Thread: Changes to Regulations for Visa Extensions/Work Permits

The Immigration Bureau, the governmental authority who is responsible for visa applications, has revamped and revised its procedures and requirements extensively.

The major changes are:

1. Previously, a copy of the employing company’s affidavit and list of shareholders could be certified as a true copy by the authorised director(s) of the company with the company’s seal affixed. Currently, the amended regulations state that the corporate documents must be issued by the Ministry of Commerce and they must be obtained each time a visa application is applied for.

2. Previously, a copy of the employing company’s audited balance sheets could be certified as a true copy by the authorised director(s) of the company, with the company’s seal affixed. The amended regulations now state that the copy of the balance sheets must be certified as true copies by the Ministry of Commerce or the Revenue Department or every page is to be certified by the company’s auditor.

3. Previously, a copy of the applicant’s Personal Income Tax Return Form (Por. Ngor. Dor. 91) and a copy of its official receipt certified by the applicant could be submitted as a supporting document. Currently, the amended regulations state that a copy certified by an official of the Revenue Department is required for submission.

4. Previously, a copy of the employing company’s Withholding Income Tax Return Form (Por. Ngor. Dor. 1) and a copy of its official receipt certified by the authorised director(s) with the company’s seal affixed could be submitted as a supporting document. The amended regulations state that a copy certified by the official of the Revenue Department is required for submission.

5. Previously, a copy of the employing company’s Social Security Fund Return Form (Sor. Por. Sor. 1-10) and a copy of its official receipt certified by the authorised director(s) with the company’s seal affixed could be submitted as a supporting document. Whereas, the amended regulations state that a copy certified by the official of the Social Security Office is required for submission.

6. A marriage certificate and/or birth certificate, if required, could be notarised by the embassy or consulate of the country of the applicant’s nationality for the first submission and, thereafter, it could be certified as true copies by the applicant for an extension. The amended regulations state that every time the visa is applied for, the marriage certificate and/or birth certificate, if required, must be notarised by the embassy or consulate of the country in which the documents are issued.

These amendments will require companies who employ foreign nationals, as well as individuals seeking visa extensions, to allow for plenty of time to comply, prepare and lodge their applications as the process of obtaining official certified documents takes between two or three weeks to complete.

I know of at least one farang-owned business that's just sacked all its Thai staff and moved to Singapore as a direct result of increased bullshit of exactly this type...

^There's certainly easier places to do business. Vietnamese authorities must be quietly rubbing their hands with glee.

thank ( insert deity of choice ) I closed that company when I did .

coffin of nails ........................

I guess Thai expertise has reached par with western/East Asian/South Asian/African/Antarctic companies now, so they don't need foreigners to make them vaguely competitive in the world market anymore.

They are so silly. It makes very little sense to set up business here.

Ant, are these proposed changes or part of procedures already?

^Thetyim,

In effect already, as of the 12th I think?*












*Where's a proper lawyer like William when you bloody well need him!?

^ and I always thought that you were a proper ........!

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

proper ........!

An 8-letter blank? "Greatguy"?

I think it will be 2019 before the this news arrives at immigration outposts in places like Mukdahan or Nong Khai. Until then just keep on keepin on jumping through hoops.