Phuket Thailand

Pussy Whipped · #1 06-03-2007, 16:34

I was wondering if any BM's had got one of these visas, and if so, in addition to the form photos and fee what additional documents they had to provide as well as where they applied.

Here's the link to the web page I was reading about it on.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand : : Visas & Travel Document

Dodger · #2 06-03-2007, 20:36

Look at the section below on your linkand that is the additional information they may ask for, from my limited experience of this visa they do ask for most of the additional where applicable, as my Solicitor was suggesting I consider a 1 year b visa and was going to compile the letterheaded papers etc.

Nicke · #3 07-03-2007, 04:05

I have to apply for a new visa soon, will ask my accounting about this 3 year visa.

boxster · #4 07-03-2007, 14:47

@Pussy Whipped
If you apply for this visa it would be nice if you could keep us informed.
Always nice to get some first hand informations about visa stuff.

LivinLOS · #5 09-03-2007, 21:43

I was old they are really hard to get (but that was from the perspective of bull shitting one) certainly you dont get one of these on a 'invite letter' liek you do a 1 year non B..

Also they are only given out at embassys I read.. Meaning friendly consuls are cut out of the loop..

Pussy Whipped · #6 09-03-2007, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I was old they are really hard to get (but that was from the perspective of bull shitting one) certainly you dont get one of these on a 'invite letter' liek you do a 1 year non B..

Also they are only given out at embassys I read.. Meaning friendly consuls are cut out of the loop..

That is what I was trying to figure out. It says on the web site you might be asked for additional info such as Inviting companies Vat and Tax returns etc. Thats ok and possible but complicated and costly to arrange, I was going to send my second -Not stamped into Thailand passport -off to the Embassy in the UK. So I would kind of need to make sure I sent everything I needed in one go.

LivinLOS · #7 09-03-2007, 22:18

I also think these are only given after a 1 year has been used (shown in passport.. Thais dont like the 2 passport thing)..

But this is from info given when it was still in the 'coming soon' category..

Pussy Whipped · #8 09-03-2007, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I also think these are only given after a 1 year has been used (shown in passport.. Thais dont like the 2 passport thing)..

But this is from info given when it was still in the 'coming soon' category..

I know the Thais don't like the two passport thing, they cannot seem to get there head around it. I once got 2 Non Imm O visas one for each passport in Brisbane, when I came to renew them a year later in London they went mad. It was my own fault for assuming what was ok in Oz was ok in the UK. They decided that I could have no visas, in fact they said to me that "obviously the only reason I had married a Thai girl was to stay longer in Thailand."Which I actually thought was quite clever, I suggested with that attitude that the consular offficial might do well working for the British Embassy in Bangkok. He did not share my sense of humour. He stamped "Seen By the Royal Thai Embassy" in the back of both passports (This is Embassy code for Visa refused)

LivinLOS · #9 10-03-2007, 08:25

I bet that took all of a day to sort out by losing !!!

I had one absolutely flip at me at the Ranong border as I wanted to flip passports as one was nearly full.. Had a full on spitting hissy fit..

ATMwalking · #10 10-03-2007, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussy Whipped

Ithey said to me that "obviously the only reason I had married a Thai girl was to stay longer in Thailand."Which I actually thought was quite clever, I suggested with that attitude that the consular offficial might do well working for the British Embassy in Bangkok. He did not share my sense of humour.

Actually think this will be a more popular option given they have tightened things up. Although I think they raised the amount of money you must have on deposit, no? But it is strange to think you would get married just so you can stay in a 3rd world country.

hagler · #11 07-06-2007, 20:52

This is a Thai "rehash" of the APEC card that is available to legitimate business people who live within one of the participating countries and travel frequently to other apec countries for business.

If you want to apply for the card you need to be a business person who:

Is a passport holder of a participating economy i.e. citizen (or a Hong Kong permanent resident with any valid travel document);

Travels regularly to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region; and

Has not been convicted of a criminal offence.

There are 17 economies currently participating in the ABTC Scheme: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, PNG, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

Cardholders from all participating economies are now also entitled to use 'fast-track' immigration lanes (currently designated for air-crew) at all international airports in the United States and at major international airports in Mexico.

The application process is straightforward and cheap, $ 200 in Australia, and as I said before it is valid for 3 years.

I have one of these cards and it is a godsend. 3 month visa to LOS issued on arrival every time, no questions asked. You use the diplomatic line at the airport and are treated in a very courteous and friendly manner and you get through in about 1/10 of the time of everyone else. Heading through immigration in Australia is a similar story.

You have to be a legitimate businessperson ( you will required as part of your application to show a proven need for the card. ( ie regular business travel to any of the participating countries) but let me tell you if you can get your hands on one of these your life becomes very very laid back in terms of travel and multiple entry and 3 month stays in any of the countries.

Website for more info is APEC - Business Mobility Group

LivinLOS · #12 08-06-2007, 13:40

The 3 year non imm B visa and the APEC card are different things tho..

Schmeen · #13 09-06-2007, 18:12

A mate of mine has this visa, he is a consultant for a well known thai company, probably comes in for 3-4 weeks at a time about 6 times a year. No use for me as you are not allowed to stay for more than 90 days at a time.

My visa is permanent, I never have to leave, not even to renew. This is more for the situation mentioned above.

LivinLOS · #14 09-06-2007, 19:51

How do you get a visa you never have to renew.. Even the longest I heard of is the 1 year in country extension renewed annually.

Otherwise it gets into the realm of PR and citizenship.

Schmeen · #15 14-06-2007, 11:26

LivinLOS

Read the sentence again. I don't have to leave to renew, not I don't have to renew. My WP is provided by a government ministry, so I don't have to deal with the DoE, well, my agent doesn't.

Schmeen · #16 14-06-2007, 11:28

Actually mentioning PR, I've been elligible before, but never bothered when it was cheap, probably should have. I'll be elligible again in a while....may do it this time, but it's 90 odd thousand baht and not a huge benefit for me...