Thai Visa & Work Permit

Foreigners who wish to set up or conduct business in Thailand should apply for a Thai Non-Immigrant B visa (Non-B). For the Business Visa you may need the Thai company sponsorship for supporting documents. 

Initial Non-immigrant Business Visa Application Process

Preparation of the documents provided to the visa applicants by the person, company, or organisation that offered the employment invitation in Thailand. 

Initial Business Visa Process

1) Submit the required documents to the Thai embassy or consulate in the applicant's origin country by mail or in person. 

2) Payment of the embassy or consular fees made by credit card or debit card (Visa / MasterCard) via the secure payment gateway provided in the e-Visa system. 

3) Review and processing of the visa application. The processing time usually takes 5 to 21 business days which depends on the Thai embassy or consulate where the application is lodged.

4) For Employment purposes, the Work permit and Visa extension must be completed immediately after arriving in Thailand.

The Non-Immigrant O Visa is available to family members of a person working in Thailand or a spouse of a Thai National. In most cases, for a working expatriate, this would include their wife (if not a Thai national) and children, including step-children. Children over the age of 20 and their parents cannot apply for a family visa for Thailand unless there is a medical reason for doing so and are legally deemed dependent.

This is a long term Thai visa issued to a foreign national who is married to a Thai and meets the other requirements of the immigration bureau. The Thailand Marriage Visa also allows the holder to work in Thailand when the visa holder is able to obtain a valid Thai Work Permit, along with the visa.

The foreigners can apply for a retirement visa at the age of 50, you can apply for a visa at the Thai embassy abroad or at the Bangkok and provincial immigration offices. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed at the end of the period.

For this type of visa, foreigners must open an account at a commercial bank in Thailand. After that, transfer money from your country into your account opened in Thailand in the amount of not less than 800,000 baht and deposited it in the bank. For a period of not less than 3 months apply for this type of visa.

Thailand Permanent Residency allows the holder to live permanently in Thailand with no requirement to apply for an extension of temporary stay. In addition to the permanent residency book, an alien registration book will be issued, which is equivalent to the ID card held by Thai. 

The minimum requirement to apply for Permanent Residency is to have at least 3 years of consecutive extensions issued from Thai Immigration. Holder of Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Visa issued from Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate cannot apply. You must have 3 un-broken yearly extensions in order to qualify. 

A permanent Residency holder can have his/her name included on a house registration document (for example, if you buy a house in your Wife’s name. You can have your name on the house registration in order not to lose your property no matter what the circumstance may be in the future)

The Residency Permit itself never expires, unless revoked. To be able to leave the country and return at will, though, you need to apply each year for a re-entry permit (endorsement) at 1,000 baht (multiple entries). If you don’t leave Thailand, you don’t need to have an endorsement done. Also, you must present yourself at the police station covering the area where you are a resident once every five years for a stamp in your book. An alien with permanent residency status will be eligible to apply for Thai citizenship after 10 consecutive years.

Permanent Resident Application Process

The Admission of applications for a residential permit opens once a year, following the Immigration announcement.

Time Frame: 

(Step 1) Application - 2 to 4 Weeks 

(Step 2) Interview - 3 to 4 months 

(Step 3) Approval - 18 to 20 months

The holder can have an uninterrupted stay in Thailand without the usual need to leave the country every 90 days. Another perk for Thailand Elite Visa holders is that they will receive expedited immigration formalities when arriving in Thailand and privilege services.

Application fees (Non-Refundable)

For 5 years residence validity: THB 600,000 (inclusive of VAT) 

For 10 years residence validity: THB 1,000,000 (inclusive of VAT) 

For 20 years residence validity: THB 2,000,000 (exclusive of VAT)

Thailand Elite Visa Application Process may take 1 month for most nationalities and up to 3 months for special countries. 

 Step 1 Application for Membership and Background Check. You can apply for the Thailand Elite Visa whether you are in Thailand or abroad.  

Step 2 Transfer of Membership Fee 

Step 3 Membership Acceptance, the applicant will receive the Membership ID and instructions on how to receive the visa. 

Step 4 Visa Issuance. The Thai Elite member can affix the Thai Elite visa at the Thai embassy or consulate in his/her respective country. The applicant has to drop off the passport and come back to collect it on another day at the Thai embassy. If it is not convenient for the applicant to apply through the Thai embassy, it is also possible that the applicant obtains the Thai Elite Visa upon arrival in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. In case the Thai Elite member is in Thailand, the Thai Elite agent may arrange the visa issuance at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

ref: https://thailand-elite.com/

This type of visa is for foreigners who wish to study in Thailand, the Thai Language, and the Internship program. The Non-Immigrant ED can be extended up to 1 year, for internship approval based on your internship period.

The visa is designed for a parent; usually, the father is separated from a Thai national and has a child or legal step-child with their former partner. They often have legal custody of the child, while in some cases, the two parents may still be together but not be legally married, so the Non-Immigrant O Visa (Thai Child) allows them to reside in Thailand long-term.

The initial visa will be for 90 days, and then can be extended by a further 12 months if your circumstances remain unchanged and the Thai Immigration Department is satisfied with your status. In effect, the first visa is valid for 15 months, and you will then need to re-apply annually for a subsequent visa.

You must have money from your country in your account opened in Thailand in the amount of not less than 400,000 baht (The account must be in your name) as proven by a recently updated bank book and a supporting letter from the bank confirming that the balance is correct.

Thailand is now offering a Long-Term Resident Visa program duly called LTR. It is aimed to attract wealthy Foreigners in 4 categories who would like to live and or work in Thailand long-term, with 10 years of renewable visas.  

Privileges Offered To LTR Holders 

• Up to 10 years renewable visa 

• Exception for companies from the 4 Thai employees for each foreigner ratio 

• Fast Track Service at International airports in Thailand 

• The 90-day report is extended to 1 year and the visa is multiple entries 

• Permission to work in Thailand (digital work permit) 

• 17% Personal Income Tax for High-skilled professionals 

• Immigration and work permit facilitation services will be handled through the One Stop Services Center.

Categories Of  Foreigners Allowed To Apply

1) Wealthy Global Citizens 

 Qualifications & Criteria: 

• Individuals holding at least $1,000,000 USD in assets. 

• Personal annual income of minimum $80,000 USD in the last 2 years 

• An Investment of at least $500,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, Foreign direct investments, or Thai Property.

2) Wealthy Pensioners 

Qualifications & Criteria: 

• Retirees aged over 50 years old, who have an annual or stable income exceeding $80,000 USD. 

• Or in the event that the pensioner earns less than $80,000 USD per year but not less than $40,000 USD per year, the applicant must invest $250,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, foreign direct investments, or Thai Property.

3) Work From Thailand Professionals 

Qualifications & Criteria: 

Personal Income 

a minimum of $80,000 USD per year in the past 2 years 

Or if their personal income is less than $80,000 USD per year but not less than $40,000 USD per year in the last 2 years, the applicants must have a Master's degree or above or own intellectual property or receive Series A funding 

Current Employer

• Public Company on a stock market

• or a Private company in operation for at least 3 years with combined revenue of at least $150 million USD in the last 3 years 

Experience 

• At least 5 years of experience in the current field of employment during the last 10 years

4) Highly Skilled Professionals 

Qualifications & Criteria: 

Personal Income 

• a minimum of $80,000 USD per year in the past 2 years 

• Or if their personal income is less than $80,000 USD per year but not less than $40,000 USD per year in the last 2 years, the applicants must have a Master's degree or above in science and technology or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand - There are no minimum personal income requirements for professionals working for Thai Government agencies. 

Current Employer 

• Businesses in any targeted industries 

• or Higher education institutions, research institutions, specialized training institutions, or Thai Government agencies 

Experience 

• At least 5 years of experience in the targeted industries except for applicants with a PhD or above in the relevant fields of the targeted industries or for applicants working for Thai Government agencies

5) Dependants Of LTR Visa Holders 

• Dependants of the Long-Term Resident Visa holder, Spouse, and Children under 20 years of age (up to 4 dependants), will also be granted similar visas.

Health Insurance Required: 

• Health Insurance is required for all types above.

• At least $50,000 USD coverage 

• or Social Security benefits, insuring treatment in Thailand

• or at least $100,000 deposit

If you like to live long-term in Thailand, the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa may be for you. We can assist you every step of the way. You don't need to be present in Thailand to apply and be granted the LTR. 

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a flexible, long-term visa designed for remote workers and those participating in cultural or wellness activities. With 5 years of validity, 180-day stays per entry, and a one-time 180-day extension, it's a compelling option for long-term visitors—though you'll need sufficient proof of funds, and must comply with tax and immigration rules.

Validity                  5 years, multiple-entry visa

Stay per Entry     Up to 180 days per entry

Conditions: 

Work remotely for overseas employers. This includes:

• Freelance digital work

• Contract work for foreign entities

• Employment with an overseas company while residing in Thailand

Soft Power Activities in Thailand. This includes:

• Muay Thai training and combat sports

• Thai cooking classes and culinary tourism

• Cultural arts (traditional music, dance, handicrafts)

• Sports training and wellness retreats

• Educational programs (language, crafts, cultural studies)

• Festivals and events related to Thai culture and tourism

• Medical treatments or wellness therapy programs

This type of Visa is issued to a foreigner whose child (Non-Thai) is studying in Thailand. You need to obtain a visa from Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. 

You will require supporting documents from the school of your child to support the Non-Immigrant O visa application.

Guardian Visa under 1 child is good for only one of the parents. In order to have Guardian Visa for both parents, must have two children enrolled in School. 

When you are in Thailand with a Non-Immigrant O Visa, you can file an extension 45 days after entry into Thailand. 

**For this type of visa, We are recommended to open an account at a commercial bank in Thailand. After that, transfer money from your country into your account opened in Thailand in the amount of not less than 500,000 baht (The account must be in your name). This is to provide proof that you have suitable funds available to support your long-term stay in Thailand. Note: the funds are required to be in the account 30 days before application on the first year, subsequent years the funds need to be in the account for at least 3 months prior to application.