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What is the process of opening a registered tutoring business in Thailand while obtaining a work permit for a foreign spouse?

Tutoring Business Work Permit Visa Rules Business Registration in Thailand Foreign Employment Thai Teacher Spouse Visa Business Ownership

Feb 3, 2021

4 years ago

Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello 👋 Everyone!

I am interested in knowing your experience with opening a legit registered tutoring business in Thailand and the pros and cons to doing so. 

My wife is a Thai teacher  and I am a 46 year old Canadian. I’m sort of wondering if my wife were to open the business in her name and I worked for her and the business, could I get a work permit through the business?

Is this viable?

How difficult is this to do?

Thanks everyone for your POSITIVE input and useful negative feedback. 

Cheers!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around a Canadian expat interested in opening a registered tutoring business in Thailand under his Thai wife's name. Participants highlight requirements such as the necessity for the wife to hire Thai staff to meet legal requirements for employing a foreigner, including a minimum of 2 Thai employees and the need for registered capital. There are suggestions for potential pathways to secure a work permit, including exploring educational business options, seeking legal advice, and understanding the distinctions between operating as a tutoring business versus a school. Resources are shared for further guidance on business registration in Thailand.

Muhammad *******

Your wife can open bussiness in her name and u can get work permit if your marriage is register .she need to hire 2 thai worker and pay their social security then u can get work permit work its show as family bussiness...

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Muhammad ******

Thank you for the feedback.

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Johnny ************

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Wade ********

Standard business, non BOI, 2 million registered capital and 4 Thai staff on social security per work permit. You can hold 49% and the remaining 51% needs to be in a Thai name... my understanding is a school has more relaxed rules but I have never had an education business so can't comment on that.

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Steve *******

That's for foreign owners/investors, his wife is Thai, she could employ him as a teacher if he has the qualifications/paperwork etc.

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the information.

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Johnny ************

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Putt ********************

This maybe helpful:

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Putt *******************

That is super helpful. Thank you!

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Johnny ************

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David ******************

'Legit business' sounds illegitimate.

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Johnny ************

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@David *****************

Why would you give advise on opening an illegitimate business? Are you a roll with a capital T? 😆

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David *****************

How so? If you have some personal experience or wisdom to imbue on this matter I’m interested in learning more. 🤔

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David ******************

@Johnny ***********

I just didn't see the necessity for legit business. I mean you are not going to seek advice on a public forum, to open an illegitimate business are you?

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David ******************

@Johnny ***********

wow great word!

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David ******************

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Chris *********

@David *****************

I guess that would reflect your personal experience with legit business in quote marks. So... what- Surrogate baby mill? Herbal diet supplement distribution?

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Chris *********

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Stephen ******

I have done this and it works quite well in terms of visas...we just run it as a school, not a business. Ours is in the sticks of Songkhla, so it's a real niche market...but there is no real competition. Since you're wife is a teacher that should help immensely in dealing with all the required paperwork.

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

What’s the difference between a school and a tutor business? You operate as a school during the day?

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Johnny ************

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Dianne *****

As I understand it your wife could set up a tutoring business in her name. I'm not sure whether she can employ you though, as others say for every foreigner employed there needs to be a requisite number of Thai people also employed. As many foreigners here work as English teachers you might fall into a category that foreigners are permitted to work in, if you have teaching qualifications or at a minimum a bachelor's degree in anything ie not necessarily teaching.

Another possibility may be to set up the business in your name so as to get a business visa with you as managing director, I am not sure that you would be permitted to teach in that set up though

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the feedback.

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Johnny ************

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Hassan ********

A company requires to show paid up capital 2 Million Thai Baht and at least 4 Thai staff for getting a Work Permit. However, best solution is to talk to a good business lawyer/accountant for the purpose. It's a bit complex, but not impossible to manage.

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Steve *******

@Hassan *******

That's for foreign business owners, totally different for Thai business'. His wife is Thai and could employ him as a teacher if he has the correct qualifications.

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Johnny ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Hassan *******

How are tutoring businesses in Thailand managing this in cities where they have 4 foreigners working at a business with 4 Thai staff? The math seems off. 😂

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Darren *******

@Johnny ***********

probably have family members on the payroll to artificially increase number of Thais.

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Darren *******

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Bim *******

I think you would have to look into the law regarding hiring foreigners. I am sure for every foreigner hired a company has to hire maybe 10 Thais to compensate. I am not sure of the number exactly.

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Bim *******

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