Buying A Work Permit, Is That True?

[pmoores]

I read a single post somewhere stating that there are companies out there where you can buy a work permit. Any truth in that?

The situation if I ever become good enough is to blow glass, sculptures, marbles etc. Ill have my retirement pension from the military and extras but like to make extra income on my free time.

Sooooooo, blowing glass isnt a hired by thailand company type of job so not a valid working visa. Now if I think I can make money worth my while after all expenses, would like to do it while living there.

So at a cost, can you buy a job, thats job description would allow you to live there and work on your own. Course that buy in would have to be a small portion of expected income after expenses or its not worth the effort.

As a gauge, even entry level glass artists can sell simple marbles for $20-200+ each on ebay. Top end artists can make thousands a peice. Actually material costs are small. Course would be selling in North America through consignment, gallaries and Ebay.

Just a thought, I really dont like Canadian winters, but would want something to stay busy after my military career ends at age 47ish.

[rainman]

never heard of anyone, company or individual being able to "buy" a work permit. you need the right paperwork.

[pmoores]

never heard of anyone, company or individual being able to "buy" a work permit. you need the right paperwork.

After some searching did find the one reference from the stickmanbangkok website: (http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/living.html)

"Basically, it's a big pain in the ass if you are working and do not have a work permit. You have a few options available to you. You can "buy" a work permit from one of the firms advertising such services in the Bangkok Post and costs seem to be in the range of 12,000 - 20,000 baht. (The actual cost of application if someone is doing it legally is varies from 750 - 3,000 baht depending on the period of validity.) The way such work permits are obtained may or may not be questionable, but the permit itself is genuine."

My question would be how valid it is, or how old the article is.

Using purely fantasy numbers considering my skill right now, id have no problem paying the thailand tax on lets say $30,000 a year income overseas and a few minor fees if I was left alone to my own thing in the meantime. Even if you only cleared half that after everything factored in it would be a significant boost to pension/Investment income.

hel_l id be willing to work it on the up and up completely but from what ive read over the months, working and actually suceeding as a foreigner over there is not part of thailand plan. Even if your work is purely done from a small 10x20ft workshop by yourself and your sinking money into economy just by living there.

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A secondary question would be IF the above was true, is a workpermit for a single year so Id assume I would have to pay the up to 20,000 baht once per year.

[rishi]

I think the proper term for the wp-offer is "sponsor a workpermit". I've seen various law-firms offering this, but i sort of doubt the workpermit will cover anything that cannot be performed by sitting at a desk in an office. I doubt that any lawyer-firm would do business as a glass-blowing company - and thus would have a real hard time sponsoring a workpermit covering the right to blow glass.

[Prakanong2005]

This is just relating to how much that company will charge you to do all the paperwork etc to get your WP - mostly through your own company as if you were with somebody elses company they would arrange this would they not.

When I set my company up back in 99 I think the total costs came to something like 90,000THB - I do not know how much this would be now but think somebody like sunbelt asia who do this often would be a better and cheaper option.

Basically you would have to set up your own limited company with the associated THB invested ie paid up capital (???? 2 million? - anybody) then get your WP from that.

It would have to be in a profession not barred by law for a foreigner in Thailand plus a min wage per month would have to be paid to you.

Somebody wil know better the current situation but you are not "Buying" a WP in the sense that I think you are alluding to.

[Sunbelt Asia]

This is just relating to how much that company will charge you to do all the paperwork etc to get your WP - mostly through your own company as if you were with somebody elses company they would arrange this would they not.

When I set my company up back in 99 I think the total costs came to something like 90,000THB - I do not know how much this would be now but think somebody like sunbelt asia who do this often would be a better and cheaper option.

Basically you would have to set up your own limited company with the associated THB invested ie paid up capital (???? 2 million? - anybody) then get your WP from that.

It would have to be in a profession not barred by law for a foreigner in Thailand plus a min wage per month would have to be paid to you.

Somebody wil know better the current situation but you are not "Buying" a WP in the sense that I think you are alluding to.

Prakanong2005 is correct.

what ive read over the months, working and actually suceeding as a foreigner over there is not part of thailand plan.

Don't believe everything you read. In my opinion, Thailand is not against foreigners being legal or are they putting up major roadblocks to stop the foreigner. We help hundreds of foreigners in a month and yes the goalposts change from time to time such as a virtual office cannot be used for a work permit or the hold put on the Amity treaty. However our role is problem solving. A solution has always been available to staying legal and work and live in Thailand.

www.lawyer.th.com