Work Visa Thailand – Application and Requirements

Need Help? Book a Free Consultation:

Work Visa Thailand – Application and Requirements

Looking for help with Thailand’s work visa requirements? Look no further in this complete guide!

Thailand is a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches, bustling cities, tasty cuisine and welcoming locals. Over 20 million foreigners visit Bangkok each year alone and that doesn’t include the people who decide to make Thailand their home and place of work.

If you have a job lined up in the land of smiles, you’re going to need a work visa and work permit. A Thailand work visa is needed to enter the country in the first place to apply for the permit. This guide takes you through everything you need to know about work visas in Thailand.

Different Work Visas in Thailand

If you are a foreigner planning to work in Thailand, you need a non-immigrant visa and a work permit. The visa can be applied for in your home country from a Consulate or Embassy.

There are different types of Thai visas given out, depending on the new employees planned work. These are:

  • Non-immigrant visa O
  • Non-immigrant visa M
  • Non-immigrant visa IB
  • Non-immigrant visa B-A

Once you have secured the right Thai visa, you can apply for a work permit in Thailand at the Department of Employment.

Who Needs a Work Visa in Thailand?

You need a Thai work visa if you are not a Thai citizen and you want to work in Thailand. To apply for a work permit, you must already have a Thai non-immigrant visa. Even if you are exempt from Thai tourist visas, you need to get a Thai work visa and a permit to work legally in the country.

Basic Requirements for Thai Work Visas

To apply for a Thailand work visa, you’ll need the right documents such as:

  • A passport valid for at least another 6 months. It needs to have a minimum of two blank pages. One-year visa applications require you to have another 18 months’ validity on your passport
  • A Thai work visa application form signed and dated. This can be found on the embassy website or in the building if you apply in person
  • A passport sized picture 3.5cm x 4.5cm. It must have a white background, your face entirely visible, a neutral facial expression and have been taken in the last 6 months
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to pay for your entire stay. This translates to 20,000 baht for solo travelers and 40,000 for a family
  • Official police clearance certificate
  • A Letter of Approval from the Thailand Ministry of Labour. Your Thai employer needs to apply for this at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration in the Department of Employment

How to Get a Thai Work Visa?

Before you travel to Thailand, you should apply for a work visa in your country at a Thailand Embassy or Consulate. The process goes as follows:

  1. Make an appointment with the Thailand Embassy or Consulate where you will submit your application. Each may vary from country to country so it’s best to inquire about their preferred method of Thailand visa fee payment and whether you can apply in-person or online
  2. Get the correct Thai visa documents ready
  3. Submit your visa application and documents. If applying by post, include a self-addressed pre-paid envelope
  4. Expect to wait anywhere between 2 – 10 days to have your Thai visa processed
  5. Your passport and visa will need collecting or will be mailed to you if you applied online
  6. Thai non-immigrant visas last up to three months. You’ll need to enter Thailand before it expires to apply for your work permit

How Much Does a Thailand Work Visa Cost?

You must pay a fee to get a Thailand work visa. Fees may vary slightly, depending on the country you apply from. It’s best to check on the website for the Embassy or Consulate you intend to apply at. Also, some may prefer cash and some card. Fees are as follows:

  • 2,000 Thai baht (65USD) for a single entry Thailand work visa
  • 5,000 Thai baht (164USD) for a multiple entry Thailand work visa

How Long is a Thai Work Visa Valid?

A work visa in Thailand is valid up to three months for single and multiple entries. In some circumstances, multiple entry work visas can be issued for up to one year.

Is the Thai Visa Process Different for Part Time or Seasonal Workers?

The Thai work visa process is exactly the same for part time and seasonal workers. Even if you plan to be in Thailand as a volunteer and will not receive pay for the work you do, a valid work visa and permit is required.

Do I Need a Thai Work Visa as an Entrepreneur?

Yes, you do need a Thailand work visa as an entrepreneur in the country. If you plan to work alongside or invest in a company, you need to apply for the non-immigrant visa B-A. If you’re setting up your own business, apply for the non-immigrant visa IB.

Can Family Come with Me on a Thailand Work Visa?

If you plan to take your spouse, children under the age of 20 or family members with you to Thailand, they can also apply for a B type visa at the same time you apply for yours. You must be able to show you can support the whole family financially for the duration of your stay.

What to Do Next After You Have a Thai Work Visa

After securing your Thai work visa and arriving in Thailand, apply for your work permit as soon as possible. Apply in your city or at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration closest to your place of work if in a rural area.

How to Acquire a Work Permit in Thailand?

Acquiring a Thai work permit is done in Thailand through the Thai Immigration Office. To complete the process, you and your employer need to provide the right documents such as:

  • Passport and copies of the pages
  • Your Thai work visa
  • Letter of employment or work contract clearly stating your position, salary and responsibilities
  • Your academic certificates and degrees
  • Any relevant licenses or certificates
  • Your up to date CV
  • Three current 5 x 6 cm pictures of you
  • A signed and stamped health certificate
  • Proof of your accommodation in Thailand
  • Your marriage certificate if married to a Thai citizen
  • The company will need to provide: their list of stakeholders, company certificate, VAT certificate, details of the company withholding tax, any additional supporting documents requested

Once you have gathered all the right documents, you or your employer can apply for your work permit at the Ministry of Labour. The application process needs to be started in time, before your work visa expires and before you start work.

It can take around seven days for the Thai work permit process to be completed. You will be notified once a decision has been made and you’ll have to go to the Ministry of Labour to pick it up.

Are you looking to make your first hire in Thailand? Here is an article on 5 things you should know about hiring people in Thailand

Looking to navigate the complexities of establishing your business in Thailand? Our Ultimate Guide to Employer of Record in Thailand sheds light on how engaging an EOR can streamline the process, offering insights and support for a smoother market entry.

How Aster Lion's Thailand Employer of Record Services Can Help

How Aster Lion's Thailand Employer of Record
Services Can Help

Reach out to our team for a free consultation to understand the requirements and steps involved in getting you set up and running a business in Thailand.

We’ll help you navigate through the entire process to ensure you’re up and running with the least amount of steps.  You can reach us directly on team@asterlion.com or enter your details below and someone from our team will reach out.

Aster Lion is an Employer of Record based in Thailand providing the following services:

  • Corporate Secretary
  • Visa & Work Permits
  • HR & Payroll Solutions

Let us know how we can help you!

OTHER ARTICLES

CONTACT US

Need Help? Contact Us For a Free Consultation

And Receive Your Thailand Market Report

Send Message

I agree to the Privacy Policy

We’d Love to Hear From You.

Regional Headquarters

Asoke Towers Building, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Call Us

+66 (0) 2 1209413

Partner Locations

China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam

Email Address

team@asterlion.com