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How can my French boyfriend obtain a long-stay visa to work in Thailand without getting married?

Thailand Visa RulesNON-B VisaLong-Term VisaWork PermitExpat Life in ThailandEmployment in ThailandTeaching Jobs in Thailand
Feb 7, 2024
9 months ago
Pimada *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want any suggestions for us if we move to Thailand this September! My boyfriend is French, and we both live in France now. If we decide to move to Thailand, how can my boyfriend get a long-stay visa, whice he can find a job and work in Thailand? We don't want to marry in this upcoming year, so the married visa isn't our option at all.

I am looking forward to getting other advice, thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses options for a French national seeking a long-stay visa in Thailand to work and live with his partner, who is not married. Various options are suggested by the community, including applying for a NON-B work visa through job offers or employer sponsorship, converting a tourist visa, or considering teaching positions. The importance of meeting specific qualifications for job sponsorship and potential pathways such as the Elite Visa or education visas are emphasized, alongside the challenges and experiences of working in Thailand as a foreigner.
Georg *********
Yes he could work in Thailand. Here in Khon Kaen there are a lot of foreign teachers. When you work for example as english teacher the school or agency will clear things like work permit and Visa for you. Maybe he could try to find a job as french teacher. Guess there are also french schools in Thailand ir also goverment or private achools that offer french lessons. Another option would be setting up your own bisiness and get him a work permit about the requirements you can find many informations online.
9 months ago
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Sei *****
if there is no saving no money even marriage doesn't help
9 months ago
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Bill ********
Thai Government do not allow the French here.
9 months ago
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Frederic *******
@Bill *******
 Hi, I’m very surprised about your answer. I am a French citizen/French passport holder and he took me less than a month to get my non-b visa and work permit approved (sponsored by the company I work for). I am now established in Thailand, Phuket for 2 months, bank account opened accommodation and car provided by my employer including laptop and mobile phone allowances. For your information, I do not have any high educational diploma or master degree, all I had to do is apply for a job on LinkedIn, pass two interviews process and provide proof of my experience with previous work certificates (20 years experience in the hospitality industry). So I’m wondering why are you saying Thai government does not allow French citizens to work in Thailand?? It doesn’t make any sense
9 months ago
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Stephen ******
@Bill *******
 why is that i went to a new restaurant on soi 6 he was French
9 months ago
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Bill ********
@Stephen *****
9 months ago
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Bill ********
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Terary **********
I like they're worried about their significant other finding a job.

Expats often work without a work permit. That is not recommended but many do it.

Jobs available for expats, Scuba or English teacher.
9 months ago
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Mathias *******
You should get the Elite Visa.
9 months ago
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Lauren ******************
Lots of negative people on here.

Lots of foreigners work legally in Thailand. Where there is a will there is a way!!
9 months ago
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Lloyd ****
Have him teach would be the best bet. Imop
9 months ago
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Maii *****
I have a French friend! Who is head chef in BKK! but he has key skills n qualifications!

That's what's required to get sponsorship! Then has to be justified as to why a Thai citizen can't do said job! In that particular position n i believe they hire a whole team of Thais so that's why he's head chef! And he teaches n educates n passes on his amazing high standard skills onto the Thai apprentices!

Of course anyone can get a job in Thailand! But u need the years of experience n skills n qualifications to be considered for sponsorship! 💟
9 months ago
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Etincelle **********
@Maii ****
 Yes!! getting long-stay visa for work is difficult but it is not totally impossible like someone else said.

You do need the qualifications / education and job-experience to be able to get a job in Thailand, and get the sponsorship from your company for the Non-B visa and work-permit application.

One possible approach is getting an expat-assignment in France, in case he works for a company in France that has offices in Thailand and they're willing to help you. Becoming a TEFL teacher is probably one of the easiest approaches but (unless he is highly qualified) the salary and job can be challenging. The website ajarn.com has info about teaching jobs and what people (don't) like about it.

Also, there is the newer SMART visa's for specific highly qualified staff. Some generic info you can read here:
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9 months ago
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Etincelle **********
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Martin *****
Elite visa
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
If he has a 4 yr college degree in any subject and speaks English, he can work as a teacher. I've met lots of foreigners living here with Non-B renewable visa, work permit, salary, and daily occupation. Some have done it for years. The downside is that he has to work 9-5 M-F. Good luck!
9 months ago
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Bonnie *********
Have you visited Thailand?
9 months ago
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John **********
You kind of have it the wrong way round. First he must find a job, then his employer will help get the appropriate visa and required work permit. How easy it will be for him to find a job will depend on his skill set, lots of jobs are restricted to Thai only so it's not easy but not impossible
9 months ago
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Guy ******
Start a business is one way.
9 months ago
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Taketo *********
Gettin long-stay visa for work is totally impossible, There is second option for you

1. Apply for tourist visa, stay in Thailand for 2 months + extended 1 months (1900 baht fee) then lf he found job that suitable for him. convert your tourist visa to become Non-B Visa (while inside / outside country) don't forget to bring all supportive document from your employer

2. Apply for Non-ED (Education Visa) from school, 3 Months + extended, then convert to Non-B Visa when he found job

3. Elite Visa (still need to apply Non B Visa)

4. Long term visa (LTR Visa) 5 years + extended 5 years

requirment :

- Asset minimum USD1million

- Annual income min USD80,000 for past 2 years

- Min investment in BOI USD500,000
9 months ago
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Pimada *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Taketo ********
 Thank you for your helpful information. I want to know only one more question. My family and my dad’s friend have their businesses from small to SME size. If one of them hires my boyfriend to get a work permit and can stay longer in Thailand, then when we are in Thailand, he will find a new job. Is that possible??
9 months ago
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Pimada *********
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Sam ********
Thailand is very difficult (near impossible) to work in, as a foreigner, other than teaching
9 months ago
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Paul ********
Cheering for you guys ,,, Macron out
9 months ago
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Cloana ********
@Paul *******
 what the fuck with Macron in this conversation??👎💩
9 months ago
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Cloana ********
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Steven *******
All of the requirements for a long-term visa for your boyfriend are on the Thai Embassy webpage for your boyfriend's country (his nationality).
9 months ago
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William ******
9 months ago
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Brad *******
You should consider French Polynesia such as Tahiti. He has full rights there and can work. It's not going to work out for you in Thailand.
9 months ago
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Michael *********
Sadly he cannot work in Thailand.
9 months ago
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Lauren ******************
@Michael ********
 of course he can with a work permit. I work here!
9 months ago
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Lauren ******************
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Matej *******
I probably won't solve your problem, but maybe it would help if your boyfriend changed jobs. If he was doing something online, marketing, advertising, consulting, forex trading, etc. he could also do it to a non-Thai company and it would be solved. Setting up an offshore company somewhere in the Emirates is not that much of a problem.
9 months ago
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Nicholas ****
@Matej ******
 a sudden career shift to forex will have him in his home country on unemployment benefits
9 months ago
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Nicholas ****
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Tj *************
And it costs lots of money
9 months ago
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SteBu ******
The only visa type you’re allowed to work is a NON-B
9 months ago
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David ********
@SteBu *****
 Non-R visas allow missionary work.
9 months ago
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Duncan *******
@SteBu *****
 LTR and Smart visas also allow for working.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
@SteBu *****
 and non o marriage and some of new LTR visas
9 months ago
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SteBu ******
After that, you need a work permit
9 months ago
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SteBu ******
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