Hemkhajit Foundation
Subtitle
Living in Thailand https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-thailand
Last updated 17 Jan 2020 Before you go See UK Government website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand for limited information on Thai laws and customs, safety and emergency contacts and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements
For up-to-date Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs information go to http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services.
You either pay fine or go to prison after weeks in detention if arrested with a passport without a proper visa.
Working and volunteering in Thailand Form http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-for-Business-and.html must be completed through your employer or volunteer organisation. Volunteers need to legally register with the Thai Ministry of Commerce or Royal Thai Police who can provide a recommendation letter in Thai for a visa application and the work permit.
Healthcare Thailand and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare so buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country. EU med cards are not payment cards. It is not advisable to deal directly with Thai insurance companies so use a UK insurance company to provide health and medical cover. Most Thai hospitals have English-speaking staff as do many doctors and dentists.
You should also check medicines purchased based on NHS prescriptions are legal in Thailand. The Thai government is clear on http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7747/84709-Bringing-Medications-to-Thailand.html and explains their permit to bring psychotropic drugs or narcotic substances into the country.
Certified copies of UK degree/educational certificates From May 2018 the Thai authorities ask that all foreign education certificates are verified by a Notary Public in order to be recognised.
In Thailand it is necessary to obtain several types of affirmation, affidavit or statutory declaration to confirm identity, family relationships or marital status and company directorships in Thai which need to be signed by Thai citizens.
Visas and residency Apply for a visa at http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk or nearest Royal Thai consulate. Those in Thailand contact the Thai Immigration Bureau on https://www.immigration.go.th or the helpline 1178
Granting a change of visa or extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.Documents Required Passport valid for more than 1 year, completed visa application form with recent passport-sized photo 4x6 cm) and proof of finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour obtained by the applicant’s prospective employer submit Form WP3 to the Office of Foreign Workers Administration and the, provincial Employment Office. Letter from the applicant’s company must state the applicant’s position, length of employment, salary and purpose of visit(s) to Thailand. Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745 or www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html
Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business Visa) for work or conducting business. Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. He or she may apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau and may be granted such extension for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand.
Corporate documents of prospective employer required by Thai authorities include statements of Income Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50) and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 30 and Value-Added Tax registration (Por Por 20), a list of shareholders, list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions along with a company profile, details of business operation. balance sheet and map of location of the company. For some businesses Thai authorities require document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or documents indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only). Copies of company documents must be signed by the Board of Directors or authorised managing director and affix seal of company.
Any alien who receives a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she is being granted a work permit. Violation of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) by starting employment without work permit or the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) engaging in restricted professions will be prosecuted and imprisoned and fined. In the absence of a required document, applicant must provide a letter explaining the unavailability of such document. Applicant must sign all pages of the submitted copies of documentation. Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai and notarised by notary organs or by the British Embassy.
2 Non-Immigrant Visa category “B-A” (Business Approved Visa) The granting of such visa to qualified applicants is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. The applicant’s associated company in which he or she will invest in or conduct business with may apply for this type of visa on behalf of the applicant at the Office of the Immigration Bureau.
Work Permits On entry the applicant or his or her appointed representatives must apply for a work permit at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, the Department of Employment and the Ministry of Labour in which obligate the applicant to pay income tax accordingly. Where the applicant’s associated company is located in the provinces, the applicant must apply at the Employment Office of that province.
Applicant’s family members (i.e., spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old) are eligible to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and allowed to stay for between 90 days and 1 year.
Those with a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wanting to work in Thailand can apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Immigration Bureau office located at Government Center B, Soi 7, Laksi, Chaeng Wattana Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889
One Stop Service Centre Aims to create a good investment environment and facilitates applications of visa extension and work permits (e.g., stay permission, re-entry permit, and work permit). The Centre in at the Chamchuree Square Building, Floor 18, Phatumwan, Bangkok and welcomes company directors or acknowledged experts with privileges accorded to them by the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977).
Tax For information on UK tax when living abroad see https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk and https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice about liability for tax on UK income.
National Insurance contributions while abroad protect UK State Retirement Pension.
The Thai Revenue Department provides tax details in English on http://www.rd.go.th/publish/index_eng.html Buying property Foreign nationals are not allowed to own land in Thailand.
Getting married For British government advice on getting married in Thailand go to https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad. Same sex marriage and civil relationships are illegal in Thailand.
Deaths For British government advice on what to do after someone dies got to https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad and for advice on bereavement information for Thailand go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-relating-to-deaths-in-thailand
Births For British government advice on registering a birth abroad see https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth Benefits For British government advice on claiming benefits when travelling or living abroad see https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad
Means tested benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit is not paid if you’re abroad over 4 weeks.Pensions For British government advice on claiming the State Pension when retiring abroad go to https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad and https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension for information about the new State Pension. The UK Pension Service sends ‘life certificate’ forms to check eligibility which need response to stop payments being suspended. This DWP form must be signed by a witness.
Report changes (such as a change of address or bank details) to The Pension Service 11, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LW United Kingdom in writing - do not send changes by email.
Voting British citizens can vote in some UK elections when registered at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Renewing passports For British government advice on making passport renewal applications go to https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports and https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document in an emergency.
Returning to the UK To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre at https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre and see https://www.gov.uk/tax-return-uk
Rights to NHS treatment, sheltered housing and social security now depend on the purpose of your return to the UK, not your nationality.
Living in Thailand
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-thailand
Last updated 17 Jan 2020
Last updated 17 Jan 2020
Before you go See UK Government website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand for limited information on Thai laws and customs, safety and emergency contacts and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements
For up-to-date Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs information go to http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services.
You either pay fine or go to prison after weeks in detention if arrested with a passport without a proper visa.
Working and volunteering in Thailand Form http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-for-Business-and.html must be completed through your employer or volunteer organisation. Volunteers need to legally register with the Thai Ministry of Commerce or Royal Thai Police who can provide a recommendation letter in Thai for a visa application and the work permit.
Healthcare
Thailand and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare so buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country. EU med cards are not payment cards. It is not advisable to deal directly with Thai insurance companies so use a UK insurance company to provide health and medical cover. Most Thai hospitals have English-speaking staff as do many doctors and dentists.
You should also check medicines purchased based on NHS prescriptions are legal in Thailand. The Thai government is clear on http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7747/84709-Bringing-Medications-to-Thailand.html and explains their permit to bring psychotropic drugs or narcotic substances into the country.
You should also check medicines purchased based on NHS prescriptions are legal in Thailand. The Thai government is clear on http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7747/84709-Bringing-Medications-to-Thailand.html and explains their permit to bring psychotropic drugs or narcotic substances into the country.
Certified copies of UK degree/educational certificates From May 2018 the Thai authorities ask that all foreign education certificates are verified by a Notary Public in order to be recognised.
In Thailand it is necessary to obtain several types of affirmation, affidavit or statutory declaration to confirm identity, family relationships or marital status and company directorships in Thai which need to be signed by Thai citizens.
Visas and residency
Apply for a visa at http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk or nearest Royal Thai consulate.
Those in Thailand contact the Thai Immigration Bureau on https://www.immigration.go.th or the helpline 1178
Granting a change of visa or extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Documents Required Passport valid for more than 1 year, completed visa application form with recent passport-sized photo 4x6 cm) and proof of finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour obtained by the applicant’s prospective employer submit Form WP3 to the Office of Foreign Workers Administration and the, provincial Employment Office. Letter from the applicant’s company must state the applicant’s position, length of employment, salary and purpose of visit(s) to Thailand. Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745 or www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html
Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business Visa) for work or conducting business. Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. He or she may apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau and may be granted such extension for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand.
Corporate documents of prospective employer required by Thai authorities include statements of Income Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50) and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 30 and Value-Added Tax registration (Por Por 20), a list of shareholders, list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions along with a company profile, details of business operation. balance sheet and map of location of the company. For some businesses Thai authorities require document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or documents indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only). Copies of company documents must be signed by the Board of Directors or authorised managing director and affix seal of company.
Any alien who receives a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she is being granted a work permit. Violation of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) by starting employment without work permit or the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) engaging in restricted professions will be prosecuted and imprisoned and fined. In the absence of a required document, applicant must provide a letter explaining the unavailability of such document. Applicant must sign all pages of the submitted copies of documentation. Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai and notarised by notary organs or by the British Embassy.
2 Non-Immigrant Visa category “B-A” (Business Approved Visa) The granting of such visa to qualified applicants is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. The applicant’s associated company in which he or she will invest in or conduct business with may apply for this type of visa on behalf of the applicant at the Office of the Immigration Bureau.
Work Permits On entry the applicant or his or her appointed representatives must apply for a work permit at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, the Department of Employment and the Ministry of Labour in which obligate the applicant to pay income tax accordingly. Where the applicant’s associated company is located in the provinces, the applicant must apply at the Employment Office of that province.
Applicant’s family members (i.e., spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old) are eligible to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and allowed to stay for between 90 days and 1 year.
Those with a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wanting to work in Thailand can apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Immigration Bureau office located at Government Center B, Soi 7, Laksi, Chaeng Wattana Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889
Those with a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wanting to work in Thailand can apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Immigration Bureau office located at Government Center B, Soi 7, Laksi, Chaeng Wattana Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889
One Stop Service Centre Aims to create a good investment environment and facilitates applications of visa extension and work permits (e.g., stay permission, re-entry permit, and work permit). The Centre in at the Chamchuree Square Building, Floor 18, Phatumwan, Bangkok and welcomes company directors or acknowledged experts with privileges accorded to them by the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977).
Tax For information on UK tax when living abroad see https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk and https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice about liability for tax on UK income.
National Insurance contributions while abroad protect UK State Retirement Pension.
National Insurance contributions while abroad protect UK State Retirement Pension.
The Thai Revenue Department provides tax details in English on http://www.rd.go.th/publish/index_eng.html
Buying property Foreign nationals are not allowed to own land in Thailand.
Getting married For British government advice on getting married in Thailand go to https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad. Same sex marriage and civil relationships are illegal in Thailand.
Deaths For British government advice on what to do after someone dies got to https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad and for advice on bereavement information for Thailand go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-relating-to-deaths-in-thailand
Births For British government advice on registering a birth abroad see https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth
Benefits For British government advice on claiming benefits when travelling or living abroad see https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad
Means tested benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit is not paid if you’re abroad over 4 weeks.
Means tested benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit is not paid if you’re abroad over 4 weeks.
Pensions For British government advice on claiming the State Pension when retiring abroad go to https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad and https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension for information about the new State Pension. The UK Pension Service sends ‘life certificate’ forms to check eligibility which need response to stop payments being suspended. This DWP form must be signed by a witness.
Report changes (such as a change of address or bank details) to The Pension Service 11, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LW United Kingdom in writing - do not send changes by email.
Report changes (such as a change of address or bank details) to The Pension Service 11, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LW United Kingdom in writing - do not send changes by email.
Voting British citizens can vote in some UK elections when registered at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Renewing passports For British government advice on making passport renewal applications go to https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports and https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document in an emergency.
Returning to the UK To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre at https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre and see https://www.gov.uk/tax-return-uk
Rights to NHS treatment, sheltered housing and social security now depend on the purpose of your return to the UK, not your nationality.
King Rama X