Work Permit Possible With Having Marriage Or Retirement Visa?

[croydon]

Just a quick question and hopefullly a quick answer as to whether it is possible to apply for a work permit while in Thailand with either a marriage or retirement visa?

So, if I'm in Thailand and get a job, is it possible to switch the status, whilst staying in Thailand?

Thanks.

CROYDON

[singa-traz]

"Marriage", Yes.

Get a work permit with a retirement Visa ?

Switching ... don't know

[Crossy]

Sunbelt have reported being able to get work permits on a retirement visa (nothing very recent though). You can definately get a WP on a marriage visa / extension.

If you have a marriage extension you can switch status when it expires (to retirement) in fact the immi. chaps like that as it's less hassle than a marriage extension.

[PeaceBlondie]

I think I recall that somebody with an extended O retirement visa (not married to a Thai) was told they could get a work permit if they converted to a B visa. The member didn't convert because the O retirement visa is so much easier to keep. Also, the member suspected this was no easy task, not something an ordinary employer (such as a government school upcountry) could do. I think that an extended B visa with a work permit will expire within 7 days after a work permit has been cancelled. Then, perhaps, the person might go back to an O retirement visa until they get hired again....no, even that sounds too simple. Maybe you'd have to leave the country, do hand-stands, recite some poem from primary school, spit into a jar, and....too much trouble.

[ZZZ]

You can get a work permit based on any Non Immigrant visa. You can not get a work permit on transit or tourist visas.

The work permit will then normally be valid as long as your non immigrant visa is valid, as long as you work as specified on the work permit. If the work permit is canceled it will not change your visa status.

You do not need to change your married or retirement visa status to get a work permit.

[ZZZ]

The work permits are issued by Department of Employment, they have an English web page with further information and contact details:

http://www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

[LivinLOS]

You can get a work permit based on any Non Immigrant visa. You can not get a work permit on transit or tourist visas.

The work permit will then normally be valid as long as your non immigrant visa is valid, as long as you work as specified on the work permit. If the work permit is canceled it will not change your visa status.

You do not need to change your married or retirement visa status to get a work permit.

I have always been told that a WP will NOT be issued on a non imm O-A retirement visa (thats the visa that gives 12 months upon arrival NOT a non imm O thats extended 12 months in country)..

Has this changed ??

[ZZZ]

From what I know it has always been permitted but I have never tried myself. According to the NonIm visa rules you are not allowed to work with this visa, witch I guess is true, until you get a work permit.

Anyway, for correct information always check with the source, in this case DOE.

[blacklabel]

Work after marriage.....why not!!

But work after retirement....... sounds funny why retire in the first place....just my though

[wpcoe]

This is strictly anectodal, and "for what it's worth," but when I got my first retirement extension at the Pattaya Immigrations office last September, the lady who does the final review and approval sternly said to me: "You can NOT work on this visa. You understand?"

Wonder what would happen if I went to the Department of Employment and got a work permit and somehow she found out? Would there be a problem when I go to extend this September?

[hereforgood]

This is strictly anectodal, and "for what it's worth," but when I got my first retirement extension at the Pattaya Immigrations office last September, the lady who does the final review and approval sternly said to me: "You can NOT work on this visa. You understand?"

Wonder what would happen if I went to the Department of Employment and got a work permit and somehow she found out? Would there be a problem when I go to extend this September?

Not sure but I have a WP and am on an extension of Non O for retirement working full time and was told by 2 attorneys that for the last year or so they have been issuing WP's to holders of retirement Visas or extensions such as mine

[A_Traveller]

My understanding is that this is a good old 'grey' area. In principal the position is that any non-immigrant visa should support a WP, but since the retirement visa is just that, a visa providing a long term {1 year} stay on the basis of retirement, the issuance of a WP would be discretionary.

Sorry not a definitive answer, because there isn't one There were discussions last year during the revamp about this but nothing came of them. If anyone has more up to date information/ references I'm sure many would be pleased to review.

Regards

[astral]

This may be a simple mis-interpretation of the rules by the DoE.

It is my understanding that you cannot work on an O-A visa.

However if you have a O visa extended based on retirement,

the DoE may miss the retirement bit and let you work.

By the way I am 60 and was planning to give up work totally,

but I am being persuaded to carry on working part-time as a consultant

and may soon have a brand new work permit here in Malaysia.

[hereforgood]

This may be a simple mis-interpretation of the rules by the DoE.

It is my understanding that you cannot work on an O-A visa.

However if you have a O visa extended based on retirement,

the DoE may miss the retirement bit and let you work.

By the way I am 60 and was planning to give up work totally,

but I am being persuaded to carry on working part-time as a consultant

and may soon have a brand new work permit here in Malaysia.

No way they could have missed it in my case as it is Stamped RETIREMENT. I had to go to the office in Chonburi with the attorney from our Company to Sign and receive the WP in Person as well