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What is the best visa option for a Canadian family moving to Thailand and starting a dog business?

Thailand visaGuardians visaNon-B visaInternational schoolExpat livingVisa agencyDog businessImmigration rules
Apr 25, 2025
22 days ago
Mel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We are interested in coming to Thailand long term from Canada, and curious what visa is best to arrive on. We are mid 30s, have a few rentals as our main source of income.

We will be enrolling our daughter in an international school in Phuket and

We also want to start up our dog business there.

What would be correct visa for us to apply for ?

I was thinking the guardians visa from the school as I’ve heard they assist with getting it but unsure if I can open/run a business on this visa?

Any recommendations for good visa agencies in either Bangkok or Phuket that could help us?

Thanks 😊
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Canadian family moving to Thailand is inquiring about the best long-term visa for living, schooling their daughter at an international school in Phuket, and starting a dog business. Comments suggest that a guardians visa may accommodate one parent while the child is enrolled in school, but it does not allow the holder to work. Instead, a Non-B visa with a work permit is recommended for employment, alongside advice on starting a business with the necessary legal requirements. The conversation highlights the complexity of visa options based on specific circumstances.
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John **********
Given your ages moving to Thailand isn't straightforward. One of you could get a guardian visa based on a kid going to school, the other would need to find another way to stay. Starting up a business is a possibility but if you plan to work in that business it will need a 2 million baht capitalisation and to employ 4 full-time Thai employees to get 1 work permit, and you'll need a Thai partner as you can only own 49% of the business
22 days ago
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Russell ******
Don’t think you can do a business unless you are married to a Thai
22 days ago
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Graham ******
@Russell *****
 Incorrect, just get the Non-B Visa and a Work Permit
22 days ago
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Stephen *********
@Russell *****
 nonsense. You don't need to be married to anyone.
22 days ago
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Jack ********
@Russell *****
 you have no idea what you’re talking about boy.
22 days ago
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Russell ******
@Jack *******
 don’t call me a boy. I’m a lot bigger than you you prick
22 days ago
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Jack ********
@Russell *****
 don’t have a bald boy complex. Stick to the facts
22 days ago
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Jack ********
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Russell ******
@Jack *******
 everyone I know who has a business is with a Thai
22 days ago
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Jack ********
@Russell *****
 who? A bunch of ex bar girls and their customers opening up hair salons and laundries? You have no idea what you’re talking about boy
22 days ago
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Jack ********
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Pertti *************
Setup company here and apply non b and apply WP and extensions and you can benefit social security schemes and route to pr and citizenship later..
22 days ago
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Lna ******
Puket International school are seriously expensif, if you d ont already check the price doo it like this you have one surprice left... Chiang mai cheaper i speak from experience, maybe if you d ont have problem whit money den is ok juste forget my poste🙏
22 days ago
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Wannikea *********
Only 1 parent on a guardian visa. If you manage your business online then a DTV visa might be an option.
22 days ago
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Ernesto ********
What’s a dog business ?
22 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Ernesto *******
 I was thinking dog grooming
22 days ago
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Ann-Louise ********
@Matthew ********
 that’s also a good guess! But the poster had not responded to any of our guesses!

Shame, we could turn this into a competition, guess the business! 🤔😉🤣😂🤣
22 days ago
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Ernesto ********
@Matthew ********
 I hear that. Where my wife lives dogs are mostly stray and neglected. Same for cats.
22 days ago
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Ernesto ********
@Matthew ********
 I don’t see a lot of Thais treating pets like westerners
22 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Ernesto *******
 you be surprised. Some do high end dogs for social status. I was surprised when I took my dog to get appt for grooming. Placed was packed with all high end breeds . I am impressed with my vet. She was trained in a California top university. She was great and passionate when my dog got sick as well. Like I said, I think it's a status thing in Thailand
22 days ago
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Matthew *********
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Ernesto ********
@Matthew ********
 plenty of strays need grooming.
22 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Ernesto *******
 way too many strays. I am tired of them always at my door begging for food. I am softie, so I end up giving them scraps
22 days ago
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Matthew *********
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Ann-Louise ********
@Ernesto *******
 think they mean a dogs private kennels to look after peoples dogs, when they go away, or maybe they mean a dog rescue centre? That’s my guess 🤔
22 days ago
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Ernesto ********
@Ann-Louise *******
 got it 👍🏿
22 days ago
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Ernesto ********
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Stuart *********
Guardian visa is good for one parent per child in an international school only. You cannot work off a guardian visa.

In order to work you’d need a Non B visa and appropriate work permit.

You can enter visa exempt for 60 days (and get a 30 day extension) or get your daughter’s Ed visa and one of you the guardian Non O prior to coming.
22 days ago
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Stuart *********
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