General businesses
Registered capital of 2 million THB
- Apply at the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, or the Provincial Employment Office covering the business location.
Process & steps
How to apply
There are two application channels depending on the employer, then four steps that every application follows. Both are set out below, together with the complete document lists.
Two application channels
BOI-promoted businesses
Registered capital of 30 million THB or more
- Apply through the Single Window for Visa and Work Permit system for a Digital Work Permit, at the One Stop Service Center in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket.
- Applications can be filed online with electronic document copies at swe-expert.boi.go.th; once approved, the employee attends the One Stop Service Center in person to confirm identity.
The four steps
From first visa to a one-year stay
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Apply for a Non-B visa
Before entering Thailand
This visa permits entry into Thailand for work purposes. Apply at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad; it is valid for 90 days and must be in hand before you travel.
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Submit the work permit application
Ministry of Labour
File within the 90-day window before the visa expires. Both the applicant and the employer must meet all qualifications.
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Receive the work permit
7–10 working days
Processing takes 7–10 working days. The permit is valid for one year and renewable.
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Extend the visa from 90 days to 1 year
After the permit is issued
With the work permit granted, the visa is extended so both documents run for the full year.
Documents for the work permit application
- Form BT.25 — for first-time applications, downloaded and filed at the Department of Employment; the same form is used for renewals.
- Three 3×4 cm photographs taken within the last 6 months (new applications).
- Medical certificate not older than one month.
- Personal résumé, educational qualifications and work history (new applications).
- Passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of application.
- Non-B visa with at least 21 days remaining — filings are normally made about 30 days ahead — plus the previous work permit for renewals.
- Letter of employment permission from the Ministry of Labour.
- Personal income tax form PND.91 (renewals).
- The employing company's essential documents.
- Supporting documents according to the type of business or employer — see below.
Supporting documents by employer type
The Ministry asks for a different evidence set depending on who the employer is. Expand the category that applies:
Private enterprises
Company registration certificate and shareholder list (issued within 6 months) — or, for foreign juristic persons, the foreign business licence under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 plus evidence of funds brought into Thailand. VAT registration (VAT 01 and VAT 20, plus VAT 09 if details changed). If the employer is themselves a foreigner: their work permit, or a notarised and embassy-certified power of attorney if they are outside Thailand. Any sector licence the business needs (factory, hotel, FDA, tourism, food premises). The list of foreign staff with permit numbers, an organisational chart and a location map. Latest social security payment evidence and current financials — statements plus PND.50 or PND.51 and PP.30. Photographs of the premises: signboard, building front, and at least two interior shots. A travel map.
Private schools and universities
Teacher appointment letter with the employment contract — private universities show Ministry of Education certification naming the foreigner, position and employment period. Teaching profession licence (or waiver; trainee-teacher positions are exempt). The school's establishment licence, head-teacher licence and manager licence, or the university's establishment papers and authorised-signatory order. Educational qualifications, transcripts and teaching-experience documents where available. Good-behaviour certificate and criminal history.
Government agencies
Certification from the government department, state enterprise, public organisation or educational district naming the person, position and employment period. Government-school teachers show the professional teaching licence (trainee positions exempt). Educational qualifications, transcripts and teaching-experience documents where available, plus a good-behaviour certificate and criminal history.
Foundations and associations
Certification of the foundation or association as a juristic person, its objectives, and the list of board members.
Foreign film productions
Certification from the Tourism Development Office and the coordination licence, with the names, positions and passport numbers of the foreign personnel, plus the company registration certificate and shareholder list (issued within 6 months).
Renewals, and what happens if you miss one
- Work permits renew for up to one year at a time.
- File the renewal at least 30 days before expiry.
- While a renewal is under review — normally 3–7 working days — you may keep working until the decision is issued.
- If a renewal is refused or an appeal fails and employment continues anyway, both sides face legal consequences: up to 3 months imprisonment, a fine up to 5,000 THB, or both.
- Do not let the permit lapse — we track renewal dates for every client.
Fees, timing and where to file
Apply now
Interested in a work permit? Get in touch and we will start with a free document checklist for your exact employer type.