How can I legally live and work in Thailand after marrying my Thai girlfriend?

Question

Alright, I'm an American and have been in Thailand for 3 years... I have had non immigrant O, but mostly just somehow surviving on a tourist visas. Im too young for a retirement visa, and I am not independantly wealthy.

I have a dream of marrying my Thai girlfriend and living most of our days here together (I wouldn't want to even ask her to leave her family whome she loves very much). How can I do this? I can and have taught English online, and I'm a professional graphic designer with 20+ years of experience.

If I can work online, all my money is and will be spent here in Thailand. Is there a way to do this legally or do I just have to live in the Grey area for the rest of my life wondering if I will be torn from the one place I call home?

Can a marriage visa allow me to work legally online? Or to play out any of our entrepreneurial ideas? There's so much information on this forum and in the webs, but am struggling to find a direct answer to this question. I would love to live a life without fear, and without breaking any laws.

Ask Thailand · Answer

An American expat in Thailand seeks advice on obtaining a legal visa to stay and work after marrying his Thai girlfriend. Currently on a tourist visa and previously on a Non-O visa, he is not eligible for a retirement visa and is looking for legal ways to support himself as an online English teacher and graphic designer. Forum comments suggest that obtaining a marriage visa (Non-O) is essential, which allows an annual extension of stay but does not confer a work permit directly. A work permit can be acquired through a company like IGLU, which can facilitate legal online work.

Tod ********* · Answer

and we're done. . . . .

Chris ******** · Answer

A marriage visa does not give you the right to work. You still need a work permit. Get a marriage visa and talk to IGLU in Chiang mai about working online and putting your money through them. They will give you a work permit.

Tod ********* · Answer

You could get a business visa OR get married and get a marriage visa and work permit thru the company IGLU if you qualify for it.

[url redacted]

Tod ********* · Answer

And unfortunately I don't see a VISA question in your post. IF you want a marriage visa marry a thai, meet the requirements and you can get a Non-O visa and/or a yearly extension of stay.

You can get a work permit and legally work here IN thailand (if you find a job) while on a marriage visa or an extension of stay based on marriage.

Unfortunately the fact all your money that you make will be spent here doesn't even factor into the equation on what visa you need to be here long term.

How can I legally live and work in Thailand after marrying my Thai girlfriend?

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