If foreigners want to work, do business, or invest in Thailand, they need to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at Thai Embassies or Consulates. Different types of visas are available based on the individual’s needs; the business visa (Category “B”); business-approved visa (Category “B-A”), and investment and business visa (Category “IB”). People with these visas who want to work in Thailand must get a work permit first. The visa costs 2,000 Baht for single entry with a three-month validity and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries with a one-year validity.

Some nationalities can only apply for a visa at specific Thai Embassies or Consulates in their home country or at designated locations. It’s recommended to check with the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate before traveling to know where to apply. 

For those wishing to work in Thailand they will need a Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B”  (Business Visa). After receiving a NON-B Visa you will need to then apply for a Work Permit. We recommend using a Visa Service when applying for a NON-B Visa. The process can be difficult to navigate and needs an understanding of the tax department and DBD services. Below are a list of documents that you may need to apply for a Non-B Visa Thailand. However you may be asked to provide extra documents at the request of immigration. 

Important to note that different embassies and consulates require slightly different documents. 

It is possible to convert a different visa to a NON-B Visa in Bangkok but the length of time left on your current visa will determine your eligibility. Contact OneTheVisa for more details.

**For those applying from outside of the Kingdom of Thailand it is now possible (subject to country eligibility) to apply for and submit documents online visa the new e-visa service **

You will need the following documents:
                 – Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months.
                 – Completed visa application form.
                 – Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the  past 6 months.
                 – Evidence of finance to support your stay for a short term (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
                 – Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (Your prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province)  
                – For those who have previously worked in Thailand a copy of Work Permit, income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 from previous year.

You will need to provide documents from your prospective company: 

• Business registration and business license
• List of shareholders
• Company profile
• Details of Business Operation

• List of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions

• Map indicating business location

• Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)

• Value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

• For export businesses: document indicating export transactions issued by banks

• For tourism businesses only: Document indicating the number of foreign tourists.

Foreigners who wish to conduct business in Thailand must provide the following documents:
             – Passport or travel document with a validity of not less than 6 months. 
             – Completed application form.
             – Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) photograph of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.
            – Evidence of finance to support your stay for a short term (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
            – Letter from the applicant’s company indicating the applicant’s position, length of employment, salary and purpose of visit(s) to Thailand.
            – Documents showing correspondence with business partners in Thailand.
            – Evidence of financial status in the case where the applicant is self-employed.
            – Letter of invitation from trading or associated partners/companies in Thailand.

You will need to provide documents from your prospective company: 

• business registration and business license
• list of shareholders
• company profile
• details of business operation

• Map indicating business location

• Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)

• Value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)
• Copies of company documents must be signed by the Board of Directors or authorised managing director and affix seal of company.

Holders of NON-B Visas may apply for extensions of up to one year. The NON-B visa will be issued for up to 3 months and extensions of one year will be based on having a work permit and work contract.

For those wishing to become a teacher in Thailand, they will require some extra documents on top of the basic NON-B list:
– Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.
– Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.
– Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.
– School license or business registration.
– Applicant’s resume.        
– Police certificate verifying that applicant has no criminal record or equivalents or letter issued by authorised agencies in applicant’s country and countries that they have spent time in since last employment.

Non-Immigrant Visa category “B-A” (Business Approved Visa):

The Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok is responsible for granting visas to eligible applicants. If an applicant’s associated company, with whom they plan to invest or conduct business, applies on their behalf, they can obtain this visa. Once approved, the Immigration Bureau informs the relevant Thai Embassy or Consulate-General via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the visa. Holders of this “B-A” visa can stay in the Kingdom for one year from their first entry.

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “IB” (Investment and Business Visa):

For foreign citizens employed to work on  investment projects which are under the (BOI).  Such projects must be involved in or bring benefit to Thailand in the following ways:
– Export-promotion
– Increasing employment
– Utilising local raw materials
– Projects engaging the provinces
– Encouraging technology transfer to Thai nationals
– Not hindering existing domestic businesses

See more about starting a business in Thailand and BOI companies

For foreigners who are coming to work in Thailand with a family, they might need to apply for NON-O Visas (family visas). Find out more by clicking here.