#workpermit

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.

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Till now, international students in Canada had to meet the criteria of staying within the country until they got their Post-Graduation Work Permit. The good news is that the requirement is no longer mandatory.

Students who have completed their graduation can work without their PGWP, full time. These students will also not lose the power of legally working in Canada, even if they leave or return to the country.

The decision of this permit to go though requires about 90 days. Therefore, international students, to work full time, will need to apply for this permit before the expiration of their study permit.

International students, on approval of their work permit, can work within the borders of Canada for eight months or even three years. The work permit comes in very handy if one wishes to permanently reside in Canada. It paves their way to get permanent residency by the express entry system allocated by the government.

International candidates receive ranks based on their success rates in Canada’s labor force when finding eligible for the Express Entry. They receive grades based on their work experience, education: age, reading, and writing skills. The combination of these scores forms their CRS or Combination Ranking System Score.

Through Express Entry draws, candidates with a high CRS score have more chances of qualifying for selection during the application invites for permanent Canadian Residence.

To apply for a PGWP, a student must meet the following requirement criteria-

The student will have to prove his study permit is valid

The student needs to show that he was a full-time student and is studying there for a minimum of six months

The student should have a diploma or any degree

Thailand remains one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually with its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. For travelers planning a trip, understanding the intricacies of Thailand’s tourist visa system is essential to ensure a smooth entry and stay. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of Thailand’s tourist visa policies, application procedures, extensions, exemptions, and recent regulatory changes.

1. Types of Thailand Tourist Visas

Thailand offers several visa options for tourists, each catering to different travel needs:

A. Visa Exemption (Visa Waiver)

Citizens of 64 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and most EU nations, can enter Thailand without a visa for a limited period:

30-day exemption (for most nationalities arriving by air).

15-day exemption (for land border entries from neighboring countries like Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar).

Key Considerations:

The exemption is strictly for tourism; working or long-term stays are prohibited.

Proof of onward travel (flight ticket) and sufficient funds (10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family) may be requested.

Extensions are possible for an additional 30 days at Thai immigration offices (cost: 1,900 THB).

B. Tourist Visa (Single-Entry, TR)

For travelers planning longer stays, the Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) allows:

60-day stay upon entry.

Can be extended once for an additional 30 days (total: 90 days).

Application Process:

Apply at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.

Required documents: passport, application form, photos, flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, and financial statements.

C. Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV)

The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is ideal for frequent visitors, permitting:

Multiple entries over 6 months.

Each stay is limited to 60 days, extendable by 30 days.

Eligibility & Requirements:

Must apply at a Thai embassy in the applicant’s home country or country of residence.

Stricter financial proof (e.g., bank balance of at least 200,000 THB or equivalent).

Employment verification may be required.

2. Visa on Arrival (VoA) for Eligible Nationals

Travelers from 19 countries, including China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine, can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA):

15-day stay permitted.

Must arrive at designated international airports (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc.) or land borders.

Requirements:

Passport with at least 6 months validity.

Proof of onward travel.

10,000 THB (individual) or 20,000 THB (family) in cash.

One passport-sized photo.

Fee: 2,000 THB (subject to change).

3. Visa Extensions and Border Runs

A. Extending a Tourist Visa

Tourists can extend their stay at Thai Immigration Offices (e.g., Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket):

30-day extension for visa-exempt entries (1,900 THB).

30-day extension for Single-Entry Tourist Visa holders (1,900 THB).

Process:

Submit application (TM.7 form), passport, photocopies, proof of residence, and fee.

Processing usually takes 1-2 business days.

B. Border Runs (Visa Reset)

Previously, travelers could leave and re-enter Thailand to reset their visa exemption period. However, recent enforcement has tightened:

Land border runs now limited to two per calendar year.

Airport re-entries are less restricted but subject to immigration discretion.

Overstaying or abusing visa exemptions may lead to blacklisting.

4. Special Cases and Recent Changes

A. COVID-19 Adjustments (2020-2023)

Automatic visa amnesty was granted during lockdowns.

Special Tourist Visa (STV) allowed long-term stays (up to 270 days) but was discontinued in 2022.

B. Digital Nomads & Long-Term Tourism

Thailand has introduced new visa options for remote workers and long-term tourists:

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – For high-income earners, retirees, and professionals (10-year validity).

Education Visa (ED) – Some tourists enroll in language courses to extend stays legally.

C. Overstay Penalties

1-90 days overstay: 500 THB per day (max 20,000 THB).

Over 90 days: 1-year entry ban.

Blacklisting possible for repeat offenders.

5. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Overstaying – Always check your permitted stay and extend legally.

Working Illegally – Tourist visas do not permit employment; violators face deportation.

Insufficient Funds – Carry cash equivalents to avoid entry denial.

Border Run Restrictions – Frequent re-entries may raise red flags.

6. Conclusion

Navigating Thailand’s tourist visa system requires understanding the different entry schemes, extension policies, and evolving regulations. While visa exemptions and VoAs offer convenience, long-term travelers should consider the Single-Entry or METV options for flexibility. Staying informed about immigration updates ensures a hassle-free experience in the Land of Smiles.

For the latest updates, always consult the Royal Thai Embassy or official immigration websites before travel.

The idea of working abroad is no longer limited to IT professionals. Today, European countries are actively hiring workers across industries such as agriculture, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Some overseas jobs are even attracting attention because of their earning potential compared to certain entry-level roles in India.

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If you're considering working abroad, understanding work permits, visas, and immigration requirements is essential. Professional guidance can help you navigate the process and identify suitable opportunities.

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