My wife and I intend to move to Thailand in April this year and buy a house. However, the job which I am taking up will not start until December 2011. Is it possible to have a retirement visa first then later request a working visa?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Yes. You can change to a Non B Visa when you find work.

If your Wife is Thai you would have other options.

If she is not you might have a problem buying a house.

You cannot go from a retirement visa to a Non immigrant B without leaving Thailand and then coming back. Just went through that drill. Was on a retirement for over five years. Had to go out of country (I went to Singapore) to get a Non immigrant B. Might be easier to come over on another type of Non immigrant and get an extension of stay until you can apply for your work permit.

Agree, if your wife is Thai then a non-immigrant "O" visa with marriage extension is the way to go if you anticipate working.You can then get a work permit directly with your visa/extension and employment.

Edited January 24, 201115 yr by InterestedObserver