Work Permit With Retirement Visa?

[exbrit]

I have O-A retirement Visa, but would like to work at least part-time. I know the rules forbid working on such a Visa, but would I be able to apply for a work permit ? Any suggestions?

[Jingthing]

No. Basically forget about it. Sorry. This country is restrictive that way. It's unfortunate.

[beechguy]

You can apply for a work permit, but to actually receive it, you would need a Non-Immigrant "B" Visa, or perhaps an "O" if married to a Thai.

[Tywais]

The odds are not in your favor. Sunbelt has reported instances where a WP was given on retirement but very rare and I don't know what circumstances they would be to allow it.

[Jingthing]

The odds are not in your favor. Sunbelt has reported instances where a WP was given on retirement but very rare and I don't know what circumstances they would be to allow it.

Correct. No reason to expect the OP would be one of those very rare exceptions.

[lopburi3]

But there is no reason you could not obtain a non immigrant B visa if you are allowed to apply for a work permit (which you can do on any entry). But part time work is unlikely to be grounds for a work permit.

[bobl]

The short answer is no, on a retirement visa.

But there's nothing to stop you from relinquishing your retirement visa and getting a business (or marriage) visa and a work permit.

It's complicated not impossible...

[Jingthing]

The short answer is no, on a retirement visa. But there's nothing to stop you from relinquishing your retirement visa and getting a business (or marriage) visa and a work permit. It's complicated not impossible...

As the OP went to the trouble of getting an O-A visa, he's be advised to think really hard before trying that route.

[bobl]

The short answer is no, on a retirement visa. But there's nothing to stop you from relinquishing your retirement visa and getting a business (or marriage) visa and a work permit. It's complicated not impossible...

As the OP went to the trouble of getting an O-A visa, he's be advised to think really hard before trying that route.

If someone offered me a job, I'd only accept it if the expense and dealing with the bureaucracy of getting the right visa and a work permit was their responsibility, so I wouldn't need to think really hard at all... If he just wants the option of being able to look for work, he can do that even on a retirement visa - then let the employer worry about helping him switch to the right visa and getting him a wp.