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What are the options for staying in Thailand long term if not fitting traditional visa categories?

Thai Elite Visa Investment Visa SMART Visa NON-B Visa Retirement Visa ED (Education) Visa Volunteering Digital Nomad Visa Immigration Regulations

Jun 12, 2021

4 years ago

Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everybody,

I am looking for the best way to stay in Thailand for a longer term, but the options sort of confuse me and none seem to be fitting except the Thai Elite Visa.

I am too young for retirement Visa (35) but I do have my own company in Germany and can work for it remotely (but I don't have to). I looked into the SMART Visa options but they all don't seem to fit because they expect me to be employed to a Thai company or to start one.

I do have some money on the side but don't really understand how investment VISAs work and how risky they are (don't fancy burning money)

Any input is highly appreciated 😊

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses various options for long-term stays in Thailand suitable for someone unable to apply for a retirement visa. The author considers the Thai Elite Visa but is confused about other options. Responses reveal that the Elite Visa is hassle-free but restricts legal work unless converted to a NON-B Visa. Alternative suggestions include studying for language courses under an ED Visa, considering investment opportunities, or potentially obtaining a volunteer visa, although concerns about their legitimacy and difficulty in transitioning away from such visas were raised. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexities of navigating Thailand's visa regulations.

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Jonas *****************

Get yourself a company with an wp included and your safe to stay. Tell me if you need it, i know one for take over

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jonas ****************

thanks but already covered with elite visa

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Marcel *********

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David *******

Education visa

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Bobby ********

Here's the go if you've got the cash!

*************************************************************************************************************************************************

*****

46-working-group-to-review-plans-to-allow-foreigners-in-thailand-to-buy-land-and-work-without-work-permits/

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Danil ***********

Non b visa

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Rob ******

Education ,

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Michael *********

Do readers know what psyops mean?

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Benjamin ******

@Michael ********

I do; what does that got to do with the OP's post?

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Dan ********

@Michael ********

no

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Dan ********

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Michael *********

I can't rely on accurate information here at all!

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Nils *****************

You can work as a english teacher

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James **************

@Nils ****************

*teatcher*

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James **************

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Billy *******

I wouldn't buy anything until after the culling is over. Mass deflation to come.

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Reiner *********

well it’s seams you are the checker....although...the real pro know that investment in crises are the best

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Reiner *********

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Karl ***********

Buy my Thai Company incloud 5000 sqm land you can build your Paradise. 5 minuts from the Beach

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Reiner *********

Well ......all ok....-but ..just think about an ED visa to,learn the lan, go,to,school and learn speaking thai ...will give you about 2 years here ...but need a school that will,send you all papers that you will get a visa in your country...costs about 30-40.000 thb. First

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Kool *******

Investment visas are involved, with background checks, and at least bt10million+ invested in approved financial instruments, that can include a condo. They are suprisingly low risk, as your investment choices are controlled. They actually do not want investors to loose their money. Your biggest risk would be if you bought a condo, but then again for long term you do need a place to live. Everything is all above board and completely legal, as opposed to those agencies selling ED and Volunteer visas. Your biggest problem long term will be how you support yourself to live, as without a work permit you can not legally work in Thailand.

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Michael *********

Is as anyone understanding WTF is going on in Phuket. Theirs more changes coming. How much more can it change?

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Michael *********

I'm an American from Massachusetts USA, the state that started freedom in the USA. What more you want?

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

Well the central government agreed just the last days to this..—

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

*******************************************************************

*****

43/lower-hopes-for-phuket

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

well ....as I said ...only the 7 now 14 days hotel stay on the island changed ...it’s not a Quarantäne it’s a normal hotel and you can go,out travel on the island and to islands close....

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Reiner *********

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

nobody has agreed anything yet

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Michael *********

@Michael *******

check the Phuket website theirs more changes coming I just assume sit in Bangkok for 2 weeks

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Michael ********

@Michael ********

you have to wait till Goverment gazette it, forget about Phuket and TAT info

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Michael *********

@Michael *******

thank what's going on with Thailand can you say here. I'm reading many crazy things. Why are things changing at the drop of a hat

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Michael ********

@Michael ********

Because people are believing what the TAT and Phuket governor are saying.

Its not up to them.

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

the Phuket Governor has the power to,decide ....you should know that ...as the PM gave all Governors the Power...only if it comes to international arrivals....others are involved...learn and don’t spread your naive ideas ...

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Reiner *********

And by the way...why you are not here ..and second. You live in bangkok ...so,phuket has nothing to do with your ideas....you have to,go to quarantine in bangkok...or did you think you can slip in and then go to your wife .....funny

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Michael ********

@Michael ********

yes I am following this quite closely as i am due back in July. But its wait and see there is nothing official yet, something will happen or they will lose face, but i expect a lot of countries will not be allowed to participate in the first month

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

well typical...... the only source you are talking about are the third friends press release ...so stop guessing.....or wait for your COE.....because of course the regulations...will be updated into....like the. 14 days hotel booking ....

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

third friend what the Bangkok Post and goverment releases 5555.

I repeat there are no regulations yet. So how can they be changed.

Only once it is lawfully agreed and gazetted then you will have regulations to follow.

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

well ....the bangkok post is good....but again ....relax and stop .assuming ........and as you can not read thai ...well yes the royal Gazett is the paper who tell you what’s now the law.....and again ....just wait

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

it's not assuming it's direct message from Dubai Consulate

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

ฉันอ่านภาษาไทยได้ช้ามาก

Very slowly but getting better

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

I am in Singapore shouldnt be a problem, they already have direct flights in place.

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Reiner *********

Well and let’s hope for your home country that it will be NOT an the list although it looks like at the moment

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

I haven't been back to America in a few years. I'm returning to Dubai from Afghanistan. Had a test leaving and I was just cleared in Dubai. What's happening in Thailand. Is it the regime in power now causing chaos on purpose. Psyops!

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

well.....actually it does not matter where you have been , first your passport of origin is important, second ...you have to,have 2 vaccinations and a certificate of that...a test is nothing ...if only with a test you have to go to,quarantine...understand that.... Afghanistan ...is your Problem .....

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

Hey rein, I have the jansenn vax what more they want

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

I have the jenssen vax. Do you need more info. I'm drunk

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

5555

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Michael *********

I just happened to pass through a few countries

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

USA reiner

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Michael *********

I have a wife in buriram and I'm retiring after 12 years in Afghanistan and Persian gulf

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Michael *********

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

well I live here .....—what you not understand

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Reiner *********

You have to, be full vaccinated , and come with a direct flight .—bring a certificate..and you are here .....-stay in a normal hotel , go out make trips on the island or with an tour agent ......

Nothing changed .—-

They just agreed that you need to stay on the island 14 days ....this is the only thing changed in reason of the high new infections in other provinces...-

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

I've complied have a hotel near bangla and beach

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Michael *********

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Michael *********

Was awaiting the coe

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Michael *********

Supposed to fly July 2nd

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Michael *********

More changes coming

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Michael *********

I just received a message from Consulate

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Michael *********

No bs

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

what is bs

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

bull shit people love giving out bull shit on facebook

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Michael ********

@Michael ********

The latest is they cannot come to a descion, there will be meetings monday and tuesday again. Please also read only people coming from specific countries.

Problem is I think is that the countries with low rates, Australia, new zealand,singapore, brunei, Taiwan all have strict travel regulations and people would be required to quarantine when they return home (if they can get permission)

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

well ...YES. There is and has been a list that tell you if you are living / coming out of a RISC country ...but this depends again on the infections there...like Vietnam, was till two weeks ago not on the RISC list /.....now it is....

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

they havent released the list yet.

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Michael *********

@Michael *******

Michael, I have a one way ticket im trying to get back to my wife like I did in the past in RandR from Afghanistan.

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Michael ********

@Michael ********

plan ASQ in Bangkok and if by some miracle the Phuket sandbox works for you when details are released its a bonus

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Reiner *********

@Michael ********

so ...what is the changes -.be specific or just shut up...- the only changes are the 7 to,14 days now....and what other people tell you...is not my problem but you are Wright most of these idiots ..-are living somewhere and just talk what they think they have heard fro, third sources ....-if something is wrong with your papers...the only one can help is the consulate ....-and till the second ...is enough time to find out what papers you need ......they can tell you ....but it is for sure the hotel ....-because of now 14 days...-

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Reiner *********

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Michael *********

@Reiner ********

why they changing again

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Michael *********

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Tony **************

I'm currently applying for Smart visa but it does cost money. I'm expected to spend at least $5000 to get 2-year visa, etc.

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Ken ***********

@Tony *************

$5000 for the visa or $5000 in a time period of 1 month ?

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Tony **************

visa of course.

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Tony **************

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Shayne **********

There's a basic 20 year version of the Elite visa for 1 million. Bonus is you can go the 5 year version first for 600k, then upgrade easily if everything is still going nicely for you to be in Thailand. Let me know if you want more information.

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Helio *****

Volunteer visa costs 45k/year it seems

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

so thats actually cheaper than elite. the benefits of elite visa dont seem to be so great anyways

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Bobby ********

Marcel Gantert. Elite Visa is legitimate. A 45k "volunteer visa" is not. Once you're on the agents merry-go-round it's hard to get off! 🤣

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Helio *****

@Marcel ********

most people are on volunteer visa long term, seems to be the best option

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Helio *****

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Nup ******

Im on the same boat…… I came here and enjoyed for six months of party. Got bored…. Started teaching…. But it lacks intellectual challenge. If things go back to how it used to be after it opens again, I will switch to elite VISA. Digital nomad VISA is in works that allows you to work… but now sure how long it will take to approve…. Just something to keep an eye on.

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Ben ********

Volunteer visa. One year. Roughly $1200. All visa agents can arrange it for you.

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Bobby ********

Ben Wagner. Try about 40,000 baht for a bogus "visa agent" volunteer visa. You pay 2000 baht for a legitimate one through a volunteer foundation

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Helio *****

2000 THB through a volunteer foundation?? Do you mind sharing details on that? That'd be helpful. Thanks.

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Bobby ********

Helio Rod. Start looking here, but do keep in mind, you are expected to actually work. The foundation will help organise a work permit for you

***********************************************************************************

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Bobby ********

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Ben ********

If by bogus, you mean there is no actual volunteering necessary, then yes, 40k baht for a bogus visa.

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Marcos ***********

34k ish in Krabi for Volunteer. I did ED just recently for 1 year,

*****

with online tutoring. 🔝

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Psiley *******

@Marcos **********

would you share where you applied for your 1 year ED with online tutoring?

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Psiley *******

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Bim *******

I was on Elite for 5 years (ended up coming up to 7, long story) to get me to retirement age. It is hassle free but now I am stuck in limbo as it cannot be converted to any other visa inside the country once expired so expect to do a border run when it ends.

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Phill ******

, you can extend it in country and also convert it to NON B .

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Bim *******

only TE can do that for you. No other visa is allowed. Yes.

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Bim *******

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you can just stay in the country all the time on the elite and only do the 90-day reporting or whatever it is, right?

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Bim *******

@Marcel ********

yes I never left on it except once. I got extension of year every year but you have to give TE a couple of weeks notice as they provide you with a letter to get your extension. Also never lose your elite card as immigration need a copy of that also.

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Ivan ************

you also need to extend it once a year if you don't leave, but that's a very quick thing and costs 1,900B same as any other annual extension. If you leave at least once per year, no need to extend in country. That's not easy right now, but in regular times, I think many just do that. Each time you come back you get a new 1 year stamp.

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Ivan ************

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Billy *******

Just do a volunteer or student visa. Easy breezy.

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Benjamin ******

>volunteer

Bad idea. It's about 20K - 50K THB a year, and it's difficult to get off of it

>student visa

This would be an ED visa based on studying Thai language. A person can only study Thai for a year.

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Billy *******

@Benjamin *****

And then Mua Thai, and then an Ed degree. A business visa is a pain and you have to employ Thais.

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Julinhio *********

@Benjamin *****

where did you see a person can only study for a year??

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Bobby ********

Julinhio Gaichet. That's the maximum allowed for studying Thai language. A person can possibly switch to a different study course. The only ED visa long term is university degree

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JD ********

true about the length of visa on Ed. as of last yr the MOE reduced all student visas to 1 yr from the previous 3 yr max unless enrolled in 4yr university but not true about type of visa as there are more than just thai ones ( muay thai/ SD type)

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JD ********

i know this is true as i had Ed from MA school that i still connect w/ as i wish to return but it expired/went void after leaving on vacation b4 covid & cannot return on it even if not expired

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Reiner *********

well wrong.....up to 2 years here on phuket

Where is your source

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Bobby ********

Reiner Buechel. Show me your source of two years 🤣

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Bobby ********

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Bobby ********

Just keep in the back of your mind that you cannot LEGALLY work on an Elite Visa.

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Garrett ***********

You can LEGALLY own a company and do work for that company on an elite visa.

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Garrett ***********

Aylam Rosenthal

******************************************************************************************

*******

/amendment-emergency-decree-foreign-employee-management/

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Garrett ***********

Aylam Google the 2018 emergency royal decree on foreign workers.

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Garrett ***********

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Naja ***********

I'm not sure if it is possible to get Non-B for online work not related to Thailand? 🤔

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

true, its all online anyways so hard to prove. but i can also just stop when im there.

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Phill ******

@Marcel ********

, you can convert an elite visa to a NON B ,if you want to work later on .

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Benjamin ******

Huh? How's that possible?

It *IS* possible to suspend the elite visa to a Non-B though.

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Benjamin ******

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Charles ********

I am in the same situation. I am here checking it out on the STV first...

If I want to come back I will probably do a study Thai ED visa... Which can let you stay up to 18 months I think. Then I can commit to the elite. Elite is just a little expensive out of the gate unless you are sure you going to want to stay long term.

You can also look at opening a branch office here for your company if you can run enough of the business here to meet the requirements. Then you can sponsor yourself.

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Benjamin ******

>I do have some money on the side but don't really understand how investment VISAs work and how risky they are (don't fancy burning money)

Investment visas (SMART I visas) are somewhat safe, but require 20M THB. After 5 years, you can apply for PR and pull your money out.

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Andy ***********

the property you invest in must be a new development . Not an old resale

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Garrett ***********

Non-O based on investment is 10m baht, can be in either condo real estate or parked in a bank.

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Andy ********

@Garrett **********

are you allowed to live in your own investment property?

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Garrett ***********

Yes you are, it just has to be a condo, can't he a house. The 10m baht can also he between multiple condos.

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Garrett ***********

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

thanks, quite an amount of money

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Marcel *********

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Pattaya ****

Get married to a Thai

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Nup ******

@Ernesto *******

awww…. Someone got butthurt!!!!! 😞😞😞😞🍼🍼🍼. Regardless…. Marrying someone just for a VISA is not a good way to go anyways. Poorly made marriage decisions have hurt both thai and foreign reputations.

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Ernesto ********

looks like you’ve been burned before. Easy to see why.

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Ernesto ********

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Adam ******

you will pay more

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Ernesto ********

a lot of theses guys who complain about having a Thai wife have zero options in their own country for their own reasons. Some are apparent.

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Brian ********

to expensive

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Nup ******

Nooooooooo!!!!! Dont do it. Never!!!!

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

haha this may turn out to be the most expensive option

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Todd *********

@Marcel ********

100% right. That’s for the financially insane guys

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Todd *********

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Phill ******

elite is the way to go . hassle free .

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David ********

The problem is that you can't get a work permit on an elite visa and, thus, you are not allowed to do any work.

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Phill ******

, you can convert to a NON B for a work permit on elite .

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Todd *********

who is gonna stop you ? 😂

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Todd *********

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Marcel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks i thought so

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Marcel *********

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