Thai Business Visa

A Thai business visa is needed to work in Thailand. Working in Thailand is slowly becoming a trend among foreigners who are brave to go beyond the comforts of their home countries in search of fortune and adventures.  How is this possible? First, Thailand is a tropical paradise that offers many exciting possibilities to the young and adventurous. Second, the cost of living in Thailand is relatively cheaper so although the pay is not as high as the one received back home, you can still enjoy life and save in Thailand with your salary.

Third, Thailand’s culture is intact and flourishing amid persistent invasion of western influences. Buddhist philosophy remains predominant hence the sabai-sabai or relaxed mindset, very different from the confrontational and tension-filled work atmosphere back in the West.

The world-renowned Thai food is healthy and is readily available in every soi of the city.  The city nightlife is fun, crazy and yes, it’s also relaxing. The chances of meeting and socializing with other people from different cultural backgrounds are immense. This said it’s no surprise when so many foreigners flock to Thailand for employment purposes. See also the Thailand 10-year visa requirements on this website.

• Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months.

Your passport will need to be valid for more than 6 months before they provide you with the business visa. Best you have a passport that is much longer as the work permit will more likely than not be for 1 year. You will need to ensure that you passport is longer than that in reality. Most tend to obtain a new passport that will be valid for not only the visa but also the work permit. 

• Completed visa application form.

You will need to complete the visa application for for this at the Embassy as well. There will be many documents that they will need from you. See below all the company documents that would be required. This is also going to depend on what you are going to do in Thailand. The business visa for Thailand for teaching is not going to be the same as a manager or programmer.

• Recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.

The photos will need to be recent. 

• Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (WP3)

This is to show that you are going to be employed and that you can obtain the Thai work permit. Certain professions in Thailand is not permitted to be done by foreigners.

• Copy of the  Thai work permit by the Ministry of Labour and tax or Por Ngor Dor 91

If you had a work permit before then you will need to show your last tax certificates.

• The tax certificate is only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand

Your tax certificate from your last employment when you had a work permit in Thailand.

If you would like to work in Thailand, you would have to be aware of the immigration policies concerning work visas and work permits to avoid getting yourself in a pickle where Thai Immigration police detain or order your deportation.  Remember that working in Thailand without a valid visa and a work permit is a serious offense. Those who get caught are fined, detained, or deported.  Hence, it’s always good to do the right thing to avoid these problems later on.

• 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 location of the company
• balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax
• value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

If you will be working in Thailand for a Thai company, chances are the Thai company will be organizing your Non Immigrant Business Visa as this is their responsibility when employing a foreigner.  The Thai company will be instructing you on what to do. They will furnish you with the necessary documents for the visa application.

Once you get the visa, you come to Thailand where your work permit will be processed at the Ministry of Labor. The employing company will also have to assist you on this matter ensuring that all required documents are provided.  A work permit should need to be obtained to go along with the Non-B Visa so that a foreigner will be able to work legally in Thailand.

Below is a partial list of required documents for those obtaining a Non-Immigrant Business Visa for the purpose of employment. Note that you can also apply for a work permit if you have a marriage visa for Thailand as it does not have to be a business visa. See the work permit thailand cost breakdown on the other pages. 

All long-term visa holders in the Kingdom are required to report to the immigration office nearest to them every 90 days or for some people, they are required to leave the country every 90 days for a new visa stamp. This is especially the case for multiple entries of Non-B visas obtained overseas from the Thai Embassy or Consulate. This is called report 90 days online in Thailand.

Also, note that if you wish to leave Thailand and return and continue your visa you will need a re-entry permit for Thailand. If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit it will invalidate your work permit and business visa. You will need to ensure that you have a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand. This even if it is to cross over a land border to visit a neighboring country for a day.

When you return without the permit you will only get 15 days or 30 days depending on what your nationality is. You will then need to start the process again from applying for the business visa and then applying for the work permit again. Don’t do that! 

It’s recommended to seek assistance from a Thai Visa specialist or a law firm when in doubt about the visa application process. This will definitely save you a lot of hassles when sorting out your visa application on your own. Raise your questions with our immigration lawyer Bangkok who has a dedicated team of Thai Immigration specialists who can help you with all your Thai visa-related issues.

See also Thai Work Permit