A foreigner must apply for a work permit to lawfully work in Thailand. A work permit is a legal document that specifies a foreigner’s position, present occupation, or job description, as well as the Thai firm with whom he is employed. It also functions as a permit to work in Thailand in a job or occupation that is open to foreigners.
Foreigners entering Thailand are not able to work unless they have been issued a work permit, regardless of their visa type. To be eligible to apply for a work permit in Thailand, visitors must have the relevant sort of visa.
A foreigner must first obtain a non-immigrant visa to get a work permit. Before entering Thailand, you must get a non-immigrant visa. After obtaining a non-immigrant visa, the foreigner can begin the process of obtaining a work permit. It would take 7 business days to complete the work permit application. The application for a work permit is handled by the Ministry of Labor.
Types of work visas in Thailand
Foreigners who intend to work in Thailand must possess both a non-immigrant visa and a work permit. The first step is to apply for a non-immigrant Category B visa, which is divided into different groups based on your employee’s intended activities. The majority of your staff will require a Category B visa, which is required by professors, lawyers, and anyone working for a multinational firm.
Keep in mind that several occupations are off-limits to foreigners in Thailand, so make sure your staff is working in areas that are appropriate for their status.
There are a variety of other visas available, including:
- Non-immigrant visa IB
- Non-immigrant visa B-A
- Non-immigrant visa O
- Non-immigrant visa M.
Your employees will need to go to the Ministry of Labor and apply for a work permit after obtaining a visa and a job offer. They can then extend their visa for another year or two.
Requirements to obtain Thailand work visas
Many standards must be met by both your company and its employees for a new hire to be granted a work visa in Thailand. As an employer, you will need the following:
- A minimum capital of 2 million baht (or 1 million if the employee is married to a Thai national)
- To register the business
- Engage four Thai workers for every non-Thai worker you hire.
Only if your company is sponsored by the Thai Board of Investment (BOI) and your non-Thai employees meet the BOI’s basic requirements are their exceptions. To be excused from the aforementioned requirements, you must make a strong case for why your organization needs to hire foreign workers.
Employees must have a job offer in addition to their non-immigrant visa and the skills and education required for the post. Some positions need applicants to be at least 25 years old, in good health, and free of major ailments or addictions.
Application Process
Going to the Ministry of Labor in Bangkok is the first step in obtaining a work permit. Employees who work for a BOI-promoted company can visit the One-Stop Service Center at Bangkok’s Chamchuri Square. As the employer, you will be asked to submit various documentation in addition to the application, including:
- Company Registration Department Certificate
- List of the companyโs shareholders
- Factory license, if applicable
- VAT certificate and filings
- Withholding tax form
- Social security payment filings
- Employment contract
To obtain a work visa in Thailand, employees must additionally submit specific documentation. They must present their passports with signed copies of all pages, non-immigrant visas, departure cards, university or college diplomas with transcripts, and any other certifications or licenses that may be required. Your employees will also require three passport-sized photos taken within the previous six months, proof of a marriage certificate if married to a Thai national, and a recent medical certificate.
Other Important Points to Consider
Your employees’ family members can apply for a B-type visa at the same time as your employees. Under the sponsorship of the principal applicant, parents, children under the age of 20, and spouses are all eligible for the B visa. Your employee, on the other hand, will have to demonstrate that they can support any family members who join them.