Working Permit

[bobthedog]

Dear all,

Is it correctly understood, that in order to get a working visa in Thailand, one needs to earn at least 50,000 THB per month? Does the fact, that I am married to a thai woman make a difference in this matter?

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

There is no working visa. You must have a work permit in order to work. That could be from a B or O visa and they have nothing to do with income requirements. Labor issues work permits and may make a requirement but the 50k you seem to know about would be for one year extensions of stay from immigration, which you would not need if married and only applies to some nationalities and for some work (teachers, reporters for example are exempt).

[monty]

As per above. Two different issues.

A visa is to be allowed in Thailand. The proper visa needed when wanting to work is a non immigrant B visa.

A work Permit (issued by Labor Department) is what allows you to work while here.

You can apply for a work permit, regardless of on what visa you are in Thailand, but if not on the proper visa you will need to travel abroad after your application is done, to get the proper visa, after which labor will then proceed and issue the work permit.

Currently, labor will issue a work permit when on a non immigrant B visa, or on a non immigrant O visa, extended to 1 year based on marriage.

The 50,000 Baht income is a requirement of immigration, to qualify for a 1 year extension based on employment.

Labor department does not have minimum income requirements per se, although they do have guidelines, mainly depending on type of job applied for. As these are just guidelines, significant differences can exist between the different provincial labor offices!

The effects of being married to a Thai national are mainly on your employer, as his minimum requirements are different when employing foreigners.

Registered capital and amount of Thai employees per foreign employee are halved when said foreign employee is married to a Thai national.

Practically, the biggest advantage when married, would be having the option of extending your visa to 1 year based on marriage, so when working and you would lose your job (or change jobs), your extension is not canceled along with your work permit.

A big annoyance of extensions based on work is that when your WP gets canceled, you need to leave Thailand on the very same day or get a 7 day extension for 1900 Baht!

[Mario2008]

If you can't get an extension of stay based on employment because of the income requirement, you might qualify for an extension of stay based on your marriage.

For an extension based on your marriage to a Thai national you would need to show an income of 40,000 a month (can be from abroad) OR 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name for at least 2 months.

[bobthedog]

There is no working visa. You must have a work permit in order to work. That could be from a B or O visa and they have nothing to do with income requirements. Labor issues work permits and may make a requirement but the 50k you seem to know about would be for one year extensions of stay from immigration, which you would not need if married and only applies to some nationalities and for some work (teachers, reporters for example are exempt).

So what you say is, that if I have an O visa (based on marriage), I can get a work permit as well, to work as for example a teacher, and still keep my O visa?

Also, would there be any income requirements doing it this way?

Thanks!

[Lite Beer]

Yes you can work with an O Visa or a Marriage Extension providing you have a Work Permit.

There would be no income requirements apart from the usual for a Marriage Extension.

[bobthedog]

Yes you can work with an O Visa or a Marriage Extension providing you have a Work Permit.

There would be no income requirements apart from the usual for a Marriage Extension.

Do you know where I can find more detailed information about the rules regarding this particular case?

Thankyou!

[lopburi3]

Extension of stay requirements are listed in police order 777/2551 which you can find in useful information at top of forum or a simple Google.

[Mario2008]

If extending your stay based on teaching, there is no income requirement.

[Rastaputin]

The effects of being married to a Thai national are mainly on your employer, as his minimum requirements are different when employing foreigners.

Registered capital and amount of Thai employees per foreign employee are halved when said foreign employee is married to a Thai national.

Can you point me to the details (Law, Police Order #, or whatever) containing the details of this rule, please?