Answered6 years ago
Can I maintain my retirement visa while obtaining a work permit for my business investment in Thailand?
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?
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.
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Bob **********
You can't work on an extension based on retirement
Ken ********
From what I've been told can't hold a work permit on a retirement visa
David **********
David **********
@Ken *******
which retirement visa are you on, Non 0 or a Non0-A?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
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. 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👍
Dave *********
@Ken *******
by definition it’s a contradictionJames ********
@Ken *******
correct.
Dave ********
@James *******
some people do ask the OBVIOUS questions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣James ********
You will need to obtain a Non B visa with work permit to work in Thailand.
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?
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.Daniel ******
@Ellie ******
- I didn't even think about the distinction, but I am married to a Thai national.James ********
@Daniel *****
based on marriage yes. 
Benjamin ******
@Daniel *****
That is correct
Tullio *******
OP@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!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.
Tullio *******
OP@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.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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