Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the planet, yet there is a growing number of expats who have sold all their assets in their home country to relocate to the tropical paradise that is Thailand. The cost of living in the West is rising and with growing social and economic issues in Europe, it is hardly surprising that the number of people moving to Thailand is on the rise.
Long term visa
This can be a problem for those who are under the age of 50; one type of visa is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) which is designed for remote workers and freelancers. Another option is to marry a Thai national, which allows you to apply for a marriage visa. There are certain requirements for every visa type; check with Thai Immigration for more details. If you are aged 50 or over, you can apply for a retirement visa, however, you are not permitted to work on that visa. Of course, you should have international health insurance in Thailand to cover you for any medical treatment, which can be very expensive, especially in Bangkok.
Sponsored by a Thai employer
The most common method for a foreigner to obtain a long-term visa and work permit is for the Thai employer to sponsor the visa application, in which case, you only need to sign a few documents and your employer will facilitate the application.
Use a visa agent
The visa application process is complex and you can expect a lot of people waiting their turn at the immigration office; you can bypass this by using the services of a reputable visa agent and they will even send a motorcycle courier to return your passport when the visa is granted. It might take a day or two but it avoids wasting a day queuing at the immigration office.
Do not let your visa expire
It should be noted that overstaying your visa is regarded as a serious crime in Thailand, so always make sure you renew within good time. There have been cases where a foreigner has simply forgotten about this and when challenged by the authorities and their visa has expired, this would lead to a spell in jail followed by deportation and a 5-year ban from re-entering the country. If you are planning to ride a motorcycle or drive a car in Thailand, you will need to apply for a Thai driving licence.
Keep all taxation documents
When you pay your income tax, you are issued with a yellow receipt and when leaving Thailand, this must be shown to immigration; in the event you cannot show this document, immigration have every right to prevent your exit, at least until they have checked that your taxes have been paid.
In the event your employer cancels your work permit for any reason, you have 7 days in which to leave Thailand. We hope this information enables you to have a better understanding of the process of acquiring a visa and a work permit.
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