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

Retirement Visa Work Permit Visa Extension Expat Life Investing in Thailand

April 22, 2021

3 years ago

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.
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Bob **********

You can't work on an extension based on retirement

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Ken ********

From what I've been told can't hold a work permit on a retirement visa

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David **********

what retirement extension are you on?

A Non 0 or a Non 0A?

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David **********

which retirement visa are you on, Non 0 or a Non0-A?

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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

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David **********

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👍

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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.

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Stuart *********

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Dave *********

by definition it’s a contradiction

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James ********

correct.

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Dave ********

some people do ask the OBVIOUS questions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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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.

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Daniel ******

- 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?

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Ellie *******

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.

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Daniel ******

- I didn't even think about the distinction, but I am married to a Thai national.

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Daniel ******

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James ********

based on marriage yes.

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Benjamin ******

That is correct

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Benjamin ******

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Tullio *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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!

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James ********

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.

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Tullio *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

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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.

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James ********

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