As we have our business in Thailand my wife and I have decided it's about time to move there instead of going over once or twice a month every month . . . so far it has been easy.

Now we are faced with the problems of getting approval to stay/work, whichever is easier to obtain.

Some of the queries I have, have been abswered through other posts, but most are from the older rules and regulations . . . the new ones being as swampy as the new airport.

How difficult is it to obtain a visa that allows us to stay a minimum of one year?

How can we avoid having to do visa-runs - seems incongruous after having been through the ringer here in Singapore, a much stricter state, and getting PR?

Car/house etc . . . not a problem.

Taxation rates . . . here we still pay single-digits for an income over $60k.

I understand Sunbelt offers services like this - has anyone used them and care to comment - on PrivateMessage of course.

Cheers!

Edited February 7, 200719 yr by Sing_Sling

A slight 'bump' perhaps . . .

As we have our business in Thailand my wife and I have decided it's about time to move there instead of going over once or twice a month every month . . . so far it has been easy.

Are you shareholders of a Thai Company? How long has it existed? Do you have Thai employees? Did it have a turnover higher than 1.2 million last year?

How difficult is it to obtain a visa that allows us to stay a minimum of one year?

Depends on your case. Why a number of questions need to be ask.

What nationality is your wife?

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Well, if your over 50 and can put 800K baht in a Thai bank account in your name, you can get a Retirement visa. If you can prove your getting a pension of at least 65K baht per month, they will waive the requirement for the 800K bank deposit. With that visa, I understand you don't ever have to leave the country if you don't want to ... no visa runs!

This visa just needs to be extended yearly.

As far as your wife, I understand as long as she is legally your spouse, she don't have to leave the country either. Here is a thread where someone else asked about a wife from the UK living with her husband in Thailand who is there on a Retirement visa: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104905

The thing you need to know is that you need to get a non-imigrant O visa first before you apply for the Retirement visa. Someone said your wife needs to enter the country with a non-imigrant O visa so she can get the appropriate stamps that allow her to stay with you on an indefinate basis too (once you prove that she is your legal wife)

I am no expert, but that's how I understand all this.

Ron,

Well, if your over 50 and can put 800K baht in a Thai bank account in your name, you can get a Retirement visa. If you can prove your getting a pension of at least 65K baht per month, they will waive the requirement for the 800K bank deposit. With that visa, I understand you don't ever have to leave the country if you don't want to ... no visa runs!

This visa just needs to be extended yearly.

As far as your wife, I understand as long as she is legally your spouse, she don't have to leave the country either. Here is a thread where someone else asked about a wife from the UK living with her husband in Thailand who is there on a Retirement visa: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104905

The thing you need to know is that you need to get a non-imigrant O visa first before you apply for the Retirement visa. Someone said your wife needs to enter the country with a non-imigrant O visa so she can get the appropriate stamps that allow her to stay with you on an indefinate basis too (once you prove that she is your legal wife)

I am no expert, but that's how I understand all this.

Ron,

Thanks Ron and Sunbelt, thank you for your responses.

Our company was just recently started, well, it has been registered since July but the whole period up to December was really only construction and sourcing, so the turnover would only be around 1/2mil., but as soon as the weather gets warmer in the north it will take off again. I'm listed as a partner, the other partner is Thai.

My wife is not Thai, nor are my children, so they will need the same visas, I guess.

Ron - I may be old fashioned, but I'm nowhere near retirement age yet!

The information we received from the Thai Embassy here in Singapore (where we only recently applied for PR status) was very confusing and extremely 'This is the Embassy, we cannot give you any more advice than to apply for a 90-days, single entry visa' delivered by a fierce Singaporean . . .

I am amazed that the procedures to get into Thailand seem much stricter than getting into Singapore . . . not even mentioning the costs involving importation of household items . . .

It is a maze, for sure, and I do appreciate any comments.

Well, if your over 50 and can put 800K baht in a Thai bank account in your name, you can get a Retirement visa. If you can prove your getting a pension of at least 65K baht per month, they will waive the requirement for the 800K bank deposit. With that visa, I understand you don't ever have to leave the country if you don't want to ... no visa runs!

Be careful.

You cannot work on a retirement visa.

I'm not retiring. way too young to do that yet.

Our company was just recently started, well, it has been registered since July but the whole period up to December was really only construction and sourcing, so the turnover would only be around 1/2mil., but as soon as the weather gets warmer in the north it will take off again. I'm listed as a partner, the other partner is Thai.

A extension of stay based on business is out then. I surmise however you will be working in the business. How bout your wife?

Let’s look at other options.

My wife is not Thai, nor are my children, so they will need the same visas, I guess.

How old are your kids? Have they been accepted to a school in Thailand yet( if they are old enough)?

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Yes, I will be working in the business, unless otherwise advised, I could also simply be the co-owner and not work. Whatever is simpler.

My wife will not work in the business, unless otherwise advised.

Our childen are too young for school.

Thank you for your guidance so far.

Yes, I will be working in the business, unless otherwise advised, I could also simply be the co-owner and not work. Whatever is simpler.

My wife will not work in the business, unless otherwise advised.

Our childen are too young for school.

Thank you for your guidance so far.

Whoever is the Managing Director is, must write a invitation letter on the company letterhead inviting you to work, along with your family to travel with you. This letter must be signed and stamped with the company seal.

As well as these Corporate documents must be signed and stamped such as:

1) business registration and business license

2) list of shareholders

3) company profile

4) details of business operation

5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions

6) map indicating location of the company

7) balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)

8) value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

You and your family will get a 90 day non immigrant “B” visa in Singapore. Once in Thailand you will get a work permit. Before the 90 day visa is up, you will travel to Hanoi and ask for a one year multi entry visa with your work permit. Be sure to take all the proof listed above for Corporate documents and your work permit. Your wife and kids will also need to travel then as well and get the one year multi entry visa. Your family and you can travel as many times as you want to Thailand but every entry into Thailand will be 90 days. You will need to revalidate your work permit every 90 days.

In January 2008, you will rush to the auditor your company accts so you can get the annual audit. This is in order to show the financial status, stability and recognition of business. In overall the audit must show owner’s equity of no less than 1 Million Baht and the total revenue must show an amount higher than the total salary of all foreign employees along with these docs and criteria...

If you met the conditions, Congrats, you now will have an extension of stay based on business. Your wife and kids will get a dependent visa off your extension of stay based on business. The good news is your family and you will no longer need to travel every 90 days unless you have the desire to do so.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Wowowowow . . . It is no surprise that Sunrise offers services that take care of this kind of thing - it does sound quite complicated. Would you care to send me an indication of he fees and charges - via peronal mail, of course.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer in such minutae.

Wowowowow . . . It is no surprise that Sunrise offers services that take care of this kind of thing - it does sound quite complicated. Would you care to send me an indication of he fees and charges - via peronal mail, of course.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer in such minutae.

Happy to do so. By the way, it’s Sunbelt not Sunrise.

However, I'm opening an authentic Mexican Grill on March 1st, it's located on Suk Rd Between Soi 12 and Soi 14 (near the Price Leader Supermarket). The name will be Sunrise Tacos. This is a good omen. Thanks.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Wowowowow . . . It is no surprise that Sunrise offers services that take care of this kind of thing - it does sound quite complicated. Would you care to send me an indication of he fees and charges - via peronal mail, of course.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer in such minutae.

Happy to do so. By the way, it’s Sunbelt not Sunrise.

However, I'm opening an authentic Mexican Grill on March 1st, it's located on Suk Rd Between Soi 12 and Soi 14 (near the Price Leader Supermarket). The name will be Sunrise Tacos. This is a good omen. Thanks.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Haha . . . sorry, but I hope it was a good omen . . . as for the plug - - - I shall give you that in lieu of payment!

Good luck with the Grill, Sunbelt Tacos! . . . we shall pop by when next in Bkk.

Haha . . . sorry, but I hope it was a good omen . . . as for the plug - - - I shall give you that in lieu of payment!

Good luck with the Grill, Sunbelt Tacos! . . . we shall pop by when next in Bkk.

All Thaivisa members are phantom share equity holders for 10% of the net profits. Big parties are planned with the funds.

George will be putting out a newsletter to all 89,000 Thaivisa members. I myself can’t wait for a fresh, warm and juicy burrito.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

It sounds better and better!

Possibly all TV members should chip in with whatever they earn their crust here . . . on second thoughts it should be a family thing after all!

A quick mail to 89000 people for your new place! Excellent!

Real re-fried beans and tostadas? Real guacamole/palta?!