How Do You Get A Work Visa Or At Least Build Up To One ?

[Johnmh0]

Hello everyone J

A few questions from a newbie … I have read a little in the forum but still a little confused, so any help welcome …

39 Year old, English and I'm looking to relocate to Thailand. I have over 10 years experience in IT support / Management and I'm looking to get a work Visa. From what I understand it's a kind of catch 22 situation as you need to find work there first before you get a visa but it seems company's don't want to employ you unless you already have a visa ! I have seen plenty of suitable jobs in Thailand and I have a good track record so If any one can explain how on earth do I get a visa in the first place ? Is it worth travelling out and seeing a few recruitment company's or seeking legal advice ? or should i get another type of visa and then find work ?

Many Thanks

J

[Lite Beer]

If you are coming to Thailand to look for work I would sugest you get a Non Imm O Visa from the Thai Consulate in Hull. A single entry would give you 90 days. A multi Entry would give you unlimited entries of up to 90 days each, and would give you up to 15 months stay.

Apply for the reason of visiting friends and family. You can apply by post.

Hull website http://www.thaiconsul.co.uk/downloads-and-visas.aspx

You can work on this Visa providing you get a Work Permit.

[KamnanT]

Not really a Catch 22. There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as a "work visa"; your visa allows you to enter Thailand but does not confer the right to work. For that you need a Work Permit. This is issued by the Department of Labour, not by Immigration. However, you must be in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant visa in order to be issued with a Work Permit (i.e. you can't work on a Tourist Visa for obvious reasons). You do not apply for the Work Permit, your prospective employer does. So you need to find not only a suitable position, but one with an employer who is prepared to undertake the Work Permit application process.

I work in Information Technology and I haven't noticed that there are a large number of jobs being offered to non-Thais in the industry. With the economy turning south, I would think there would be fewer rather than more in the months ahead. I'm not trying to discourage you, but come with realistic expectations. The job search will in all likelihood be an extended one and you may have to accept a role that pays significantly less than you are accustomed to in the UK.

[PoorSucker]

Start looking here: jobsdb

They are very reluctant to hire someone that not speak Thai.

[Johnmh0]

Thanks for the info guys.

From what i have read a Non Imm O Visa seems to be the best way forward atm so i shall look into that . I certainly dont think i will get uk money if i find a job in thailand as its not the uk and I have a very open mind about how difficult it will be to find employment. I have looked on jobsdb and seems plenty of jobs but i asume i always be back of the cue as i'm not thai. Any more advice welcome on where to look for jobs etc ?

Many thanks again

John

[mrducky]

Not really a Catch 22. There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as a "work visa"; your visa allows you to enter Thailand but does not confer the right to work. For that you need a Work Permit. This is issued by the Department of Labour, not by Immigration. However, you must be in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant visa in order to be issued with a Work Permit (i.e. you can't work on a Tourist Visa for obvious reasons). You do not apply for the Work Permit, your prospective employer does. So you need to find not only a suitable position, but one with an employer who is prepared to undertake the Work Permit application process.

I work in Information Technology and I haven't noticed that there are a large number of jobs being offered to non-Thais in the industry. With the economy turning south, I would think there would be fewer rather than more in the months ahead. I'm not trying to discourage you, but come with realistic expectations. The job search will in all likelihood be an extended one and you may have to accept a role that pays significantly less than you are accustomed to in the UK.

Amen.

You will have to adjust to a BIG drop in salary as I did when I moved from Australia. It hurts for a while, but you will get used to it.

I think that the best way to get a job is to learn thai in the UK if possible and get some form of certification. Furthermore, the magical words "willing to negotiate on local terms" will help. I think that Thais or other countries in Asia will automatically assume that you want expat salary, so those words will help some what.

I think since you're at management level with quite specific skills, it may work in your favour (when I moved I only had 2 years of work experience). Bear in mind that there will also be many other thai candidates with the same experience or higher and who are willing to accept THB salary, so be prepared to be screwed down!

On another note I have found that Japanese speakers are in very high demand in Thailand and they are normally paid more than the average.... you may check this out at Adecco Thailand's website.

Other than that, you will require a LOT of patience and a little bit of luck!

Hope this helps.