Thai Business Visa

See also: Three Year Business Visa

The visa process in Thailand is very complicated. The best way to find information is to ask the experts. The following is a conversation is between two members of our forum, about the Thai Non-B visa and is made available here for reference purposes...

OK, I've been reading countless posts about Thai Non-B visa here, there, everywhere and on other forums and it comes to no help at all with what I need to understand, so I turn to my one and only forum to seek help.

A short description about my status, I'm married to a Thai woman but only registered in the U.S. as marry not in Thailand, therefore I'm not married in Thailand and the missus is only technically my girlfriend. I open a company with the missus (something something co., ltd, just something got to do with building big structure, but ever mind). We have 7 people registered and she owns the most shares, the rest are only 1 each including me, so that they can consider me as a shareholder and a business partner.

In the past I always applied for a multiple tourist visa, reason: easy to get no hassle about paper work, and I don't mind getting in and out of the country every 2+1 extension, to do business out of Thailand.

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I recently decided to get a single Non-B, and got it quite easily, don't ask where and how, long story.

So now I'm holding a single Non-B visa for 3 months, I asked the person that issued me the single Non-B at the consulate, she told me I can extend it in Bangkok, anyway but here is the question I would like to know.

** Holding a single Non-B that lasts 3 months, can I travel out of the country for business during that time and come back before the expiry date, using the same Non-B visa, or I cannot use the same Non-B visa?

** If, IF I can use it over again, can I leave when the visa almost expired and come back before the expire date and get another 3 months?

** When they said that I can extend the business visa in Bangkok at immigration, does that mean I get another single non-b or something else? This is where I'm confused... I understand about the work permit, if I do have it I can convert it to have a work permit and extend to 1 year, and can leave and come back as often as I like, but work permit I need to consult my accountant to get one. I hate paper work.

What kind of documentation or paper work do I need to extend the non-b visa, any examples?

At the moment that's all I need to know and will ask more later.

Axel offers detailed and informed reply...

Quote:
** Holding a single Non-B that lasts 3 months, can I travel out of the country for business during that time and come back before the expiry date, using the same Non-B visa, or I cannot use the same Non-B visa?

The moment you entered Thailand on your single non-immigrant B, the visa became void (used)
In exchange you received a permission to stay until...(90 days)
If you want to travel during this period, you need to have a re-entry permit. This will have the same expiry as your permission to stay. (Cost single Baht 1000, multiple Baht 3800, so 3 trips with single re-entries is cheaper, only at the 4th trip you save money with the multiple. Not talking about the time to get it and space in the p/port)

Quote:
** If, IF I can use it over again, can I leave when the visa almost expired and come back before the expire date and get another 3 months?

No, you cannot use it again, as said a single became used once you entered the country. You need the re-entry-permit.

Quote:
** When they said that I can extend the business visa in Bangkok at immigration, does that mean I get another single non-b or something else?

Your visa, as said, is used. What you get with the extension is a change in permission to stay, ideal it would be 1 year from your original entry. In practice it will be first 30 days, than another and finally 'til the end of the one year, from original entry. (Every time the permission to stay is changed, you need a new re-entry permit, should you wish to travel)
Your work permit has to be changed every time the extension of stay is changed. (You get discounted fees until one year is granted)

Whether or not immigration will extend your permission to stay depends very much if your company is allowed to hire you as a foreigner. But basic documents for your application are:

Application Form T.M. 7 (for extension of an alien who enters the Kingdom for not more than 90 days)
A copy of the passport (main page, visa page, entry stamp page) or substitute document
One 4 x 6 cm. color photo
1900 baht fee is required for an extension
A recommendation letter from the company showing the positions of the applicant as well as the position of all foreigners working in the company and for what reasons these aliens must be employed
Work permit or the receipt showing the alien has applied for such a permit from the Ministry of labor and Social welfare
The alien's personal tax details including: balance, profit and loss, entity income tax, Vat records for the past year
Certificate of entity registration, company registration certificate of limited company or commercial registration or VAT registration and list of partnerships
Export companies must submit document of export transactions, i.e. bank or company transactions
The officials reserve the right to require more documentation for further investigation to verify the company's viability

Your company must be able to hire a foreigner (you being a shareholder is not so important) and should be able to show that no Thai could do your job. Same time your company needs to employ 4 Thais to employ one foreigner. (There are exceptions)

So much for the beginning. I am sure you have more questions.
OTOH, I would go for the married way. Register your marriage and extent a non-imm O for one year with proof of Baht 400,000 in a Thai bank. With marriage extensions you can as well get a work permit.

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