Convert Visa to Work Permit

[Andrewnon]

I'm on the 60 day covid extension, valid till the end of January 2021. I'm in the process of forming a Thai company with a friend who is currently on an retirement visa. After the company has been formed, we will need to apply for a work permit.

 

I realise that in the past a non-immigrant visa was needed to initiate this process. Does anybody know if this is still the case, or has this criteria been relaxed at all since the pandemic? If the rules haven't been relaxed, what other options do we have to obtain a non-immigrant type visa without having to endure the risk, time, hassle and cost of leaving Thailand to apply for a visa abroad?

 

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

What type of visa did you use to enter the country? To apply for a work permit and then a 90 day non-b visa entry you must be on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry.

Your friend with the retirement extension or OA visa or non-o visa will not be able to apply for a work permit nor apply for a non-b without leaving and re-entering the country.

[Andrewnon]

Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

 

I originally arrived on a visa exempt, so it looks like that I should be OK.

 

My friend has a Thai wife. Can he convert this to a marriage visa, and if so, will this help his situation? Also, do you foresee any problems for him forming a Thai company with either of these visas?

 

Thanks again.

[tomazbodner]

Apart from having to hire a bunch of Thais, 4 or 7 Thais for each foreigner, and 1 (or is it 2?) million THB capital for each work permit, and 51% Thai ownership? I don't know if that requirement to show profit in the past year is still a requirement to apply for work permit. Quite a few hurdles to overcome.

[Andrewnon]

Thanks Tomaz. I think it's 1million for someone with a Thai wife, otherwise 2 million for somebody without. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

 

We will be hiring Thai staff. Do you happen to know if some of them are part-time staff, like an accountant or cleaner, will that be acceptable to fulfill the quota needed?

[ubonjoe]

2 hours ago, Andrewnon said:

My friend has a Thai wife. Can he convert this to a marriage visa, and if so, will this help his situation?

He could change his extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon retirement to one based upon marriage to a Thai. After doing that he could apply for a work permit.

 

2 hours ago, Andrewnon said:

Also, do you foresee any problems for him forming a Thai company with either of these visas?

He could be involved in forming a company but he would not be allowed to work without a work permit.