Non B Visas

[lkv]

I have some questions and I'd appreciate if a moderator or someone with extensive knowledge could help me get an answer to them.

1. Is there any place in this world where Multiple Entry Non B visas are issued from the start and if so, what are the conditions?

2. Can a WP be issued before applying for a nonB, say while in Thailand on a tourist visa? (perhaps correlated to question 1).

3. If issued a single entry non B visa, what are the requirements to qualify for a 12 month extension in immigration?

3.1. Can you provide me with some examples of why someone would not qualify for an extension at the local immigration?

4. Particularly, if you don't qualify for a 12 month extension and after 3 months you apply for another non B at some consulate, will that non B be multiple entry and under what conditions?

5. As an addon to question 4, after how long can you start being issued with multiple entry nonB's and what are the requirements after 1 year to:

A. Extend in local immigration

B. Apply for another 12 month non B multiple.

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

1. Multiple entry non-b visa are issued a many embassies and consulates without a work permit but most are issued for business purposes not working. The only nearby location that will issue one is Penang and you need a work permit with 8 months of validity remaining.

2. A work permit can be applied for with a tourist visa entry but it will not be issued until the non-b is issued. All the nearby embassies and consulates will not issue a non-b visa without a work permit approval letter from the Labor Ministry,

3. Requirements to get an extension is in clause 2.1 and the annexes of Police Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay.

3.1 Minimum salary requirements are not met, Not enough Thai employees. Companies records do not meet the requirements.

4. It depends upon where your apply for the non-b visa (see 1).

5. If immigration denies accepting the application for the extension another attempt can be made as soon the reasons for the denial are resolved. You could immediately go out to get a multiple entry visa if the requirements could not be met.

If you got a multiple entry visa you could apply for a new one shortly before or after it expires.

[lkv]

1. Multiple entry non-b visa are issued a many embassies and consulates without a work permit but most are issued for business purposes not working. The only nearby location that will issue one is Penang and you need a work permit with 8 months of validity remaining.

2. A work permit can be applied for with a tourist visa entry but it will not be issued until the non-b is issued. All the nearby embassies and consulates will not issue a non-b visa without a work permit approval letter from the Labor Ministry,

3. Requirements to get an extension is in clause 2.1 and the annexes of Police Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay.

3.1 Minimum salary requirements are not met, Not enough Thai employees. Companies records do not meet the requirements.

4. It depends upon where your apply for the non-b visa (see 1).

5. If immigration denies accepting the application for the extension another attempt can be made as soon the reasons for the denial are resolved. You could immediately go out to get a multiple entry visa if the requirements could not be met.

If you got a multiple entry visa you could apply for a new one shortly before or after it expires.

Thanks for the detailed answer.

A. I know that nearby embassies won't do multiple entry nonB's for business purposes, but do you have any idea of friendlier embassies in Europe that would issue a multiple nonB for business purposes and if so, do you happen to have a link or pdf with requirements or classes of nonB visa (say nonB-M for instance or anything else that is relevant)

I guess the real question is...what is "business purposes" in their interpretation? Because as far as I understand Hull's previous interpretation of business purposes does not stick anymore? Or am I mistaken here?

B. In the second scenario, should a single be granted, should one not meet the extension requirements, would the friendly consulate in a nearby country want to see extension denied first? In other words, does one have to go through the process of getting denied first locally or can just directly visit the consulate again before the 90 days are up?

[ubonjoe]

A. Some may do the multiple non-b for business but most want documents from a company in the country where they are located.

See this page on MFA website: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

B. You could apply for a multiple entry non-b visa as soon as the work permit is issued.

C. Penang is the only nearby location that will issue a multiple entry non-b visa. As I wrote before you need a work permit with at least 8 months validity..

[lkv]

I deleted point C i was repeating myself.

So say one would want to start a small little business in Thailand. In principle, the company gets set up, then one applies for a WP, based on the application receipt and company docs gets a single nonB outside of Thailand, comes back to Thailand, gets the WP issued. Not hiring those 4 local employees immediately has no bearing on the issuance of the multiple nonB is my understanding correct?

[ubonjoe]

No 4 Thais requirement or minimum salary requirement to get the non-b visa.

[lkv]

Thanks.

So say one, because he is a terrible businessman, had too much of an enthusiastic business plan and things did not work out the way he wanted. So he is now in say month 4, the contracts that he expected to sign or get money for (from outside or within) did not materialize, he sees no sense in hiring those Thai people or paying himself a lot of salary because then he would be liable for a lot of tax. But he would like to retain his WP so that who knows, maybe a few months down the line the business prospects become more clear.

What would therefore be the minimum declarable wage? When you say there is no minimum can it be 1 baht per month or does it have to be the minimum wage for Thai people? (Like 300-400 baht per day)?

[expatbrit]

Perhaps the OP should read the content of the link

http://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=setting_up_a_business

[ubonjoe]

I don't think there is any minimum salary requirement to apply for a non-b visa.

[lkv]

Perhaps the OP should read the content of the link

http://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=setting_up_a_business

Thanks. I will read that and come back with some questions.

Thanks ubonjoe as well there's still something in the puzzle i need to work my head around by I'm sure I'll get there step by step.

[lkv]

I mean look, i have read that and I'm finding it very informative. But at the end of the day, all the technicalities would be looked after by an accounting firm if I choose that path.

The reason I'm asking these questions on the forum rather than go straight to the law firm is to get a better understanding of the mechanism and because I am looking at several other visa options.

I am aware that this is a sensitive topic and we've got to read between the lines, so I'm trying to phrase these questions in a way that they may not be misunderstood.

I appreciate ubonjoe's answers so far, they have been informative.

Let me put it in a different way: Should a company wish to become dormant after a while what would be the implications to the WP and the nonB visa? Anyone could provide an answer or link to that?