Visa for bringing Indonesia helper to Thailand

[Bkk2005]

Hi,

 

I will be relocating with my family of 4 kids to Bangkok on an international assignment from Singapore for a period of 3 years. We like to bring our helper along. She is from Indonesia who has been with us for many years is like part of family. Even though we know it is cheaper and easier to get a helper from Thailand, we still like to keep her with us.

 

However, I have been told there are no visas that will allow her to come with us. 
 

Does anyone know how we can bring her along?

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

According to this website, only nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar can legally work as domestic help in Thailand.

 

https://nitipornpna.com/blog/is-your-domestic-worker-legal

 

But as with many things here, there may be a work-around. 

[ubonjoe]

There is no straightforward way for to get a visa and then getting a extension of stay at immigration for her.

Three is no specific category for a visa or extension for her. 

 

[chickenslegs]

Thai elite visa costs a whopping 600,000 THB, and doesn't allow work.

[Bkk2005]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Sadly, it looks like we may have no choice but to leave her behind. This was really something I really did not want to do. And I don’t know how. Sigh.

 

Is it a possibility to let her come in on tourist visa and let her do a border run to extend? I am even willing to fly her back if needed but that will also depend on how long her tourist visa will let her stay each time. Does anyone know?

[JayClay]

1 hour ago, Bkk2005 said:

Thanks everyone for your advice. Sadly, it looks like we may have no choice but to leave her behind. This was really something I really did not want to do. And I don’t know how. Sigh.

 

Is it a possibility to let her come in on tourist visa and let her do a border run to extend? I am even willing to fly her back if needed but that will also depend on how long her tourist visa will let her stay each time. Does anyone know?

Yes it's possible. Although "border runs" are out of the question right now there's every chance that she could come in on a tourist visa and stay another year or two on covid extensions, depending on how the pandemic plays out.

 

The downside of this approach is that you'll spend the whole time in suspense not knowing if they'll extend the programme or not.

 

The upside is that you'll be able to upset a good percentage of the members of this website by doing nothing other than taking advantage of a scheme that the government are openly making available to you.

[DrJack54]

19 hours ago, Bkk2005 said:

I will be relocating with my family of 4 kids to Bangkok on an international assignment from Singapore for a period of 3 years.

The kicker in this is "3 years".

Your helper would not be able to live in Thailand on tourist visas ongoing. Not to mention that you cannot work on a tourist visa.

When borders open no one knows at this time what the reentry requirements will be..

Covid extensions most likely end when some land borders open.

Sadly I think there is no alternative.

As a stop gap measure you could consider a short term option. Tourist Visa with extension 60+30 days to give you time to find new help.