Working visas in Thailand for the "elderly" -- Any information or advice?

This forum has had some interesting discussions about visa runs and retirement visas, including the new type of retirement visa.

What do the members of this forum know about working visas for the "elderly"? [By the way: I am almost 70. My nationality is Swiss.]

I went to the university in the U.S. and several Thai classmates suggested that I might want to do some part-time work in Thailand.

I do NOT think that I would want just to retire in Thailand; I think that I would go out of mind with boredom after two or three weeks if I did not work. I am in great health, although about 20 kilos overweight. [I am working on this.]

About my background: I have graduate degrees in civil engineering from a major American university, and have been involved in the design and construction of major infrastructure projects in several countries, including those sponsored by the World Bank and aid agencies. I have also taught courses in civil engineering at universities in Europe and the U.S.

My Thai friends suggested that I could teach some seminars/course at several universities in Bangkok, as well as work as a consultant for some projects. [My Thai friends have good contacts at three universities in Bangkok, and the dean at one university was open to the idea.] This work would be very interesting to me.

But at almost 70, would I have any chance of getting a work visa? Many countries have stated age restrictions for work visas, but rules are often bent if one has the right contacts. [One Thai friend has good contacts with the government.}
What do you know about work visas for the elderly?

Some countries, such as Canada, have terrible discrimination against anyone much over 55. Canada would not give me a work visa or residency status, despite the fact that I have advanced training and much experience in civil engineer, AND I have a native level command of BOTH French and English, plus a few other languages.....

I have a Thai friend with a partner who is a westerner aged 73 and works as the CEO of his company. The westerner had no problem getting a work visa some years ago and getting it renewed each time. I imagine if you have a work offer and all the relevant paperwork re experience and the position, you'd not have a problem. But I reckon you will need a firm offer from one employer. I'm not sure if working as a freelance for several universities is acceptable. You should check with a lawyer specialising in employment issues.

Dunno about Visa regulations - but Werner's qualifications and experience sound ideal for opening a gogo bar, massage shop, or some other sex trade business

:D

Seems to me that you do not even have the basic info on working visa. As such they are not age-related (though elder people can get much better types of visa-though ALL do NOT allow work/employment).
As this is not at all a gay-related Q I just repaet what I always then say: go to a dedicated forum, like thaivisa-its ''visa'' subforum is gigantic and you usually get replies in a few hrs.
The basic principle is that YOU canNOT just apply for it-you first have to find an employer willing to hire you-s/he then has to start the paperwork. For self-employed, I do not know how it works, I do know that quite a lot of only internet-workers (more or less having their own bisnis) do not bother at all about it-as long as you do not deal at all with any Thai (perhaps even ASEAN by now) that works out fine. Uni's/schools etc do not have ''free-lancers/time workers, you are in their service or not at all. Even volutneering as such means one has to get a working-visa and many jobs are simply banned for farang.
Gruezi mitenand

Werner ... Pong is pretty well correct on most of the pertinent items. Bottom line is that age plays no part at all in an application for a work visa. But all the other requirements add up to a quite a complicated process.
Instead of asking for advice on a message board (including ThaiVisa which I find just as full of 'opinion' ~ a lot being quite wrong) my first action would be to trundle on down to a Thailand Embassy or Consulate and get the information directly from the horses mouth.

http://www.thaiconsulatevancouver.ca...mmigrant-B.pdf

If a University offers you a job they will assist you in getting the proper work permit.

Smiles wrote:
"Instead of asking for advice on a message board (including ThaiVisa which I find just as full of 'opinion' ~ a lot being quite wrong) my first action would be to trundle on down to a Thailand Embassy or Consulate and get the information directly from the horses mouth."

Getting clear non-ambiguous answers regarding visas from anywhere in the world is virtually impossible. It's always a lottery and the more you want from your visa the more complicated it will be.

I agree it's best to take advice given by a Thai Embassy/Consulate with a large pinch of salt. I doubt if many officers will have been asked about work visas for over 70s and I certainly got conflicting advice at a far younger age about Retirement visas from the Hong Kong Consulate. By far the best route is to find a good Immigration law firm in Thailand and if necessary have them contact the University on your behalf. As I said earlier, I reckon a visa for freelance work at various universities will be extremely difficult. But don't take my word for it!

I do a small amount of work in Thailand without a work visa but I have a company based in Hong Kong. So all contracts are made with the Hong Kong company and all invoiced remittances are made to the business account in Hong Kong - not to me personally.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by arsenal

Getting clear non-ambiguous answers regarding visas from anywhere in the world is virtually impossible. It's always a lottery and the more you want from your visa the more complicated it will be.

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I hear you on that, but it's too much of a generalization.
My experience at the Thai Consulate in Vancouver has been quite the opposite: the folks there were excellent, very precise and knowledgeable, and led me down no deep holes ... especially during the time of my application for the O-A Retirement Visa (granted, that was many years ago now).

And the group of Immigration officers in Hua Hin (a place I've had tons of visits to) have always been professional and very quick with The Stamp. In 10 years I've had not a run in, and only one minor screw up (which was taken care of toot sweet, with apologies).

But on the other hand, much angst has apparently been observed at the ChiangMai Imm Office. It has a very poor reputation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smiles

In 10 years I've had not a run in, and only one minor screw up (which was taken care of toot sweet, with apologies).

.

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Smiles, The Quebecois Language Police (Office Québécois de la Langue Française) are on the look out for you!

I would like to thank forum members for their suggestions.

I particularly thank fountainhall. Yes, indeed, it might be a good idea to set up a company in Hong Kong {which is relatively easy} and then get paid for any consulting work in Thailand through that company.

Several "major" universities seem interested in sponsoring me for a work permit, but I am not sure how much I would enjoy teaching civil engineering to Thai university students. Thai professors who have studied abroad speak decent English, but the undergraduate students might not be able to really comprehend my English, much less my French.

But if the universities could sponsor the visa, and I could do some consulting work on civil engineering projects, the situation would not be so bad.

Civil engineering projects in many countries involve a lot of bribery, embezzlement, shoddy construction, and violation of labor and environmental standards. I wonder about Thailand; I would gain some understanding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by werner

Civil engineering projects in many countries involve a lot of bribery, embezzlement, shoddy construction, and violation of labor and environmental standards. I wonder about Thailand; I would gain some understanding.

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Wonder no more. Same, same!