I had a 90 day Non Immigrant o Visa single entry. When I originally obtained the Visa in Savannekhet Laos I explained I was applying for a marriage visa. On Thursday July 3rd I went to the immigration office in Mukdahan to apply for an extension to the visa for one year and explained to the immigration officer that it was for a marriage visa, I had all the items needed for a marriage visa; marriage certificate, pictures, map, my wife with me, house registration etc. I filled out the TM7 form and for reason of extension I put to support and live with my wife at our house. The immigration officer handed back the form and told me to add retirement, I told her I wanted to work and did not want a retirement visa but a marriage visa, and she said no problem. When I got the visa it was extended for one year, but retirement was stamped on it. At no time did I ask for a retirement visa and always wanted a marriage visa as I teach English and want to get a work permit and was told you could not get a work permit with a retirement visa. I told the immigration officer I wanted to work and get a work permit and she said no problem, I checked all the sites I could find about getting a work permit and all of them said you need a non immigrant visa (which I have) but none said anything about not being able to work with a retirement visa. Does any know if I can get a work permit with a retirement visa, personal experience? Thanks, Issangeorge.

Sunbelt has posted recently that they have helped people on a riterement visa get a WP. But it seems very much up to the local labour office if you will get one or not on a retirement visa.

Sunbelt has posted recently that they have helped people on a riterement visa get a WP. But it seems very much up to the local labour office if you will get one or not on a retirement visa.

I seem to remember that was only in Bangkok , not elsewhere.

Can't find the tread, but I believe was indeed Bangkok only so far. I recall being refused in Nonthaburi.

I had a 90 day Non Immigrant o Visa single entry. When I originally obtained the Visa in Savannekhet Laos I explained I was applying for a marriage visa. On Thursday July 3rd I went to the immigration office in Mukdahan to apply for an extension to the visa for one year and explained to the immigration officer that it was for a marriage visa, I had all the items needed for a marriage visa; marriage certificate, pictures, map, my wife with me, house registration etc. I filled out the TM7 form and for reason of extension I put to support and live with my wife at our house. The immigration officer handed back the form and told me to add retirement, I told her I wanted to work and did not want a retirement visa but a marriage visa, and she said no problem. When I got the visa it was extended for one year, but retirement was stamped on it. At no time did I ask for a retirement visa and always wanted a marriage visa as I teach English and want to get a work permit and was told you could not get a work permit with a retirement visa. I told the immigration officer I wanted to work and get a work permit and she said no problem, I checked all the sites I could find about getting a work permit and all of them said you need a non immigrant visa (which I have) but none said anything about not being able to work with a retirement visa. Does any know if I can get a work permit with a retirement visa, personal experience? Thanks, Issangeorge.

While the Labour Department may issue a WP with an O-A visa, take a look at this government web site http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493

Asiaexpat, I read the link you posted, that concerns a non-immigrant O-A visa, I use to have one of those, but what is stange about my Visa is the one I got extended for a year is a non-immigrant O (note not )-A), it was extended for a year, but then she stamped Retirement on it. Issangeorge

Asiaexpat, I read the link you posted, that concerns a non-immigrant O-A visa, I use to have one of those, but what is stange about my Visa is the one I got extended for a year is a non-immigrant O (note not )-A), it was extended for a year, but then she stamped Retirement on it. Issangeorge

An O-A Visa is only issued at Embassy in your own country.

There should not be a problem obtaining a work permit on a retirement extension of stay (meeting qualifications) under the new labor regulations as posted by Sunbelt Asia recently.

There should not be a problem obtaining a work permit on a retirement extension of stay (meeting qualifications) under the new labor regulations as posted by Sunbelt Asia recently.

Hello Lopburi3,

I have been back here since 8/1 on my newly acquired Non-Immigrant O-A ... FINALLY!

Since I haven't been here 90 days yet, I do not yet have the 1 year retirement visa extension (I assume this it what you were referring to above). Can I apply for the work permit now? Also I want to get a Thai one year driver's license. Can I obtain the work permit from here in Lopburi? And perhaps the driver's license too?

By the way, the only reason I thought I would get a work permit is because I have been asked to teach some English (informally) here, and I want everything kept legit regarding the money (although very little) I would be receiving.

Thanks.

If you are here on a 90 day stay you likely have a non immigrant O visa (not OA). You should be in the final 30 days of permitted to stay to apply for retirement extension of stay. You do not need extension of stay to apply for a work permit (the O visa will work). You should be able to obtain work permit at local labor office in Lopburi but drivers license will likely require a certificate of residence from your Embassy in Bangkok.

Today my lawyer has been told by both Bangkok and Pattaya that I cannot have a work permit as I have a retirement visa I MUST according to them have a business visa but to get this immigration says I must go out of the country. I have also bee told that I can face up to five years imprisonment and or deportation and a fine.

Told by who? You obtain the work permit from the local labor office so you don't have a choice of Pattaya or Bangkok. You do not require a business visa to obtain a work permit and never have. Those married to Thai have an "O" visa and obtain work permits every day.

As for the jail/deportation/fine what are they talking about? Are you illegally working?

I was told that acc to Section 51 of Workers Alien Act 2551 any alien engaging in the work without permission shall be subject to an imprisonment of not exceeding 5 years or a fine from 2000 bt to 100000 bt. if I work illegally.

I was told that under Section 10 I must have a residency in the Kingdom for temporary stay under the laws of Immigration , but not enter under the tourist or transit visa.

My lawyer contacted Bangkok and was told that they were tightening up on the regulations and not issuing to Tourist/retirement visa's that I needed a Business visa.

Immigration at Pattaya said that I would have to go out of the country and return with a Business visa as they did not issue one without a work permit and could not convert a retirement visa into a business visa.

I was also told that the charges had gone up to 20,000 bt

Work permits are never issued on a tourist visa - only on non immigrant visa entry. There are new rules as of a few months ago but not all offices are using the same game plan yet. The work permit may be going way up in price (but be valid for a longer period).

You are aware that the visa itself will not qualify you for a work permit - the employer/employment is the deciding factor. And you do not need any visa to apply for the work permit (only for full issue is the visa required).

Thank you for your help -- I have a retirement ( Non Imm O ) visa and have been told I need a business visa to apply for a work permit much to my lawyers suprise this morning a my lawyer had not heard about this before by Bangkok.

It looks like your lawyer asked the immigration office about the work permit application when he should have asked the employment department.

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Maestro

I looked through Sunbelt’s recent posts and found the following on the subject of applying for a work permit while on a retirement extension (in ascending chronological order):

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/findpost-p1937586.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/findpost-p1937605.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/findpost-p2024522.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/findpost-p2026825.html

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Maestro

Thank you all for your help -- I will see what tomorrow brings and post results,

Bad news I am afraid-- Mine and another application were refused at Chonburi for Work Permits on the grounds that both of us were on Retirement visa's -- The advice was to leave the country and get a Business visa before returning then re-apply. As I aiming on doing voluntary work I don't feel that this is worthwhile for me. I understand that this rule now applies for all new applications but that grandfathering may be allowed. I did not inquire about what the situation would be on a married visa but I would presume that again I would have to get a business visa.-- Thanks to everyone for their help I understand this has come in over the last week.