I've heard that it is very difficult to get a work visa without a college degree. Are there many exceptions to this?

It's a myth.

i know lots of people who have gotten work permits without a degree, myself included. Although it might depend on the specific job.

Edited August 5, 201114 yr by Moonrakers

Thank you for the reply Moonrakers. Another question: I play guitar and think it would be fun to play in bands in bars -- would I be able to do that for a small amount of cash without a work visa, and if I did would that be illegal?

Is a work permit and a work visa the same thing?

There is no work visa. There is the visa, which allows you to travel to Thailand, and there is the work permit, which allows you to work. Then there is also the extension of stay for the reason of employment, sometimes incorrectly referred to as "work visa"

Thank you Maestro. Is it possible to get a work permit to play music in bars? Is a work permit necessary for that? Or can a foreigner play for small cash without a work permit and not get in trouble?

Thank you Maestro. Is it possible to get a work permit to play music in bars? Is a work permit necessary for that? Or can a foreigner play for small cash without a work permit and not get in trouble?

Legally it would be work and requires a work permit, there have been stories posted of people being arrested but I don't know how often that occurs.

Edited August 5, 201114 yr by beechguy

Thanks Beechguy - I just read about the arrests of musicians in Chiang Mai. Arrested for jamming...

most music bars will NOT employ you as a musician as they too will be fined if they are caught. sadly they will usually be reported by another, less successful bar locally. Jamming is a grey area but limits you to very few minutes of play and there is no money paid.

I would be happy to play for free, but even to do that I need to get a 15 day jamming visa? And if I were to get a retirement visa, can I even get a jamming visa while I'm living in Thailand on a retirement visa?

I would be happy to play for free, but even to do that I need to get a 15 day jamming visa? And if I were to get a retirement visa, can I even get a jamming visa while I'm living in Thailand on a retirement visa?

General concensus is that you cant be issued a WP on a retirement visa, although there has been "reports" that people have issued WP's.

How this would apply to a temporary WP, you would have to ask the specifc dept of labour, as my understanding is for a temporary WP (14 day) you need a Non-imm B visa

So then how can a person retire in Thailand and play music? It can't be done?

So then how can a person retire in Thailand and play music? It can't be done?

To retire in Thailand you need to meet the requirements set out in the Thai Embassy that is in your local area.

I think the job of a musician is restricted to Thai only within Thailand, am not sure, there is a list on here somewhere.

So then how can a person retire in Thailand and play music? It can't be done?

To retire in Thailand you need to meet the requirements set out in the Thai Embassy that is in your local area.

I think the job of a musician is restricted to Thai only within Thailand, am not sure, there is a list on here somewhere.

Many foreign artists perform in Thaliand, such as Eric Clapton, although on a temporary work permit. So don't think it is restricted. The problem is that being retired doen't allow a work permit to be issued. One has to choose, being retired or work in Thailand.

So then how can a person retire in Thailand and play music? It can't be done?

To retire in Thailand you need to meet the requirements set out in the Thai Embassy that is in your local area.

I think the job of a musician is restricted to Thai only within Thailand, am not sure, there is a list on here somewhere.

Many foreign artists perform in Thaliand, such as Eric Clapton, although on a temporary work permit. So don't think it is restricted. The problem is that being retired doen't allow a work permit to be issued. One has to choose, being retired or work in Thailand.

True, but there are well known artists, and sponsorship of these events is a big thing, so loopholes are made for them, but for others I would have thought it might be restricted.

But agreed that on a retirement visa it is difficult to work.

True, but there are well known artists, and sponsorship of these events is a big thing, so loopholes are made for them, but for others I would have thought it might be restricted.

I dont its anything to do with loopholes, well known artists coming to Thailand fall within the definitions/intent of the temporary WP...ie they have local "sponsorship", they are here performing for a short period ie 14 days or less and are here for a specific reason and then leaving again, which is the exact reason a temporary WP is there, as far as I know there are no restrictions on performers coming to Thailand and performing.

Where things change is were people are resident in Thailand

If Clapton lived in Thailand on a retirement visa and tried to jam in local bar he to would be technically breaking the law as well if he didnt have a WP...

I should have mentioned that on a retirement visa I would be willing to play for free. Is this possible? Are the police in Bangkok doing the same thing as the police in Chiang Mai - arresting musicans that play for free when they don't have a jamming permit?

Edited August 11, 201114 yr by JetterSetterNYC

On the subject of musicians in Thailand. When I worked in hospitality we had a Filipino lobby band. No problem just went through the usual non-B and W/P process.

Work visa ?

Jamming Visa ?

Clearly both new catagorys

On the subject of musicians in Thailand. When I worked in hospitality we had a Filipino lobby band. No problem just went through the usual non-B and W/P process.

My work permit was over 200 pages of document, My Non B visa was 400 pages. For each player that would add up. Maybe they did. maybe they didn't. Most places won't bother with all the paper work

Thing is in an internationally managed major league hotel chain it's definitely a case of having everything above board.

I should have mentioned that on a retirement visa I would be willing to play for free. Is this possible? Are the police in Bangkok doing the same thing as the police in Chiang Mai - arresting musicans that play for free when they don't have a jamming permit?

Technically speaking even playing for free without a WP, would consitiute working ilegally, whether you get caught or not is naother story..

So then how can a person retire in Thailand and play music? It can't be done?

Correct You can not reside on a retirement visa and get a work permit. You must have a B visa and to get that , you have to be involved with a company or have a company sponsor you.

There use to be Investor B visa I think that is no longer available but if so, it involves a lot of cash being in a fixed deposit- 10 mil I think.

Edited August 12, 201114 yr by TigerWan

[get a work permit. You must have a B visa and to get that , you have to be involved with a company or have a company sponsor you.

There use to be Investor B visa I think that is no longer available but if so, it involves a lot of cash being in a fixed deposit- 10 mil I think.

You can get a WP on either a non imm B or a non imm O.

The 10 million is the value of investment that is required to obtain that particular visa. It does not have to be liquid, it could be an investment in property, a condo etc.

From my very limited knowlege of friut making you will be doing a job that a Thai could easily do !!

You make the decision to work or not, they ( The Thai legal system make the desision to prosecute or not

You take a gamble !!! 50/50 ?

Cheers

Paul