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Do I need a work permit in addition to a Non-B visa to work in Thailand?
Dec 14, 2020
5 years ago
Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello all. Quick and surely easy question.
I am starting work next month in BKK for an American company. The American HR folks are telling me that once my visa is converted to Non B “work visa” I only require that and an invitation letter from our Thai counterparts to legally work.
This sounds wrong to me and I think I still need a work permit in addition to a “work visa”.
Who’s right?
Thanks!
I am starting work next month in BKK for an American company. The American HR folks are telling me that once my visa is converted to Non B “work visa” I only require that and an invitation letter from our Thai counterparts to legally work.
This sounds wrong to me and I think I still need a work permit in addition to a “work visa”.
Who’s right?
Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
You need both a Non-B visa and a work permit to legally work in Thailand. The Non-B visa allows you to enter and stay in the country for business activities, but the work permit is necessary to officially work. Your HR department should assist you in obtaining the work permit after your visa conversion.
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Greg ********
Non-B plus a Work Permit
Steven ***************
@Steve *********
. I can confirm that you can definitely obtain a work permit and then work if you are on a thai spouse visa/extension. No need to switch to B visa at all. It will only become an issue if your marriage legally ends, which cancels your spouse visa. Greg ********
@Steven **************
I am wondering why my colleagues us the B instead of spouse? Maybe because they can get a ***
year "B" through the BOI?Steven ***************
@Greg *******
. The advantage of a spouse visa is if you lose your job, you dont lose your visa coz it's not linked to employment. Greg ********
@Steven **************
That is a point - being an old git I would just jump back to a retirement extension :-)Steven ***************
@Greg *******
. I would say so. Saves the hassle of 400k in your bank account every yearly renewal.. and the Spanish Inquisition every time you apply for a yearly extension such as photos of the marital bedroom.. Greg ********
@Steven **************
Yeah, for the BOI we just get marched from desk to desk by one of HR. The Imm guy looks at passport pic and then back at you and then you sit and wait a minute or 2 for everything issued :-)Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
@Steve *********
More money for them if an agent? Having said that colleagues at work married to Thai's all on B and not marriage.Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gr**
thank you. Greg ********
@Steve *********
Process is company applies for WP. You get issued with WP3 for and company gives you other documents. That gets you Non-B. You come into country and then you get your WP and usually extension to Non-B. I got the 90 Non-B in Singapore. Then got WP and 2 year extension at One Stop Shop as a BOI company.Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gr**
I’m here already on a non O extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai with verified funds in a bank account. Kool *******
@Steve *********
do not change your visa extension. You can legally get a work permit, and work with that extension. Most likely the BOI company is not aware of this, and has not dealt with it before, as the reason they want you to change, but don't do it. If your job ends, or they go out of business you face having to start over getting back on your marriage extension, and technically have to do it in just seven days. The only restriction to this is if you are a working journalist. As of three years ago they want all journalists under the type M visa extension now,but that is the only exception. Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ko**
thank you. We have a Zoom meeting Thursday and I will definitely bring this to their attention. Kool *******
@Steve *********
it is not easy to find, but there is a directive on this on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.Greg ********
@Steve *********
Can you get a WP with that visa? I am not up on that but thought you could with marriage visa but not retirement? I was on retirement and cancelling that to get Non-B was a pain. Paid tea money in the endSteve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gr**
I read that I can. But for some reason the people here want me to convert it. No idea why. Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mo***
thank you! Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
JD ********
Yes - The B Visa is for employment or owning your own business. It is not called a Work Visa. B stands for Business. You will need to have a Work Permit. Obtained at the Labor Ministry (not Immigration). Apply with a WP. 3 Application Form
Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@J*
thank you. Kool *******
@Steve *********
if this is a BOI company, you get your work permit at the ChomChuri Square one stop immigration and work permit center on the 18th floor, not at the Ministry of Labor.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
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