#boivisa

For foreign nationals seeking to work, invest, or conduct business in Thailand, the Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Non-B) serves as the essential gateway. Unlike tourist visas or visa exemptions, the Non-B visa is specifically designed for individuals engaging in commercial activities within the Kingdom .

However, a critical distinction must be understood from the outset: the Non-B visa permits entry and residency, but it does not automatically authorize employment. A separate Work Permit (Work Permit) issued by the Ministry of Labour is required for actual work activities .

1. Understanding the Non-Immigrant B Visa

The Non-B visa is issued to foreigners entering Thailand for business or employment purposes. It is strictly regulated under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and requires careful compliance. The following table outlines the primary visa types relevant to business activities in 2026:

| Visa Type | Best For | Validity / Stay | Key Requirements | Work Permit Required | | :--- | :--- |AN:--- | :--- | :--- | | Non-B (Single Entry) | Initial employment, short-term business (e.g., setting up a company) | Valid 3 months; Stay 90 days | Invitation letter from Thai company, corporate documents | Yes (for employment) | | Non-B (Multiple Entry) | Frequent business travelers, regional executives | Valid 1 year; Stay 90 days per entry | Proof of frequent business necessity | No (for business visits) | | Non-B (BOI) | Employees of BOI-promoted companies | 1-2 years (extendable) | BOI approval letter, streamlined process | Yes | | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers | 5 years; Stay 180 days (+180 ext.) | 500,000 THB savings, remote work proof | No (foreign income only) | | Long-Term Resident (LTR) | High-income professionals, wealthy pensioners | 10 years | $80k+ income or $1M assets | Yes (for certain categories) |

2. The e-Visa Mandate (2026 Update)

Since January 2025, Thailand has fully transitioned to a global e-Visa system . This means:

No physical visa stamps are issued at embassies in advance.

Applications must be submitted online via the official website: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ .

Upon approval, a PDF confirmation (Electronic Visa) is sent, which must be printed and presented upon arrival.

Processing Times: Standard review takes 10 to 15 working days. If the embassy requests additional documents or an interview, processing may extend to 3–4 weeks .

3. Financial and Employer Requirements

Obtaining a Non-B visa for employment is a sponsor-driven process. The Thai employer bears significant responsibility and must meet specific criteria:

Employer Qualifications

Paid-up Capital: Minimum registered capital of 2 million Thai Baht per foreign employee .

Thai Employee Quota: Generally, companies must employ 4 Thai nationals for every 1 foreigner (often referred to as the 1:4 rule) .

Physical Office: The company must have a legitimate physical address.

Employee Qualifications

Relevant Expertise: The role must require skills not readily available in the Thai labor market.

Salary Thresholds (2026): While varying by nationality, minimums are strictly enforced:

General Applicants: 40,000 – 45,000 THB

Chinese/Taiwanese: 45,000 THB

Singaporean/Japanese/Korean: 50,000 THB

Source: 

Financial Proof for Applicants

Single Entry: Bank statement showing a balance of no less than 30,000 THB (approx. 750 EUR) .

Multiple Entry: Bank statement showing a balance of no less than 120,000 THB (approx. 3,000 EUR) .

4. The Application Process: Step-by-Step

The process follows a strict sequence. Attempting to work before completing these steps renders the foreigner illegally employed.

Step 1: Prepare Documentation

The employer and employee must gather the necessary documents. The most critical are:

From the Thai Employer:

Invitation letter (on company letterhead, signed, with stamp)

Business registration and license (issued within the last 6 months)

List of shareholders (Bor Or Jor 5)

Balance sheet and latest financial statements

VAT registration (Por Por 20)

Evidence of Thai employee social security contributions 

From the Foreign Employee:

Passport (valid for 6+ months, at least 2 blank pages)

Digital photo (4x6cm, white background)

Resume/CV (English)

Degree certificates (authenticated)

Work experience letters 

Step 2: Apply for the Non-B Visa

The employee applies online via the Thai e-Visa website in their home country or country of legal residence . For those already in Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption, a Change of Visa Status is possible at Thai Immigration, though this requires significant justification and fees.

Step 3: Enter Thailand

Upon approval, the employee receives the e-Visa PDF. Entering Thailand, immigration will stamp a 90-day permitted stay .

Step 4: Apply for the Work Permit (WP)

Immediately after arrival, the employer must apply for a Work Permit at the Department of Employment. This process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks .

Important: The work permit is tied to a specific employer, job title, and location. Working for a different company or in a different role requires a new permit.

Step 5: Apply for the 1-Year Extension

Within the last 30 days of the initial 90-day stay, the employee must apply for a One-Year Extension of Stay at the Thai Immigration Bureau.

Fee: 1,900 THB.

Requirement: The employee must have a valid work permit and the employer must still meet the capital and quota requirements .

5. Special Considerations for Foreigners in Thailand

5.1 BOI Companies (Board of Investment)

If the Thai employer is BOI-promoted, the process is significantly faster and more flexible.

Privileges: Exemption from the 1:4 Thai employee quota; faster processing via the One Start One Stop Investment Center (OSOS) ; potential for 100% foreign ownership .

5.2 The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Introduced in 2024, the DTV is designed for the modern remote workforce. It is not a replacement for the Non-B visa if you are employed by a Thai company.

Who it's for: Digital nomads, freelancers, Muay Thai students, and participants in Thai cultural activities .

Key Benefit: 5-year validity, 180-day stays, and permission to work for foreign employers without a Thai work permit .

5.3 The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

For highly skilled professionals or wealthy individuals, the LTR offers a 10-year visa with tax benefits (17% flat rate) . It is suited for remote workers earning over $80,000/year or retirees with substantial pensions .

6. Compliance and Obligations

Once residing in Thailand on a long-stay visa, foreigners must adhere to ongoing compliance rules:

90-Day Reporting: Any foreigner staying in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days must report their address to immigration every 90 days (online or in-person). Failure results in a 2,000 THB fine .

Re-Entry Permit: A one-year extension of stay is automatically cancelled upon exiting Thailand unless a Re-Entry Permit (Single: 1,000 THB, Multiple: 3,800 THB) is obtained beforehand.

Conclusion

Navigating the Thai Business Visa system in 2026 requires understanding the distinction between the Non-B visa (permission to stay) and the work permit (permission to work). The process is employer-driven, requiring the Thai company to meet strict capital and quota requirements. For entrepreneurs, the BOI route offers superior flexibility, while digital nomads should look toward the new DTV visa. Proper planning and legal compliance are essential to avoiding fines, deportation, or blacklisting.

Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa program, launched in late 2022, represents a paradigm shift in the country's approach to attracting global talent, wealth, and retirees. Far more than a simple extension of stay, it is a carefully crafted economic policy instrument designed to stimulate high-value investment and bolster Thailand's competitive standing in the post-pandemic world. Moving beyond the limitations of consecutive annual extensions or premium "Elite" packages, the LTR visa offers a compelling, feature-rich solution for a targeted demographic, blending unprecedented convenience with substantive benefits.

The Strategic "Why": More Than Just a Visa

The LTR initiative is a direct response to regional competition for global talent and capital, seen in programs like Singapore's various passes or Malaysia's MM2H. Thailand's goal is explicit: to attract one million "high-potential" individuals over the coming years. The target is not merely tourists or temporary expatriates, but individuals who will contribute tangibly to the economy through investment, tax revenue, specialized skills, or consumption. The program falls under the oversight of the Board of Investment (BOI), highlighting its economic development mandate. It addresses long-standing pain points for expatriates—complex annual renewals, uncertain work rights, and banking hurdles—by offering a streamlined, centralized, and privileged pathway.

Deconstructing the Four LTR Categories: Eligibility and Intent

The program's sophistication lies in its segmentation, catering to four distinct, high-value groups:

Wealthy Global Citizens: Targeted at asset-rich individuals. The requirements are strictly financial: proof of personal assets of at least USD $1 million, a minimum annual income of USD $80,000 for the past two years, and a qualifying investment of at least USD $500,000 in Thai assets (government bonds, BOI-approved companies, or Thai property funds/REITs). This category is for those seeking a stable, long-term base with minimal bureaucratic friction.

Wealthy Pensioners: Aimed at securing affluent retirees. Applicants must be 50 years or older and have a stable annual pension or passive income of at least USD $80,000. For those with an income of USD $40,000-$80,000, a minimum investment of USD $250,000 in Thai assets is required. This category directly competes with traditional retirement extensions but offers superior benefits, including work rights and fewer reporting burdens.

Work-from-Thailand Professionals: A visionary category for the digital nomad and remote work economy. Applicants must be employed by a well-established foreign company (publicly traded or with at least USD $150 million in revenue for the past three years) with a minimum of five years' professional experience. The key financial threshold is a minimum annual salary of USD $80,000 for the past two years. For highly skilled professionals in priority industries (e.g., tech, engineering), the salary requirement drops to USD $40,000 if they hold a Master's degree or own intellectual property.

Highly-Skilled Professionals: Designed to inject expertise into Thailand's growing industries. Applicants must have at least five years of experience in targeted sectors (e.g., next-generation automotive, smart electronics, digital, tourism). They must be employed by a business in Thailand or a Thai government agency, with a minimum annual salary of USD $80,000, reducible to USD $40,000 for those with a PhD in relevant STEM fields.

The Tangible Benefits: Unpacking the "Premium" Package

The LTR visa's appeal is cemented by a suite of benefits that address the core desires of long-term residents:

Extended Validity and Ease of Stay: A primary advantage is the initial five-year validity, renewable for another five years. This eliminates the annual "extension of stay" treadmill. Combined with a Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit, it allows for seamless travel in and out of Thailand.

The Right to Work and Digital Freedom: Holders receive a work permit (or "Digital Work Permit" for remote professionals). Crucially, this permit is not tied to a single Thai employer, offering significant flexibility. For remote workers, this legalizes income earned from abroad, a grey area under other visa types.

Streamlined Immigration and Reporting: LTR holders are exempt from the burdensome 90-day address reporting to immigration. They also benefit from a Fast-Track service at international airports in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Tax Advantages: Perhaps the most significant financial benefit is the option for highly-skilled professionals to pay a flat personal income tax rate of 17% on Thai-sourced income (for four years initially), a substantial reduction from the progressive rate that can reach 35%. Other categories can benefit from favorable tax treaties and, for those with solely foreign-sourced income, potential exemptions if structured correctly.

The Application Process: A Centralized, Digital-First Approach

The process is managed through the dedicated LTR portal operated by the BOI, creating a single point of contact distinct from standard immigration channels. It involves:

Pre-Screening & Document Submission: Applicants upload comprehensive documentation—passport, financial proofs, employment contracts, health insurance, and criminal background checks—to the online portal.

BOI Approval: The BOI reviews the application for eligibility. Upon approval, they issue an LTR Approval Letter.

Visa Issuance: The applicant takes this letter to a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate abroad to receive the actual LTR visa sticker.

Thai Entry and One-Stop Service Center (OSSC): Upon entry, the holder visits an OSSC (in Bangkok or Phuket) to receive their stamp, work permit, and tax ID number.

Critical Considerations and the Competitive Landscape

The LTR is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The financial thresholds are intentionally high, targeting the top tier of global mobility. Applicants must secure health insurance with at least USD $50,000 in coverage (or proof of adequate Social Security/self-insurance). The program also exists in a competitive ecosystem: the Thailand Elite Visa offers longer terms (up to 20 years) with fewer financial requirements but lacks explicit work rights, while traditional retirement or marriage extensions are cheaper but offer fewer privileges and more frequent renewals.

Conclusion: A Calculated Step Towards a New Future

Thailand's LTR Visa is a landmark, strategic program. It signals the country's ambition to transition from a destination for short-term tourism and low-cost manufacturing to a hub for sustainable, high-value expatriate communities. For the qualified individual—be it a wealthy retiree, a digital nomad, or a sought-after expert—it offers an unparalleled combination of stability, convenience, and privilege. It is more than a residence permit; it is an invitation to participate in Thailand's next chapter, with the freedom and legal clarity that modern global citizens demand. As the program evolves, it is poised to fundamentally reshape the landscape of long-term living and working in the Kingdom.