Siam Legal International is one of Thailand´s premier full service law firms headquartered in Bangkok. With offices located throughout Thailand particularly in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui and Phuket and international offices in London and Los Angeles, we at Siam Legal offer an extensive range of professional legal, corporate and real estate services accessible to clients both domestically and internationally.
Thailand Non Immigrant "B" Visa : Thai Business Visa
The non immigrant "B" or Business Visa is available to those who wish to enter Thailand for the purposes of conducting business or seeking employment.There is are a few options with regards to the Thai Business Visa. Normally the Thai embassies will only issue you with a 3 month / 90 day Business Visa as this is all that would normally be required for starting Thai Work Permit process. The "B" Visa does not give you the right to work in Thailand as this is commonly misunderstood.
The "B" Visa is therefore not a Work Visa as some one refer to it as there is no such visa called a Thai work visa. The"B"visa or Thai business visa is correct visa to start the work permit process, however is not a valid document for holding employment on its own. At times the embassies might issue you with a Multiple Entry "B" Visa. These would normally be a one year Multiple Entry "B" Visa which is valid for a year and made of 4 visa 'legs'. The one year Thai "B" Visa is divided into 4 legs. Each leg is valid for 3 months (90 days). Every 90 days you have to leave Thailand and return to activate the next leg. This is commonly called a Visa Run and is rather common in Thailand.
When applying for a Thailand "B" Visa you would need a letter from your prospective employer requesting the visa on your behalf so that they may apply for a work permit for you. This letter, on the official letterhead of the business you would hand in with your application form.
1. The letter must be addressed to the appropriate Embassy.
2. They should introduce the applicant, being you and state the specific nature of business to be conducted.
3. Contact details of the applicant in the country, and the company
4. Guarantee of financial support for the applicant must be stated
5. The letter must -- i.e.; XYZ Company guarantees financial responsibility for Mr. Smith while in your country.
6. The letter must be signed by someone other than the applicant, with their name and title typed below. Should you need further information, contact any of the 7 offices of Siam Legal International in Thailand, or the US or UK office.
