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What are the best visa options for an Australian expat wanting to start a business and work in Thailand?

Non-O VisaBusiness VisaWork PermitThai ImmigrationVisa RegulationsExpat Life in ThailandVisa AlternativesElite Visa
May 28, 2022
3 years ago
Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I'm after visa advice. I'm an Australian, here on a non O visa, I currently have to leave the country every month. My wife lives in Australia and is not interested in being here.

I plan to stay forever. I want to set up a business visa and get a work permit.

I own a bar that is run personally currently.

I don't want to rely on the non O visa as I had to many questions coming back in after the last boarder run.

What's the best option.

I'm 41 so I can't get a retirement visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian expat currently on a Non-O visa, who owns a bar in Thailand, seeks advice on obtaining a long-term visa that allows for business setup and work without the monthly border runs. Suggestions from the community include exploring the Elite visa, revealing the need for a suitable business visa for work permits, and considering child-based Non-O options, as well as the complexities of working within the regulations.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Sam *******
Get a non o based on your child which makes it a lot easier getting a work permit. Problem is you might need your child present.
3 years ago
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Paul *******
How can you have a non o at 41.you are a special guy. Why you need to do border rune.your story has many holes in it
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 non O is also a married visa. And I have a kid. But they live in Australia and we are separated. Border run is every 90 days. I have not found a way around this except the 50 day extension during covid which now you can't do
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Mickey **********
 you can do. They stopped Non immigrant visa for a period, but now you can with one.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
@Paul ******
 If you have a Thai wife or kids or volunteer or numerous other reasons you can have a non O.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Michael ****************
Why not go back to your wife?
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ***************
 she got Australia. I got Thailand. She has more money then I will ever have. And I don't want 1 baht of it
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
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Mohsin ************
Hahaha another farlang running a bar using local meat to profit
3 years ago
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Alex ********
@Mohsin ***********
 all girls have a price!

Even if you don't know about it 😁
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex *******
 yeah I agree with that. 555
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mohsin ***********
 not at all. You can't buy my ladies out..
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
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Paul *******
Where bar 😁
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 Udon Thani
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Mickey **********
 I be in Khon Kean in July Udon not to fare maybe I drive up have beer in your bar
3 years ago
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Paul *******
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Troy *******
Just curious... This is a "marriage of convenience" right? Smart idea. Lol
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Troy ******
 haha yea, but that only helps so much
3 years ago
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Troy *******
@Mickey **********
 but still, if I wasn't already married to a Scot, I'd consider this as potential genius.
3 years ago
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Troy *******
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Alex *******
There are some bogus places that will provide u w a volunteer visa and a work permit.

That is most likely the cheapest way.

I do not recommend doing that if u have to fly out and fly back into the country.

The immigration at the airport is not on their payroll and will put you on a flight back home.

It is a safe alternative if you plan on stay here the entire length of your visa.
3 years ago
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John **********
What is the purpose of your Non-O? Are you married to a Thai? If so you might be able to get a work permit on that but not to work a bar unless you also employ a number of Thais. Without a work permit you can't do any work at all.
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah my main point is to move away from the reliance on the marriage visa to be here outright
3 years ago
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John **********
@Mickey **********
 you're going to struggle with that unless you can get a non-b visa and I can't see you getting that for owning a bar. Unless you can look at one of the smart visa options
3 years ago
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John **********
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Brandon ************
Except the way he worded it made it sound like there's no employees but himself
3 years ago
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Tony *********
@John *********
 he'll be okay as long as he makes sure he always sits on the customer's side of the bar. Then he can just be an investor and have Thai staff do the work.
3 years ago
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John **********
@Tony ********
 yep that was my point. No work.
3 years ago
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John **********
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Grant ***********
Elite Visa is the go cheap too only 20k
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Grant **********
 I can't find it for 100 K thb
3 years ago
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Bim *******
@Grant **********
 it's a Million baht for a 20 year elite visa
3 years ago
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Kevin *******
@Grant **********
 50k was 100k in Baht !
3 years ago
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Tony *********
@Grant **********
 20k in what currency?
3 years ago
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Tony *********
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Stuart *********
If you’re on a Non O, why would you have to leave every month?
3 years ago
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to set up a business and with that a work permit. I'm ok to employ Thai. It's more just so I can be here . A lawyer quoted me 150k thb...
3 years ago
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Nigel ********
@Mickey **********
, you own a bar right? Company name right?
3 years ago
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Nigel ********
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Mickey ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 don't know but I had to do
3 years ago
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Christo *****************
@Mickey **********
 non imigrant O is 90 days
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Mickey **********
 Then you weren't on a Non-O
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Stuart *********
Easiest for you would be the Elite visa, but it’s not cheap. [Edit]. Didn’t read the you want a work permit part. Check with an accountant or lawyer for a company setup that allows you a work permit.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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