Applying By Yourself For The Work Permit

[NHJ]

Hello,

I have my own company and i'd like to apply for the work permit by myself, i live in samui, i don't want to pay the high lawyers fees.

I already went to the labour in surat thani to take all the needed documents but i need help with the requirement and to fill in the papers.

is there someone in here that can help me?

thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

If you have visited the labor department and obtained the requirements don't really see what you need. If you have specific questions perhaps you could ask and someone could respond?

[keestha]

If you have your own company, than you will also have to use the services of a bookkeeper, among other things fo file your tax return. Let the bookkeeper help you with the paperwork needed to apply for a work permit.

Edited February 29, 2008 by keestha

[NHJ]

<br />If you have your own company, than you will also have to use the services of a bookkeeper, among other things fo file your tax return. Let the bookkeeper help you with the paperwork needed to apply for a work permit.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

unfortunately the lawyer and accounting offices will not help you for those papers, the prices are not those of bangkok 6500 bath for the work permit (sunbelt rates), here it's 15000 up to 20000.

i have indeed a few questions:

- Can i give them photocopies of the required papers from the company, like the registration?

- The company will not have income per year superior of 1.2 million bath, i read that the VAT registration(for the company) is not needed in such cases but on the required papers i see they ask for phor por 01 or 20?

- My occupation will be in freelance thus not fixed revenues, what is the minimum income i can set for that kind of work(i heard from the accounting desk that the minimum income is set according to your occupation and has nothing to do with the minimum income per nationallity)?

- The duration of employement will be yearly, but now my visa is only three months , i read it's dependent of your visa lenght, can i set an occupation of 1 year and then extend my WP every three months?

- Do the papers have to be filled in in thai or can i do it in english?

- Can i set different jobs like consultance, marketing and sale as occupation?

thank you

[NHJ]

any one?

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

If you are going to run a REAL business generating REAL income, doing a REAL job, perhaps it would be a good idea to consult a REAL lawyer to give some REAL advice and pay some REAL money for the services... Or is it just me?

If you want to start out your business on the cheap, and risk using advice from us creti and pleti, you get what you pay for...

Good luck, you will certainly need it!

[stevemiddie]

<br />If you have your own company, than you will also have to use the services of a bookkeeper, among other things fo file your tax return. Let the bookkeeper help you with the paperwork needed to apply for a work permit.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

unfortunately the lawyer and accounting offices will not help you for those papers, the prices are not those of bangkok 6500 bath for the work permit (sunbelt rates), here it's 15000 up to 20000.

i have indeed a few questions:

- Can i give them photocopies of the required papers from the company, like the registration?

- The company will not have income per year superior of 1.2 million bath, i read that the VAT registration(for the company) is not needed in such cases but on the required papers i see they ask for phor por 01 or 20?

- My occupation will be in freelance thus not fixed revenues, what is the minimum income i can set for that kind of work(i heard from the accounting desk that the minimum income is set according to your occupation and has nothing to do with the minimum income per nationallity)?

- The duration of employement will be yearly, but now my visa is only three months , i read it's dependent of your visa lenght, can i set an occupation of 1 year and then extend my WP every three months?

- Do the papers have to be filled in in thai or can i do it in english?

- Can i set different jobs like consultance, marketing and sale as occupation?

thank you

Is this a troll? Hire a lawyer.

[NHJ]

IT looks like a few papers afraid you, there is nothing wrong to apply for the work permit by yourself being self employed, there's nothing more natural.

Before asking for help, i saw while reading different post in the forum that many people did it by themselves not to mention thaivisa has a page regarding the work permit here : <a href="http://www.thaivisa.com/288.0.html that says we can ask if we need help on the forum.

I did the first step by going to the labour in surat thani and get the papers also in case or you didn't notice my question have nothing stupid, if you had the paper in your hands and after reading the DOE's website you would have the same questions as me.

The governement is asking a lot of papers but on the other part every website related to foreigners is translated in english and all documents(for the work permit in my case) are available to download, if the work permit was something that requires a lawyer for sure the documents wouldn't be available to the public.

If i succeed by myself, this could be a sticky in the forum and i could make a tutorial for the mainpage of the website.

I'm well aware of the different rules of business in thailand, a certified accountant is needed for your bookeeping and the tax payment so i have no question regarding this.

i think that now you get my point, if you can help in this thread please do otherwise simply don't reply but i think that post could help a lot of people, isn't thaivisa alive with other people experiences and reports that serve the entire community?

Edited March 8, 2008 by NHJ

[simon43]

Can I ask how you intend to be 'self-employed' or 'freelance' as your posts state? To get a WP you either have to form a Thai company, be a partner in a legal partnership of a Thai person or be an employee of a Thai person's sole trader enterprise.

Simon

[NHJ]

<br />Can I ask how you intend to be 'self-employed' or 'freelance' as your posts state? To get a WP you either have to form a Thai company, be a partner in a legal partnership of a Thai person or be an employee of a Thai person's sole trader enterprise.<br /><br />Simon<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Hi,

it's in the second line of my first post in this thread, as you can see i already have my own company.

[A_Traveller]

1. You don't need a lawyer to do this.

2. You will need to be able to read or work with someone who understands, 'legal' Thai.

3. I believe you will need to come to Bangkok to complete this {Ministry of Labour}

4. As a passing point, fees quoted for this, often don't include all the required ancillaries, hence, possibly, the price differentials you see. Always ask if this includes everything, I've found this question to be revealing, usually when asked a second time, even of those herein.

Now for some meat:-

• copy of the picture page/identification page of your passport {the one with your photo and passport number}.
  
• your non-immigrant visa.
  
• copy of the passport page with your current entry stamp.
  
• copy of your entry card.
  
• Copy of your degree or resume or transcript or other skill-set supporting documentation. Note sometimes this will need to be certified by your country's embassy {this requires bringing your degree or resume to your embassy, declaring it is a true and original document and then paying an authentication fee}.
  
• a doctor's certificate stating you are in good health issued within the last 90 days.
  
• 2 colour, 4 by 5 centimetre photos {not a Passport photo}.
  
• Completed application forms.
  
• Fees.
  
• Corporate tax and legal documents concerning the nature of their business, location, and current employees.
  

Application must show that the position is specialist. that is to say one that can not be done by a Thai. papers are submitted and then the process starts. Depending on specifics a permit, if granted, will then be issued in a couple of weeks {though it can take much longer}. Usually the permit must be collected in person at the Ministry of Labour, when it is signed for and a stamp affixed to the passport.

Note, your visa must not lapse during this application period, ensure it remains current.

Once this is done, then the company must apply fro a Thai Tax ID for you. On this point ensure you are paying yourself a suitable figure, presently the guidelines are >60k pm for a US citizen, >50k pm for EU citizen.

HTH

Regards

PS I should ad that there are sound reasons for using a specialist in this, since they a} insulate you from the inevitable bureaucratic issues, and b} can finesse, where it might be required, your application details.

Edited March 9, 2008 by A_Traveller

[worldfun]

Some good info here thanks.

However down to the essential details we still don't know more confidently which docs are needed as originals, which copies will do & even worse if any really needs certification? It may sound like simple nitty gritty, but these things might be obvious for all the guys having been through the loops, but NOT for us first timers

To be needed in person at the government office is a major hassle for upcountry folks & surely a source for major revenue earning for the agent sharks!

If this forum really should show its worth it needs to start to take newbies serious or at least put up some useful detailed stickis

Cheers!

[A_Traveller]

^In my post above where I don''t say copy. i.e. the last line re corporate documentation, then these must be originals, issued & stamped, for example by the relevant tax/licensing/permit issuing authorities. Copies suffice where I stated that.

HTH

Regards

[worldfun]

thanks traveller - perhaps I was a bit too fast yesterday

[NHJ]

today i went to the labour office in samui.

the documents can be photocopies of your original, you don't need to bring your originals EXEPT for your passport.

the documents can be hand filled but those have to be in thai.

balance sheet is not needed if it's a new company.

for the VAT photocopy of the small card with your VAT number is enough.

the power of attorney has been requested even if i apply by myself(while it's not normally) so don't forget to buy 2x10 bath fiscal stamps at the tax office.

BUT i had a trouble with the organization chart that i didn't prepare by lack of knowledge, as i don't have any employees, i'm alone with my shareholders how should it look to be sure it's accepted??

[worldfun]

I suppose a nice computer generated chart showing yourself at the top as director should suffice

[NHJ]

I suppose a nice computer generated chart showing yourself at the top as director should suffice

maybe but then where should be placed my sharholders with me?

when i have a look at all those papers they request, i have the feeling, the approval of the work permit is not connected with the bisuness departement, all the informations they request are available from the business department.

it looks like the procedure is 30 years old when you applyed for the work permit in samui while the only business office deparment was in bangkok, thus they asked you all the papers because it was too hard/slow/long to go to bangkok.

the approval is i guess based only on the papers you present to the labour.

[worldfun]

yes you're right

no need to show share holders (they are already listed in the company documents also required) just staff is my understanding

Edited April 7, 2008 by worldfun

[NHJ]

yes you're right

no need to show share holders (they are already listed in the company documents also required) just staff is my understanding

hum what should i do, put name of friends maybe i can state they are volunteers to help me to start my bisuness and see what happens or give the organazition shart showing one director and no one else?

Edited April 7, 2008 by NHJ

[Strap]

yes you're right

no need to show share holders (they are already listed in the company documents also required) just staff is my understanding

hum what should i do, put name of friends maybe i can state they are volunteers to help me to start my bisuness and see what happens or give the organazition shart showing one director and no one else?

You seem to be getting asked about the Thai employees of the company, depending on the company structure/capital used to setup this Thai company. or they just want to see the corporate documents ,that shows the share holders.

I cant remember the form number off hand but it is with your tax receipts for last year.

Volunteers cant work for your company legally unless they are Thai..remember the tsunami?

On a side note, did you fill out the employee app yet for the labor board? the 3/4 page form that actually feels like your filling out a job application?

Be careful when you do , make sure you provide real information ,like your college degree etc, this way your not turned down because a Thai can do this job .

Edited April 7, 2008 by Strap

[NHJ]

well i'm not getting asked about thai employees, there's nothing from the official document that says something about employee, otherwise they would ask for proof of social security payment.

i heard that from a local lawyer, on a side note why would they request a organization chart just to who i'm alone.

this is the last point where i'm lost, all the other documents have been verified by the labour employees and they did reject me only because of a missing paper, they don't speak english so they showed me the number of the missing paper, they did also minor adjustments to my papers to be sure they are filled the way they should(now 100% sure of that).

as it's a new company i don't have any tax recept nor vat certificate, i just have my card of VAT registration wich is enough for them apparently.

also in my work permit, i'll be consultant, online advertiser and web selling, so by looking at my job they should know i don't need any staff as all i'd like to do is work legally here on my own like i did in my country.

[worldfun]

every docs requested is part of standard practice whether you're 1 person company or 1000's of staff I guess.

so they want an org. chart & if there's only you then org chart will show 1 person - you?

is it still difficult?

I'm surprised though if that's accepted since I understand current enforcement (in some provinces at least) requires 4 thai staff per farang unless married to thai then 2 staff is enough...

Good luck & thanks for sharing

[NHJ]

i have been offered help, offered in exchange of money of course

the lawyer is making a trick with teamoney so they accept your request without too much looking, but so this is a trick.

for the enforcement, i wonder if it's not a way to control the thai employee works with a true contract, social security paid, to avoid the "black work", there was certainly a lot of abuses during the past, i can't imagine a restaurant on the main road without any declared staff by example, that would be very suspect

[Strap]

i have been offered help, offered in exchange of money of course

the lawyer is making a trick with teamoney so they accept your request without too much looking, but so this is a trick.

for the enforcement, i wonder if it's not a way to control the thai employee works with a true contract, social security paid, to avoid the "black work", there was certainly a lot of abuses during the past, i can't imagine a restaurant on the main road without any declared staff by example, that would be very suspect

Well good luck with your new found lawyer, your about to open a whole new cash flow for him and his friends,

Cheers...

Let me add the reason for this comment,

you are trying now to get over on the labor dept,oh fair enough no harm in trying to keep things less complicated,But you are only setting yourself up for major cash payments anytime your lawyer,the labor official and anyone else that is aware of your 'tea money' work permit setup. Remember you don't have a 1 year extension of stay based on business, so you will be leaving the country every 90 days and will have to go to re-new your work permit every time you return.What happens when they ask you for something ( docs ) you should already have? Will you be paying them off every 90 days ? What will you do when the lawyer calls you and says 'sorry you need to pay fee 20,000 for permit today'?

Sorry if i sound hard on you about it ,but when you take the path of least resistance nothing good comes from it.like so many do here.....

Good luck anyway and i hope things go easy for you.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Strap

[NHJ]

i have been offered help, offered in exchange of money of course

the lawyer is making a trick with teamoney so they accept your request without too much looking, but so this is a trick.

for the enforcement, i wonder if it's not a way to control the thai employee works with a true contract, social security paid, to avoid the "black work", there was certainly a lot of abuses during the past, i can't imagine a restaurant on the main road without any declared staff by example, that would be very suspect

Well good luck with your new found lawyer, your about to open a whole new cash flow for him and his friends,

Cheers...

Let me add the reason for this comment,

you are trying now to get over on the labor dept,oh fair enough no harm in trying to keep things less complicated,But you are only setting yourself up for major cash payments anytime your lawyer,the labor official and anyone else that is aware of your 'tea money' work permit setup. Remember you don't have a 1 year extension of stay based on business, so you will be leaving the country every 90 days and will have to go to re-new your work permit every time you return.What happens when they ask you for something ( docs ) you should already have? Will you be paying them off every 90 days ? What will you do when the lawyer calls you and says 'sorry you need to pay fee 20,000 for permit today'?

Sorry if i sound hard on you about it ,but when you take the path of least resistance nothing good comes from it.like so many do here.....

Good luck anyway and i hope things go easy for you.

you should read carefully, it's even stated in my first post, i DO NOT WANT to pay the lawyer fees neither do i want to do tricks as they offer me.

that's why i do the process by myself , the honest way, if they refuse me then at least i could say i tried.

the teamoney practice is done by all and every lawyer to speed up the process and to be sure you get your work permit, so that lawyer is not trying to trick me.

also for the renewal, you don't need all those papers but only a few, so once you get your work permit be happy with it and never forget to renew it at time.

[Strap]

i have been offered help, offered in exchange of money of course

the lawyer is making a trick with teamoney so they accept your request without too much looking, but so this is a trick.

for the enforcement, i wonder if it's not a way to control the thai employee works with a true contract, social security paid, to avoid the "black work", there was certainly a lot of abuses during the past, i can't imagine a restaurant on the main road without any declared staff by example, that would be very suspect

Well good luck with your new found lawyer, your about to open a whole new cash flow for him and his friends,

Cheers...

Let me add the reason for this comment,

you are trying now to get over on the labor dept,oh fair enough no harm in trying to keep things less complicated,But you are only setting yourself up for major cash payments anytime your lawyer,the labor official and anyone else that is aware of your 'tea money' work permit setup. Remember you don't have a 1 year extension of stay based on business, so you will be leaving the country every 90 days and will have to go to re-new your work permit every time you return.What happens when they ask you for something ( docs ) you should already have? Will you be paying them off every 90 days ? What will you do when the lawyer calls you and says 'sorry you need to pay fee 20,000 for permit today'?

Sorry if i sound hard on you about it ,but when you take the path of least resistance nothing good comes from it.like so many do here.....

Good luck anyway and i hope things go easy for you.

you should read carefully, it's even stated in my first post, i DO NOT WANT to pay the lawyer fees neither do i want to do tricks as they offer me.

that's why i do the process by myself , the honest way, if they refuse me then at least i could say i tried.

the teamoney practice is done by all and every lawyer to speed up the process and to be sure you get your work permit, so that lawyer is not trying to trick me.

also for the renewal, you don't need all those papers but only a few, so once you get your work permit be happy with it and never forget to renew it at time.

Good to see you not trying to sneak your way through it then,

Yes im well a where what is needed for renewals, lucky for me they are only 1 time a year, but thats because of my company setup and extensions based on the company. Doing the work permit yourself is really easy if you have done the right paper work.

I look forward to your results.

and again good luck

[percy2]

i have been offered help, offered in exchange of money of course

the lawyer is making a trick with teamoney so they accept your request without too much looking, but so this is a trick.

for the enforcement, i wonder if it's not a way to control the thai employee works with a true contract, social security paid, to avoid the "black work", there was certainly a lot of abuses during the past, i can't imagine a restaurant on the main road without any declared staff by example, that would be very suspect

Well good luck with your new found lawyer, your about to open a whole new cash flow for him and his friends,

Cheers...

Let me add the reason for this comment,

you are trying now to get over on the labor dept,oh fair enough no harm in trying to keep things less complicated,But you are only setting yourself up for major cash payments anytime your lawyer,the labor official and anyone else that is aware of your 'tea money' work permit setup. Remember you don't have a 1 year extension of stay based on business, so you will be leaving the country every 90 days and will have to go to re-new your work permit every time you return.What happens when they ask you for something ( docs ) you should already have? Will you be paying them off every 90 days ? What will you do when the lawyer calls you and says 'sorry you need to pay fee 20,000 for permit today'?

Sorry if i sound hard on you about it ,but when you take the path of least resistance nothing good comes from it.like so many do here.....

Good luck anyway and i hope things go easy for you.

you should read carefully, it's even stated in my first post, i DO NOT WANT to pay the lawyer fees neither do i want to do tricks as they offer me.

that's why i do the process by myself , the honest way, if they refuse me then at least i could say i tried.

the teamoney practice is done by all and every lawyer to speed up the process and to be sure you get your work permit, so that lawyer is not trying to trick me.

also for the renewal, you don't need all those papers but only a few, so once you get your work permit be happy with it and never forget to renew it at time.

It can be done and its easy.

In Bangkok the staff at the dept. Labour and Immigration are both incredibly helpful(take a thai speaker to reduce their stress levels)

If your company fits the requirements ( get the paper that advises you) the Thai government seems to bend over backwards to help you with the paperwork / process.

Our companies do it for me and my staff without ever referring to lawyers.

Cheers