Non-Immigrant O-A Visas

Archived Posts from this Category

Thu 24 Jan 2008

It’s best to go to Thai Immigration Yourself!

Posted by thaivisa under Tourist Visas , Non-Immigrant B Visas , Non-Immigrant O Visas , Non-Immigrant O-A Visas , Non-Immigrant Visas , Thai Visa
[146] Comments    

The closure a couple of years ago of a Bangkok travel agency highlighted the dangers for foreigners wanting to stay in Thailand without leaving the country to obtain a visa. Many customers of the agency found themselves undergoing uncomfortable interviews at the Immigration offices in Bangkok.

The proprietor of the agency offered a convenient service: instead of the foreigner leaving the country to get a visa, he would - for a price - send the applicant’s passport out of Thailand, have it stamped for exit and re-entry and provide a visa from the Thai Embassy in the country the passport was sent to.

The advantage to the passport-holder is that he can stay in Thailand during the process and save time and money. A visa run to another country is expensive when the costs in travel and accommodation are totalled and it’s clearly attractive - and economical - to leave someone else to do the work while the passport- holder remains in Bangkok.

Typical costs:

    * a tourist visa for 30 days - 1700 -3200 baht

    * a non-immigrant for 3 months 7 500 baht

    * a multiple non-immigrant ‘O’ visa, lasting for fifteen months - 15 000 baht

The practice of using an agent to get a visa in this way is widespread - one Westerner spoke of having used this method for over ten years without leaving the country. He said he had never had any problems.

What are the dangers?

It is illegal - leaving the country is the method prescribed by the Immigration authorities for obtaining new visas

A passport has to be entrusted to strangers.

Your Embassy will be very displeased if their staff finds out.

The exit and re-entry stamps and/or the visa may be counterfeit.

If for any reason the passport holder must visit Immigration, then anomalies may be noticed. This is certain to happen if the visa is not genuine. The consequences are not pleasant.

The process relies upon connivance with officials at the border and in visa sections abroad - if anything goes wrong, then the passport may be withheld whilst it is overseas.

The Thai Immigration authorities understandably want to keep tabs on unwelcome visitors to the country. There is no doubt that making monthly exits and re-entries is a method used by foreign criminals using Thailand as their base.

But for the majority of law-abiding foreigners wishing to stay for prolonged periods in Thailand, leaving the country several times a year is an expensive inconvenience. Financially, it is a disadvantage to both the foreigners and to Thailand for the money they spend abroad whilst obtaining a visa would be better spent in this country.

To deter criminals, the Thai authorities, mindful of the value of the one-month tourist visa to the wrongdoer, have recently limited to six the number of consecutive tourist visas which can be applied for. After the sixth month, the passport-holder must leave the country for six months before reapplying. This is a great inconvenience to anybody conducting criminal activities in the country but is unfair to bona fide foreigners wanting to spend longer in Thailand. However, whether this six-tourist visa rule is still being enforced in 2003 is being checked out now by eThailand.com.

The situation is unlikely to improve until a better visa issuing system is worked out where bona fide foreigners can renew or obtain visas within country. At present, foreign passport-holders in need of a visa can either go on a time-consuming and expensive visa run or risk using the services of an agency to procure a visa for themselves without having to leave Thailand. The chances are they will have no trouble with the latter as the method is well established and many people clearly do this with no problems.

But there is always a danger of a crackdown by the authorities or of documents coming back without a bona fide visa if the agency folds or other unfortunate circumstances arise.

And worse - the foreigner may be asked by the police to produce his passport whilst it is out of the country. Then, even a copy will not do - it will have an overdue date on it. Then Immigration jail is your next home - and possibly for some time

 

 

 

Thu 24 Jan 2008

Marriage in Thailand

Posted by thaivisa under Non-Immigrant O Visas , Non-Immigrant O-A Visas , Thai Culture
[300] Comments    

marrying a thai

 

Marriage in Thailand is not a difficult process. As a foreigner you are allowed to register your marriage to a Thai national or to another foreigner.
Marrying a Thai
A foreigner is eligble to marry a Thai national. The process is as follows:
You will need to first visit you embassy. You will need to have an “affadavit of freedom to marry” prepared and endorsed by the Consul. This is a document basically stating that your are not currenty married and are free and available to enter nuptials. You will need to provide divorce or death certificates if applicable.

We will then legally translate this “affadavit” and our lawyers will have the translation notarized, and the consul signature verified at the Thai Department of Naturalization. The government fee for this is 400 Baht per document. Translation, notary, and signature verifcation process is normally 2-3 days.

After you have the completed documents you are eligble to marry in Thailand at any local government amphur office. The Thai national will require his/her Thai ID card. Please Note: If you are interested in a Pre-Nuptial agreement, it must to registered at this time.

Foreigner/ Foreigner Marriage

Thai marriage is considered legal in most countries of the world. Both parties will need to visit their respective embassies to obtain a “Affadavit of Freedom to Marry”. This basically states they are not already married. They will need to provide divorce or death certificates if applicable.

We will then legally translate both “affadavits” and our lawyers will have the translation notarized, and the consul signature verified at the Thai Department of Naturalization. The government fee for this is 400 Baht per document. Translation, notary, and signature verifcation process is normally 2-3 days.

After you have the completed documents you are eligble to marry in Thailand at any local government amphur office. Please Note: If you are interested in a Pre-Nuptial agreement, it must to registered at this time.

 

Thu 24 Jan 2008

Retirement Visa

Posted by thaivisa under Non-Immigrant O-A Visas , Thai Visa
[363] Comments    

Thailand Retirement Visa

 

Retirement Visa

Sunbelt Legal Advisors will complete all the required paperwork and accompany you on your trip to Thai Immigration to insure the process is completed properly, and without additional costs or confusion.

To be eligible for an extension of stay permit based on retirement you must be 50 years of age, show funds or pension that equate to 800,000 baht (note: any pension claims MUST be certifed by your embassy to be applicable.), and a provide a valid health certifcate which can be obtained from any Thailand hospital or clinic.

Basic Requirements:

• 50 Years of age or older

• 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account (90 days)
OR 65,000 Baht pension OR a combination of both.

Immigration Order 7.17

Type Criteria Required Documents

7.21 Retirement

Each time of permission shall be granted for a period not exceeding 1 year.

 

(1) Foreigner shall obtains VISA for temporary stay and,
(2) Shall not be younger than 50 years old and,
(3) Having evidence showing the monthly income not less than 65,000 Baht or,
(4) Having the records of saving money in the latest 3 months of account book of any Bank in Thailand not less than 800,000 Baht or,
(5) Having annual income combined with the saving money in the Bank not less than 800,000 Baht from on the date submitting the application.

1.  Application form
2.  Copy of passport of the applicant
3. Evidences of having income, such as pension or interest of saving money, or dividends etc. and/ or,
4. Certified Letter of having a bank account with the Bank in Thailand and the passbook of the account.


 

Thu 24 Jan 2008

Advice on Retiring to Thailand

Posted by thaivisa under Non-Immigrant O-A Visas , Thai Culture
[642] Comments    

 

Retire-on-550-month.com

If you are going to retire to Thailand and if you are over 50 years of age you should obtain a Retirement Visa. It’s that simple.

If you don’t then you will be doing a “visa run” every month like thousands or tens of thousands of other foreigners. For those of you not acquainted to the term visa run it is a trip outside of the country to get your passport stamped. It is time consuming, costly if you have to do it every month and just a nuisance. It appears that new Immigration Law to be put into effect soon will limit you to 3 entries and then you will have to return home for 3 months and then apply for a tourist visa and then return IF you do not have a long term visa.

When I first considered retiring to Thailand I read about the visa runs and I wondered what I could do to avoid doing that. Well all you have to do is to get yourself a Retirement Visa. It normally takes 4-6 weeks to obtain from the time your completed application and fee is sent to the Royal Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate.

The requirements include a criminal check where you will probably have to pay a small fee to get the local police to check you out and then issue a form. The other requirements include a medical certificate from your physician saying that you do not have Aids, TB and a few other communicable diseases. Along with my application I submitted a letter from my bank stating that I had considerably more than the amount required by the Royal Thai Government which was 800,000 baht or about $22,000 U.S.

When it come time to submit your application it will be in the form of an original and and 4 copies which have to be notarized and a fee of approximately $120. payable to the Royal Thai Embassy. It is all mailed to them by courier with a prepaid return envelope.

If things go well you will get your passport returned to you within 4-6 weeks with the Retirement Visa inside. It takes a page and looks like it was stamped on the paper.

After that you are required to go to the Immigration office every 3 months and fill out a form showing your current address and phone number. It takes about 10 minutes and they attach part of the completed form into your passport and then you are all set for another 90 days. Much better than a visa run.

Now I have read that the age requirement is 50 and I have also read that the age requirement is 55 for the Retirement Visa. I applied at 52 and I can tell you that the age requirement is 50 years of age.

The total cost of my retirement visa was about $300 Canadian. That includes the fee to the Royal Thai Government, fee for criminal check, fee for notarizing the forms, prepaid courier to Royal Thai embassy, prepaid courier for return courier from Royal Thai embassy, and gas for 2 trips to the police station, gas to the lawyer, gas for trips to bank, and miscellaneous. But when you look back after you have the retirement visa the fee you realize is well worth it.

A Retirement Visa can be applied for from your local Consulate or Embassy where you live outside of Thailand OR when you are in Thailand.

With our service we advice you where you should apply, how much money you should bring, when you should bring it and what you should do with it when you have it here. This may souund simple and straight forward but IT IS NOT. We can save you approximately $ 1,800 U.S. on just information about money management dealing with the Retirement Visa requirements.

NOTE: In most cases we suggest applying for a Retirement Visa while you are still in your home country.

NOTE: You can lose upwards of 9% on your money in foreign exchange fees imposed by the banks.

NOTE: What you read in the way of requirements for a Retirement Visa may seem straight forward and you may think you understand but trust us. You have to know what you are doing or IT WILL COST YOU MONEY.

So we are here to save you money, and time and make the move here less work than it has to be. From Retirement Visa, to moving here which includes what to bring and what not to bring, saving money on transportation costs, and then when you arrive here we will help you find accommodations that are affordable and within your budget yet with the comforts of home.

There are firms that will charge you for preparing your Retirement Visa. That is all that they do. They do not advise on anything else and there is money to be saved on everything else from transportation, money management, investing, and more.

Things to Remember:

After you have your Retirement Visa and should you decide to leave the country you must obtain either a re-entry permit (single entry or multiple entry). I believe that the single entry permit cost me 1,000 baht or about $25 U.S. If you leave and do not obtain a re-entry permit then say good-bye to your retirement visa.

Before the retirement visa expires it is a matter of paying a fee of 1,000 baht, having a medical certificate from a physician ( 100 baht ) and a Thai bank statement showing at least 800,000 baht, and a current photo. Once this information is shown to Immigration officials then another retirement visa will likely be issued which is good for another year and should be ready same day if you applied in the morning. You would still be required to visit Immigration offices in Thailand every 90 days to provide them with your current telephone number and address and also you would be required to leave the country at least once a year (could be any neighboring country for a brief visit), and remember to obtain a re-entry permit if you intend to leave Thailand.

Note: With the recent changes to Immigration policy the the money money must now be in the account and remain in the account for 90 days before application or renewal. This is one of the new rules for Thai visa’s and you should be aware of all the changes and how they will affect your decision to stay in Thailand or to retire to Thailand.

A person married to a Thai is eligible for a three month Non-Immigrant Category B visa, extendible up to one year. Proof of 400,000 baht ($10,000) in a Thai bank, or foreign income or pension to the value of 40,000 baht per month is required. The above changes will probably apply too – better to show a higher bank balance.

So that’s it. Fairly simple but what I learned is that you should not believe everything you read on the internet about the retirement visa. For example I have seen on a number of occasions the age requirement being shown as 55. There are other things that I noticed and which we pass on to our clients when we advise them about the process and get into the details.

The Immigration office in Chiang Mai is located very near to the airport. For the routine visits every 90 days go to the building on the left side as you drive in. For re-entry permit go to the building on the right hand side. They have a small restaurant and a area where photocopies can be made and photos taken more towards the back of their property.

Staying on the Visa topic note that citizens from 57 countries can enter Thailand without charge for 30 days without a visa. These countries include U.S.A., U. K., Australia, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada as well as most European countries.

Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned departure.

A tourist visa is good for 60 days and can be gotten through a Thai Embassy or consulate in your country. This can be done by mail. The cost is $25. Once issued, the visa must be used (started) within 90 days of the date issued. The visa is invalid upon departure from Thailand even if the visitor hasn’t stayed 60 days.

There are other types of visa but generally they don’t apply to visiting Thailand for a holiday.

Overstaying your visa is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. On the one hand, you can clear up an overstay when you leave Thailand by paying your fine at the airport- 200 Baht per day with a maxiumum of 20,000 Baht.

On the other hand, you can be subject to arrest even if the police stop you for something else. Being arrested is fairly common and it is extremely unpleasant.

In addition to fines and detention, it is possible to be deported and black listed. That could mean that you can never return to Thailand.

The Thai Government realizes that seniors make great visitors. That they have the money and that they can stay longer. Unfortunately in my opinion they do not realize that seniors particularly men want someone to share their lives with and at times come here for the affordability, climate and also for the Thai ladies who are seeking marriage minded men.

If the Thai Government wanted to encourage seniors to spend more money and more seniors to come here to Thailand to retire then they should change the home ownership laws. From what I understand foreigners can own condo’s but not houses. So what happens is that the farang (foreigner) comes here and meets a lady and they develop a long lasting relationship. The farang decides to buy a house and has to put it in her name. Being a smart and cautious farang he has to figure out a way around the existing home ownership laws just in case the Thai lady gives him the boot. So they put the house in her name and she signs a long term lease allowing him to stay there for almost nothing. It works and most farang-Thai couples do it this way. But is this necessary? Come on now do you want farangs to come here to retire or not?

What I think is a great deal is that of coming here for medical treatment. This can be major dental work, a hair transplant, a heart operation, or liposcution or breast enhancement for the females. The costs here are so much less and the treatments performed by qualified physicians that it is a good idea to come here for a vacation and get this medical treatment performed and then return home with money in your pocket from what it would have cost you back home for the medical treatment. As I write on another page in the web site, I wish I had known about this sooner as I would have taken advantage of this and had 3-4 Free Vacations to Thailand by now.

If there is something that is particularly annoying to me it is the quality of the health care back home. In my case that is Canada. I can remember when a trip to the doctor involved a short wait and you were treated promptly and effectively. Now I find that you make an appointment, wait an hour to two hours after your scheduled appointment time to see the doctor who is always behind schedule because they want to maximize their earnings and then they get you to keep coming back when they don’t have the slightest clue what ails you or how to treat you. When a specialist needs to be seen it takes 1-2 months wait and then you find out how incompetent your physician really was when the specialist diagnoses the problems and prescribes the treatment after seeing you for only 10 minutes.

It might sound like I am a complainer. Well I can be at times. And if we don’t complain when we have reason things will not get better on their own.

So there you have it information about the Retirement Visa, some details about other Visa’s, and some whinnying about health care and about property ownership laws here in Thailand for home buying farangs. Well no place is perfect and there are a few things that irritate me and which I cannot understand but so is life.

I do urge anyone coming here to retire to obtain a Retirement Visa.

We can help you with the process whether you want to apply when you are back home or apply after you decide to make this home.

 

Wed 23 Jan 2008

Soho Properties Post on Visas Thailand

Posted by thaivisa under Non-Immigrant B Visas , Non-Immigrant O Visas , Non-Immigrant O-A Visas , Non-Immigrant Visas , Thai Visa
[448] Comments    

Visa Thailand
 
 
     

Visa Thailand

General Information
As a general rule, any foreigner seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand for business, investment, study, medical treatment, mass media, religion, employment and other purposes is required to apply for a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. To do so, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognised by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act B.E.2522 (1979) and its related provisions.Foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter the Kingdom.

  1. Having no genuine and valid passport or document used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine and valid passport or document used in lieu of a passport without visaing by the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries; or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, except if a visa is not required for certain types of aliens in special instances. Visaing and visa exemption will be under the terms and conditions as provided in the ministerial regulations.
  2. Having no appropriate means of living following entrance into the Kingdom.
  3. Having entered into the Kingdom to take occupation as a labourer, or to take employment by using physical energy without skills or training , or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.
  4. Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases as prescribed in the ministerial regulations.
  5. Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox or inoculated or undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the immigration doctor.
  6. Having been imprisoned by the judgement of the Thai Court; or by a lawful injunction; or by the judgement of the Court of foreign country, except when the penalty is for petty offense or negligence or is provided for as an exception in the ministerial regulations.
  7. Having behavior which would indicate possible danger to the public or likelihood of being nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace or safety of the public or to the security of the public or to the security of the nation, or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.
  8. Reason to believe that entrance into the Kingdom was for the purpose of being involved in prostitution, the trading of women of children, drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are contrary to the public morality.
  9. Having no money or bond as prescribed by the minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
  10. Being a person prohibited by the minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
  11. Being deported by either the government of Thailand that of or other foreign countries; or the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries having been revoked; or having been sent out of the Kingdom by competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless the minister shall consider exemption on an individual special case basis.

The examination and diagnosis of disease of a physical or mental nature, including protective operations as against disease, shall be conducted by the immigration doctor.Information on location and contact number of the Thai Embassy and Consulate-General abroad could be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Visas and Travel Documents Division, 123 Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok 10210, Tel. (662) 981-7171 ext. 3201-2, 3204-5 or direct line 575-1062-4, Fax. (662) 575-1066 , Email: div1303@mfa.go.th

Types of visa

Transit Visa
This type of visa will be issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes:

  • to travel in transit through the Kingdom in order to proceed to the country of destination or to re
  • enter his/her own country (category “TS”)
  • to participate in sports activities (sportsmen, sportswomen, etc.)(category “S”) ***
  • the person in charge or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station or area in the Kingdom (category “C”)

Documents Required:
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- One recent(4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
Instrument of means of transportation (confirmed air ticket paid in full)
Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht (per family)
Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document
Letter of invitation stating the application’s participation in sports activities in the Kingdom
Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional document as deemed necessaryThe validity of a visa is three months. Travellers coming to Thailand with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days at any time. Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their status of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer. *** Those who are scheduled to stay in the Kingdom longer than one month: Non-Immigrant Visa category “O” can be issued to them

Tourist Visa
This type of visa will be issued to applicants who wishing to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes:
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- One recent(4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
- Air ticket paid in full
- Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary

The validity of a visa is three months. Upon arrival, visitors with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for a period not exceeding 60 days at any time. Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their status of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Non-Immigrant Visa
This type of visa is designed for applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes.
- to perform official duties (Category “F”)
- 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”)

The applicants must submit the following relevant documents depending on the purpose of their visit.
- Visa application form completely filled out
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and its copy
- Two 4 x 6 cm full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months
- Birth Certificate (”O”)
- Certifcate of Marriage or its equivalents (”O”)
- Transcript / Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes (”ED”)
- Letter from Thailand’s Board of Investment. (”IB”)
- Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates / International Organisations / State Enterprises inThailand. (”F” / “B” / “ED” / “M” / “R”)
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Tel 662-2452745, 245-3209, 617-6578, 617-6584 Fax. 662-6176576, 245-2593) ***
- Letter from a company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand (”B”)
- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand. (”B”)
- Letter of invitation from companies qualified to employ foreigners. (”B”)
- Employment contract indicating rationale for hiring the applicant as well as his/her salary, position and qualifications (document must be signed by authorised managing director and affixed the seal of the company) (”B”)
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom ) (”B”)
- Copy of corporate documents; namely 1) list of shareholders 2) business registration and business license 3) company profile 4) details of business operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions 6) map indicating the location of the company 7) Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and BusinessTax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year 8) Alien income tax return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and 9) Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor Dor 20), etc.(”B”)
- Copy of educational records of the applicant and letters of recommendation from the prior employers, identifying job description and length of service time. (”B”)
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only),or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)(”B”)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family )

The document to be submitted for non-immigrant visa application is contingent upon necessities and appropriateness of purposes stated in the application form.
Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary.
Copies of company documents must be signed by Board of Directors and affixed the seal of the company.
In the absence of a required document, a letter indicating the unavailability of such document must be provided.
The applicant must sign on each page of the copy
Documents in foreign languages must be translated in Thai. If translated into English, it should be notorised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission.

Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months and multiple-entry visas for one year respectively. The holders of this type of visa are initially granted a period of stay in the Kingdom not exceeding 90 days unless otherwise instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau. Those qualified persons can obtain an additional one year stay permit counting from the date of entry in the Kingdom pertaining to the Office of the Immigration Bureau’s regulations on extension of stay. The extension of stay is at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

N.B. Applicants wishing to stay in the Kingdom longer than 90 days, have to file their application either at the Thai consular mission aboard or at the Office ofImmigration Bureau in Bangkok located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road,Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or website at (http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm ) . The consular officer must refer the case to the Office of Immigration Bureau for approval. Upon receiving approval, the consular officer may issue the visa as instructed by the Bureau.

Immigrant Visa
This type of visa is granted for aliens who desire to take up permanent residence in the Kingdom. Applicants who fall in each of the following category can file an petition for a residence permit:
- by yearly quota per nationality
- investment
- working / business
- supporting alien who already had residence permit or being supported by alien who already had residence permit (husband-wife, father-mother, or children who is under 20 years of age and single)
Applicants who wish to engage in filing a petition must fulfill certain conditionsset forth by the Office of Immigration Bureau is located at Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 or at website http://www.police.go.th/frmain5.htm )
Moreover, foreign investors, experts or technicians, and Thai nationals who changed their citizenship who invest and bring in know-how and expertise for the benefit of the country’s economy would also be eligible for permanent residence in the Kingdom if their qualifications meet the conditions set forth by the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI Announcement No.Por. 1/2544 dated 31th January 2001). For more information, please contact the Office of the Board of Investment,555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900. (Tel.02-537-8111, 02-5378155 Fax. 02-5378177 Email: head@boi.go.th Website : http://www.boi.go.th

Regulations Governing Non-Immigrant “B” Visa
Foreigners who wish to work/conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad. (Information on location and contact numbers of the Thai Embassies and Consulates-General can be obtained through website http.www.mfa.go.th/Embassy/default.htm.) Various categories of non-immigrant visa are currently provided to meet the need and qualification of individual business people. These include business visa (category B), business approved visa (category B-A) and investment and business visa (category IB).

Non-Immigrant visa (category “B” – Business) can be obtained from all Thai Embassies and Consulates provided that the following relevant documents are submitted.

Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than six months and its copy
- Two 4×6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Mit-Maitree Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 Tel 662-245-2745 / 245-3209 / 617-6578 / 617-6584 Fax. 662-6176576, 245-2593)
Note: For those foreigners who wish to work in Thailand, their employer in Thailand should submit Form WP3 (Application for applying a work permit on behalf of alien) together with other related documents such as a certificate issued by the Department of Commercial Registration, documentary evidence of educational qualifications, etc. at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
- Official marriage and birth certificate (In case of the applicant’s family members)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom )

An alien who receive a non-immigrant visa can work in Thailand after having received a work permit. Any violation thereof shall make the employee liable for imprisonment not exceeding three months, to pay a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht, or both penalties.
An alien who performs work that is prescribed by the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) which prohibits alien employment in certain occupations and professions is liable to be imprisoned not exceeding five years, will be fined from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht, or both penalties.)

Foreigners who wish to conduct business in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than 6 months and its copy
- Two 4×6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past 6 months
- Letter from the applicant’s company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand, his/her salary,etc.
- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand.
- Financial evidence in case that the applicant is doing his/her own business
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Letter of invitation from company in Thailand together with copy of corporate documents comprising of 1) list of shareholders 2) business registration and business license 3) company profile 4) details of business operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions 6) map indicating the location of the company 7) Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year 8) Alien income tax return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and 9) Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor Dor 20), etc. Copies of company documents must be signed by Board of Directors or authorised managing director and affixed the seal of the company.
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)
- Official marriage and birth certificates (In case of the applicant’s family members)

Consular officers reserve the rights to ask for additional documents as deemed necessary. In the absence of a required document, a letter indicating the unavailability of such document must be provided. The applicant must sign on each page of the copy. Documents in foreign languages must be translated in Thai. If translated into English, it should be notorised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission.

The holders of this type of visa are entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. Upon completion of such period, an extension of stay for a period of one year counting from the date of arrival in the Kingdom can be applied for at the Office of the Immigration Bureau.

Business approved visa (category “B-A”) may be applied for at the Embassies or Consulates abroad but approval shall be given by the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok before visa is issued to the qualified applicant. The company in which the applicant will invest or do business with can also apply for this type of visa at the Immigration Bureau. The validity of stay for B-A type visa is valid for a period of one year counting from the date of arrival in the Kingdom.

Investment and business visa (category “IB”) is issued to foreign staff working under investment projects promoted by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOT). The project must benefit the country in the following ways:
- Produce for export
- Increase employment
- Utilise indigenous raw materials
- Locate in provincial areas
- Encourage technology transfer to Thai nationals
- Not compete in such a way as to destroy existing domestic business
 

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