NON B visas and work permits and starting your own business

[gwmss15]

Hello,

I am coming to Thailand even if I fail my CELTA cert I have a business degree.

Question one. Can I still get the non b 12 month visa also are work permits still possible. If I need one will the immigration accept an online TEFL cert?

Question two. What other industries can non-thais work in?

Question three. Is there a limit to the number of 30-day passes you can get in a year?

I used to live in Malaysia and I had 50 plus stamps/passes in a year even though I had a visa because I went to Singapore every weekend they did not care how many I had.

Question 4. What would I need to do to set up my own English language school with my Thai partner?


This is a serious question so I would like help from anyone if possible

Thanks for your help guys

[The Enforcer!]

1. Qualifications must match the job - if your degree is not in languages, may not be acceptable but there care always ways around it!

2. One year Non-Immigration B Visa are issued in UK, US, Australia but NOT Singapore, Malaysia, HK for some reason. Once granted (and you will need a job offer letter to get one) it gives you access to look for work but NOT to start it.

3. I am told (others may know better) that you are not limited for Visa upon arrival (i.e. tourist Visas) although questions get asked after 3 or 4. A standard 3-month Tourist visa is limited to twice a year but that changes periodically. If you are seen to be going in/out/in/out they will often detain you for questioning as to how you earn money!

4. Thai Language school - very difficult to get MoE certificates I am told - also quite expensive. Best seek a quality lawyer here beforeyou start.

Hope this helps.

The Enforcer!

[gwmss15]

why do they make it so difficult

malaysia dont care how many i have or where my money comes from

i could just say that my money is given to me by my family every 3 months

i have a singaporean friend who goes to bangkok 30 times a year on business and does not have any visa just lots and lots of entry stamps he never get asked where he gets his money from

is it possiable for a company to give you the documents for the non B visa even if later you dont work with them as i want to avoid all the hassles of visa trips.

can thai lawyers help with visas and work permits do any of them have "connections" inside the visa deptpartment

[jpatokal]

i have a singaporean friend who goes to bangkok 30 times a year on business and does not have any visa just lots and lots of entry stamps he never get asked where he gets his money from
So do I. But the mere fact that he flies in and out every week shows that he is coming to Thailand on business, not working here illegally.

[The Enforcer!]

i have a singaporean friend who goes to bangkok 30 times a year on business and does not have any visa just lots and lots of entry stamps he never get asked where he gets his money from
As jpatokal outlined, it depends on what the perception is .... let me elaborate ....

1) You have a Singapore passport, entry Thailand 30 times a year on 3-4 days trips ... looks like you are a Singaporian visiting Thailand for business but not working here.

2) You are a Farang, any passport, entering and exiting Thailand, staying 30 days and re-entering after 2 days ... looks like a guy working illegally in Thailand doing 'Visa runs'!!

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

why do they make it so difficult

It is their country ... you try getting a work permit in UK!!!!

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

is it possiable for a company to give you the documents for the non B visa even if later you dont work with them as i want to avoid all the hassles of visa trips.
Sounds like you do not understand the system at all!

The process is this ....

1) Before you may enter Thailand to look for work/start work you must get a Non-Immigration Type B Visa OUTSIDE Thailand. If you come here on a tourist visa looking for work, then you must EXIT and re-enter with a Non-Imm B ahead of starting work.

2) To get said Non-Imm B, a prospective employer must provide you with a letter stating employment intent. Depending on the Embassy you will get 90 to 365 days Visa. You may enter Thailand but you may NOT work.

3) Once you have an agreed Employment contract you must apply for your Work Permit and 'Permission to stay in Thailand' (as the application for Work Permit cancels your Non-Imm Visa) - a lawyer can do this quite inexpensively. You will need to accompany the lawyer on all trips to the Immigration Police (at Suan Phlu) but only (usually) on the first trip to the Labour Ministry in Din Daeng.

4) If your paperwork is in order, you will get a 30-day Work Permit and 'Permission to stay in Thailand'; You/your lawyer repeats the process for 2-3 months (with copies of tax paid) until the Labour Ministry decide either to NOT GRANT your Work Permit (you will have 7 days to leave Thailand) or GRANT your Work Permit for either 6 months or 1 year (from the date you applied).

5) When it expires you simply apply for an extension for another year and prioviding you have tax receipts, and Social Fund/Security payments then it can be re-granted within 1/2 trips.

6) Once you have been granted the first 30-day Work Permit and 'Permission to stay in Thailand', you may NOT EXIT Thailand without a Re-Entry Visa ... if you intend to do this a lot, a multiple Re-Entry Visa is cheaper. If you leave Thailand without a Re-Entry Visa your Work Permit and 'Permission to stay in Thailand' are cancelled.

Hope this helps.

The Enforcer!