Obtaining Non Immigrant B from Hong Kong (Before WP application)

[FrisoP]

Hi all,

I have heard that Hong Kong is now the only place in the worl where one can apply and obtain a Non Imm B visa without having already applied for a Work Permit. This was before possible in Singapore, but they have stopped doing this around Chinese New Year.

Can anyone confirm that this is still possible in Hong Kong?

Thanks a lot.

[ubonjoe]

I can recall a report of a person getting one there with a work permit application approval letter.

It does not appear as a requirement on their website, http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/web/3015.php?s=4049

[Maestro]

You should be able to get a non-B visa without a work permit application in any country if you are employed by a company in that country and your employer requires you to travel to Thailand for business purposes.

[FrisoP]

Thanks Ubonjoe. It is not possible anymore to get one without the approval letter in Singapore these days. Hong Kong is reportedly the only option left. Just wondered if anyone was able to confirm this. Their website indeed show that, gives hope.

@Maestro

In this case I am employed by a Thai company and I am living in Thailand.

[digitalchromakey]

Thanks Ubonjoe. It is not possible anymore to get one without the approval letter in Singapore these days. Hong Kong is reportedly the only option left. Just wondered if anyone was able to confirm this. Their website indeed show that, gives hope.

@Maestro

In this case I am employed by a Thai company and I am living in Thailand.

So, just take your Work Permit, you don't need a WP3 Receipt/Letter of Acceptance from Labour if you already have a WP.

[FrisoP]

Sorry, I mean. I will be employed by a Thai company.

[ubonjoe]

Instead of going all the way to Hong Kong to get a visa why don't you wait until the work permit application is done an the then go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get it. That is what most people do.

[tookwan cottage]

Instead of going all the way to Hong Kong to get a visa why don't you wait until the work permit application is done an the then go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get it. That is what most people do.

Is it possible for a company to apply for a work permit on behalf of a person without a non-B, though?

[blackcab]

Hong Kong didn't need the approval letter 3 months ago.

[Mario2008]

Instead of going all the way to Hong Kong to get a visa why don't you wait until the work permit application is done an the then go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get it. That is what most people do.

Is it possible for a company to apply for a work permit on behalf of a person without a non-B, though?

Yes, that is no problem. The person will not get the work permit but a form and a letter informing the consulate that a work permit wil be issued once the person has the correct visa.

[ubonjoe]

Instead of going all the way to Hong Kong to get a visa why don't you wait until the work permit application is done an the then go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get it. That is what most people do.

Is it possible for a company to apply for a work permit on behalf of a person without a non-B, though?

Of course it is possible. It is done all the time.

[FrisoP]

That would be the best option yes, but there is no time. My old employer will cancel my Non B as well as WP next week, so I need to leave anyway. WP papers will not be in time for this. That's why I need a Non B without needing the WP papers to give my laywer more time to prepare all WP documents for my own company.

Now another question, because I need to leave on the same day of cancelation and the flight to HK will go at 5 PM, I don't want to risk missing that flight. I might as well overstay one day and leave the next day being sure all is done (Immigration can take hours as you all know, and there is also the traveling time between Immigration and Labour department) - Anyway, would I be at any risk overstaying one day having a canceled Non B in my passport?

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

You can go to immigration a few days before the cancellation date and they will post date the cancellation.

[digitalchromakey]

That would be the best option yes, but there is no time. My old employer will cancel my Non B as well as WP next week, so I need to leave anyway. WP papers will not be in time for this. That's why I need a Non B without needing the WP papers to give my laywer more time to prepare all WP documents for my own company.

Now another question, because I need to leave on the same day of cancelation and the flight to HK will go at 5 PM, I don't want to risk missing that flight. I might as well overstay one day and leave the next day being sure all is done (Immigration can take hours as you all know, and there is also the traveling time between Immigration and Labour department) - Anyway, would I be at any risk overstaying one day having a canceled Non B in my passport?

Thanks

Usual question - do you in fact have an extension of permission to stay based on working in the Kingdom of Thailand, because you can't in fact cancel non 'B' visas?

[FrisoP]

That would be the best option yes, but there is no time. My old employer will cancel my Non B as well as WP next week, so I need to leave anyway. WP papers will not be in time for this. That's why I need a Non B without needing the WP papers to give my laywer more time to prepare all WP documents for my own company.

Now another question, because I need to leave on the same day of cancelation and the flight to HK will go at 5 PM, I don't want to risk missing that flight. I might as well overstay one day and leave the next day being sure all is done (Immigration can take hours as you all know, and there is also the traveling time between Immigration and Labour department) - Anyway, would I be at any risk overstaying one day having a canceled Non B in my passport?

Thanks

Usual question - do you in fact have an extension of permission to stay based on working in the Kingdom of Thailand, because you can't in fact cancel non 'B' visas?

I do, but in this case, by canceling my WP it would be not possible to get a new WP on that same Non B, that's why I need a fresh new Non B that needs to be extended to one year after my new WP is granted.

[digitalchromakey]

That would be the best option yes, but there is no time. My old employer will cancel my Non B as well as WP next week, so I need to leave anyway. WP papers will not be in time for this. That's why I need a Non B without needing the WP papers to give my laywer more time to prepare all WP documents for my own company.

Now another question, because I need to leave on the same day of cancelation and the flight to HK will go at 5 PM, I don't want to risk missing that flight. I might as well overstay one day and leave the next day being sure all is done (Immigration can take hours as you all know, and there is also the traveling time between Immigration and Labour department) - Anyway, would I be at any risk overstaying one day having a canceled Non B in my passport?

Thanks

Usual question - do you in fact have an extension of permission to stay based on working in the Kingdom of Thailand, because you can't in fact cancel non 'B' visas?

I do, but in this case, by canceling my WP it would be not possible to get a new WP on that same Non B, that's why I need a fresh new Non B that needs to be extended to one year after my new WP is granted.

Sorry, I don't understand.

Either you do have a non 'B' (obtained from a Thai consular facility outside of Thailand), or you don't (in that you are holding an extension of permission to stay based on working in the Kingdom of Thailand, obtained from your local Thai Immigration Department) - there is no in-between.

Non 'b' visas cannot be cancelled, extensions can.

If you do in fact hold a valid non immigrant 'b' 90 day visa entry, then there is nothing stopping a fresh WP being issued against said item, once your current WP is cancelled.

Edited June 25, 2015 by digitalchromakey

[FrisoP]

Ah ok. Sorry, yes it is a one year extension.

[zaphod reborn]

I just received a 3-month single entry non-B today in Hong Kong. No mention of needing a WP-3. I had a full package of company documents, but the embassy official only took the invitation letter and company business registration, returning the rest of the package to me. They did require a copy of my Hong Kong visa, which is no longer a stamp, but a piece of paper and small computer printout. Cost is 600 HKD. Collection is the next morning following submission.

Maestro - perhaps you could post this in latest visa reports in the region - Non-B, single-entry, Hong Kong

[digitalchromakey]

I just received a 3-month single entry non-B today in Hong Kong. No mention of needing a WP-3. I had a full package of company documents, but the embassy official only took the invitation letter and company business registration, returning the rest of the package to me. They did require a copy of my Hong Kong visa, which is no longer a stamp, but a piece of paper and small computer printout. Cost is 600 HKD. Collection is the next morning following submission.

Maestro - perhaps you could post this in latest visa reports in the region - Non-B, single-entry, Hong Kong

The invitation letter being from your future Thai employer, or was it an Acceptance Letter from your local Thai Labour Department?

One never has to supply form WP3 (used to apply for a WP on behalf of someone who has not yet entered Thailand) but one might be asked for a WP3 or WP1 Filing Receipt (A5 sized slip) as an alternative to the Letter of Acceptance from Labour.

Do you currently happen to live in HK?

[zaphod reborn]

I just received a 3-month single entry non-B today in Hong Kong. No mention of needing a WP-3. I had a full package of company documents, but the embassy official only took the invitation letter and company business registration, returning the rest of the package to me. They did require a copy of my Hong Kong visa, which is no longer a stamp, but a piece of paper and small computer printout. Cost is 600 HKD. Collection is the next morning following submission.

Maestro - perhaps you could post this in latest visa reports in the region - Non-B, single-entry, Hong Kong

The invitation letter being from your future Thai employer, or was it an Acceptance Letter from your local Thai Labour Department?

One never has to supply form WP3 (used to apply for a WP on behalf of someone who has not yet entered Thailand) but one might be asked for a WP3 or WP1 Filing Receipt (A5 sized slip) as an alternative to the Letter of Acceptance from Labour.

Do you currently happen to live in HK?

I changed jobs and live in BKK. Invitation letter was from my new employer. The embassy didn't ask for anything from labor, WP-1 or acceptance letter. This is my first MOL work permit in 8 years. I have been with BOI companies and going to KL for visas. Edited July 3, 2015 by zaphod reborn

[digitalchromakey]

I just received a 3-month single entry non-B today in Hong Kong. No mention of needing a WP-3. I had a full package of company documents, but the embassy official only took the invitation letter and company business registration, returning the rest of the package to me. They did require a copy of my Hong Kong visa, which is no longer a stamp, but a piece of paper and small computer printout. Cost is 600 HKD. Collection is the next morning following submission.

Maestro - perhaps you could post this in latest visa reports in the region - Non-B, single-entry, Hong Kong

The invitation letter being from your future Thai employer, or was it an Acceptance Letter from your local Thai Labour Department?

One never has to supply form WP3 (used to apply for a WP on behalf of someone who has not yet entered Thailand) but one might be asked for a WP3 or WP1 Filing Receipt (A5 sized slip) as an alternative to the Letter of Acceptance from Labour.

Do you currently happen to live in HK?

I changed jobs and live in BKK. Invitation letter was from my new employer. The embassy didn't ask for anything from labor, WP-1 or acceptance letter. This is my first MOL work permit in 8 years. I have been with BOI companies and going to KL for visas.

Thanks for that clarification.

So as you post, Hong Kong currently will issue a Single Entry 90 day Non Immigrant 'B' Visa on production of an Invitation Letter and company registration from a prospective Thai employer.

Almost like it was in SE Asia ten years ago and more, good to know, thank you.

[FrisoP]

Hi all,

Just wanted to report on my latest Hong Kong trip:

No problem to obtain Non B without Work Permit receed. Lady at the Consulate asked me what I would do, she saw I just canceled my old Non B and WP a day before. I told her I will go to apply for a new WP. She told me to come back next morning and there was a shining Single entry Non B in my passport. Fee is 600 HKD and the process takes two days.

She took invitation letter and company documents. All tax related documents were returned to me. So you need an invitation letter, company documents, copy of ID or passport of person who invited, copy of own passport together with Hong Kong visa (small paper)

Easy and hassle free.