Answered8 years ago

Will I need a different visa and work permit for inspecting work in Thailand while working on a project in Laos?

Thai visa rules Work permit Retirement visa NON-O visa Re-entry permit Business visa

Robert *********

asked Sep 3, 2018

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Currently (since 2007) living with my wife in Thailand on over 50 retirement extensions to OA visa. Shortly I will be working for a Vientiane based Engineering project in Laos on business visa with work permit. 

My role will most likely include inspecting and quality control on Engineering elements sub-contracted out some of which quite possibly to include Thai Companies.

Will I need a different Thai visa and work permit for visiting/inspecting the work progress/quality in Thailand.

Answer summary

The need for a different Thai visa or work permit when visiting Thailand to inspect work largely depends on whether your work involves activities within Thailand's borders and if your employer in Laos has a local entity. It is recommended to secure a re-entry permit for your current visa status to avoid cancellation during your time in Laos. Once your work scope is clearer, consider switching to a spouse-based extension that allows you to apply for a work permit if necessary.

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Robert *********

Thanks Tod, currently ME anyway so re=entry not issue. Would meeting & inspecting a Thai firms work require a work permit, I am sure we could get the Thai Company to sponsor the work permit if really necessary.

8 years ago

Tod *********

you aren't gonna get a work permit on the current extension of stay you have (one based on being over 50) because the labor offices won't issue one. That's why I said IF it looks like you're gonna be doing a lot of stuff IN thailand to look into changing your yearly extension to one based on marriage NOT based on being over 50 (retirement).

8 years ago

Tod *********

That's gonna depend on if you're doing work IN thailand or not and if the company you're going to work for in Lao has a branch here. You couldn't get a work permit for thailand without them.

I'd say do nothing right now and just make sure you have a re-entry permit so your current extension doesn't cancel when you go to Lao. Once you get a real idea of what you'll be doing inside of thailand you can look into switching to an extension of stay based on being married to a thai. <- which allows you to hold a work permit.

8 years ago