Country：泰国 · Employment & Visas
Thailand · Employment & Visas
Foreign employees in Thailand must hold a Non-B visa and a Work Permit, administered by the Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Labor. Ordinary companies must have registered capital of no less than THB 2 million per foreign employee. BOI companies enjoy work permit facilitation; innovation and investment personnel can apply for the SMART Visa. Social security and workmen's compensation fund participation are mandatory. Dismissals must comply with rules and pay compensation.
Key points
- Foreign employees must hold a Non-B visa and Work Permit.
- No less than THB 2 million registered capital per foreign employee (ordinary company).
- BOI companies enjoy work permit facilitation; SMART Visa targets innovation and investment personnel.
- Mandatory social security and workmen's compensation fund (shared employer/employee).
- Dismissals require statutory compensation with strict procedures.
Procedure
- Confirm registered capital and foreign position count.
- Apply for the Non-B visa.
- Apply for the Work Permit with the Ministry of Labor (capital must match).
- Employees enter and complete formalities.
- Complete social security registration.
Hard requirements
- Non-B visa; Work Permit; matching registered capital; social security registration.
Costs
Visa and work permit fees; social security; registered capital occupation.⏱ ⏱ Timeline：Work permit processing about 1–2 weeks (capital must be in place).⚠ Common risks
- Insufficient registered capital rejects the work permit.
- Working without a work permit is illegal.
- Dismissal compensation disputes.
Handbook
📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)
Applies to：Foreign employee employment in Thailand: Non-B visa and Work Permit required, with BOI or SMART Visa facilitation routes available.
Prerequisites
- Company registered capital and foreign position count must match (ordinary company no less than THB 2 million/person; foreign-majority no less than THB 3 million/branch).
- Thai-to-foreign employee ratio of 4:1 must be met (BOI companies exempt).
- DBD registration certificate obtained.
| Step | Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | Official form / system | Notes & penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm registered capital and foreign position count (THB 2 million/person, 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio). Ordinary Thai-majority companies need no less than THB 2 million registered capital per foreign employee and no fewer than 4 Thai employees; foreign-majority companies or branches no less than THB 3 million; reduced to THB 1 million for spouses of Thai nationals. | HR / legal | Before hiring | Capital occupation | Capital and position planning | Penalty：Insufficient capital rejects the work permit application |
| 2 | Apply for the Non-B visa (Thai embassy). The employer issues an invitation letter; the employee applies for the Non-B visa at a Thai embassy abroad; some cases require WP.3 pre-approval. | Employee / employer | 5–10 working days | Visa fees | Non-B visa application and employer invitation letter | Penalty：Working in Thailand without a visa is illegal |
| 3 | Apply for the Work Permit with the Ministry of Labor (capital must match). Apply for the Work Permit with the Labor Department (DOE) holding the Non-B visa; the permit is bound to the employer, position, and location and must match the license. | Labor Department (DOE) / employer | About 7 working days (BOI companies under 6 hours) | Work permit fees per Labor Department published rates | Work permit application Tor.Thor.2, medical certificate, education notarization | Penalty：Working without a permit: fines THB 5,000–50,000 and deportation; employer fined THB 10,000–100,000/person |
| 4 | Employee entry and 90-day reporting. Work-permit holders must report their address to the Immigration Bureau every 90 days (online, by mail, or in person). | Employee / Immigration Bureau | Every 90 days | Free (late penalties) | 90-day address report | Penalty：Missing reports fined THB 2,000 each |
| 5 | Social security registration (mandatory social security and workmen's compensation fund). Register Thai and foreign employees for social security and the workmen's compensation fund and pay on time. | Employer | From employment | Shared employer and employee | Social security registration | Penalty：Non-participation is penalized |
| 6 | Work Permit/visa renewal and change management. Work permits generally align with the 1-year visa; changes of employer, position, or location require amendment or re-issuance within 15 days; BOI companies enjoy facilitation, and the SMART Visa can waive the work permit and 4:1 rule. | Employer / Labor Department | Before expiry; changes within 15 days | Renewal/amendment fees | — | Penalty：Late renewals or unreported changes are penalized |
✅ Self-check list
⚠ Common pitfalls
Insufficient registered capital rejecting the work permit影响：Cannot legally hire foreign employees规避：Paid-in capital in place and matching position count
Working without a work permit is illegal影响：Fines THB 5,000–50,000 and deportation; employer fined THB 10,000–100,000/person规避：Obtain the permit before working; visa and permit both complete
Work permit and visa bound; changes require re-issuance影响：Unreported changes are illegal规避：Amend employer, position, or location changes within 15 days
4:1 ratio unmet影响：WP.3 or work permit applications rejected规避：Hire enough Thai employees before foreign hiring
90-day reporting missed (THB 2,000/time)影响：Fines and visa impact规避：Set automatic reminders
Dismissal compensation disputes影响：Labor arbitration and compensation规避：Compensate per law and retain process records
📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations
- Annual work permit and visa renewals
- 90-day reporting
- Social security contributions
- Work permit change declarations (15 days)
- Work permit cancellation after resignation or termination
🔗 Official portals
📎 Source：Thailand Ministry of Labor; Immigration Bureau; Non-B visa and Work Permit; BOI/SMART Visa
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