Obtaining non Immigrant B visa at Singapore consulate

[Stevejm]

Does anyone have any recent experience in obtaining a non B visa at the Thai Consulate in Singapore? I am thinking of applying for a job in Thailand but I would like to know what I am letting myself in for before I proceed further. I have applied for a non B visa in the past but I assume that everything is different now. Any recent relevant first hand experience would be appreciated 

[Faz]

Current requirements are listed on their website for the Non B.
Non-Immigrant Visa-B (Working) | Royal Thai Embassy

[Stevejm]

26 minutes ago, Faz said:

Current requirements are listed on their website for the Non B.
Non-Immigrant Visa-B (Working) | Royal Thai Embassy

Thanks Faz but I was actually aware of that already. I was posting because I wanted to hear about peoples actual experience. There are a couple of items in the list of required documents on the website which seem a bit unusual namely 1) Requirement for submission of a return ticket ( Why?) and 2) Requirement for minimum of 1 year medical insurance $100k cover including Covid coverage ( Why when employees paying SS should be covered under SS system?). It might be wishful thinking but I was hoping that someone might say that they aren’t required or can be mitigated in some way. I am also wondering if there were any issues getting into Singapore. It appears to be fairly straightforward using the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) that has been established but I don’t want to assume. I am also aware that you have to submit an on line application first which can take up to 14 days then you are assigned an interview slot to bring in your documents which sounds like a bit of a coordination nightmare when you have to book flights and apply for TP etc.

Edited March 18, 2022 by Stevejm

[Faz]

17 minutes ago, Stevejm said:

Thanks Faz but I was actually aware of that already. I was posting because I wanted to hear about peoples actual experience.

Last experiences will probably be from 2 years ago before Covid shut down free travel.
A lot has changed since then in regard to requirements partly due to Covid.

19 minutes ago, Stevejm said:

There are a couple of items in the list of required documents on the website which seem a bit unusual namely 1) Requirement for submission of a return ticket ( Why?) and 2) Requirement for minimum of 1 year medical insurance $100k cover including Covid coverage ( Why when employees paying SS should be covered under SS system?)

The requirement vary across the Thai Embassies (no logic or reason) and some detail the requirements better than others.

1. Return ticket is questionable when entering with a Non Imm Visa - it may be an error.
2. After Thailand began to reopen last year, one of the requirements for re-entry was a Health/Medical Insurance policy of $100,000 USD as part of obtaining the Thailand Pass. Many Thai Embassies made this a stipulation for obtaining Non Imm Visas, but it doubles as being part of the requirements for the Thailand Pass application.
The original figure of $100,000 was reduced to $50,000 USD, then recently to just $20,000 USD, however the Thai Embassies appear to get the 'official' message a lot later than the change and amend their sites accordingly. Regarding employees paying SS, compare the same information from the Thai Embassy in DC against that of the Thai Embassy Singapore for the Non B.

» Visa and Thailand Pass procedures for Non-Thai nationals with a valid work permit or those who have been given permission to work in Thailand, and their spouse/children (thaiembdc.org)

4.2 Medical insurance or letter from employer guaranteeing that the insurance company or employer will cover a minimum of 50,000 US dollars (or equivalent in other currencies) of medical costs incurred by the applicant in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that applicant contracts COVID-19 (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand);

The figure of $50,000 USD is still wrong and not yet updated, but it answers your question about the employer covering the Insurance.

You'd really need to email the Embassy in Singapore with your queries to get definitive answers.

[Stevejm]

6 hours ago, Faz said:

Last experiences will probably be from 2 years ago before Covid shut down free travel.
A lot has changed since then in regard to requirements partly due to Covid.

The requirement vary across the Thai Embassies (no logic or reason) and some detail the requirements better than others.

1. Return ticket is questionable when entering with a Non Imm Visa - it may be an error.
2. After Thailand began to reopen last year, one of the requirements for re-entry was a Health/Medical Insurance policy of $100,000 USD as part of obtaining the Thailand Pass. Many Thai Embassies made this a stipulation for obtaining Non Imm Visas, but it doubles as being part of the requirements for the Thailand Pass application.
The original figure of $100,000 was reduced to $50,000 USD, then recently to just $20,000 USD, however the Thai Embassies appear to get the 'official' message a lot later than the change and amend their sites accordingly. Regarding employees paying SS, compare the same information from the Thai Embassy in DC against that of the Thai Embassy Singapore for the Non B.

» Visa and Thailand Pass procedures for Non-Thai nationals with a valid work permit or those who have been given permission to work in Thailand, and their spouse/children (thaiembdc.org)

4.2 Medical insurance or letter from employer guaranteeing that the insurance company or employer will cover a minimum of 50,000 US dollars (or equivalent in other currencies) of medical costs incurred by the applicant in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that applicant contracts COVID-19 (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand);

The figure of $50,000 USD is still wrong and not yet updated, but it answers your question about the employer covering the Insurance.

You'd really need to email the Embassy in Singapore with your queries to get definitive answers.

Thanks for the thoughts. It makes sense that it is most likely no one has done it since before Covid. I have come to the conclusion that my best approach is to wait and see if I get the job then let my employer’s HR specialist sort out the requirements. The potential employer is a very large Thai company who may have good communication channels with the relevant authorities. As you mentioned the requirements vary between consulates so it’s a bit of a minefield. Some consulates won’t even process non B applications submitted by non residents. If it goes ahead I will post the details for others to see. I actually lost a contract last year because everywhere required quarantine to enter except Dubai where the Thai consulate doesn’t accept non B applications from non residents!

Edited March 18, 2022 by Stevejm