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What are the requirements and procedures for applying for a Non-Immigrant B visa in London for work in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant B VisaThailand Visa ApplicationWork Permit ProcessVisa Requirements for ExpatsForeign Employment in ThailandThai Embassy in LondonKoh Phangan Job RegulationsVisa Fees and Financial RequirementsAge Requirements for Visa Application
Aug 9, 2017
7 years ago
Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
*SORRY FOR THE REALLY LONG POST about applying for Non Immigrant B visa in London*

I have quite a lot of questions if anyone could help me out at all, i'd be so grateful! I want to get this right first time...

So all the documents on the photo is what I'll need to bring to thai embassy in London, (I want to apply for the imm b visa for 1 year) but most of these documents have to be from the owner of the company I will be hopefully working for in thailand, his english isn't great so I want to make it as simple as possible for him to provide this information!

1. I understand that some of the documents must be signed by him (and affixed the seal of the company, what does this mean too?) Can I just ask him to email me these documents and I can print them off myself, or does he have to send them to me by post from thailand with his signature on, if so which ones does he need to sign?

2. I will hopefully be working at a bungalow/bar/restaurant business in Koh Phangan but I will be 18, can I still work at the bar? i know the drinking age is 20.. Also are there some jobs I will not be able to do as a farang? My highest level of education is a level 3 diploma is this also okay to be able to work at this kind of business? Apparently I will have to be hired as the manager to work for the company?

3. I will be 17 upon arrival for the first 5 days of being in Thailand, Is this okay and will I still be able to apply for a visa here in London while im 17?

4. I would also like to know, once I am in Thailand where can I apply for a work permit? (I will be in Koh Phangan)

5. I have read that the visa will cost £125 are there any other fees/costs?

6. I have also read that you need to show 20,000 Baht does this have to be in cash or can i show bank statement?

7. With the 1 year non immigrant b visa, will i have to leave the country every so often, what does this mean?

8. How do I find out if this company I want to work for can legally hire foreigners? I dont think he ever has before, not long term anyway

Is there any other important information I should know especially when applying for this kind of visa in London or any information about applying for a work permit when im there?

Thanks so much :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An individual seeking to apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa in London has numerous questions regarding the application and work permit process for employment in Thailand, specifically Koh Phangan. They need clarification on document requirements, employer responsibilities, legal working age, job restrictions for a foreigner, and related fees. Notably, it is stressed that foreigners face strict regulations against taking jobs that could be filled by Thais, such as working directly in bars or front-shop sales. The conversation underlines the importance of proper documentation and adherence to Thai employment laws, as well as the necessity for the employer to secure a work permit prior to the visa application.
Joe ***********
Emily --- what other posters are trying to say politely is that you are very naive. Other posters have outlined how restrictive it is for a Foreigner to do any work a Thai person can do. But it is not sinking in it seems. You just cannot do anything you want in Thailand - even if your employer says you can... It just means your employer does not fully understand the law.

Thai people can take care of bungalows, Thai people can be manager of a set of bungalows... So it is near impossible for a foreigner to get such a job and be legal ...

It will likely not matter how close you come to mastering all the WP3/WP1 Application Requirements - somewhere along the line a manager or processor in the Labor Ministry will see the Work Permit application for what it is and stamp it NO - Void...

Most people who get any kind of work you want -come here to Thailand on a Tourist Visa - make contacts - learn how it all works and then tries to set up a job at a hotel - bar - restaurant - hostel - etc.

However, I believe fully that my words will fall on deaf ears...
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I definitely know this is how it works, I've been to Thailand many times and have spoken to a lot of people who say it will be near impossible to get a job there other than teaching English really... but I have also met the foreigners working in cafes/bungalows/restaurants etc. that show it can happen. Like I said I can only try, I'm not going to give up before I've even started but I respect what you're saying I know it's unlikely but when I want something bad I usually try as hard as I can to get it, If it fails then I'll try something else
7 years ago
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Emily ********
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just going to try get a work permit simply as working at the bungalows or possibly general manager, if this goes through then hopefully I shouldn't get into any trouble while I'm there as long as I'm only doing the jobs i'm allowed...
7 years ago
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Robert *******
@Die****
, the fine is between 20.000 and 100.000 Thb and/or maximum 5 years in prison. You can all read in previous comments.
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
The 100 000 is a deposit to go to court , after the judgement you get back or you have to pay more 😉
7 years ago
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Robert *******
The fine is set by the Judge in a court. And you pay the court. If you like to avoid things with paying on a different way it is sometimes possible after all this is Thailand but it is another criminal offense.
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
Yes robert between but i know persenally 2 people who had been cought and had to pay imm 100 000!😉
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
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Dietwin ***********
If they catch you without workpermit you have to pay 100 000 bath penalty in best case , unless the company pay for you 😉
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
The most interesting is to get workpermit at company you gonna work for but believe me they will never provide one for a beginner !
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
Opening businessconstruction about between 30 to 50 000, bath , workpermit for yourself
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bath , go over the border to get your immigrant between 3000 to
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bath
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
And learning
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
First time is always searching 😉
7 years ago
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Robert *******
At least you know now the fees of the lawyer for a few visits to labor office and making copies.
7 years ago
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Dietwin ***********
Yes robert i did it with a lawyer because i have a difficult one for dj. 😉
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Last time I checked the WP was 3.800 Thb for one year, and Multiple Entry Visa one year 5.000 Thb.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
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Dietwin ***********
You can not do a bar restaurant job as falang , if you start your own business you need at least 4 employees ! You can be shareholder without employees but in this situation you can not work ! If you have 4 employees you can get workpermit for yourself , you have to pay about 3000 bath a month + your accountnant 3000 to 5000 bath + you have to hire an office where your business is located ...around 10 to
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bath a month
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Thanks for the nice words. I tried to be as clear as possible and hoping others will read and learn. After the rises of the fines for illegal working I can and will not believe this is only for Laos, Cambodian and Birma residence. The penalties are for all. I've seen an increase of vehicles at Krabi Immigration, a new speeboat for Krabi Tourist Police and the only thing I hear: There will be more checks on illegal labor and for sure not only in Krabi.
7 years ago
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Frank **************
Great job , well done and for many many other people very helpful to,
7 years ago
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Frank **************
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Tod *********
(y) (y) (y) <- three thumbz up for
@Rob***
.

That was some good advice
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah honestly Robert you've helped so much... I'm going to try to do this properly, if i get declined ill keep trying otherwise it's just not meant to be :(
7 years ago
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Steve ********
Emily said in a previous post that she has been there several times and it is like a second home to her.
7 years ago
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David **********
You probably want to visit before moving here...
7 years ago
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David **********
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Jim *******
@Robert ******
. Man,you've done a bloody stunning job there,and I'd defy many to do better. Her situation does sound difficult though. I've known two friends running different businesses as silent partners and they were doing so well that a couple of struggling local businesses used an interesting immigration swifty and that was goodbye to both,and the investment. What actually bugs me is,this lady wants to do it the lawful way which is a credit to her,and makes me think of the Many,who are doing all on tourist visas and for lengthy periods. Just last night I met another of the many I've come across,and she was blatant. I'm here with my 19 year old son,and as I've always taught him to do things here legally, he won't chance it,and he knows more illegals than I so I do feel like a somewhat wrong advisor to him.
7 years ago
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Steve *******
In London you'll only get a single entry Non Imm B, ie 90 days, with the correct documents.Then extend for a year at Thai Immigration providing you have the same correct documents.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah okay thanks
7 years ago
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Emily ********
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Robert *******
If he visit the office he will get a list in English and Thai for all the papers he need. Ask him to mail you the English list and just send all the copies by MAIL, signed with your signature to him.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That makes sense, but when the employer goes to the ministry of labour (I think there might be one in samui) Does he need any information from me? There isn't a lot of information about the wp3 online...
7 years ago
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Robert *******
That decission is at the Ministry of Labor to approve the application for your Work Permit, thats why I gave you the advice do this first. With the application approved the visa is much more easy to get. Retail, cafe/hospitality for sure a big NO.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, so I have the average GCSE's and a diploma in photography... I also have experience working in retail and cafe's/hospitality, would I be able to work at this company with these educational records?
7 years ago
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Robert *******
cleaning is part of domestic job, as you can see on the picture you posted in the start: Copy of Educational records. That means that you need to have education towards the job you're going to do. No educations as Chef no work as Chef etc. And NO, even with your own company you are NOT allowed to perform jobs which are prohibited for foreigners.
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7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have heard a few people say 'if you start your own company you can do some of these jobs' but honestly I don't know what that means... starting my own company?
7 years ago
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Robert *******
This is a commercial website and not from an Embassy
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
wow I don't want to have to learn the hard way but honestly I don't think the thai people at this company understands I won't be able to do most the jobs they do on an everyday basis... I see the list of jobs I can't do as a foreigner
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and it says front shop sale but I don't see waitressing, cleaning, cooking (with diploma) so I guess I would be able to do these jobs. And just one question I know I wont be allowed to be behind the bar serving customers/making drinks... but if I could, would I be allowed at 18 even if the drinking age is 20? just curious
7 years ago
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Robert *******
I give you one example: I worked as General Manager, all staff go out to help customers. One lady from other company walks in with small bill, i paid out of my private money knowing I would get back if owner returns. Within 2 minutes 6 people making lots of pictures in the shop, Immigration Police, Ministry of Labor and Tourist Police. I did front shop work, my employer paid 20.000 Thb as well as for the company as for me, total 40.000 Thb fines. Expensive lesson learned. And that was with the old fines, not the new ones.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That how it seems to work there a lot but I want to do it properly, I wouldn't want to risk chances of being fined or even getting deported that just seems like a nightmare I want to avoid. You've been so helpful though, hopefully I can make this work and finally work/live in Thailand like I have wanted for so long
7 years ago
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Robert *******
I can guess the answer: This is Koh Phangan, nobody check here, no need for WP, just come and work, no problem at all.
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7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah it seems a bit too risky but I don't have a chef diploma, of course I am good at English and that could be helpful in a Thai business but If that were to be my only job I know once I get there It would be near impossible not to do other jobs while I'm there... jobs I can do as a foreigner obviously but I guess they look for just one job title rather than a list of little odd jobs I may be doing... It makes it more difficult because I plan to also live there too so my whole life would be at this place. I would be really happy just to stick to the bungalow side of things and not frontshop jobs like you said checking in/out but probably mainly online work for air bnb etc... I think it's very clear now that I would not be able to work in the restaurant/bar aspect however I spoke to a guy at Thai embassy in London online and he said I could do these jobs if I was hired as a manager so I'm not sure really, I'll talk to the employer and see what he says
7 years ago
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Robert *******
To make it clear: I strongly do NOT recommend to write General Manager and work as you like with your fingers crossed and hope nobody will check. I stated before the penalties for illegal work or work not described in the WP. I like the English phrase: If you can not do the time, don't do the crime. Be careful out there.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ahh okay thank you!
7 years ago
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Robert *******
The Visa is an entrance ticket, nothing else, on entrance you get an Admitted to Stay ../../.. date stamp in your passport, should be for 90 day. On that day you leave the country, stamp out, stamp in other country, turn around stamp out and stamp into Thailand again for 90 days as long as you do this before the enter before date on your Visa. With the WP your Employer and you can ask Immigration Office for an Extension of Stay, this means your Admiitted to Stay period get extended with 1 year, but that needs again lots of paperworks, benefit with this Extension is you do not have to leave the country every 90 days, only report by mail, internet or person at the Immigration Office.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One last question, for the 1 year non imm visa do you have to leave every 90 days, i thought it was longer for the 1 year visa? And do you literally go to Malaysia for a couple nights or something? I dont really understand that but anyway...
7 years ago
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Robert *******
I do not see a minimum age on the Thai Embassy site, question is also are you allowed by British law? I have no idea for both. Here all things on one page about Visa
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-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank youu! But for 3 do you know if i can be 17 to apply for a visa? I think ill apply within the next few months but i dont turn 18 til february
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Questions: 1 is answered, 2 is answered, 3 is answered, 4 is answered, 5 Extra costs for passport pictures, copies and mail of papers, 6 On arrival Immigration can ask for 20.000 Thb Cash or Travelar cheques, 7. The visa is valid for 1 year, on each entry you get 90 days admitted to stay, 8 is answered, Open question is more than answered.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah okay that makes sense, thanks for your help I feel a lot more confident now already. Would you be able to answer any of my other questions from the post?
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Okay, booking/ checking in and out = front shop sales and prohibited. English translating sounds ok for me, waitressing prohibited job, cooking allowed if you have a Chef diploma, taking customers orders = front shop sales and prohibited, So the job title would be Translater and Chef Cook if you have the scholing for it. Or just write General Manager and keep your fingers crossed never ever a person walks in to check.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay so let's say I were to work in the bungalow side of things and the restaurant (e.g booking the bungalows/checking customers in and out, helping with English translating, waitressing, cooking, taking customers orders etc..) but not the bar/front shop, as it's all in the same place, what job title would it be? I guess it would be relatively broad but I wouldn't want to write just one thing and end up doing other jobs, like you said if i were to do anything that's not on the description I could be fined...
7 years ago
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Robert *******
OK, search for the list of Prohibited jobs for foreigners in Thailand than you find out that you can not do any job you like. My advice: First the WP application, on the application you fill in a job title and job prescriptiion which will be in the WP and that is all you can do as work. If you come to Thailand and work without the WP or do jobs not mentioned in the WP the new fines are: Employee between 20.000 and 100.000 Thb fine and/or maximum 5 years in prison, Employer between 400.000 and 800.000 Thb fine.
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/28/new-migrant-law-levies-heavy-fines-employers/
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
He has 4 Thai staff already and I have done an unbelievable amount of research, some things I am unsure on and cannot find online... As the employer isn't very good at English I wanted to make sure I fully understand first before asking him to do any of this. Thanks for your help though, I think I might go to Thai embassy and also ask some of these questions before applying for a visa.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah, I know it's uncommon but I've been to this place several times and its like a second home, we always said when i turn 18 i will come and work there... I just want to make sure I do it right and actually be an asset to the business. I think It could be good for an english speaking person to work there with thai people, I could help them and they could help me
7 years ago
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Terary **********
In most cases the employer will manage this whole affair for you... Or a layer will be consulted. It's quite the process. It is an uncommon proposition that western work in a bar/bungalo ... Are you sure this is the best job for you? There are many other opportunities.
7 years ago
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Terary **********
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Robert *******
He needs to hire 4 Thai staff to give you a work permit. Nice that you want to work in Thailand but do some more research please. You can not take any job you like and as you already have seen you need educational records and recommadations from former employers. Let your Employer organize the Work Permit application first and apply afterwards for the Visa. Good luck.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Honestly, I'd take any job I can get working there but I'm not too sure what job titles I can actually do as a foreigner... I guess helping with booking the bungalows and helping on the air bnb front but also can be waitressing etc too I'm not sure if this is allowed but the business is so small it would be hard just to work with the bungalows and not the restaurant too if that makes sense
7 years ago
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Terary **********
I believe Thai law has it as - no foreigner should be doing a job that a Thai person can do... So you want to be careful.
7 years ago
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Terary **********
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Robert *******
Every province has one office, it should be in Surat Thani. Manager is many times used to give people jobs, but as said you have to manage. Not really sure what kind of job you want.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much! but I can't seem find where the ministry of labour is online but i'm guessing bangkok? Is there any other way for him to apply for a work permit, he is in koh phangan so if it that far away i doubt he could do that. And is there any other way i could be employed... not as manager, I obviously understand as a foreigner I cant work behind the bar but I can work with the bungalow side of things? I'd rather not be hired as manager but I was told that was the only way
7 years ago
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Robert *******
After arrival in Thailand with the Non Imm B visa you can pick up the work permit.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Your Employer will get from Ministry of Labor a paper called WP3, application aproved and a letter which both you have to use to get the Non Immigrant B visa.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Your Employer goes to the Ministry of Labor and apply for a Work Permit for foreigner abroad, using the WP 3 method. Be very very careful, if you are a Manager, your job is to manage, not helping out in bar - restaurant - bungalow business or selling and serving drinks.
7 years ago
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Emily ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It is working in at a bungalow business but it also has a bar/restaurant so if I can work on all areas I would, I thought the same thing to but I spoke to someone at the thai embassy online and they said If I was hired as manager I can still work at the bar/restaurant but maybe not selling or serving drinks im not 100% sure. And I see about the work permit but I thought you have to sort out your visa first before getting a work permit? So how would he apply for my work permit to be approved if I havent got my visa first and I am in UK and he is in Thailand, would i not have to sign anything? And so does the employer just sign at the bottom of every page? sorry for so many questions!
7 years ago
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Robert *******
First of all, what kind of job is offered? Working in a bar, selling and serving drinks is a front shop sale job and prohibited for foreigners. In the picture Non Immigrant Type B you can see you need to show work permit if you worked previously in Thailand, I guess you did not so the WP3 form is needed. WP 3 form is a paper your employer gets after applying for your work permit succesfully. All the company papers needed have to been signed by the owner/director and stamped with company stamp. Not sure for London, but prints from e-mails are not allowed at consulates in neighbor countries of Thailand.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
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