Which visa for temporary consultants?

[bkk_guy]

Hi,

I'm working on a large, global IT implementation project in Thailand with a large multi-national company.  We will have several European consultants coming here to work on the project for about 3 months.  The consulting company they work for is European with no Thai offices or branches.  

Is it wise to have them apply for Non-B visas in their home country?  I don't want them to have to leave every month on tourist visas.

Not sure which way to go...any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--M.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Get them to apply for Non B's in their home countries, supported by letters from the company requesting the issuance, and undertaking to accept responsibilty for them, and state in the letters and on the applications that the purpose is for the applicant to consult to the company for up to 90 days.

[bkk_guy]

Thanks for your reply doc.  Does the company requesting the issuance of the visa have to be a Thai company, or can it be their Europe-based consulting company?

Thanks again.

--M.

[george]

We will have several European consultants coming here to work on the project for about 3 months.  

Note that work in Thailand requires a work permit by law, so the Non-Immigrant visa is a good first step to obtain a work permit.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Either Bkk G

[bkk_guy]

Thanks doc

[Indo-Siam]

Technically, I think the correct type of visa for this sort of work is a non-immigrant Class EX visa:

"- to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist (Category "EX") "

The best summary I have ever seen of actual visa requirements is at Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs

But - it will probably be a pain in the neck to find someone inside Thai Immigration who is familiar with the EX category.

My guess is that my firm could obtain letters from MFA, Immigration, and Labor Department concerning the specifics of your project and your proposed plan to import specialists. Letters would request that Thai diplomatic post in originating country issue a Non-immigrant Class EX visa.  Ministry of Labor letter would also waive requirement for a work permit in support of this specific, limited time project assignment.

The trouble is -  I suspect that at least Immigration would require an informal expedite fee to cooperate.

Unless - is the multinational host company operating under BOI privileges?  If so, then this arrangement would probably be much easier to coordinate.

If you are interested in exploring this route - Class EX visas and entry permits, and official waiver of work permit requirement - please contact me via conventional e-mail.

In return for a commitment to use my firm against a pre-defined fee schedule, if we can work out the arrangement, I am prepared to have my firm investigate (at no charge) our ability to successfully implement this approach for you.  Meaning - we only earn a fee if we are successful.    But I would need to gather considerable details about the situation, and the companies involved.  

Good luck.

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

[email protected]