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Can I apply for a business visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand?
Feb 3, 2025
a year ago
Dana *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHey is it possible to apply for a business visa while I'm in Thailand with the tourist visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to apply for a business visa while you are in Thailand on a tourist visa. However, the process often involves your employer and may require documentation that some companies aren't prepared to provide for an in-country application. Most companies will suggest that you apply for the initial Non B visa at a nearby consulate or embassy instead, and then handle yearly extensions from within Thailand.
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Tai **********
Simple answer yes
Dana *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tai *********
thank youTai **********
@Dana ****
if you qualify for a WP you can switch from tourist to Non B visa, this all depends if you qualify for one though but it is possible. I’m applying for one through my company and doing it now so it’s possible.Reply to
Tai **********
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Stuart *********
That’s going to be between you your employer and immigration. The majority of companies can’t (or won’t) supply the absolute vast quantities of documentation that immigration would need to issue a in country visa.
Most will provide the relatively sparse amount of documents needed for you to go to a nearby consulate or embassy and apply for the initial Non B there and then deal with yearly extensions as needed.
Most will provide the relatively sparse amount of documents needed for you to go to a nearby consulate or embassy and apply for the initial Non B there and then deal with yearly extensions as needed.
Dana *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I'm not looking to work for a specific company, more like a freelancer providing services.Tai **********
@Dana ****
hmm so you need to make a company then, and not all jobs can be done by foreigners so depend what you want to do.Dana *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tai *********
I would like to teach yogaTai **********
@Dana ****
so either getting hired or set up your own companyTicha *****************
@Tai *********
@Dana ****
this comment is rightDana *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ticha ****************
and it's not an issue to do it while in Thailand as opposed to before coming?Tai **********
@Dana ****
no, you can set up a company while you’re in thailand, like I said I’m in the process now. You don’t need to leave the country to go from tourist to non b visa.Stuart *********
@Tai *********
You can indeed do so within Thailand. Except the requirements to do so are generally beyond the norms of what most companies can provide. We are talking of mountains of paperwork. Most wont or can’t provide all that’s needed. If your company setup allows it then all well and good. The majority can’t.
Tai **********
@Stuart ********
I’m not doing yoga, just was referring to opening a company and getting WP and visa. Not sure how it works for teaching yogaStuart *********
@Tai *********
I’m not referring to yoga specifically either. Setting up a company is relatively easy in Thailand. Getting a work permit/visa to allow you to work for that company generally isn’t.Tai **********
@Stuart ********
if you’re making a yoga studio it should be pretty easy, again I’m not sure about doing freelance jobs as a yoga teacher.Reply to
Tai **********
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