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Can I maintain my retirement visa while obtaining a work permit for my business investment in Thailand?

Retirement VisaWork PermitVisa ExtensionExpat LifeInvesting in Thailand
Apr 22, 2021
4 years ago
Tullio *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good afternoon. I am currently on extension of stay based on expat child studying here. As I have turned 50 I am thinking, when the next extension is due to change the reason to retirement (by meeting the financial criteria). Meanwhile I might invest in a business so later will be eligible for a work permit. If I change my extension of stay to retirement and then get a work permit from the company I invest into do I need to change the reason for extension of stay again or can keep the retirement and have a work permit?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you switch your extension of stay to a retirement basis, you cannot obtain a work permit while on that visa. To work in Thailand, you'll need to either apply for a Non B visa with a work permit specifically tailored for business activities or choose a different type of visa that allows for work.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Bob **********
You can't work on an extension based on retirement
4 years ago
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Ken ********
From what I've been told can't hold a work permit on a retirement visa
4 years ago
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David **********
@Ken *******
 what retirement extension are you on?

A Non 0 or a Non 0A?
4 years ago
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David **********
@Ken *******
 which retirement visa are you on, Non 0 or a Non0-A?
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@David *********
 was on non O ends 29th this month I've applied for a marriage visa hear back on the 28th if I'm not sucksessfull I've got the paperwork to apply for my retirement extension
4 years ago
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David **********
@Ken *******
 ok, with a Non 0, based on marriage, or dependant, or based on being over 50,

You can work with that visa, once you get your WP, A Non OA is different work is prohibited.

You can check with the ministry of employment for confirmation as I did👍
4 years ago
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Stuart *********
@David *********
 err No. with a non O based on marriage to a Thai national you can apply for a work permit, but a visa/extension based on being over 50 or dependant you cannot.
4 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Dave *********
@Ken *******
 by definition it’s a contradiction
4 years ago
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James ********
@Ken *******
 correct.
4 years ago
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Dave ********
@James *******
 some people do ask the OBVIOUS questions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Dave ********
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James ********
You will need to obtain a Non B visa with work permit to work in Thailand.
4 years ago
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Daniel ******
@James *******
 - You can also apply for a work permit based on a Non O based on Marriage, correct?

Would that be true for an extension based on having Thai dependent children?
4 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Daniel *****
 Only when you are on Non-O based on marriage to a Thai national. You cannot have workpermit with Non-O based on marriage to a foreigner who are legally living in Thailand.
4 years ago
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Daniel ******
@Ellie ******
 - I didn't even think about the distinction, but I am married to a Thai national.
4 years ago
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Daniel ******
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James ********
@Daniel *****
 based on marriage yes.
4 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@Daniel *****
 That is correct
4 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Tullio *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 thank you very much for the info, so I will not change the reason for the extension of stay and then once I proceed with the work related I’ll leave the country and do the process thanks again!
4 years ago
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James ********
@Tullio ******
 you are not yet able to do a visa run to neighbor countries as land borders are closed and unlikely to open up anytime soon.

So the reality is not able to leave Thailand to get the Non b visa. It's a changing situation entirely.

Bottom line... Keep your money..

Buying into a company is no guarantee of being able to get the work permit...be wary of what may be promised.
4 years ago
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Tullio *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 the work permit is a consequence of the investment not the reason, I will be traveling back home this summer regardless of the visa so I might as well do the correct procedure.
4 years ago
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Tullio *******
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James ********
You cannot get a work permit if you are on a retirement visa or extension of stay based on retirement.
4 years ago
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James ********
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