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What is the process of opening a registered tutoring business in Thailand while obtaining a work permit for a foreign spouse?

Tutoring BusinessWork PermitVisa RulesBusiness Registration in ThailandForeign EmploymentThai TeacherSpouse VisaBusiness Ownership
Feb 3, 2021
4 years ago
Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello 👋 Everyone!

I am interested in knowing your experience with opening a legit registered tutoring business in Thailand and the pros and cons to doing so.

My wife is a Thai teacher and I am a 46 year old Canadian. I’m sort of wondering if my wife were to open the business in her name and I worked for her and the business, could I get a work permit through the business?

Is this viable?

How difficult is this to do?

Thanks everyone for your POSITIVE input and useful negative feedback.

Cheers!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around a Canadian expat interested in opening a registered tutoring business in Thailand under his Thai wife's name. Participants highlight requirements such as the necessity for the wife to hire Thai staff to meet legal requirements for employing a foreigner, including a minimum of 2 Thai employees and the need for registered capital. There are suggestions for potential pathways to secure a work permit, including exploring educational business options, seeking legal advice, and understanding the distinctions between operating as a tutoring business versus a school. Resources are shared for further guidance on business registration in Thailand.
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Muhammad *******
Your wife can open bussiness in her name and u can get work permit if your marriage is register .she need to hire 2 thai worker and pay their social security then u can get work permit work its show as family bussiness...
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Muhammad ******
 Thank you for the feedback.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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Wade ********
Standard business, non BOI, 2 million registered capital and 4 Thai staff on social security per work permit. You can hold 49% and the remaining 51% needs to be in a Thai name... my understanding is a school has more relaxed rules but I have never had an education business so can't comment on that.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@WM *******
 That's for foreign owners/investors, his wife is Thai, she could employ him as a teacher if he has the qualifications/paperwork etc.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@WM *******
 Thanks for the information.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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Putt ********************
This maybe helpful:

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4 years ago
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Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Putt *******************
 That is super helpful. Thank you!
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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David ******************
'Legit business' sounds illegitimate.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****************
 Why would you give advise on opening an illegitimate business? Are you a roll with a capital T? 😆
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****************
 How so? If you have some personal experience or wisdom to imbue on this matter I’m interested in learning more. 🤔
4 years ago
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David ******************
@Johnny ***********
 I just didn't see the necessity for legit business. I mean you are not going to seek advice on a public forum, to open an illegitimate business are you?
4 years ago
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David ******************
@Johnny ***********
 wow great word!
4 years ago
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David ******************
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Chris *********
@David *****************
 I guess that would reflect your personal experience with legit business in quote marks. So... what- Surrogate baby mill? Herbal diet supplement distribution?
4 years ago
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Chris *********
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Stephen ******
I have done this and it works quite well in terms of visas...we just run it as a school, not a business. Ours is in the sticks of Songkhla, so it's a real niche market...but there is no real competition. Since you're wife is a teacher that should help immensely in dealing with all the required paperwork.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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@Stephen *****
 What’s the difference between a school and a tutor business? You operate as a school during the day?
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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Dianne *****
As I understand it your wife could set up a tutoring business in her name. I'm not sure whether she can employ you though, as others say for every foreigner employed there needs to be a requisite number of Thai people also employed. As many foreigners here work as English teachers you might fall into a category that foreigners are permitted to work in, if you have teaching qualifications or at a minimum a bachelor's degree in anything ie not necessarily teaching.

Another possibility may be to set up the business in your name so as to get a business visa with you as managing director, I am not sure that you would be permitted to teach in that set up though
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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@Dianne ****
 Thank you for the feedback.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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Hassan ********
A company requires to show paid up capital 2 Million Thai Baht and at least 4 Thai staff for getting a Work Permit. However, best solution is to talk to a good business lawyer/accountant for the purpose. It's a bit complex, but not impossible to manage.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Hassan *******
 That's for foreign business owners, totally different for Thai business'. His wife is Thai and could employ him as a teacher if he has the correct qualifications.
4 years ago
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Johnny ************
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@Hassan *******
 How are tutoring businesses in Thailand managing this in cities where they have 4 foreigners working at a business with 4 Thai staff? The math seems off. 😂
4 years ago
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Darren *******
@Johnny ***********
 probably have family members on the payroll to artificially increase number of Thais.
4 years ago
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Darren *******
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Bim *******
I think you would have to look into the law regarding hiring foreigners. I am sure for every foreigner hired a company has to hire maybe 10 Thais to compensate. I am not sure of the number exactly.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
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