Hello to the wise and wizened gents of this remarkable forum.

I have asked various questions regarding pensions and moving to Thailand and got a fantastic response from some very knowledgable people and am going to chance my luck again with this new subject. I have read a lot of the threads concerning type of visas and requirment for work permits and I can see there are some, especially Ubonjoe if I can single one out, who really know their stuff. I hope that I too can get some good advice and assistance here. I know these are questions that I can ask a lawyer, but judging how much it cost to get the visa for my wife to come here, I am trying a cheaper route first....

I am a UK citizen and am coming to Thailand next year. I have been married to a Thai national for over a year and we currently live in the UK. I own a property in Hua Hin and we are moving there with there with the intent of starting a business (probably in the restaurant sector)

What I would like to know is what visa should I apply for. I am over 50 so can go for a retirement visa and can satisfy the requirments for that, but it clearly states that i would not be allowed to work. Yes I could fudge it , but I want to do everything legally.

In starting a new business I would presumably require a work permit too, and would be looking to hire local staff, though I having read that a minimum of 4 are required for the WP that might be difficult to do especially at the beginning. I can see that there are various types of Visa that i could apply for, but am confused as to which is the most suitable for me. I , like many on here, do not have a degree but a long 35 year qualification from the University of life.

So, I need a visa and work permit to achieve my goals. If anyone can tell me what I should apply for and how to go about it ,I would be eternally grateful and would be more than happy to provide dinner for all who help when my hostellerie is completed. Hows that for an incentive?

You should get a non-o visa based upon your marriage to a Thai. Then apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage.

For the extension you will need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days in your name only or proof of 40k baht income.

With the non-o visa and extension of stay based upon marriage you can get a work permit and work.

Dependent upon the work permit office where you apply you should only need 2 Thai employees because you are married to a Thai. The registered capital is also reduced to 1 million baht verses 2 to get the work permit.

You should get a non-o visa based upon your marriage to a Thai. Then apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage.

For the extension you will need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days in your name only or proof of 40k baht income.

With the non-o visa and extension of stay based upon marriage you can get a work permit and work.

Dependent upon the work permit office where you apply you should only need 2 Thai employees because you are married to a Thai. The registered capital is also reduced to 1 million baht verses 2 to get the work permit.

There he is..... Wonderful. Lovely to hear from you Sir.

Is it really as simple as that? Very happy to hear this, and I think you just saved me a whole lot of time, effort and money.

Very much appreciated.

The non-o visa. Do you know if I can apply for that here in the UK, and are there different lengths that I can apply for or are they all the same ?

Dinner on me as promised.

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa that will give a 90 day entry. This is best if you plan on doing a one year extension of stay.

You can also apply for a multiple entry non-o that would give you 90 day entries for a year. But you would have to leave the country every 90 days to get a new entry.

You can get either visa in at the embassy in London in person or by post. Or from one of the consulates in person.

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa that will give a 90 day entry. This is best if you plan on doing a one year extension of stay.

You can also apply for a multiple entry non-o that would give you 90 day entries for a year. But you would have to leave the country every 90 days to get a new entry.

You can get either visa in at the embassy in London in person or by post. Or from one of the consulates in person.

Cheers. Understood. Thanks.

last question then, if I may?. If I go for the 90 day non-o, how easy is this to extend to an annual one? are there local places to go to , and are there any pitfalls I should look out for ?

ok thats 3 questions...

You can apply for the extension at the immigration office in Hua Hin.

It just takes a bit of paperwork to get the extension. You wife has to go with you when you apply. You will have a 30 day under consideration period after you apply while your application is sent to a higher level for approval. You will probably will have a home visit during those 30 days to confirm you and your wife are living together as husband and wife (first extension only). I have done 7 of them so I can say it is not that big a deal to do.

I assume you got married here. If not you will have a some more paperwork to do to register your UK marriage at an Amphoe.

You can apply for the extension at the immigration office in Hua Hin.

It just takes a bit of paperwork to get the extension. You wife has to go with you when you apply. You will have a 30 day under consideration period after you apply while your application is sent to a higher level for approval. You will probably will have a home visit during those 30 days to confirm you and your wife are living together as husband and wife (first extension only). I have done 7 of them so I can say it is not that big a deal to do.

I assume you got married here. If not you will have a some more paperwork to do to register your UK marriage at an Amphoe.

OK thanks for that. Yes got married in BKK last year.

Sorry, but another question..but i guess you are used to this...

Ive been on the Thai consulate website.... under the requirements for the Non-O they request a letter of acceptance from the ministry of labour and social warefare (alien occupational COntrol division , dept of employment)

Any ideas why they request this, and what i have to do ? This is for the visa.. not the work permit...

That is a requirement for a non-b visa not a non-o visa.

Some of the consulate websites are a mess. Even the embassy website has an error for getting a non-o based upon marriage because it mentions financial proof that they don't ask for when you apply.

You should not need anything more than your marriage certificate and copies of your wife's house book and ID card and/or a copy of her passport photo page.

That is a requirement for a non-b visa not a non-o visa.

Some of the consulate websites are a mess. Even the embassy website has an error for getting a non-o based upon marriage because it mentions financial proof that they don't ask for when you apply.

You should not need anything more than your marriage certificate and copies of your wife's house book and ID card and/or a copy of her passport photo page.

Wow.. you really do know your stuff.

Thats very helpful. and I know exactly what to do now.

Many thanks Joe.

Remarkable.

Ubonjoe;

I do have a qestion to you,

Can i get a non-o visa at Thai embassy in Stockholm(sweden) ,by post or in person?

Ubonjoe;

I do have a qestion to you,

Can i get a non-o visa at Thai embassy in Stockholm(sweden) ,by post or in person?

You can only apply in person at the embassy or the consulate in Gothenburg.

See: http://www.thaiembassy.se/en/visa/where-to-apply