Visa-on-arrival (VOA) regulations being tightened

Thailand visa and Immigration forum
Post Reply
farang
udonmap.com
Posts: 1958
Joined: July 4, 2005, 3:12 pm

Post by farang » September 11, 2006, 8:29 pm


VISA > NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

REQUIREMENT
This type of visa is designed for applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom of Thailand 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 such as visiting Thai spouse, children, parents, voluntary job (Category "O")
Documents Required :

NO Descripton
1.1. The applicants must submit the following relevant documents depending on the purpose of their visit.

1 Visa application form completely filled out
2 Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and its copy
3 Two 4 x 6 cm full-faced , bareheaded photos taken within the past six months
4 Birth Certificate ("O")
5 Certifcate of Marriage or its equivalents ("O")
6 Transcript/Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes ("ED")
7 Letter from Thailand's Board of Investment. ("IB")
8 Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates / International Organizations / State Enterprises inThailand. ("F" / "B" / "ED" / "M" / "R")

9 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) ***

10 Letter from a company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand ("B")
11 Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand. ("B")

12 Letter of invitation from companies qualified to employ foreigners. ("B")
13 Employment contract indicating rationale for hiring the applicant as well as his/her salary, position and qualifications (document must be signed by authorized managing director and affixed the seal of the company) ("B")
14 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")
15 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")

16 Copy of educational records of the applicant and letters of recommendation from the prior employers, identifying job description and length of service time. ("B")
17 Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only),or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)("B")

18 Evidence of adequate finance ( 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family )

19 An official recommendation letter from organization perform voluntary job in Thailand("O")


1.2. The document to be submitted for non-immigrant visa application is contingent upon necessities and appropriateness of purposes stated in the application form.

1.3. Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary.



1.4 Copies of company documents must be signed by Board of Directors and affixed the seal of the company.

1.5 In the absence of a required document, a letter indicating the unavailability of such document must be provided

1.6 The applicant must sign on each page of the co

1.7 Documents in foreign languages must be translated inThai. If translated into English, it should be notorized by notary organs or the applicant's diplomatic/ consular mission.

VISA FEE GBP 40 .00 for single entry and GBP 90 .00 for multiple entries

VALIDITY OF A VISA

Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months and multiple- entry visas for one year respectively.
VALIDITY OF A STAY

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.
EXTENSION OF STAY

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.
Applicants who are nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Palestinian State
Passport holders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Palestinian States are requested to file an application at the Thai Embassy/Consulate-General where they have their permanent residence.
** NOTE ONE

The document to be submitted for non-immigrant visa application is contingentupon necessities and appropriateness of purposes stated in the application form.

Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents asdeemed 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 intoEnglish , it should be notorized by notary organs.


*** NOTE TWO

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 according to Section 3) at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/niv.htm

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/pdfs/Aa%20 ... ations.pdf



businessman
udonmap.com
Posts: 1305
Joined: July 15, 2005, 10:58 am
Location: Udon

Post by businessman » September 11, 2006, 8:44 pm

I think a lot of the anti farang sentiment of late is due to the appraoching general election.All the politicians like to wave the nationalist flag and propose to crack down on foreigners gaining at the expense of Thais.Look at the crackdown on Samui.Normally it takes years if ever to get land encroachers,but a few foriegners were involved and arrests were instant with huge publicity.
I would certainly wait for the election to pass if i was on the hunt for a condo to see if the chest beating leads to actual action.

Bump
udonmap.com
Posts: 4474
Joined: September 18, 2005, 6:58 pm
Location: Nam Som

Post by Bump » September 11, 2006, 8:58 pm

Well that certainly doesn't sound simple, this must be one that isn't followed by he letter of the law, as I have met people who have gotten them but none of this was mentioned.

But one section seems to say if you visiting family. I.E. spouse you can in fact get one and it does seem to say it can be renewed. This is one I didn't know much about since I wasn't married when I came here

User avatar
beer monkey
udonmap.com
Posts: 14553
Joined: January 1, 2006, 8:08 am
Contact:

Post by beer monkey » September 11, 2006, 9:01 pm

stevo said he gets "O" visa's maybe he will post on whats needed.
Can You Dig It Dug.?

User avatar
arjay
udonmap.com
Posts: 8345
Joined: October 2, 2005, 12:19 pm
Location: Gone to get a life, "troll free"

Post by arjay » September 11, 2006, 9:11 pm

Beer Monkey, I believe you live in England with your TW. So if when you visit Thailand, it's for not more than 30 days, then no problems, just get the normal 30 day visa on arrival. :)

:) If you want to visit for more than 30 days, but not more than 60 days, apply beforehand in the Uk for a 60 day tourist visa.

:) If you want to visit for more than 60 days, but not more than 90 days, then get the 60 day tourist visa (referred to immediately above) and then extend by a further 30 days (up to max of 90 days) whilst you are here.

:) If you want to stay longer than 90 days, then follow the advice being given - to apply for a Non Immigrant "O" visa, on the basis you are married to a Thai - documentation required along the lines of farangs comprehensive post above. :D

Bump
udonmap.com
Posts: 4474
Joined: September 18, 2005, 6:58 pm
Location: Nam Som

Post by Bump » September 11, 2006, 9:11 pm

The reason I'm asking all the questions is because my nephew is moving here has a Thia wife in America, but has a step Daughter in Si Chaing Mai He is under 50 ,he wa going to do the tourist visa runs. I gave him a heads up what was happening with that. He seem to think he can just go buy the annual, maybe he can I don't know. He is coming in October, I woudld prefer giving him the right information after that up to him

Bump
udonmap.com
Posts: 4474
Joined: September 18, 2005, 6:58 pm
Location: Nam Som

Post by Bump » September 11, 2006, 9:15 pm

Arjay I believe you absolutley right I sent farrangs information to the nephew. I think it can done from what I saw, but not as easy as the nephew thinks it is.

I'll send your post as well.

Bump
udonmap.com
Posts: 4474
Joined: September 18, 2005, 6:58 pm
Location: Nam Som

Post by Bump » September 11, 2006, 9:19 pm

You know the more I think about it they may be tightening things all around this last time I renewed three people reviewed my paperwork the year before I didn't need the medical this year I did. So a different experience this time

farang
udonmap.com
Posts: 1958
Joined: July 4, 2005, 3:12 pm

Post by farang » September 11, 2006, 10:35 pm

USA Citizens,visa application form for a thai visa

http://www.thaiconsulnewyork.com/english/visa.pdf

from: http://www.thaiconsulnewyork.com/english/visatype.php

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UK Citizens,visa application form for a thai visa

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/visaapp ... ternet.pdf

from: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/visas.htm

farang
udonmap.com
Posts: 1958
Joined: July 4, 2005, 3:12 pm

Post by farang » September 11, 2006, 11:30 pm

some(not all)of the main Royal Thai embassies around the world

http://www.asiatradingonline.com/thaiembassies.htm
www.udonmap.com

User avatar
Coot
udonmap.com
Posts: 98
Joined: February 7, 2006, 12:40 pm
Location: Udon

Post by Coot » September 12, 2006, 12:36 pm

Queastion simply because I don't know, if your married but under 50 can you stll get an annual visa?
Ray,i believe there are a few under 50s on the forum who have an annual visa.Paul is one as i was reading a thread about the nightmare he had when his bank balance did not match the amount stated in the bank letter.
Bald is beautiful.

Bump
udonmap.com
Posts: 4474
Joined: September 18, 2005, 6:58 pm
Location: Nam Som

Post by Bump » September 12, 2006, 2:18 pm

Thanks I will contact Paul

sunbeltnortheast
udonmap.com
Posts: 15
Joined: September 2, 2006, 12:58 am
Location: Udon Thani

Post by sunbeltnortheast » September 12, 2006, 7:31 pm

You can get a one year, multiple entry visa with the proper documentation. Without the proper documentation, most Thai embassies and consulates will only give you a multiple entry tourist visa. A multiple entry non-immigrant B is valid for one year from the date of entry. You would receive a 90 day stamp everytime you entered Thailand.

Hope this helps.
Sunbelt Northeast

User avatar
banpaeng
udonmap.com
Posts: 2644
Joined: July 4, 2005, 9:20 pm

Post by banpaeng » September 12, 2006, 7:55 pm

This is a copy of a letter I sent someone that ask how I got my visa.

I understand you are going to move to Thailand. Look forward to meeting you when you get here. What I wrote about is a visa. I have an annual visa that I found nothing out about until I went to the consulate to apply for a retirement visa. The lady said why don't you just apply for an "O" visa. I realize the retirement visa is and "O" type visa but the difference is it has a suffix such as "O-A" is a type of retirement visa. There are ones for missionaries etc and all have a different suffix. Mine is a straight "O" with no suffix.

Now for what I needed to qualify for this visa is that I am married to a Thai. I told the lady that my wife was a US citizen. She did ask if I would visit family and I said yes. She told me I qualify.

Why did I tell you all this is because for this type of visa, you do not need to show money is in the bank, no medical, nothing more than a marriage certificate and something to prove wife is from Thailand. I was married 35 years ago here in Thailand so we showed our marriage license and the translation. The only thing I have to do to keep mine current is cross the border every 90 days and then come back and it is renewed for 90 more. By the way get a multipul entry visa and they are US125 and good for 360 days. Not quite a year but if you play it right it can be for 15 months. I do not know about renewing it as I have not tried yet.

What I like about is is here I do not have to show immigrations anything. Just cross the border and come back. another 90 days.

Hope this helps.

kevh
udonmap.com
Posts: 243
Joined: July 5, 2005, 1:20 am
Location: Udon thani, yorkshire

Post by kevh » September 12, 2006, 8:00 pm

To get a non imigrant O visa you do not have to be married to a thai, you can get one to visit friends in thailand.

I know this because i have had one each year for the last 3 years, and i only got married this year.

Kev

User avatar
BKKSTAN
udonmap.com
Posts: 8886
Joined: July 18, 2005, 12:55 pm
Location: Nong Khai

Post by BKKSTAN » September 12, 2006, 8:06 pm

kevh wrote:To get a non imigrant O visa you do not have to be married to a thai, you can get one to visit friends in thailand.

I know this because i have had one each year for the last 3 years, and i only got married this year.

Kev
:) Does yours require you to renew every 90 days?

willyboy
udonmap.com
Posts: 30
Joined: August 28, 2006, 6:56 am
Location: Down at the billabong, waltzing with matilda

Post by willyboy » September 12, 2006, 8:07 pm

Am I right then that if I have a Thai wife, I can stay for up to 90 days, on a O type visa?

User avatar
BKKSTAN
udonmap.com
Posts: 8886
Joined: July 18, 2005, 12:55 pm
Location: Nong Khai

Post by BKKSTAN » September 12, 2006, 8:12 pm

:) Banpaeng,if you transfer 400,000 baht from the states to a Thai bank in your name or get a letter from the US embassy stating income equal to that amount,you could get the 1 yr.marriage visa and eliminate the 90 day renewals.

Or double the amount above and get thr reirement visa which is even easier,less hassles.

kevh
udonmap.com
Posts: 243
Joined: July 5, 2005, 1:20 am
Location: Udon thani, yorkshire

Post by kevh » September 12, 2006, 8:17 pm

Yes i have to go out every 90 days

Kev

User avatar
banpaeng
udonmap.com
Posts: 2644
Joined: July 4, 2005, 9:20 pm

Post by banpaeng » September 12, 2006, 8:51 pm

That is the point, I do not want to transfer money. Just a personal decision. I do not think Thai immigrations needs this info. Just the way I am. Thanks Stan.

Can you get an O visa and not be married, I haven't a clue. I am just relaying what happened to me. I am in no way an expert. I just feel more comfortable this way. :D

Post Reply

Return to “Thailand Visas & Migration to other countries”