Visa & Work Permit in Thailand

Registered capital: THB 2M paid-up per foreign hire (THB 1M if applicant is married to a Thai citizen). BOI companies are exempt. Thai-to-foreign ratio: 4 Thais per foreigner — also waived for BOI. Company docs: Certificate of Incorporation (≤6 months old), VAT registration (Por.Por.20), latest financial statements, social-security list with 4+ Thai employees.

New companies: must operate at least one accounting cycle (typically 6–12 months) before hiring foreigners — except BOI-approved companies, which can apply immediately.

Step 1: company files WP3 pre-approval at Ministry of Labour — 7–10 days. Step 2: applicant uses WP3 to obtain Non-B Visa at a Thai embassy abroad (single 90 days). Step 3: enter Thailand. Step 4: within first 30 days, file Work Permit at Department of Employment — blue book issued in 3–7 days. Step 5: extend Visa to 1 year at Immigration (operating capital + tax). Step 6: 90-day report + annual renewal.

Royal Decree 1979 (revised 2020) reserves 27 occupations for Thai nationals — retail sales, hairdressing, construction, driving, accounting (in part), civil engineering, architecture, etc. Foreigners may only hold managerial, advisory, specialist, or non-restricted positions.

Exceptions: BOI, Representative Offices, Regional Operating HQ (ROH), Smart Visa, LTR Visa have special privileges and are not bound by the standard rules.