2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

2.1 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. The validity of 18 months is required for one year visa application.
- (4 x 6 cm) photograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months

- Evidence of adequate finance ( 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family )
- Birth Certificate ("O")

- Certificate 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 Organizations / State Enterprises in Thailand. ("F" / "B" / "ED" / "M" / "R") - Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (To obtain this letter, the prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel 02-2452745, 02-2453209 or at a Provincial Employment Office in the respective province. Further information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html) ("B")

- 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 employing 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")

- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour (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 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.("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")

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

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

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

2.5 In the absence of a required document, a letter explaining the unavailability of such document must be provided.

2.6 The applicant must sign on each page of the copy.

2.7 Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai. If translated into English, it should be notarized by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission.

3. VISA FEE

2,200 Baht for single entry and 5,500 Baht for multiple entries. (At The Royal Thai Consulate Of Penang, Malaysia)

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months. Multiple-entry visas could also be valid for one year.

5. PERIOD OF 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.

6. 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. immigration 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 of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road,Bangkok 10120 , Tel 02 287-3101-10 (or website at (http://www.immigration.go.th ) . 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.

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore, travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to Thailand before departure.
Information on location and contact number of Thai Embassies and Consulates-General is available at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA "B" - (business and work)

1.1 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 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). Visa fee is 2,000 Baht for single entry with three-month validity and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries with one-year validity.

1.2 Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore, travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to Thailand before travelling from their home. Information on location and contact number of all Thai embassies and consulates is available at http.www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php

II. Categories of Non-Immigrant Visa

2.1 Non-Immigrant Visa (category “B” – Business) is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand to work or to do business.

Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand

 

- Visa application form completely filled out

- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than six months.

- (4x6 cm.) photograph of the applicant taken within the past six months

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

- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour

To obtain this letter, his/her prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreigner Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745 or at the Provincial Employment Office in the respective province. Further information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom )

( Remarks)

1. An alien who receives a non-immigrant visa can work in Thailand after having received a work permit. Any violation thereof shall make the employee liable for prosecution and imprisonment not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht, or both penalties.
2. 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 for prosecution and imprisonment not exceeding five years, or a fine from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht, or both penalties.)

Foreigners who wish to do business in Thailand

 

- Visa application form duly filled out

- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than 6 months. The validity of 18 months is required for one year visa application.

- (4x6 cm.) photograph of the applicant, taken within the past 6 months.

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

- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand.

- Financial evidence in case that the applicant does his/her own business

- Letter of invitation from company in Thailand together with copy of corporate documents comprising

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 authorized managing director and affixed with 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)

• Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.
• In the absence of a required document, a letter explaining 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 into Thai. If translated into English, it should be notarized 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.

2.2 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 holder of B-A type visa will be permitted to stay for a period of one year counting from the date of arrival in the Kingdom.

2.3 Investment and business visa (category “IB”) is issued to foreign staff working under investment projects promoted by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). The project must benefit the country in the following ways :

- Increase employment

- Utilize local raw materials

- Locate in provincial areas

- Encourage technology transfer to Thai nationals

- Not harm existing domestic business

III. Additional Information

3.1 After entering the Kingdom, applicants or their appointed representatives must go to the Ministry of Labour (office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment) to apply for a work permit and shall pay the income tax accordingly. If the company’s applicant is located in another province, the applicant must apply at Employment Office in that province.

3.2 Applicant’s family members, namely; spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old, are eligible to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and will allow to stay from the period of 90 days but not longer than 1 year.

3.3 Foreigners entering the Kingdom under a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wishing to engage in business activities may apply for a change to Non-Immigrant Visa at the Immigration Bureau Office located at Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel 02 2873101-10 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

IV. One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits

4.1 One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits was established by the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister which were promulgated on 30 June 1997 with objective to strengthen the procedure to promote good investment circumstances by providing for the one stop service to avoid delay and inconvenience to the foreigners in applying for stay permission in the Kingdom, re-entry permit and work permit. The Center has been opened since 1 July 1997 and located on 207 Rachadapisek Road, Krisda Plaza, 3-5th Floors, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310, Tel 02-693-9333-9 and Fax. 02-693-9340.

4.2 - Qualification of applicants for work permit at the One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits are as follows :

4.2.1 - The aliens who are executives or experts obtaining priviledges according to other laws as follows :

- Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977)

- Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971)

- Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

(Remarks : The aliens who work for the enterprises outside Bangkok can submit the application to One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permit)

4.2.2 - The aliens who are investors in general;

- If investing not less than 2 million Baht, they will be granted with a 1- year permit.

- If investing not less than 10 million Baht, they will be granted with a two-year permit.

-The applicant must have the location of work or place in Bangkok only.

4.2.3 - The aliens who are executives and experts ;

- To work at a company with the registered capital or total assets of not less than 30 million Baht.

- The alien, who comes to work as the foreign press, shall submit a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a copy of ID Press Card issued by Department of Public Relations.

- The aliens who are researchers and developers on science and technology.

- The aliens who are the officials of branch office of overseas bank, foreign banking office of overseas bank, provincial foreign banking office of overseas bank and the representative office of foreign bank which were certified by the Bank of Thailand.

- The aliens who work for the branch of the overseas enterprises.

- The aliens who work on the necessary and urgent basis for a period of not longer than 15 days (Tor.Thor. 11)