next week). I just gave my certificate of education (in French) to be translated. I will get it by tomorrow, then I will probably need to make it certified at the French embassy either tomorrow if im lucky or on Thursday.

From the moment I have this document, my company can apply for the WP (by Thursday or Friday).

There are very low probability I will have the Approval letter from Ministry before the 23rd, am I right?

As I have to leave the country on 23rd, I am now struggling to know if I should go to Vientiane (but what if the letter takes 1 week or more?...) or go to Jakarta where I have some friends.

From your knowledge or experience, is the embassy in Jakarta a reasonable bet? The requirement list doesn't seem to be that much different from the one on Vientiane website..

I'm relying on your wise advice and info on these dark days.

[ubonjoe]

I would apply for a 7 day extension if it is not ready by the 23rd rather than leaving the country. Then if not ready make a border hop for a a visa exempt entry.

I can't advise on Jakarta for getting the visa. I don't recall any reports for there,