Answered8 years ago
What should my friend do about his Non-Immigrant B Visa situation in Thailand?
A friend of mine (no it’s not me) has just set up his company here and an agent is doing all the paperwork etc, etc. He entered as a tourist a week ago and stamped in on 30 day visa exempt. His agent has arranged for him to do the a run to Malaysia next Monday to get his non-imm b single. He will be stamped out of his 30 day visa exempt stay in the kingdom and then re-enter on his non-imm single b. That’s the thing, it’s a single entry and he’s due to return home in two weeks time. I’ve been trying to figure this out, (I’m no expert) if he leaves on his single entry, and doesn’t apply for his non-imm b multi (externally) before his next visit (the agent has said he can apply for his non-imm b multi next time he enters Thailand) he won’t be able to re-enter in his single entry (two entries) he will have to do so on a tourist visa and therefore not be able to progress to a non-imm b multi? I have heard that it may of been possible in the past to pay a fine for having more than one entry on a single entry (possible solution) but it sounds a bit messy to me.. thoughts?
Answer summary
A user is seeking advice for a friend who is navigating the complexities of Thai visa regulations after entering the country on a tourist visa. The friend plans to obtain a Non-Immigrant B single entry visa after a run to Malaysia but faces potential issues with re-entry and the timing of visa applications. Community members discuss the implications of his single entry visa, suggest obtaining a re-entry permit to maintain his 90-day stay, and advise on alternative options such as applying for a multi-entry visa during his next trip. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding visa conditions and planning carefully.
52 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
Okay, IF all they are getting is a 90 day single entry Non-B visa, and leaving the country 2 weeks after they come in on the 90 day stamp from it: they need a re-entry permit (1000baht) AND they need to return within that 90 day time period, other wise that visa stamp will expire and they'll need to start the whole process over getting a new Non-B
Darren *********
OP@Tod ********
wow, so he’s not only got to get back into Thailand inside the 90 days, he’s gotta exit and go for his non-imm b multi?Tod *********
@Darren ********
nope, he'd get stamped in for the original expiration of the 90 day stamp. He doesn't get any more time. he'd need to apply for a yearly extension of stay based on employment at the immigration officeDarren *********
OPOne last question, if you do get a re-entry permit and re-enter within the 90 days, do you get stamped in for another 90 days? And if so, is there a limit on how many times/how many re-entry permits you can have?
Darren *********
OPThank you Tod.
Sergey *********
Re-entry permit can help.
Or... Maybe he should just extend his visa exempt for 30 days more, 2 weeks later fly out of the country with all the paperwork for non-b visa, and just apply for non-b visa where he will be staying before flying back to Thailand?
Or... Maybe he should just extend his visa exempt for 30 days more, 2 weeks later fly out of the country with all the paperwork for non-b visa, and just apply for non-b visa where he will be staying before flying back to Thailand?
Sergey *********
@Darren ********
ok, as I told already, re-entry permit will help. But what I was trying to say is "to apply for non-b visa after desert and before coming to Thailand". Just another way around =)Darren *********
OPPotentially expired ‘as’ he left for the desert I should say, at the point of being stamped out.
Darren *********
OPSergey Lazarev single entry.. his visa would potentially expire before he even left for the desert.. this is/was the issue.
Darren *********
OPIt’s a big problem when people advise you and leave out critical information. No room for error. The problems been spotted (for him) and he just has to apply for his re-entry in advance and return within 90 days. 😬
Sergey *********
@Darren ********
so... Is it a big problem for him to take papers to "desert" and stop at some Embassy in Malaysia when he will be going to Thailand again? =)Darren *********
OPYes he could, but his plans are rigid, he works away in the desert on fixed term, time bound projects. This is why when he told me he was getting a non-imm b single with a view to getting a non imm b multi ‘next time around’ I thought ‘problem’ he never mentioned returning within 90 days (I therefore assume his agent didn’t either) so it’s not been thought out and/or explained properly to him. - until now👍
Sergey *********
Or "Thailand-Home-Penang or any other Embassy in Malaysia(for visa)-Thailand"?
Yaniv ********
Single entry one year non b can get a re-entry permit at the airport or.at immigration 1900 baht if I'm not mistaken
Tod *********
There is NO single entry one year visa :O . Single entry visas are for 90 days :/
Yaniv ********
@Robert ******
lovely I wasn't that far off lolRobert *******
Single re-entry permit is 1.000 Thb.
Joe ***********
I have read many many posts here and elsewhere... and I am always amazed how people make booked travel plans without knowing the details of their pending visa. "Oh I'm starting a Thai Company - applying for a Work Permit and B Visa and I am booked to go home for 3-4 weeks right in the middle of it"... will that be a problem? 555
Darren *********
OPI am sure he will now read these comments and save some time and money. Most importantly, he owes me a beer. Thank you all for your valuable comments and advice. 🙏🏼
Darren *********
OPI agree, this is why I am a humble teacher 🙏🏼 my friend’s plan for a multi seemed flawed, I rely on this excellent forum to further my wisdom and help my friend 🙏🏼
Joe ***********
Darren - I owned a computer business in Texas for over 20 years. I now own a Rent Car Company in Thailand. Owning a Company in Thailand is a hundred times more complicated. It doesn't get easier after the initial Company setup - it gets Seriously More Complicated dealing with the Thai Government Bureaucracy. So be prepared spending lots of time and money complying with all the reporting rules. I wouldn't be booking lots if trips back home in the first year.
Darren *********
OPI do sir, yes 🙂
Marco *********
@Dar***
do you live in Samui?Darren *********
OPYes joe, but when you pay an ‘agent’ and they only think one step ahead and just take your money.. that’s what friends and forums are for 😉
Robert *******
If he is the owner director of the company he can apply for the 1 year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant B visa in Penang.
Ellie *******
@Dar***
, I guess he needs to talk with his agent/accountant more deeply about details of the process and schedule.I'm not expert and I cannot say for sure, though some government papers which necessary for Non-B application have validity or expiration date (don't know the right words), 1 - 3 months.
As you mentioned, if he is going to Penang for Non-B single, he already has wp3, that means also his WP might be already applied.
And if he out of Thailand more than 90 days, when he wants to apply Non-B multi after that, his WP may or may NOT have 8 months left which required as
@Ma***
said.I'm sorry this is just a possibility that I could imagine so full of "might/may" and I apologize if this is off topic.
Darren *********
OP@Robert ******
thank you Robert, I hope he finds this group as useful as I 🙏🏼Darren *********
OPExactly. Going to Penang twice, unnecessarily on the ‘bus of death’ surely must be avoided.
Paul *********
If he’s leaving within the dates of his current visa and not returning before the 90 days that he’ll get for a single entry non B then why bother going to Penang? Just take the paperwork back to his home country and apply for a non B there and sort the extension out when he does return.
Robert *******
@Darren ********
He is member now.Robert *******
Buy a re-entry permit IF he comes back before the initial 90 days Admitted to Stay, or buy a new Non Immigrant B visa before you go to Thailand. That's it.
Darren *********
OPI’ve added him to the group, just waiting on admin approval. So he will be able to see for himself 😉
Darren *********
OP@Robert ******
yes! He told me his plans and I’ve questioned them. I’m seeking confirmation of this here, I’m no expert but I’ve told him exactly what you have just saidMarco *********
@Rob***
is rightMarco *********
@Darren ********
if he enters with the Single Entry Visa it will be stamped as USED.So if he leaves the Country after few weeks, that visa will be cancelled.
Unless he buy a re-entry permit at Immigration (1000 baht) that allows him to re-enter the Country using the original single entry visa
Robert *******
Why not apply for a new Non Immigrant B visa before he comes back to Thailand?
Robert *******
So if I understand correctly, he applies for the Single Entry Non Immigrant B visa, comes back to Thailand, get 90 days of Stay, want to leave Thailand and come back after this initial 90 days stay so a re-entry permit can not be used?
Darren *********
OPYes.. first one. It’s the ‘single’ entry aspect that I believe hasn’t been correctly explained to him.. the advice that he’s go is that he can ‘just do it next time he’s here’ which in fact will probably mean his non-imm single b will be ‘dead’ by this time and he will have to do the process again?
Marco *********
It's his first Non B Visa, cannot be multiple but only single entry
Darren *********
OPI’ve been following the ever changing criteria for a non-imm b multi very closely for the last six months, I’ve counted six changes in as many months in Penang. I no longer qualify. The issue I refer to here is the ‘single entry’ aspect of the no -imm b single as far as it being the normal step toward a gaining a multi (qualification isn’t an issue, he is the owner director) and that my friends travel plans don’t seem to be conducive to this process. Ellie’s solution appears to be the most realistic.
Marco *********
Yes, just buy at 1000 baht a re-entry permit at Immigration office before leaving.
Ellie *******
If he can come back to Thailand before 90 days admitted stay from non-b single is up, he can buy re-entry permit before leave and keep this admitted stay "alive".
Darren *********
OPThanks for your reply.. I thought this also and it’s not been properly explained to him, he’s certainly not factored in purchasing his re-entry permit OR scheduling a return visit with the 90 day period..
Paul *********
If he is a shear holder of more than 29% he can apply for a year multiple entry visa in Penang Malaysia.
Marco *********
@Ellie ******
I meant to reply to Paul too ;-)Marco *********
If you are not director, even if you hold more than 20% of shares, cannot have mutiple entry in Penang.
But I think you can still have in Kota Bahru just holding more than 20% of shares (no matter if you are director or not)
But I think you can still have in Kota Bahru just holding more than 20% of shares (no matter if you are director or not)
Marco *********
As for the multiple entry rules in Penang, they change again: now Penang gives multi entry only if you are director/owner of the company and your work permit has a residual validity of at least 8 months
Ellie *******
@Marco ********
sorry i meant to reply to Paul..Marco *********
Ellie, Darren is talking about a very first Non B Visa, that can be obtained BEFORE having a work permit (showing the wp3, the form used to request a work permit) so his friend can only have a Single Entry Non B Visa, anywhere in the world.
Ellie *******
last time I heard, you need to be a director of the company to get non-b multi from Penang or Kota Bharu, Malaysia.
Darren *********
OPIt’s the ‘single entry’ part that’s the issue (or not).
Darren *********
OPYes I know this, but does he not need his non-imm single first?.. and if he gets this his single entry will be used re-entering. When he leaves in two weeks he would be technically re-entering twice on a single, no?
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