Visa Extension

[torrenova 644]

usually when you get a Non-Imm visa related to a company, the initial (first) visa is for 90 days, which can then be extended after you've applied for a work permit

 

in the case of a marriage visa it's for a year, but only if the cash is in a joint account with the wife or incoming funds (to LOS) are shown to be sufficient to support your spouse (& kids).

Totally wrong I'm afraid.

 

Your B is a multi entry, you do not have to go near a WP and it has nothing to do with a wife.

 

What you are referring to, I guess, is someone who has no visa, being offered a job, having to go to Penang for instance, where they would be given a single entry B visa valid for 90 days. If you get your WP sorted, then you do not get another B visa, you get an extension of stay based on your WP. Lose your WP and you have 7 days to get out of the country. That is why everyone with half a brain gets a multi B beforehand so if they lose their job and WP, they are not forced out in 7 days.

 

You have to get your head around the fact that WPs and B visas (or indeed any visa) are not related.

 

I have a company (UK) which could give you a B visa and there would never be any issue of getting a WP.

 

Even your understanding of extensions based upon marriage (there is no marriage visa) are wrong. The Bt400k needs to be in a bank for 2 months first time and 3 months subsequent times or you can show 40k a month from overseas or tax receipts for 40k a month earned in Thailand. No need for any joint accounts at all.

[SlipSlopSlap 186]

Hi wonder,

 

Not sure if you just need 60+30 or need to keep extending...

 

I am planning a 3 month visit next July (LSL) so have started investigating on the net. I got lots of different views of what is possible, but some seem dated and conflicting (not having a go at anybody here). Also some implication on a stickman page that re-entry visas were not as simple or safe anymore BUT NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGUMENT WITH ALL THE EXPERTS WHO ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW :-)

 

What I want to point out is 3 weeks ago I rang the thai consulate in Melbourne and explained I wanted 3 months holiday and needed to check that I could get a 60 day visa and exit and come back for 30 days, that this was all generally kosher blah bla...

 

He immediately pulled me up and said no, get a Non Immigrant Type 'O' visa for 90 days, I just needed some basic documents (I think passport, birth certificate, maybe something else, I don't have my notes to hand) and that was it. Simple. He also cleared up another confusion for me which was that the length of validit included the stay so I shouldn't apply till next April.

 

Now, his advice seemd far too easy after all the border run stuff i had read (including the 1 day border run bus trips to Lao(??) at baht2000 which is nice to know if needed), I am still to verify that this guy wasn't on first day of work in the consulate and gave me wrong advice!!

 

Anyway, the excerpt is below (and no, he said the type 'O' only needs basic docs, not all the stuff mentioned in the full blurb) .

 

The Thai embassey in Canberra and the Thai consulate in Sydney don't have the exact same wording in their explanations on their web sites (and melb doesn't even have a web site), but nothing to contradict my melb consulate advice).

 

 

Attached is a visa doc I *think* from the sydney site.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

2.3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa is designed for applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes.

- to perform official duties (Category "F")

2

- to conduct business / to work (Category "B")

- to invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned (Category "IM")

- to invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion (Category "IB")

- to study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour , to participate in projects or seminars , to attend a conference or training course , to study as a foreign Buddhist monk (Category "ED")

- to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter (Category "M")

- to perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned (Category "R")

- to conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute (Category "RS")

- to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist (Category "EX")

- other activities (Category "O")

info_visa.pdf

[wonder6281 0]

Hi wonder,

 

Not sure if you just need 60+30 or need to keep extending...

 

I am planning a 3 month visit next July (LSL) so have started investigating on the net. I got lots of different views of what is possible, but some seem dated and conflicting (not having a go at anybody here). Also some implication on a stickman page that re-entry visas were not as simple or safe anymore BUT NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGUMENT WITH ALL THE EXPERTS WHO ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW :-)

 

What I want to point out is 3 weeks ago I rang the thai consulate in Melbourne and explained I wanted 3 months holiday and needed to check that I could get a 60 day visa and exit and come back for 30 days, that this was all generally kosher blah bla...

 

He immediately pulled me up and said no, get a Non Immigrant Type 'O' visa for 90 days, I just needed some basic documents (I think passport, birth certificate, maybe something else, I don't have my notes to hand) and that was it. Simple. He also cleared up another confusion for me which was that the length of validit included the stay so I shouldn't apply till next April.

 

Now, his advice seemd far too easy after all the border run stuff i had read (including the 1 day border run bus trips to Lao(??) at baht2000 which is nice to know if needed), I am still to verify that this guy wasn't on first day of work in the consulate and gave me wrong advice!!

 

Anyway, the excerpt is below (and no, he said the type 'O' only needs basic docs, not all the stuff mentioned in the full blurb) .

 

The Thai embassey in Canberra and the Thai consulate in Sydney don't have the exact same wording in their explanations on their web sites (and melb doesn't even have a web site), but nothing to contradict my melb consulate advice).

 

 

Attached is a visa doc I *think* from the sydney site.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

2.3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa is designed for applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes.

- to perform official duties (Category "F")

2

- to conduct business / to work (Category "B")

- to invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned (Category "IM")

- to invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion (Category "IB")

- to study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour , to participate in projects or seminars , to attend a conference or training course , to study as a foreign Buddhist monk (Category "ED")

- to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter (Category "M")

- to perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned (Category "R")

- to conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute (Category "RS")

- to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist (Category "EX")

- other activities (Category "O")

 

 

Thanks for that. I have saved it and will definitely read it. All I want is to come to Thailand in about August for 3 months stay only. I don't want to do Visa runs or anything else. If it is as simple as explained to you then it might be the better avenue for me. Besides I think I will be making far more frequent and prolonged visits to Thailand once my lady has the baby.

 

Cheers

[joekicker 53]

2.3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa is designed for applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes.

 

Excellent, yes, these are the categories which get you a one-year-at-a-time non-immigrant and you never again have to leave Thailand, and can be renewed quickly and easily annually at the immigration office nearest you.

 

This is a good guide - make sure you update the info at immigration if you're about to get a visa, the regulations change -- but this is an excellent, informative start for anyone who wants to live in Thailand.

 

.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Totally wrong I'm afraid.

 

Your B is a multi entry, you do not have to go near a WP and it has nothing to do with a wife.

 

What you are referring to, I guess, is someone who has no visa, being offered a job, having to go to Penang for instance, where they would be given a single entry B visa valid for 90 days. If you get your WP sorted, then you do not get another B visa, you get an extension of stay based on your WP. Lose your WP and you have 7 days to get out of the country. That is why everyone with half a brain gets a multi B beforehand so if they lose their job and WP, they are not forced out in 7 days.

 

You have to get your head around the fact that WPs and B visas (or indeed any visa) are not related.

 

I have a company (UK) which could give you a B visa and there would never be any issue of getting a WP.

 

Andy,

 

I don't think getting an initial Multi-entry B-Type from Penang is as simple as you seem to indicate. Normally, the initial B-Type must come from your home country. The last info I had from Penang was that they would only issue a subsequent B-Type if the application was supported with a WP with a further 9-12 months validity. It might be different this week, and change again next week.

 

The remainder of the advice is good. It may be more convenient to get an extension rather than a multi-entry but it will be a lot more inconvenient if your job and WP go down the pan.

[torrenova 644]

Andy,

 

I don't think getting an initial Multi-entry B-Type from Penang is as simple as you seem to indicate. Normally, the initial B-Type must come from your home country. The last info I had from Penang was that they would only issue a subsequent B-Type if the application was supported with a WP with a further 9-12 months validity. It might be different this week, and change again next week.

 

The remainder of the advice is good. It may be more convenient to get an extension rather than a multi-entry but it will be a lot more inconvenient if your job and WP go down the pan.

 

You won't get a multi entry B from a nearby consulate or embassy (some exceptions I agree). If you had a job offer, you could get your multi B from Hull in the UK. You could use your job offer letter or any number of other reasons to get it. Very easy. However, if you arrive without a multi B or never had a job offer, say you were on holiday and then got a job offer, you need to get a non imm visa. It does not have to be a B, but if you take all the paperwork to Penang for instance, then you'll get a single entry because they want your stay to be connected to your WP, which the extension of stay, based upon the WP gives you. If your WP is not sorted out in 90 days, then you are back on the plane with all the documents again to start at the beginning. That is another reason to get a non imm, O or B, before you go, so that if it takes time, you just jump a land border to get another 90 days.

 

Once you have a WP, you don't need a visa as your extension is based upon your WP. It is so shitty that if you lost your job, you only have 7 days to leave. You could have been there for 30 years and they give you 7 days. The next step is to go PR and do away with the visas altogether.

 

You are right that you may well be able to go to Penang and get a multi B if you have a WP with long validity (can be up to 2 years now) but you would not need that visa to stay in LOS as you would have the extension of stay. It is a safeguard, but another trip to Penang and no guarantee of getting it anyway.

 

The system is so fucked it is madness and that is why I chucked it a while ago. Cost, red tape, yes, no , maybe, who the fuck knows. Just easier to get one from Hull or Oz. Even go to Cambodia (or just outside LOS) and Fed Ex your passport and documents to a mate who sends it to Hull and then Fed Exs it back to you in wherever and you go back to Thailand with a new multi good for another 15 months. All this confirmed as legal by Hull. I have the emails. There even used to be a hidden web page on Hull's website.

 

Now I'm fine. Extension due to the baby with some cash in the bank. Could even go PR if I paid tax !!!

[LocalYokul 217]

I've gotten most of my Non-Imm B visas with a company letter in S'Pore & they give you a 90-day initially & then you've got to apply for a Work Permit & then the visa is extended to match the expiration date on the Work Permit

 

I have arranged my own visa a couple of times, one year multiple entry Non-Imm, which lasted 15 months if you time the last entry correctly, but I never tried to do two of those back to back

 

the bit about cash needing to be in a joint account for a "marriage" visa must be depending on what Immigration office you go to. I knew guys who had it that way for years & some of them moved their money into their own account after reaching retirement age

 

many different experiences can be had when dealing with Immigration & Consulates. The Thai Embassy in HCMC, Vietnam was pretty relaxed the last time I went there to get a one-year Non-Imm, but I've heard that currently they only issue 90-day ones

 

here are the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidelines :

 

Non-Imm B

 

Non-Imm O

 

 

there's plenty about it on ThaiVisa.com

Edited January 1, 2010 by LocalYokul

[torrenova 644]

I've gotten most of my Non-Imm B visas with a company letter in S'Pore & they give you a 90-day initially & then you've got to apply for a Work Permit & then the visa is extended to match the expiration date on the Work Permit

 

No, the visa is not extended. What you get is an extension of stay linked to your WP. This is nothing to do with a visa.

 

I have arranged my own visa a couple of times, one year multiple entry Non-Imm, which lasted 15 months if you time the last entry correctly, but I never tried to do two of those back to back

 

No problems there.

 

the bit about cash needing to be in a joint account for a "marriage" visa must be depending on what Immigration office you go to. I knew guys who had it that way for years & some of them moved their money into their own account after reaching retirement age

 

There is no marriage visa. Again, you are given an extension of stay for up to one year. The amount required is Bt400,000 or Bt40,000 a month and if earned in Thailand, it must be backed with Thai tax paperwork showing the tax paid. The ability for you to add your income and hers is no longer applicable and has been withdrawn. It is true that arsehole immigration centres like Pattaya have requested more than Bt400,000. I was asked to show Bt500,000. The law is Bt400,000.

 

many different experiences can be had when dealing with Immigration & Consulates. The Thai Embassy in HCMC, Vietnam was pretty relaxed the last time I went there to get a one-year Non-Imm, but I've heard that currently they only issue 90-day ones

 

here are the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidelines :

 

Non-Imm B

 

Non-Imm O

 

 

there's plenty about it on ThaiVisa.com

[LocalYokul 217]

now you're just arguing semantics, I know how the system works & how to get those long term visas which is all that I'm worried about

 

the marriage visa is called a dependent visa, but there's not much (if any) info on MFA's site about that

 

when the Immigration officers talk about extending your stay associated with a Work Permit they use the term "Dtoh Visa", which means continue/extend the visa, so in their mind it IS an extension of the visa

 

I've got 3 passports filled with stamps to LOS so I do know WTF I am talking about

 

 

BTW, the person you originally suggested to get a Non-Imm visa to on this thread is doubtfully going to be sending his passport to anyone in or near Hull to get a visa. The best he's gotten was a multi-year visa out of Taipei, but that was long enough ago & now his employer doesn't have a business in LOS, at least not yet.

 

not to mention he's never concerned himself with this kind of thing & prefers to do things in the simplest manner he knows how, LOL

Edited January 2, 2010 by LocalYokul

[rogero 4]

Thanks for that. I have saved it and will definitely read it. All I want is to come to Thailand in about August for 3 months stay only. I don't want to do Visa runs or anything else. If it is as simple as explained to you then it might be the better avenue for me. Besides I think I will be making far more frequent and prolonged visits to Thailand once my lady has the baby.

 

Cheers

 

I agree with you as that is my intention too, SlipSS has supplied some great info there & I also have saved the post and the link to that doc,

I couldn't d/l this doc from the UK Hull embassy site for some reason but apart from the Ozzie refs its basically the same,

 

Even though the thread evolved into the usual pissing contest & petty bickering, there was still a lot of helpful stuff there, so thanks guys

 

BTW congrats on your forthcoming addition to the family,

 

rogero