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What type of visa do I need to invest in a restaurant in Thailand for my girlfriend?

Visa rules Non-Immigrant B Visa Thailand restaurant business Investment Expat advice Immigration Working in Thailand

Aug 11, 2018

6 years ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need to get a visa I want to invest in a restaurant for my g/f and want to help get this started can anybody help

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster (O/P) is seeking advice on obtaining a visa to invest in a restaurant for their girlfriend in Thailand. Several community members suggest considering legal advice, emphasizing the necessity of a Non-Immigrant B Visa for investment and employment purposes. They warn that investing in the restaurant business can be risky, noting that many similar ventures fail. Important factors such as knowing the right legalities, understanding local business practices, and the potential for loss were also highlighted. Overall, it was agreed that proper research and preparation are crucial before making such investments.

Tod *********

and we're done.

Good Luck to the O/P

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Steve **********

I'm waiting for the punchline.

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Danny ************

Oi

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Peter *********

Why buy work!.

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Paul *********

Seeing as the group is “Thai visa advice” I’ll hold back on the relationship advice. That’s your personal choice.

Talk to a lawyer specializing in company setups. With the amount of money you would be investing to buy into a restaurant in that area and the number of staff you’d be hiring you would qualify for a non immigrant B visa.

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Paul *********

4 Thai staff in a company gets you one work permit for a Westerner.

Like I said seek legal advice.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

It is running on4 staff at the moment

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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been told this need to

Know how this works

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Patrice **********

You can buy a restaurant with its employee

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I been in the restaurant trade for 25 years head chef

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James ********

Karl Kriescher Pattaya City has two expat clubs. Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Kohn Kaen each have one. There must be some in the Bangkok area. Some of these expat clubs have facebook pages too.

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James ********

@Karl **********

But knowing the Thai ways of business is possibly very different from your experience. Accounting and bookeeping etc. Even I have experienced a double set of books in the USA. Restaurant operator was reporting one set of sales figures to me as property owner while the real numbers were much greater. As he was on a percentage of sales lease...he lost his business when discovered via audit.

So be sure the operating books are for real.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I know business is the way I am looking at it

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Stéfan ********

Ok great... This has to be treated as pure business, knowing that the restaurant industry is hard at the best of times and is mostly driven by the love of food.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have the restaurant I am thinking of is in the business area of asok with a very good profit margin I have taken time to find out some details

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James ********

@Karl **********

Where in Thailand are you planning to open a business?

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James ********

BTW...restaurants and Thai cafes are a dime a dozen...many open and close ...look around the city or village you are considering.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is there any expat groups on here I can join and chat with others

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James ********

Many fellow expats have done as your seeking...especially in the restaurant or bar/club business. Take time to chat with many.

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James ********

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Stéfan ********

Question: what's your experience in the restaurant business?

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

We have stayed together 4 times and are in constant contact

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Erik ***********

Woow, 4 times in 2 years. That a lot (NOT)

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Erik ***********

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Known her for almost 2 years met on Thai Cupid

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Martin **********

I have tried making more than 2 other accounts and can not find her anywhere

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Martin ***********

Well here is another tip, if you met on Thai Cupid, maybe she still has an open account ?? I would suggest contacting her from an alias account to see how genuine she is..... as I already said, may sound harsh, but you could have a lot of money at stake.... good luck , by the way where is the business ?

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Martin ***********

Good man, many learn the hard way.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes I have been to her work and seen her bank statements and met all her family

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Martin ***********

It might sound harsh, but have you done any background checks, employment verification, seen her bank statements of possible 'other' incomings ?

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Martin ***********

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Martin ***********

My first question would be, before you start to embark on casting away 1000s, how long you known your thai gf and where or how did you meet .... 🤔

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I did look at non immigrant visa

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James ********

@Karl **********

Enjoy your holiday. Keep your money back home for now .... Take time to plan ahead.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just holiday

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James ********

@Karl **********

and are you now in Thailand? What kind of visa are you on now? Or just on entry to Thailand?

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

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James ********

@Karl **********

that's young 😉 Good luck to you and yours.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

45

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James ********

It appears you are a young man from UK...I will let the forum experts reply on the Non-immigrant O Visa for you.

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James ********

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Why will I lose it

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James ********

You will join the ranks of hundreds before you who have invested in many kinds of businesses ...cafe, bars, clothes, coffee... Only to see it all lost. Few are successful. One must be careful in trying to assist a girlfriend, boyfriend or their family....ask around to many expats which have experienced the question you ask.

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James ********

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James ********

First...what kind of visa are you seeking ? Second...be prepared to lose all you invest in a Thai restaurant or business. Three ...you cannot work in the restaurant without a work permit and thats probably impossible to get.

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James ********

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