Visa Run

[mumx4]

Hi guys,

I am sure this has been asked but did a search & could not find it....

I have a Philippino maid who goes to the boarder each month & I want to know how much it would cost for her to get her passport stamped & for her to catch a bus from Bangkok to the boarder.

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Believe the visa run service change from 1,800 to 2,200 but most are 2,000 baht to include transport/vise fee/lunch and handholding.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Hi guys,

I am sure this has been asked but did a search & could not find it....

I have a Philippino maid who goes to the boarder each month & I want to know how much it would cost for her to get her passport stamped & for her to catch a bus from Bangkok to the boarder.

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks

If she takes a visa bus, its 1,000 Baht. ( They do not have to pay the 1,000 Baht Visa to enter Cambodia )

If she takes the Casino bus in front of Lumpini Park. It's 400 Baht. ( 200 Baht more if she wants to come back early)

Be aware some busses have signs " No Filipinos Allowed" as they like to be the show, talking to all their friends a mile a minute. The last thing some Farang guy wants to hear so they complain and hence the signs.

Be aware of the new laws since Oct 1st. Her days are numbered unless you get her legal. Even though this report is for a Nanny, it works as well for a maid.

How to keep your Foreign Nanny in Thailand Legally

We have had quite a number of calls and concern by foreign families that were worried about their foreign nanny needing to leave their family in Thailand, because of the visa enforcement. In all cases the nanny was doing a 30 day visa run. Many nannies were Filipinos who were hired because they speak English. We also have been called to help with the foreign housekeeper, cook or maid.

Understandably, many were quite emotional the strain it was causing on their kids and the nanny. When we have helped them, it has been like a heavy box of rocks coming off their shoulder. You can see the joy the nanny and they as an employer can now be legal. We would like to share the requirements and costs.

Requirement

The easiest criteria to meet, is someone must be paying 50,000 Baht personal income tax per year. This ‘someone” can be a foreigner with a work permit or a Thai national. This foreigner or Thai does not need to have a company. For every 50,000 tax paid per year, up to three people can be employed. Example: you paid 200,000 Baht in tax last year you can employ three foreigners.

Proof of this income is the last three months of Phor Ngor Dor.1 (Personal Income tax form filed on a monthly basis) and Phor Ngor Dor.91 ( Filed on a yearly basis in March) If you do not have a Phor Ngor Dor.91 because you have not been working in Thailand, this is not a problem. However you must have the last three months of Phor Ngor Dor.1 (Personal Income tax form filed on a monthly basis)

We also need a copy of the work permit and passport, if it’s a foreign employer.

Also is needed a copy of the rental agreement from the landlord of the residence and the employer.

From the nanny we just need her resume and copy of passport. Later after she gets the WP3, we’ll need a doctor's certificate stating she is in good health (this can be arranged quickly in Thailand and generally costs less than 500 baht and usually does not required any actual exam) as well as three color, 4 by 5 centimeter photos.

The nanny will need to Kuala Lumpur "KL" or Penang with the WP3 and a letter from the employer's employer that you make X amount of Baht, length of employment and position. If the employer's employer is the director and shareholder of the company, please provide a copy of the company affidavit. (signed by the director and stamped) If the nanny is going to Singapore, they must take the company affidavit and letter from the employer, even if the employer is not a director or a shareholder of the employers company.)

Please note: You do not have to have a company to employ a nanny, it's only required to get the letter from the company you yourself work for.

Required Documents to get your Nanny the WP3/ Visa and work permit:

Last three months of Phor Ngor Dor.1 (Personal Income tax form filed on a monthly basis) Your Employer's accountant will have this.

Phor Ngor Dor.91 ( Filed on a yearly basis in March) Your Employer's accountant will have this.

Work Permit ( If a Foreign Employer)

Passport ( If a Foreign Employer)

Thai ID ( If a Thai Employer)

Rental Agreement of the Residence ( If you own your own home/condo, copy of the household registration or deed)

Letter from the employer's employer (that you as an employee make X amount of Baht, length of employment and position... if you are a shareholder or director, attach the affidavit of the company as well. If the nanny is going to Singapore, attached the affidavit of the company in all cases)

Resume ( From the Nanny)

Photo ( three 4 x 5 cms photos of the Nanny

Copy of Passport ( From the Nanny)

Medical Certificate ( From the Nanny obtained at the Hospita/Clinic... just tell them its for the work permit)

Cost

The total cost to get your foreign nanny legal and able to live here, is quite low. The first year, it is only 3,283 Baht per month. This cost includes the plane, hotel, visa bus, government fees and Sunbelt professional fees.

The second year, the cost is only 2,175 per month.

The Breakdown is this

1st year

Professional Fees

WP3 submission 3,900 Baht

Work permit 6,500 Baht

Work permit revalidation (every 90 days @ 1,600 Baht) 4,800 Baht

15,200 Baht

Work permit Government paid at the Labor Dept. 3,400 Baht

First 90 day visa ( paid at the Embassy) 1, 800 Baht

One year Multi entry ( paid at the Embassy) 5,000 Baht

2 trips to Penang or KL ( Flight, Hotel, taxi) 12,000 Baht

2 Visa Bus trips to the border 2,000 Baht

39,400 Baht or 3,283 Baht per month

Second year

Work permit renewal 3,900 Baht

Work permit revalidation 4,800 Baht

Total Professional Fees 8,700 Baht

Government fees for WP 3,400 Baht

One Year Multi Entry Visa 5,000 Baht

One Trip to Penang or KL 6,000 Baht

Visa Bus (three trips) 3,000 Baht

26,100 Baht or 2,175 Baht per month

What is the Process?

The first step is to apply for the Wp3. (Takes approximate 12 days)

The second step is to apply for the 90 day visa at KL, Penang or Singapore (Takes two days)

The third step is to apply for the work permit (Takes three business days)

The forth step is for the nanny to go before the 90 day visa period expires to "KL" or Penang, show the work permit and obtain a one year non immigrant visa. ( Two days)

The fifth step is to revalidate the work permit In Thailand and get an additional 90 days to correspond with the visa (One day)

The sixth step is to cross the border before 90 days is up.

The seventh step is to revalidate the work permit for an additional 90 days to correspond to the 90 day visa. (One day)

The eight step is for the nanny to cross the border before 90 days is up.

The ninth step is to revalidate the work permit for an additional 90 days to correspond to the 90 day visa. (One day)

The tenth step is for the nanny to cross the border before 90 days is up.

The eleventh step is to renew the annual work permit for an additional 90 days to correspond to the 90 day visa. (One week)

This is the whole cycle for the first year.

Penalty

Most people were not aware of the danger having a foreign nanny working for them without a work permit.

A person that permits a nanny to work without a required work permit can be punished with imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine up to 60,000 baht.

The penalty for the nanny working without a Thai work permit could also amount to imprisonment not exceeding three months and/or a fine up to 5,000 baht.

Privileges of a Thai Work Permit for the Nanny

• Purchase of vehicle.

• Subscription to Mobile Phone network.

• Opening of Current Bank Account

• Application for Bank Debit Card.

• Application for Visa to travel to another country.(Required by some embassies).

VISA

Some have wondered why the nanny has to leave the country every 90 days by a visa run, even with a work permit. The extension of stay based on business requires a company not a natural person to apply on behalf of the applicant. She is legally able to get a one year multi entry visa with the work permit. ( Outside the country)

Restricted Occupations

A number of foreigners were surprised that we could list “nanny” as the job title.

The Thai Royal Decree in 1973 listed 39 occupations and professions that were then prohibited to aliens. This list has been amended on several occasions by subsequent Royal Decrees, the latest one in 1979.

• Labor

• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision

• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work

• Wood carving

• Driving motor vehicles or non-motorized carriers, except for piloting international aircraft

• Shop attendant

• Auctioning

• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing

• Gem cutting and polishing

• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work

• Hand weaving

• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp

• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper

• Manufacture of lacquerware

• Thai musical instrument production

• Manufacture of nielloware

• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work

• Manufacture of bronzeware

• Thai doll making

• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets

• Alms bowl making

• Manual silk product making

• Buddha image making

• Manufacture of knives

• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication

• Shoemaking

• Hat making

• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business

• Dressmaking

• Pottery or ceramics

• Manual cigarette rolling

• Legal or litigation service

• Clerical or secretarial work

• Manual silk reeling and weaving

• Thai character type-setting

• Hawking business

• Tourist guide or tour organization agency

• Architectural work

• Civil engineering work

As you can see “ Nanny” is not a restricted occupation.

Salary

Some employers thought in order to get the nanny a work permit in Thailand they must pay a Filipinos 35,000 Baht. The 35,000 baht monthly salary refers to the amount of money you need in order to get an extension of stay for business. As the employer is a natural person, the nanny cannot even apply for this extension, so it’s not applicable.

By the way even if the employer is a Thai company, the nanny is still able to stay and work in Thailand with an income of even just 10,000 baht a month but without the convenience of extending her permit to stay without having to leave the country every 90 days.

Thai employees

A common misconception by many is in order to apply for a work permit, the employer must employ four Thai employees. This is not true, that it is required. However, if the employer (natural person) does meet this objective. They can employ a foreigner for every four Thai employees, the maximum being three foreigners. If they do meet the criteria, the tax of 50,000 Baht per year for the employer ( natural person) does not apply.

Migrant Workers Registration

This is a special program that the Thai government lets workers from Burma, Laos or Cambodia to register for. Only workers from these three countries are allowed. However be aware the registration period for migrant work permits in 2006 ended this year on March 30th 2006. If your nanny qualifies they are given a special Thai ID and work permit, with no need to travel.

This year, employers were required to pay a deposit of either 10,000 or 50,000 Baht for each migrant hired depending on their ID status.

We look forward to helping your family. You can reach our office at 02-642-0213 Monday to Friday 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

Copyright, 2006 © Sunbelt Asia Co., Ltd

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[tropo]

If she takes a visa bus, its 1,000 Baht. ( They do not have to pay the 1,000 Baht Visa to enter Cambodia )

If she takes the Casino bus in front of Lumpini Park. It's 400 Baht. ( 200 Baht more if she wants to come back early)

Be aware some busses have signs " No Filipinos Allowed" as they like to be the show, talking to all their friends a mile a minute. The last thing some Farang guy wants to hear so they complain and hence the signs.

Thanks for the information on Filipinos being loud and inconsiderate. I've been in the Philippines for 7 years and currently live with my Filipino girlfriend in Thailand.

From my own personal experience they are as quiet as mice. You wouldn't hear a peep from my girl on a visa run. They must learn something in Thailand.

I will say that racist comments like that will not help your business at all and it's surprising you needed to get that off your chest...and you might wonder if it's legal to preclude people from certain countries from using a bus in Thailand.

I did notice that very few foreigners speak on visa run buses/vans and generally are a very surly bunch of people. There's something very serious about visa runs that seems to precludes conversation.

Regarding pricing of visa runs, in Pattaya it'll cost 1000 on most visa run services. Some try to squeeze an extra 200 for the stamp.

One service here charges 400 for Filipinos and I've never seen any signs on any buses in Pattaya.

Edited October 16, 2006 by tropo

[visarunner]

The ,so called , service fee at the Cambodian border is THB 200.- for Phil,Malay,Laotian and S'porean.

Various possibilities to go to the border, casino bus ,regular Bus from Morchit , with these option please prepare her THB10-20k best in a bank a/c , since the Immigration often ask them.

This is std procedure and stipulated in the Immigration act.

If they come with a organized tour ,they no need to worry.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Thanks for the information on Filipinos being loud and inconsiderate. I've been in the Philippines for 7 years and currently live with my Filipino girlfriend in Thailand.

From my own personal experience they are as quiet as mice. You wouldn't hear a peep from my girl on a visa run. They must learn something in Thailand.

I will say that racist comments like that will not help your business at all and it's surprising you needed to get that off your chest...and you might wonder if it's legal to preclude people from certain countries from using a bus in Thailand.

I have never used a visa bus service, so have no idea, if signs are on the busses or how Filipino's act on the busses.

The comment of why they cannot take certain busses came from the Filipinos themselves, and why you'll find some busses have signs “No Filipinos allowed"

I myself was shocked when I heard that about the sign. Whenever I confirm this story a number of times with other Filipino's, they would laugh over and over again about how some Filipinos drive some Farang crazy because it’s a special day off, and some Filipino's can finally talk.

Would doubt if any firm In Thailand has helped more Filipino than us. Filipinos are close knit and one after another have refer our firm over and over again, and why we have more than over 100 Filipino clients and these are not counting any of the employer/nanny cases.

We have found Filipino to be great people and good clients that are always very polite. If you said we made a racist comment, they would laugh very hard at that, as they know its complete opposite.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[tropo]

Would doubt if any firm In Thailand has helped more Filipino than us. Filipinos are close knit and one after another have refer our firm over and over again, and why we have more than over 100 Filipino clients and these are not counting any of the employer/nanny cases.

We have found Filipino to be great people and good clients that are always very polite. If you said we made a racist comment, they would laugh very hard at that, as they know its complete opposite.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thank you for a clarification on that point.

You can understand how "surprised" I would be to see a bus with the sign "no Filipinos allowed", just as other people would be more than surprised to see a bus with for example "No Americans allowed", "no British allowed" etc.

If people are too noisy on a bus, it's not difficult to ask them respectfully to quieten down. As you know, Filipinos would not go out of their way to "bother" other people.

[otherstuff1957]

The 'No Filipinos allowed' sign might have something to do with the fact that Filipinos don't have to pay for the 1000baht Cambodian Visa. So, the visa run companies can either collect an extra 1000b for nothing for a Filipino customer or charge them 1000 baht less. I suspect that they would have troubles either way & so just want to avoid the issue.

[tropo]

The 'No Filipinos allowed' sign might have something to do with the fact that Filipinos don't have to pay for the 1000baht Cambodian Visa. So, the visa run companies can either collect an extra 1000b for nothing for a Filipino customer or charge them 1000 baht less. I suspect that they would have troubles either way & so just want to avoid the issue.

The opposite is true for a lot of visa run services in Pattaya.

Most visa run operations here charge 1000 - 1200 for my Filipino girlfriend to do a run to Cambodia. At that rate, they're making the same on her as they do on my 2000...because she does not need a visa in Cambodia and hence does not need to pay the 1000 baht for that.