Volunteer Visa But Hoping To Do Biz In Thailand

[jimmywon]

Anyone can help me understand the possibilities of a volunteer (many years now in Thailand) wanting to do some business in Thailand? Is it legal?

[Mario2008]

You might want to be a bit more specific. It realy depends on what you are doing, will it require a work permit or not? If it requires a work permit, you will need to get a new work permit for yourself. Although I don't know if there are rules about this, I can't imagine immigration giving you an extension of stay based on volunteering when you are here for business reasons.

If all you do is business meetings and you don't pay tax in Thailand, than who is to know and you don't do anything illegal.

In the end it will come down on the decision of the immigraiton officer handeling your case.

[jimmywon]

Hi. I do have a WP under a foundation but am interested to go into biz as well as I have some interesting ideas and spare time. Sure, I can go ahead and do up the biz under a nominee I guess. Getting Biz WP is a lot of work I think. I dont wanna give up the Volunteer status as it is something i am used to but that means i hv income - which violates the law here.

You might want to be a bit more specific. It realy depends on what you are doing, will it require a work permit or not? If it requires a work permit, you will need to get a new work permit for yourself. Although I don't know if there are rules about this, I can't imagine immigration giving you an extension of stay based on volunteering when you are here for business reasons.

If all you do is business meetings and you don't pay tax in Thailand, than who is to know and you don't do anything illegal.

In the end it will come down on the decision of the immigraiton officer handeling your case.

[Mario2008]

I understood you had work permit for volunteering, I was talking about getting a work permit for your business activities. This last one is not always needed, if you just do business meetings.

If you do more than meetings, than you will need a work permit for your business activities as well and than it is unlikely immigration will give you an extension of stay based on volunteering. But they might be friendly and allow it during the first 2 years, as during that period you will not qualify for an extension of stay based on business as you need to show 2 years of tax documents for that. It will depend on the immigration officer.

[jimmywon]

Sounds reasonable enough. I plan to do retail. What would be the best option? I don't want to do anyting illegal. So I guess I should give up the volunteer WP and go with the biz and still volunteer with my time. Wat shud I do then?

I understood you had work permit for volunteering, I was talking about getting a work permit for your business activities. This last one is not always needed, if you just do business meetings.

If you do more than meetings, than you will need a work permit for your business activities as well and than it is unlikely immigration will give you an extension of stay based on volunteering. But they might be friendly and allow it during the first 2 years, as during that period you will not qualify for an extension of stay based on business as you need to show 2 years of tax documents for that. It will depend on the immigration officer.

[Mario2008]

For vulunteering you aso need a work permit. Just go to the labour office and tell them you also want to start a business and need a work permit for that and see what is needed.

You are aware of all the requirements for starting a business in Thailand? A good start is: http://www.boi.go.th/english/how/legal_iss...n_investors.asp