How can I obtain a visa for myself and my staff to work in my restaurant in Thailand?

@Graham *****

Yeah, but that was not the point. People here are nitpicking about visa and 4 workers and other nonsense. I can have as many companies in Thailand as I want, without any workers or any visa. Or how do you think the biggest Harley Davidson factory on the planet is in Thailand? Because all share holders have a Thai Visa? I do not think so.

@Andreas ********

I have a company and soon a work permit. So: under the new rules, which are decades old: I can nearly do what ever I want. Except prohibited jobs. And opening a beer bottle is not a prohibited job. But no worries, I do not run a restaurant.

"All it needs is somebody Thai who hates you and who will snitch to the police"

Does not work ... I can a restaurant in any role I want. Since minimum 10 years.

@Angelo **********

you will soon find out that opening a beer bottle for a guest in "your" 49% owned restaurant, is a prohibited job. And after this realization, you will have fun in the International Detention Center, one can meet interesting people there

@Andreas ********

I have a lawyer. You don't 😛 good luck with your fear mongering. I do not own a restaurant. I run a solar energy company. Facepalm.

@Michael *******

That is not a problem as the 51% Thai shares will have no voting rights. Or you write into the founding constitution:

- change of directors needs 75% votes.

- Issuing dividends need 75% votes.

- maximum amount of dividends issued at any fiscal year can only be 10% of the earnings

Etc. p.p.

For founding a company, you need a lawyer. So, does not really make any sense to think with some half knowledge scratched from outdated internet pages and other facebook posts, you would get very far. (Not directed at you

@Michael *******

- it is for the other readers. There are even I*D*I*T*S who think a 51% majourity share holder can run to the bank and demand to withdraw all the money of the company)

@Angelo **********

hence my first comment to many issues to be solved on facebook.

@Michael *******

And I wrote: it is not directed at you. Perhaps I should have written: "So, does not really make any sense to think with some half knowledge scratched from outdated internet pages and other facebook posts, ONE would get very far. "

@Angelo **********

yes i knew wasnt directed at me, was just agreeing with you

@Michael *******

...so a work permit in Thailand would not be required for opening a business as a barber shop or doctor's off or lawyers off..is that correct.?

@Vijay ****

Yes you can open a barber shop, restaurant or whatever. As long as only Thais work there you don't need a work permit or visa

@Vijay ****

you have to have correct number of Thai shareholders but work permit not required for opening a business

@Vijay ****

But you can’t work in it unless you employ Thai staff.

@Ralph ******

it's a lot more complicated than just "employing Thai staff"

@Asim *******

How do you know what "nobody" can do and what cannot? It was not the question anyway. You just don't need a visa to open a company. Period

@Asim *******

" you can but before openings company they provide all info because you must to appoint 4 locals and yourself as a Dirdctor and show salaries as well after open company taxes start your company work or not staff salaries taxes start. Do you know it ?"

That is all wrong sorry.

First you open the company, and you are managing director.

4 Thai workers you only need if you have the wrong company set up, and: what a work permit for your self.

No salaries involved at all.

Get a lawyer if YOU want to open a company and work. Do not spread half knowledge which is not only half wrong but 99% wrong in forums.

@Angelo **********

You are completely wrong you have no info.

@Asim *******

Sorry. I have company. You have not.

STEP 1:

found the company, requirement: one or two Thai partners.

STEP 2: optional no need to do that, unless you want to do it

Get a Non B (non immigrant visa based on business). Requirement: some company that hires you. And have a work contract. Oh, see: if you want to work for your own company, you have to have done STEP 1 already. So that the managing director of said company: can make a work contract with you. No work contract -> no Business visa.

STEP 3:

Work permit. If you want to work and not only be shareholder and managing director, you need a work permit. Depending on what kind of company you own, NOW you need workers.

See? STEP 1? No workers needed to make a company. You need "perhaps" workers for STEP 3. And if you do not make STEP 1 - without workers, you do not reach STEP 3,

AND NOW I TELL IT TO YOU AGAIN: stop posting legal advice about stuff you have no clue about. It is illegal anyway: because you are not a lawyer. If you want to make a company: then ask a lawyer how to do it.

I have no idea why people who have no company, think they know more about it as one who actually has a company.

PS. STEP 3 depends on the kind of company and your "social status". If you are married, the company hiring you, needs only TWO workers, not FOUR. So you hire your wife ... and hence you only need ONE additional worker.

Or you make a company under BOI regulations: *NO* Thai partner needed, *NO* workers needed.

And that was a free advice to a random guy on the internet, whom I do not even know.

Good luck with your half knowledge. If you want to found a company, get a lawyer, and just do it. Prices are around 25,000THB or less or more, up to you.

@Asim *******

I don't know the full procedure but you don't need a visa to open a business.