Sea Countries With Easier Work Visa Regulations?

[greytown]

I'm thinking of alternative destinations from Thailand where one could "set up shop" so to speak , to spend something like six months or more working on art projects (self employed / freelance) and do so while staying 100% within the law. Any good options in the region (Laos, Cambodia)? A google search for these countries visa regulations wasn't all that informative. Anyone with experience with these countries VIsa situations? Laos seem interesting as perhaps the climate there may be cooler than further south, which would be nice. I read Cambodia is pretty easy with business visa?

[lekatai]

Cambodia is extremely easy.If you want a business visa,all you have to do,upon arrival,is to fill out the visa application form,put "Business" for the reason for visiting,and pay 25USD instead of 20USD for the initial 30 day visa.Then you apply for an extension for 6 or 12 months when in Cambodia.Using an agent is the easiest way,6 mo costs 180USD and 12 mo 285USD.Both are multiple entry.You can work openly doing more or less anything you want to.If you actually set up a business premises,employ people etc,you might have to get a work permit or pay some sort of local employment tax (in some towns,not all)If you merely have a business visa to facilitate coming and going from Cambodia or to cover your back then you won't have to do this. I've had a business visa for over a year now(just renew annually) and never had any problems

[phuketrichard]

as ABOVE;

Plus buying/renting shop houses in Phnom Penh or Shianoukville is very inexpensive. MY gf just rented a 2 floor shop house in SHK for $1,500 and rent is $100/month on a 3 year contract!!

PP u will not be hit like in Thailand with a crazy "Key"money fee

Tax's run for most business in PP a couple $100 /month.

MY good friend runs a sailboat charter in Cambodia past 3 years, no tax. no work permit.

[greytown]

Thanks both for the info. Cambodia does seem to offer a pretty easy situation. How is everything else there compared to Thailand (Phnom Penh for example)? Climate, infrastructure / internet, crime, friendly natives? I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

[greytown]

as ABOVE;

MY gf just rented a 2 floor shop house in SHK for $1,500 and rent is $100/month on a 3 year contract!!

I'm not sure I understand, rent is $100 a month but what is the $1,500 figure?

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Thanks both for the info. Cambodia does seem to offer a pretty easy situation. How is everything else there compared to Thailand (Phnom Penh for example)? Climate, infrastructure / internet, crime, friendly natives? I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

In Cambodia, foreigners over 50 are banned from marrying younger Khmer women, unless they earn more than $2500 US a month. This new law was instituted this year.

Otherwise:

Climate: about same as Thailand, although it feels hotter, as confirmed by others I know.

Infrastructure: poor everywhere although getting better: electricity blackouts are fewer, water OK, internet fast, mobile phone systems pretty good up to 3.5G now.

Crime: Thailand might actually be worse but they have had more experience/practice with more tourists. In SEA, life is cheap, however.

Natives: very friendly, in fact.

I'm thinking of moving out of Thailand to Cambodia.

Some good threads on another forum, based in Cambodia, but Thaivisa rules do not allow me to publish the URL or even send it to you in a PM. As for the URL, combine the Cambodian language (khmer) with the displacement in c.i.d. of the biggest Chrysler hemi V8 -- start counting up from 400. Sprinkle with dot com.

[greytown]

Thanks for the info. I'm reading up a few threads about Cambodia in this section. Good info.

[dotx]

I"ve considered Cambodia a few times, but it's just so poor. I don't want to give up the modern conveniences I have in Thailand. I lived in Vietnam (Hanoi) for a year and almost died. I hated it. Sooo expensive and so lacking in so many things. If you can be happy without western conveniences, then Cambodia might be a good match.

[phuketrichard]

as ABOVE;

MY gf just rented a 2 floor shop house in SHK for $1,500 and rent is $100/month on a 3 year contract!!

I'm not sure I understand, rent is $100 a month but what is the $1,500 figure?

Brought out the previous renter. for that she got TV, tables.chairs/cooking equipment/stereo, Plus second floor has table chair/bed, wardrobe etc etc. A rather good deal. Its a Karaoke for Khmers and does good business, much better than Farang owned bars

Your wrong about this;

"In Cambodia, foreigners over 50 are banned from marrying younger Khmer women, unless they earn more than $2500 US a month. This new law was instituted this year."

from the us website;

New Marriage Requirements

According to new marriage requirements issued on by the Government of Cambodia on March 7, 2011, male U.S. citizens wishing to marry Cambodian women must:

* Be under 50 years of age, and

* Have a monthly income of at least US $2,500

and

Male foreigners over the age of 50 have been outlawed from marrying Cambodian women in the country under new rules designed to crack down on sham marriages and human trafficking, the government said.

Foreigners who earn less than $2,550 per month are also barred from wedding local women, foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said, but the restrictions do not apply to weddings taking place overseas.

Marriages between old men and young women are “inappropriate”, Mr Kuong said, and foreign men who wish to marry nationals must earn a high salary to ensure that “Cambodian women can live a decent life”.

“We are preventing fake marriages and human trafficking,” he said, adding that the government was aware of cases, documented by rights groups, where Cambodian women were sent into prostitution or “used as slaves” in their husband’s home country.

Check out khmer440 Plenty of recent post comparing Thailand to Cambodia. I lived there in 2008-09 and will be moving back next year once my daughter graduates High school here

Plenty of opportunity's there if u have some cash ready to invest and can wait a few years till Cambodia takes off. ONce they have 2,000 plus hotel rooms in SHK u will see a beach/temple tour run ut of Bangkok

Edited August 28, 2011 by phuketrichard

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

====clip===

Your wrong about this;

"In Cambodia, foreigners over 50 are banned from marrying younger Khmer women, unless they earn more than $2500 US a month. This new law was instituted this year."

from the us website;

New Marriage Requirements

According to new marriage requirements issued on by the Government of Cambodia on March 7, 2011, male U.S. citizens wishing to marry Cambodian women must:

* Be under 50 years of age, and

* Have a monthly income of at least US $2,500

My apologies. Indeed, if you're a male foreigner over 50, you cannot marry a Khmer woman in Cambodia. In any case.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

====clip===

Your wrong about this;

"In Cambodia, foreigners over 50 are banned from marrying younger Khmer women, unless they earn more than $2500 US a month. This new law was instituted this year."

from the us website;

New Marriage Requirements

According to new marriage requirements issued on by the Government of Cambodia on March 7, 2011, male U.S. citizens wishing to marry Cambodian women must:

* Be under 50 years of age, and

* Have a monthly income of at least US $2,500

My apologies. Indeed, if you're a male foreigner over 50, you cannot marry a Khmer woman in Cambodia. In any case.

One thing about marriage in Cambodia, it is not necessary to impact your visa status; in other words, it really does not help you in any way. Cambodia is easy in terms of visas (no problems). Cambodia is easy in terms of starting a business (far easier than Thailand). Cambodia can be more expensive (a downside and always seem odd to me). There is, in many places, good Western food (a relic of when the French were there). There are modern supermarkets in PP (but not Snooky/Sihanoukville). Infrastructure, in general, is much better in Thailand (a positive for Thailand). Medical care in Thailand is light years ahead of Cambodia (another positive for Thailand). Personally, I think Cambodian people are more friendly (in a genuine sort of way) than Thailand (far less spoiled and arrogant). Internet is OK in some places, but infrastructure is still better in Thailand. It will take time, but Snooky is going to develop into something that Thai expats might eventually enjoy. I would place my bet on Snooky. Now, it is not there and housing is a major issue. Also, Snooky has an airport that will eventually open up to international flights. When? Who knows? Right now I always feel like I am returning to civilization when I come from a stay in Cambodia back to Thailand. But people are different. I know a few expats with money who love Cambodia, could easily live in Thailand, but PREFER TO LIVE IN CAMBODIA. I put that in bold letters not to shout and be rude, but only as a message to the posters on Thaivisa who think it is not possible to actually prefer Cambodia over Thailand and that only poor expats live in Cambodia or else they would be in Thailand. That is simply not (entirely) true.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Awohalitsiktoli

[phuketrichard]

I also love Cambodia for various reasons and i have been in Thailand since the 80's

one thing u do not see which i find interesting. Maybe Awohalitsiktoli has something to say about this.

Most of my friends here in Thailand own, not only a motorbike but a car and many ( over 75%) own their own homes/condos

I know NO ONE in Cambodia that owns a home or condo, (although there is one guy on another forum that was posting photos of the house he was building in PP) very few own cars and many not even a motorbike.

Seems it will take at least 5 years till Farangs/Barangs feel comfortable enough to invest serious money (outside of the Russians with Snake island and resort and of course the Koreans with their hotels in SR and the Japanese big business investments in PP.

In all the times i have traveled there, (going back to 2003) and lived there met many expats that were living there,(some owned bars, some were working for companies and a few NGO's) but none of them said they were retired there and had plans to, unlike Thailand which has a large expat retired community through out the country.

Edited August 28, 2011 by phuketrichard

[Awohalitsiktoli]

I also love Cambodia for various reasons and i have been in Thailand since the 80's

one thing u do not see which i find interesting. Maybe Awohalitsiktoli has something to say about this.

Most of my friends here in Thailand own, not only a motorbike but a car and many ( over 75%) own their own homes/condos

I know NO ONE in Cambodia that owns a home or condo, (although there is one guy on another forum that was posting photos of the house he was building in PP) very few own cars and many not even a motorbike.

Seems it will take at least 5 years till Farangs/Barangs feel comfortable enough to invest serious money (outside of the Russians with Snake island and resort and of course the Koreans with their hotels in SR and the Japanese big business investments in PP.

In all the times i have traveled there, (going back to 2003) and lived there met many expats that were living there,(some owned bars, some were working for companies and a few NGO's) but none of them said they were retired there and had plans to, unlike Thailand which has a large expat retired community through out the country.

Somebody else needs to provide some rock solid input on this. Most of the people I know do own businesses (does not seem to be a problem). There are many who are "over the hill" in terms of age, so I would consider them retired. But certainly nothing like the size of the retirement community in Thailand. One issue might be access to top quality health care, which you really have to get on the other side of the border in Thailand. Another issue is housing and condo leasing/purchasing. As far as I know (and my knowledge on this is very, very limited), you can structure a house/land deal where you basically lease/control it for 60 years, but most people rent. I think one problem is the sometimes shaky subject of "who owns the land" and "precisely where does it begin and end." Surveying land in Cambodia is way behind Thailand. So, renting is safer. In Sihanoukville there are few options in terms of condo units--something they really need. (Some new housing developments are going up.) I do not know about buying cars or motorcycles. I have always rented. Maybe there is some regulation concerning foreigners and driving cars/motorcycles we are not aware of. I have seen foreigners driving cars in PP (probably NGO types). I just like to visit Snooky from time to time to get away from the routine of Thailand. I live in Thailand (but work all over the planet). It would be nice if a foreign resident of Cambodia could let us know about some of this unknowns--buying cars, motorcycles, land, opening businesses, health care access, etc.

[phuketrichard]

I also love Cambodia for various reasons and i have been in Thailand since the 80's

one thing u do not see which i find interesting. Maybe Awohalitsiktoli has something to say about this.

Most of my friends here in Thailand own, not only a motorbike but a car and many ( over 75%) own their own homes/condos

I know NO ONE in Cambodia that owns a home or condo, (although there is one guy on another forum that was posting photos of the house he was building in PP) very few own cars and many not even a motorbike.

Seems it will take at least 5 years till Farangs/Barangs feel comfortable enough to invest serious money (outside of the Russians with Snake island and resort and of course the Koreans with their hotels in SR and the Japanese big business investments in PP.

In all the times i have traveled there, (going back to 2003) and lived there met many expats that were living there,(some owned bars, some were working for companies and a few NGO's) but none of them said they were retired there and had plans to, unlike Thailand which has a large expat retired community through out the country.

Somebody else needs to provide some rock solid input on this. Most of the people I know do own businesses (does not seem to be a problem). There are many who are "over the hill" in terms of age, so I would consider them retired. But certainly nothing like the size of the retirement community in Thailand. One issue might be access to top quality health care, which you really have to get on the other side of the border in Thailand. Another issue is housing and condo leasing/purchasing. As far as I know (and my knowledge on this is very, very limited), you can structure a house/land deal where you basically lease/control it for 60 years, but most people rent. I think one problem is the sometimes shaky subject of "who owns the land" and "precisely where does it begin and end." Surveying land in Cambodia is way behind Thailand. So, renting is safer. In Sihanoukville there are few options in terms of condo units--something they really need. (Some new housing developments are going up.) I do not know about buying cars or motorcycles. I have always rented. Maybe there is some regulation concerning foreigners and driving cars/motorcycles we are not aware of. I have seen foreigners driving cars in PP (probably NGO types). I just like to visit Snooky from time to time to get away from the routine of Thailand. I live in Thailand (but work all over the planet). It would be nice if a foreign resident of Cambodia could let us know about some of this unknowns--buying cars, motorcycles, land, opening businesses, health care access, etc.

Ahh sorry, I thought u lived there but it seems i know more than you, (just joking)

These are not unknowns;

Very easy to buy a car, (a few friends of mine own their own) or bike and resister it in ur own name. If u have a drivers license from another country it is also easy to obtain a Cambodian license ($30 and 1 pic).

I am looking into renting land on Koh Rong (Island in the bay off of Shanoukville) Very easy terms and lengths at different prices (much less than Thailand) Leases run up to 99 years ( not this bullshit 30+30 that we have here in Thailand)

I forgot that I do know one Barang that owns land thru his Cambodian wife and has a house on Otres beach (He runs the sailing club there) and the other has land thru his wife as well. Condos can be purchased same as Thailand ( ie 49%) but they CANNOT own the ground floor)

There is a project near Independence beach that there is a small marina and a few homes/condo's for sale to Farangs but they are not selling (2 bedroom home for less than 1/4 mil)on the water.

The things i see is farangs are not buying because they see no reason to commit large sums of money unlike Thailand, and there is the land ownership issue, laws in Cambodia are the old west style, Bigger gun and higher placed friends wins

Its just Cambodia is not set up like Thailand ( many different reasons)and many westerners with $$ feel more comfortable in Thailand

I know quite a few older people that live in Cambodia but what i mean by retired there i don't think they would consider themselves retired there for the rest of their lives. They have no commitment and could be out of there in a day as they own nothing

It will all change thou and u will see in about 5 years

Edited August 28, 2011 by phuketrichard

[Awohalitsiktoli]

I also love Cambodia for various reasons and i have been in Thailand since the 80's

one thing u do not see which i find interesting. Maybe Awohalitsiktoli has something to say about this.

Most of my friends here in Thailand own, not only a motorbike but a car and many ( over 75%) own their own homes/condos

I know NO ONE in Cambodia that owns a home or condo, (although there is one guy on another forum that was posting photos of the house he was building in PP) very few own cars and many not even a motorbike.

Seems it will take at least 5 years till Farangs/Barangs feel comfortable enough to invest serious money (outside of the Russians with Snake island and resort and of course the Koreans with their hotels in SR and the Japanese big business investments in PP.

In all the times i have traveled there, (going back to 2003) and lived there met many expats that were living there,(some owned bars, some were working for companies and a few NGO's) but none of them said they were retired there and had plans to, unlike Thailand which has a large expat retired community through out the country.

Somebody else needs to provide some rock solid input on this. Most of the people I know do own businesses (does not seem to be a problem). There are many who are "over the hill" in terms of age, so I would consider them retired. But certainly nothing like the size of the retirement community in Thailand. One issue might be access to top quality health care, which you really have to get on the other side of the border in Thailand. Another issue is housing and condo leasing/purchasing. As far as I know (and my knowledge on this is very, very limited), you can structure a house/land deal where you basically lease/control it for 60 years, but most people rent. I think one problem is the sometimes shaky subject of "who owns the land" and "precisely where does it begin and end." Surveying land in Cambodia is way behind Thailand. So, renting is safer. In Sihanoukville there are few options in terms of condo units--something they really need. (Some new housing developments are going up.) I do not know about buying cars or motorcycles. I have always rented. Maybe there is some regulation concerning foreigners and driving cars/motorcycles we are not aware of. I have seen foreigners driving cars in PP (probably NGO types). I just like to visit Snooky from time to time to get away from the routine of Thailand. I live in Thailand (but work all over the planet). It would be nice if a foreign resident of Cambodia could let us know about some of this unknowns--buying cars, motorcycles, land, opening businesses, health care access, etc.

Ahh sorry, I thought u lived there but it seems i know more than you, (just joking)

These are not unknowns;

Very easy to buy a car, (a few friends of mine own their own) or bike and resister it in ur own name. If u have a drivers license from another country it is also easy to obtain a Cambodian license ($30 and 1 pic).

I am looking into renting land on Koh Rong (Island in the bay off of Shanoukville) Very easy terms and lengths at different prices (much less than Thailand) Leases run up to 99 years ( not this bullshit 30+30 that we have here in Thailand)

I forgot that I do know one Barang that owns land thru his Cambodian wife and has a house on Otres beach (He runs the sailing club there) and the other has land thru his wife as well. Condos can be purchased same as Thailand ( ie 49%) but they CANNOT own the ground floor)

There is a project near Independence beach that there is a small marina and a few homes/condo's for sale to Farangs but they are not selling (2 bedroom home for less than 1/4 mil)on the water.

The things i see is farangs are not buying because they see no reason to commit large sums of money unlike Thailand, and there is the land ownership issue, laws in Cambodia are the old west style, Bigger gun and higher placed friends wins

Its just Cambodia is not set up like Thailand ( many different reasons)and many westerners with $ feel more comfortable in Thailand

I know quite a few older people that live in Cambodia but what i mean by retired there i don't think they would consider themselves retired there for the rest of their lives. They have no commitment and could be out of there in a day as they own nothing

It will all change thou and u will see in about 5 years

You do know more about the place than me. I have only spent a month there at one single time. Most of what I know if from talking with expats there. I would love to know more about any condo developments on the beach and especially the marina. Any pics of the marina? Boats? Security? Costs? etc.

[phuketrichard]

Marina

I lived there for 10 months and have been there over 6 times since 2003. MY good friend has his sailboat there ( had it here in phuket for 4 years but tired of the hassles with it) in the navy marina and i also know a few others that have pleasure boat

this is where we are looking to invest. Ko Rong

[lovelaos]

I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

:jap: Thank the good lord for that :jap:

[Awohalitsiktoli]

Marina

I lived there for 10 months and have been there over 6 times since 2003. MY good friend has his sailboat there ( had it here in phuket for 4 years but tired of the hassles with it) in the navy marina and i also know a few others that have pleasure boat

this is where we are looking to invest. Ko Rong

It looks like Koh Chang but a bit bigger and undeveloped. I do not like the airport concept, though. They should open an international airport in Snooky and have high speed boats to the island or something similar. An airport will cause noise pollution. I love the concept and it fits with what some "Cambodian big shots" told me a decade ago about the area. It will happen. I have got to check it all out again as things appear to be moving fast, not necessarily with the Ko Rong idea, but the area itself. I particularly want to visit the marina to see if it is a good place (hard to tell from a distance).

[anotheruser]

Thanks both for the info. Cambodia does seem to offer a pretty easy situation. How is everything else there compared to Thailand (Phnom Penh for example)? Climate, infrastructure / internet, crime, friendly natives? I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

That is pretty much the intent of the law. To ensure that it never becomes the next Thailand. Laos is also pretty easy visa wise. If you know somebody you can get a multi-entry one year visa. If you don't you can visa hop as many times as you want.

[markprotti]

thanks for the info .. !

[Hughesyourdaddy]

greytown, on 2011-08-27 19:46:09, said:

I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

:jap: Thank the good lord for that :jap:

Seconded

[rnw]

Don't forget Lao PDR is still hard core communist country, almost accepting the statue of new clonial state to evil red cina.also high inflation now in laos which is imported from evil red north.

rampant deforestation eco-suicide mining dam projects, if you can tolerate its happening, working and living in Lao pDR

[nottocus]

I just read that in Laos it is illegal for native girls to have relations with foreigners outside of marriage! WOW. Laos will never be the next Thailand that's for sure...

:jap: Thank the good lord for that :jap:

Marry one