Penang/Non-B Multiple Entry..? WHY? - Ajarn Forum

Klong_Dam · 5th August 2008, 12:46

Hi,

I've got this situation at work...

I came back to Thailand to start a new job after a one-month vacation in the US. Before going back to the US, I signed a contract with a new employer and they gave me the paperwork necessary to obtain a Non-B visa. While in the US, I applied for and received a Non-Immigrant B visa (90-day, single-entry) using the paperwork provided by my new employer. I entered Thailand at the end of May, thinking myself quite clever for having avoided a trip to Penang and being one step ahead of the game.

I received my temporary work permit during June. At this point I kept waiting for someone to ask me for my passport again so that they could begin to process the one-year extension of my visa. Well, the person in my office who handles these things still didn't ask so I asked this person... and was met with a blank stare. One-year visa? Extension? What? It seems as though I opened up a can of worms.

My current visa (Non-B) is up on August 26. My employer has told me that I will need to go to Penang to get a One-year Multiple-Entry Non-B. I've never done it this way before. All my previous jobs just did the single-entry and then extension. Once I return, I will then have to make trips to Ranong (the border) every 90 days instead of just jumping down to immigration.

For some background: I'm employed as an English Instructor through a company (not a school) in Phuket. I asked the outgoing teacher and he said he never had to do this. It seems they've changed their policy. I've been very patient and they've been very patient and have actually followed up on my questions. But they have been insistent that it's not possible to do a one-year extension. Has anybody heard of this happening with Phuket immigration before? I'm also a little worried I'll get down to Penang (on mostly my own dime, I might add) and there'll be some problems. It's happened before.

Thanks!

zehner · 5th August 2008, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klong_Dam

the person in my office who handles these things still didn't ask so I asked this person... and was met with a blank stare. One-year visa? Extension? What?

sounds like idiot admin syndrome

kenkannif · 5th August 2008, 13:04

^ Could be although it's actually more common than a lot of teachers know (LDMA had to do something similar initially)....basically three reasons IMO and IME that it could be happening.

Minimum wage is not being met.

Company is not set up proper like.

Admin/Imm are stupid/confused/lying.

Also bear in mind just to get a multi Non-imm B you generally need the WP first for Penang.

Also there is a some slightly good news....you won't have to 90 day border run (or shouldn't) and then extend the WP anymore....you should be able to do it all internally (although Phuket IME is a bitch of an imm office)....according to a recent Immigration article.

I'll PM you my number and we can talk aboooot it like!!!

russellsimpson · 5th August 2008, 13:20

^ Maybe they're trying to avoid the hassles around the new teacher accreditation. ( culture course, etc.)

The good news is that Penang is giving multiple entries once again.

kenkannif · 5th August 2008, 13:30

^ It's not a school mate (it's a company)...ergo new requirements don't apply to them mate

Penang has always given multiples to those with a work permit Russ (other than the odd blip)!!!

russellsimpson · 5th August 2008, 13:35

I see. For some reason I thought otherwise

kenkannif · 5th August 2008, 13:41

^ No worries mate....easily done....it generally doesn't apply to teachers (thus they're not aware) as the minimum wage don't apply....and the set up costs are a lot less (no capital really needed) as well as the Thai staff ratio not applying.

Without a WP 99% of people won't get a multiple Non-imm B from Penang!!! I would say a 100%...but you know....TiT!!!

Actually after reading your post here OP:

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/houses-...ml#post1023916 (looking for accomodation in/around Phuket Town)

Yeah if you're on a TEFLERs salary (and it ain't 50K or more) then that's your problem!!! not hitting minimum wage.

I would speak to your employer and ask them to cook the books so you pay tax on 50K....even if you ain't earning it!!!

lasher · 5th August 2008, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkannif

^Without a WP 99% of people won't get a multiple Non-imm B from Penang!!! I would say a 100%...but you know....TiT!!!

!!!

Is it? I thought it was Malaya

kenkannif · 5th August 2008, 14:30

^ Ahh but aren't Consulates (or is it just Embassies in which case I'm well wrong...then again do you even know how to use Google to prove me wrong?) sort of classed as being that country in another country?

lasher · 5th August 2008, 14:33

Dunno. They're all English really though ain't they

Klong_Dam · 6th August 2008, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkannif

Yeah if you're on a TEFLERs salary (and it ain't 50K or more) then that's your problem!!! not hitting minimum wage.

I would speak to your employer and ask them to cook the books so you pay tax on 50K....even if you ain't earning it!!!

This is jogging my memory. I believe the outgoing guy said something about the Big Boss doing just that, cooking the books as far as the taxes were concerned. I think he even said the BB picked up the extra tab. The story is that another foreign employee (not a teacher) screwed the whole system up royally for everyone. I have no idea how because it was before my time and it's not really the sort of thing I can easily ask about. But now the place doesn't want to do that sort of thing anymore and so they're going this route. Fair enough.

Sadly, I'm making less than 50K.

Goodness me, it's all starting to come together now! Thanks for all the replies, it's much appreciated.

kenkannif · 6th August 2008, 12:12

^ Yeah if it's a job other than teaching (and journalism) you generally need to earn 50K or more (depending on nationality...but that applies to most Westerners) to get the one year extension (WP is okay...just the Visa).....but like I said you should be able to extend every 90 days at your local Immigration....whereas before you had to do border runs to activate the next entry and then extend your WP accordingly....that WAS a pain in the arse!!!

Maybe see if you can do it their way for a year....and then when they feel they can trust you....cook the books (if they won't do it now).