Change Retirement Extension To Work Visa

[slim]

When I initially came out to Thailand 6 years ago I applied for a Non-Immigrant O Visa (Employment Prohibited).

I've since extended this Visa - latterly by the Retirement route (800,000baht in a Thai bank) which isn't a problem.

Over the last couple of years I've had a couple of projects that I've been toying with and have decided the time is right to proceed with them. My background (and my UK company) is in IT and my first project is to build and set up an IT shop in my wifes home village where there is no access to the internet (I'd be offering office services, web acess, email, gaming, food and drinks etc).

My other project involves developing some land we own.

The problem I have of course is I'm not allowed to work with my current visa.

I dont wish to contravene the immigration rules by doing this on the qt which I could probably get away with so I want to change my visa to one that allows me to work.

If I allow my current visa to lapse and return to the UK (something I have to do regularly anyway) could I simply apply for a new visa at the Hull Embassy explaining what I wanted to do providing all the necssary letterheads and other documentation.

If I was granted a 12 moth visa could I then leave the country a few days before the Visa expired and return to Hull and repeat the process?

I cant see any reason why this wouldn't be possible but perhaps the Forum has experience of this.

[Lite Beer]

Why not just get your next 12 month extension based on your Marriage to a Thai Lady.

As for Work Permits and setting up a business? Others will comment on that.

[lopburi3]

The visa does not allow work - the work permit from Labor allows the work. If you have a legal marriage there is no reason you can not change your one year extensions of stay to marriage (at 400k in bank) and use that extension of stay for work permit application.

Yes you can also obtain new visa in Hull each year and make 90 day border runs and use that visa entry for work permit issue.

[wpcoe]

When one does want to change their reason for their stay in the Kingdom, (e.g. from retirement extension to marriage extension) do they need to wait until the original extension is approaching its expiration date, or can it be done any time during the year?

e.g. Someone extends their stay on Dec 1 for reason of retirement. Do they need to wait until the next year autumn, or can they, say, apply for a marriage extension in February?

[edited to clarify:] In the above scenario, I mean without exiting Thailand to get a new visa.

[slim]

Why not just get your next 12 month extension based on your Marriage to a Thai Lady.

As for Work Permits and setting up a business? Others will comment on that.

I was under the assumption that the 6 extensions I have to my original visa are just that - extensions to my original visa - and my original visa precludes me from working.

If the original visa is stamped EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED (which it is) - wouldn't I need a new visa that doesn't say EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED?

[lopburi3]

Employment Prohibited is just to let you know it does not allow work - you must obtain a work permit first.

[slim]

Employment Prohibited is just to let you know it does not allow work - you must obtain a work permit first.

Ok - thanks

[monty]

And to add to that, when you extend based on retirement, Labor Department will not issue you with a work permit.

When you extend based on marriage to a Thai National, Labor Department can issue you with a work permit.

So it's not the visa itself you entered Thailand on prohibiting you from working, but the reason you used for extending your stay.