Which visa should I apply for to live in Thailand ?

[karlito7610]

Sawadee krap,

Here are the facts :

- I'm 25 yrs old, french.

- Married to a thai since 3 years and in couple with her since 9 years.

- She lives with me in France since 2 years - We are now both working.

- I plan to move and settle in Thailand in 2014.

- I'd settle there with 1.5M THB.

The questions :

- Which visa should I apply for to get the right to stay in TH ?

- Is it possible to get a work permit before getting a job ?

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You should get a single entry non-o visa based upon your marriage before traveling. Then put 400k baht in a Thai bank in your name only and then after 60 days apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage.

With this visa and/or the extension you can obtain a work permit and work when you find a job.

[Guest]

Work permits are obtained by the employer, not the employee, so as stated above, you will need a firm job offer first. You can't obtain a work permit yourself.

[Lite Beer]

As said, A Non Imm O Visa and extend in Thailand for one year.

You will have to report to Immigration every 90 days and apply for a one year extension every year.

[karlito7610]

You should get a single entry non-o visa based upon your marriage before traveling. Then put 400k baht in a Thai bank in your name only and then after 60 days apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage. With this visa and/or the extension you can obtain a work permit and work when you find a job.

Ok thanks, it doesnt seem too hard then. But as you are saying its like I dont need a job at first to obtain the work permit. I can firstly get a work permit and then look for a job ? It would be nice and easier but its opposite than below post :

Work permits are obtained by the employer, not the employee, so as stated above, you will need a firm job offer first. You can't obtain a work permit yourself.

If its like that then i hope I find a company that accept to hire me without Bachelor degree, which is quite hard unfortunatly... But I guess if i have a long term visa at least it ll be easier to find a company.

[ubonjoe]

You have to have the job first before you can get the work permit.

Having the extension of stay based upon marriage can open up more job opportunities because the job would not have to meet the requirements at immigration for an extension based upon working. The big one being the minimum salary of 50k baht requirement for it. Another is company structure, tax records, audits and etc.

[asiaexpat]

The documents required to obtain a work permit are mainly provided by your employer. You can get the documents from your employer and take them to the Labor Office and apply for a work permit yourself, however, most employers have personnel to do this for you. Step 1 is get a Non-O visa from a consulate using your marriage certificate; Step 2 once in Thailand open a savings account in you name only and deposit 400K Thai Baht. Step 3 after 60 days in Thailand go to the local immigration office and submit a TM7 application for one year extension of stay. TV form has all the information to accomplish this if you search. Step 4 find a job and have employer apply for a work permit for you.

[MeowBundit]

To say short - you will have most flexible and independent of anything except marriage visa. Want work? Can work. Fired/Leaving? No problem. this will not affect your visa and extension. Even more, you can extend your stay every year on 400k in bank OR 40k salary if you working by your choice. The marriage visa in case your relationship good and proven, is like Residence Permit, except only one fact, if you divorced your visa/extension will closed, and if your have RP, RP is independent from your marital status or job. Of course if you think about serious things, I recommend start thinking about citizenship. But maybe you don't need it...

[karlito7610]

Quite borring for the 400K, this would have been very useful money to help to settle. Now its like this money is not useful except sleeping in bank...

Best way would be to find an employer for 40k/months...

Thanks for the anwsers.

[ubonjoe]

You can use the money after you get the extension stamp after a 30 day under consideration period you will have after you apply for the extension. Unless you find work that pays 40k baht income you would have to have it in the bank for 60 days again for your 2nd extension.

[Langsuan Man]

Here are the facts:

Yes, you can get a visa to stay in Thailand as outlined above

No, you cannot get a work permit without a job

But the most important fact is :

What skill is a 25 year old (non college graduate) bringing to Thailand that will enable him to compete for a job with a Thai ?

[karlito7610]

Here are the facts:

Yes, you can get a visa to stay in Thailand as outlined above

No, you cannot get a work permit without a job

But the most important fact is :

What skill is a 25 year old (non college graduate) bringing to Thailand that will enable him to compete for a job with a Thai ?

Indeed, its the big question... I ve 4 years experience in maritime shipping industry, working for korean, french, chinese, taiwanese and danish companies. But most of shipping jobs can now be done by thais, so I prefer not to hope too much for this kind of position. 2nd option would be a job that requires french language. 3rd option is to set up a little business, but this is much harder...

[karlito7610]

If I understand well, the 400K needs to be on the account at the time of the visa request only. Means after visa is approved, we can use this money, just have the re-put 400K at the time of extention visa. Thats quite a good news.

[falkan]

not a lot of work here be hard to find..

[ubonjoe]

If I understand well, the 400K needs to be on the account at the time of the visa request only. Means after visa is approved, we can use this money, just have the re-put 400K at the time of extention visa. Thats quite a good news.

It is advisable to keep the majority of the 400k baht in the bank until after the 30 day under consideration period when you get your extension. There have been reports of immigration checking the balance during the approval process. A small amount withdrawn would be allowed but removing it all would certainly result in a denial.