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What are the requirements for starting a business and obtaining a work permit in Thailand after getting a marriage Visa?

Marriage VisaBusiness VisaWork PermitStarting a Business in ThailandThai Company RegistrationNon-O VisaVisa RequirementsBusiness Ownership for ExpatsThai Employment Laws
Jan 9, 2021
4 years ago
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Already got a marriage visa, what do I need to start a business? And get a work permit
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To start a business in Thailand with a marriage visa (Non-O visa), you will need: a solid business plan, substantial capital (1 million Baht for foreign ownership), registration for VAT, and to employ Thai staff (2 employees needed if married to a Thai). You can then apply for a work permit under these conditions. Additional costs include business setup fees (around 35,000 Baht) and monthly employee insurance. It's also advisable to target the local market, given current economic conditions.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Chulala **********
If Amarican you can own 100% if if not
*****
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lucky Americans
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
@Hugh *******
 first register by thai and then add your name 49% in later don't need to show money 2m

I registered for 5m
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chulala *********
 2m? 2 million?
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
@Hugh *******
 yes
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hahahaha so you have to be filthy rich to start a business as a foreigner 😂 rich enough to not need to run a business 😂 and you get to own 49 percent of it.

Who made these rules 😂😂😂 living in a dream world ain't they
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
@Hugh *******
 if you are American you get 100 and my business partner Starting from 0 and get 95% of him
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chulala *********
 not American. I'm from a less tropical island called England 😁
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
@Hugh *******
 you 49%/ thai 51%
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chulala *********
 I've read u need 3 thai employees first too?
4 years ago
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Phill ******
@Hugh *******
 , 4 thai staff for 1 work permit .
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
@Hugh *******
 4 thai +1 foreigners
4 years ago
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Chulala **********
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Vyacheslav ************
As many people have alread said it is easier when you have a Thai wife, cheaper also. What kind of business do you have in mind?
4 years ago
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Venkat ************
4 years ago
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Alwyne ********
Why would you start a business in pattaya over 200 + have closed the same in lot of places the place is in lockdown again you can get rent here so very cheap we I live the are 30 rooms at 6500 Bart that 195 Bart a month for them a the moment there are only 3 people here if you what to loose your money go think again
4 years ago
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John ****************
If you want to make a small fortune here, bring a big one (fortune that is)!!!!
4 years ago
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Joe ******
Nurofen
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Artcharee ****************
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
Perfect timing for open a business...😂
4 years ago
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Carlo **********
If you had a load of money,why bother starting a business?
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don't, investors do tho, it's not what you know... its who you know
4 years ago
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Carlo **********
@Hugh *******
 Oh i see.
4 years ago
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Carlo **********
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Carlo ******************
@Carlo *********
 specially in these days....
4 years ago
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Michael ********
@Carlo *********
 ? Not helpful
4 years ago
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Anne *****
@Michael *******
 yes he has a mentality crab 🦀
4 years ago
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Anne *****
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Jason *******
Alot of money..lol
4 years ago
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Benidorm *******
4 years ago
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Martin *********
Money
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
A Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labor cost 3000 Baht. Most people go for the two year option costing 6000 Baht.
4 years ago
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JD ********
Your wife can create and register a small business. This would not be a Thai Registered Company. It is more like a Sole Proprietorship. It is not expensive to do this. There would be a definition of the business type - nature of the business even - hand written in Thai. The description could be broad and general - somewhat open ended. You are hired as husband to be an employee in a letter - even hand written in Thai. You would be working for your wife. You can then go to the labor ministry and apply for a Work Permit with your wife, the letter of hire, marriage license, her ID Card, Your passport with Evidence of the O Visa based on Marriage and/or - Extension of Stay based on that O Visa .
4 years ago
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John *********
@JD *******
 Hi and thank you for that very helpful information I’m looking to move from the UK to Thailand on the appropriate Visa, (I have a Thai wife here in the UK with me)What I did not realise which was very helpful from your post is that if I get the Visa and extension I can apply for a work permit if my wife set up a small business, I understood that businesses wishing to hire foreign workers had to have a certain amount of Thai workers first, can I be a pain and if you have any more information would you send it to me directly many thanks in advance for any help and assistance
4 years ago
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John *********
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James **********
It makes a difference what country you are from when it comes to starting a business. Being an American makes it easier for you I think
4 years ago
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Kool *******
@James *********
 JD Green spelled it out perfectly.
4 years ago
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Kool *******
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Tom *******
No such thing as a marriage visa. You mean Non Imm O based on marriage. That expires in 3 months. You can apply for a 1-year extension of stay and yes, you can also apply for a work permit with that.
4 years ago
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Chris *********************
Kool Breez I haven't seen my wife and daughters for 10 month to get a 90 day visa do I need to have 400k in my thai bank account
4 years ago
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Tom *******
@Chris ********************
 no you don’t. The 400K is for a 1-year extension from a Non O visa by marraige. Or 800K for one via retirement. There are new regulations for these funky new special tourist visas (STV), so you’d need to ask someone else about them. Good luck.
4 years ago
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Chris *********************
@Tom ******
 thanks
4 years ago
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Vyacheslav ************
@Chris ********************
 keep in mind that STV visa cannot be changed to another visa type inside the country.
4 years ago
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Chris *********************
@Vyacheslav ***********
 before the virus I went for 3 month came back for 2 then went again it's hard work doing it now
4 years ago
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Chris *********************
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Kool *******
@Tom ******
 if you want to get technical it is called type O extension Thai Wife..hehehe
4 years ago
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Edna *******
@Kool ******
 how about a Thai husband, seriously?
4 years ago
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Edna *******
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Adrian *****************
A business that would work at the moment,.a wand is what you would need,hang fire this year I would
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So my options really are, spend money money money money and then watch the business fail 😂
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Food literally goes for pennys when sold at home, not really worth the hassle. Also thai food ain't my expertise but I'll have a think about things to sell 🤔
4 years ago
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Edward ******
Cook at home, sell online.
4 years ago
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Steve **********
F
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Hugh *******
 right now you should be opening a business that targets Thai clientele. Anything aimed at foreigners or tourists, is going to take a long time to get going.

What industry are you looking at?
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karim **************
 not many options to look at with the big list of prohibited job for foreigners. I was a tour guide in the uk
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Hugh *******
 Thais still need to eat. So if it’s a restaurant aimed at the Thai market, that could work. Maybe leave it a while to see what happens with the current Covid situation.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
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Bobby ********
Hugh Kirton. You just have to be aware that right now is not a good time to be opening a new business just about anywhere in the world. For example, although expensive, 7-11 franchises are almost a licence to print money, but look around and see how many are closed down at the moment, and some may never reopen.
4 years ago
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Kool *******
@Bobby *******
 then again look at how many home delivery businesses have expanded, and with new startups. No matter what is going on there are always business opportunities. You just have to be open minded, and not set on one particular type. Like how now would be a death wish opening a restaurant, or tourist related endeavour, but online business with home delivery is greatly expanding. There are always opportunities.
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 thank you, good idea
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
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Greg ********
@Hugh *******
 There are many successful foreign business owners here. It is not all gloom and doom.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all
@Artcharee ****************
 should look at this too, the misses 😅
4 years ago
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Patrik ********
Basically you would need to incorporate a company with 1 Million Baht registered capital (if you were not married to a Thai national it would be 2 Million), register for VAT and employ 2 Thai employees (pay social security; if you were not married it would be 4 employees). These are some of the basic requirements that would allow you to apply for a work permit.

Where are you living?

If you're in Bangkok or Hua Hin and would like to get assistance I'd recommend to get in touch with
@Libo****
 /
**************************
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrik *******
 bangkok thank you! Very helpful
4 years ago
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Hugh ********
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Arron *********
I was quoted
*****
to make a business. Plus 3000 per month (employees insurance) and
*****
per year accounts
4 years ago
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Dave *********
4 years ago
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Dave *********
@Arron ********
 and your point is ffs
4 years ago
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Arron *********
@Arron ********
 Then another
*****
for a work permit.
4 years ago
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Tyler *******
@Arron ********
 That's actually not too bad. Mind sharing who that was through?
4 years ago
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Arron *********
@Tyler ******
 no Problem.
4 years ago
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Arron *********
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Anthony *******
@Sacha ***
4 years ago
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Martin *******
Happy days buddy she should know
4 years ago
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Sacha ****
Pm sent
4 years ago
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Daniel ************
setup an ltd - hire 4 people -
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
A good business plan. Many small businesses are closing down in Thailand, so it'd need to be something unique!
4 years ago
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Andy **********
Money, money an money. Lots of it.
4 years ago
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Mark *******
4 years ago
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Nakkhatra ****
@Andy *********
 Hahaha 😂
4 years ago
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Nakkhatra ****
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