From O Visa To Working Visa

[TheDon]

Hi, When I will frist go to Thailand on the O visa I wont be able to work etc, but after a few months I want to open a business and I will have to change it to the working visa I believe. So do I have to start the business first and employ myself and then apply for the visa? or do I have to apply for the visa then open the business?

[beechguy]

The work permit is what allows you to work, not the visa. In theory you should be able to apply for a work permit with either an "O" or a "B" visa.

[Carib]

There is no such thing as a working visa. There is a workpermit, that is what you should have in cmbination with a visa or the extension of stay.

[Maestro]

You need a prospective employer first before applying for the work permit and in your case this means that you first need to establish your company and, if required for the work permit application, ensure that the company has the necessary number of Thai employees.

You can set up a company and apply for the work permit after having entered Thailand on any type of visa, ie your non-O visa is good enough.

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Maestro