Can you work with a Thai Elite Visa?

@Tugce *******

does not include insurance

@Garrett **********

- I'm talking about the Thread. Much contradictory info. Everyone thinks they are correct - result no real answer. Nobody's fault. Under a regular B Visa a person can own a Thai Registered Company - have shares assigned - and would not have to have a WP. But they can do absolutely no work - function as a complete silent partner. But this is very impractical and would be scrutinized by various departments. The answer for the poster probably lies under the BOI jurisdiction. I have also read that one can hold the two Visas simultaneously Elite and B.

@J**

That's incorrect Joe. Ownership of a Thai company has no bearing on your visa. You CAN do work for your company, not just be a silent partner, WITHOUT a needing a work permit.

@Garrett **********

"Ownership of a Thai company has no bearing on your visa. You CAN do work for your company, not just be a silent partner, WITHOUT a needing a work permit."

Maybe True for a BOI.

I am the Managing Director of a Thai Company with about 48% Share. I prefer the One Year Multi-Entry B Visa rather than an Extension of Stay. When I go to Penang to get a new One Year Multi-Entry B Visa I have to prove that I have eight months remaining on my Work Permit or I cannot apply for the B Visa.

Several years ago when I had a B Visa One Year Extension of Stay I had to show my WP and have eight months left on the WP.

So for a regular Thai company structure I have been required every year to prove possession of a WP with 8 months left or I am denied the Visa or Extension.

@Joe **

Thats because you didn't set your company up through the treaty with an FBC. If you did, you wouldn't need a WP. FBC holders can get a 1 year Multiple entry non B without a work permit, but only from a Thai consultant in the US.

@Garrett **********

- Yes I know all about the Amity Treaty - but you did not state that provision in your declaration of what was possible. There are drawbacks to the American ability to use of the Amity Treaty provisions such as when dealing with the DBD Department of Business Development where having a Thai Partner makes any bureaucratic process run smoother. Not to mention the extra cost involved plus having an attorney to get the business Amity Treaty aspect set up. In five years I have not had one single hitch in running my business with a Thai Partner. Also getting a Work Permit is knock dead simple compared to the overall process of setting up a Thai Registered Company or getting a B Visa.

When going to a Bank to set up a Business Account any Thai Banker will be dumbfounded that you as a company owner do not gave a WP. Plus almost every transaction i.e. renting an Apartment, setting up a bank account - even a personal account is much easier when a WP can be handed over. This is true even when getting a Thai Driver License. This WP privilege even goes to when renting an apartment or condo. The bottom line advantage of an Amity Treaty based company is nil in the overall these days.

@Dan***

Not share holders, owner. Companies registered with foriegn business licenses or certificates (depending on nationality). The owner does not require a work permit to work for their company per the 2018 emergency decree.

@Garrett **********

you mean BOI or under US Treaty?

@Daniel ***********

555 Read again..

@Reiner ********

maybe you need to read and understand again - you cannot work on Non B Visa as well - only on a Work Permit - which you can get with Non B or Non O - married Visa

@Daniel ***********

, ...Well to get a Workpermit you Need to have a Visa B ....

@Reiner ********

as written before - but here we talk about Elite Visa -

@Stuart ********

one friend of mine runs a big construction and real estate company total legal here and he bought the 20 year elite visa

@Michael ******

I thought that was the whole point of it, for people with long term business interests.

@Michael ******

Well I hope he has a valid work permit. You’ll possibly find he has a combination of the elite visa and a non-b or something like Board of Investment privileges. Not just an elite visa.

@Stuart ********

some people believe what they want to believe 🙄

@Tugce *******

. You'd have to forfeit the elite visa. They used to be able to be onsold, but I don't know if it's still the case. Do something about it before you start working. If you're caught you'll lose it anyway, you'd never ever be able to get another, and you would probably be deported with a very long ban on re-entry

@Tugce *******

speak to the people at the Elite Visa. They have multilingual staff that can advise.