Phxdiver

Appreciate all the responses. Yes I'm American for those concerned. I don't see the benefit of 100% ownership of the company. I highly doubt I'd make anything near the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion limits for US taxes so anything I make would essentially be tax-free on my US taxes anyway. I know dozens of foreign dive instructors in Phuket who are freelance instructors who coordinate with Thai accounting firms to process tax, employment, etc. payments so they can obtain/maintain a non-B visa and work permit. My understanding is that these instructors have essentially created Thai companies, since I always hear that there's a requirement of 4 Thai employees, presumably so that I'd get one foreigner work permit quota. All I'm asking is whether that sort of company would allow real estate purchase. I suspect the answer is "it depends", based on the answer provided by @Maestro. Thanks for everyone's responses!

Greetings, Sorry if this post is in the wrong spot. I'm heading to Thailand in the fall to compete my scuba instructor qualification. The shop I'm diving with has offered me a job after I'm qualified. They'd handle all visa related paperwork (on one of their foreign quotas). Alternatively, I understand I can find a reputable accounting firm and have them help me create my own business (freelance instruction) which would entail taxes and social security payments (I'm sure I'm over-simplifying). My question is regarding the later option. Would this route also allow me to purchase property through my newly formed "company", or is the work company formed for scuba instruction a different entity than a company formed for property purchase? Just exploring options at this point as my plan will be to stay long term in Thailand. Respectfully, I'm not looking for a "buy -vs- rent" debate. Thanks in advance!!!

Yep. Quickest way to a 30% discount...

Healthy people are bad for the economy. If it wasn't for unhealthy people, there'd be less cars so less insurance companies, repairs shops, dealerships, gas stations, etc. Not to mention way fewer doctors and hospitals, and food delivery drivers.

@ubonjoe I get that, but my question is that the OP indicated that he "just" got his e-Tourist Visa. How does one go about getting a Tourist visa without proof on onward/return flight? I would like this option, but I don't know how....

How did you get a Tourist Visa without having to provide evidence of a R/T ticket? The Thai consulate in Los Angeles requirements for a TR visa specifically require a R/T ticket...What embassy/consulate did you use? VIetnam? My understanding is that the Thailand Pass application doesn't ask for a R/T ticket (only manually enter your arrival info and your departure dates, but not upload/provide an itinerary.

I live on the west coast of the US, so I will use the LA consulate. I did my prior TR visa through them earlier this year. ???? So what you're saying is that (for example) if I send them a 30 day insurance policy that is required as part of the Non-OA application, I'll still get a Non-OA visa valid for 1 year worth of entries? But, when I travel to Thailand, I'll only be allowed to stay for 30 days? Thanks!

Greetings everyone, hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season, wherever you are! ???? Considering longer stay options for Thailand next year (May-ish entry timeframe). One option is the Non-OA visa I can apply for at the LA consulate. 2 and a half questions regarding this route. 1) Has anyone had luck submitting investment account statements (e.g. TD Ameritrade) as evidence of financial support when applying for a Non-OA in the US? Or am I literally stuck putting the USD equivalent of 800k THB into a Zero.Nothing% interest bank account? 2) The LA Consulate requires proof of insurance. Am I correct in assuming that the validity (up to 1 year) of the visa is based on the insurance I provide? So, if I only provide a 6mth policy, the visa is only valid for 6mths duration. Taking it further, could leave/return on the last day of the 6mth period (with new insurance / re-entry permits) and essentially get 1 year in Thailand on the Non-OA before needing to consider an extension? Reason I ask is that I'd likely head back to the US for a few months near the holiday season for family reasons, so didn't seem to make sense to buy insurance for when I'm not in Thailand. On the flip side, I guess I could get a whole year policy, get the 1 year Non-OA visa validity and leave when I want to anyway (with re-entry permission). That way, I could play the re-entry game with a 1 year visa (instead of 6mths) and essentially gett 2 years of access to Thailand without needing to worry about the extension process. Does this make sense? Thanks!! phxphoto