Online shop exporting business - what type of VISA and WP?

[biulas]

Hello community,

 

I've got an successful online business by selling (hence exporting) Thai products. I know that is Government policy to promote this type of business so this is surely a point at our favor.

 

Can I get help in the type of VISA necessary and/or Work Permit ? Or some guidelines / suggestions in what sort of VISA to apply to?

 

We are two persons from EU. And we are both needed for the business to run. I can employee up to 2 Nationals if needed. 

 

Thanks for the support and help!

[elviajero]

In order to get a visa/work permit you need to be employed by a Thai business. You could set one up, but it will need to be at least 51% Thai owned; and if you both want to work for the business (get a work permit) you will need 8 Thai employees (4 per foreign employee).

[vinegarbase]

This doesn't even make sense. How do you have a successful business exporting Thai products in Thailand that require you and another to be running the company in Thailand and just now you don't know what to do about a work visa and permit? Why aren't you able to keep doing what you are doing now?

 

[Ebumbu]

1 hour ago, vinegarbase said:

This doesn't even make sense. How do you have a successful business exporting Thai products in Thailand that require you and another to be running the company in Thailand and just now you don't know what to do about a work visa and permit? Why aren't you able to keep doing what you are doing now?

 

 

Because he's under the radar, has some cash now, and wants to clean up his act, obviously. His efforts are starting to pay off so he wants to clean up his visa stuff. Smart move. 

[lordblackader]

The information above is correct for a basic Thai company. 

 

However, you can setup and fully own a BOI Company. You need 10 million baht in capital and there is no need to hire Thais. 

 

If your business is going well, a BOI company would be your best option. 

[fathamburger]

This is unrelated to the visa but if you're exporting goods to the US, I can potentially provide trade financing to both derisk your capital and preserve most of the principal which you can use to scale further or just keep as backup. If you're using credit cards,  this way you dont risk your personal credit or even use cash/credit at all.

 

https://www.aseannomad.capital

 

Btw I'd say get the company sorted quickly, technically according to the work permit office this is illegal without one.  #9 in this article with the WP office here.  http://www.chiangmailocator.com/wiki-can-digital-nomads-legally-work-in-thailand-p177

9. A foreigner imports a container of German bicycles and sells them off in Thailand.

The verdict: " YES, this is work, because a Thai person could have done this. "

This case happened recently, the authorities arrested a foreigner doing this business.

 

A great reason to start using finance for your goods instead might be to preserve your capital to get legal in Thailand first as far as minimum capitalization for a thai company etc.