Who can apply for a work permit?

To apply for a work permit, you need either a nonimmigrant visa or a residence permit. Ideally, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa before entering Thailand. A residence permit is generally only granted after you have resided in Thailand for at least three years continuously on a nonimmigrant visa. Your employer or potential employer can apply for a work permit before your arrival in Thailand. However, the work permit itself will only be issued after you enter Thailand with a valid nonimmigrant visa.

If you will not be working in Bangkok, submit your application to the nearest provincial employment office (Changwat). All required documents will generally need to be translated into Thai and certified accordingly.

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a work permit. Please note that the Thai labor authorities may change the list of required documents if necessary:

  • Application form (Tor. Thor. 2) and 3 passport photos, front view and 5×6 cm in size (not older than 6 months).
  • A letter from the employer confirming the employment relationship and explaining the reasons for not employing a Thai national.
  • Copy of the company's sworn statement, certified by the commercial register office (not older than 6 months).
  • Copy of the shareholder list certified by the commercial register office (not older than 6 months).
  • Copy of the founding document.
  • Copy of the taxpayer card, the VAT certificate or Phor. Por. 01 and 09.
  • Copy of the current balance sheet with profit and loss statement, showing the total assets.
  • Copy of the corporate income tax return Phor. Ngor. Dor. 50 (corporate income tax return) including receipt.
  • List of all foreign employees in the company, including their position and work permit number(s).
  • Copies of educational certificates and letters of recommendation from previous employment.
  • Copies of all pages of the passport showing the valid non-immigrant visa (B or O).
  • Copies of all pages of the authorized managing director's work permit, including the expiry date (if the authorized managing director is a foreigner).
  • A medical certificate stating that the applicant is free from prohibited diseases (not older than 3 months).
  • Power of attorney with a 10-baht limit stamp.
  • Map of the company location.
  • Official form for notification of the commencement of works (Tor.Thor. 10).
  • Other relevant documents, if available.
  • Copy of the Phor. Por. 30 for the last 6 months including receipt (only for newly established companies)

    • All photocopies of documents must be certified as authentic copies by the authorized managing director(s) and stamped with the company seal. If the application is submitted by another person, a valid power of attorney in the prescribed form must be attached, along with a 10-baht fee.

    The job description in the application form must be completed in detail. It must specify the duties to be performed, their relationship to other employees, and the materials required. If a license under another law besides the Foreigners Employment Act is required for the position, a copy of this license must be attached (e.g., teaching license, medical license, press card, certificate of missionary status).

    If you are married to a Thai national, you must provide your marriage certificate, your spouse's ID card, your children's birth certificates, proof of residence, and copies of all pages of your passport. If you are applying for a position previously held by another foreign national, you will need a copy of your predecessor's work permit and their letter of resignation or confirmation of their planned departure date.

    How long are work permits issued for?

    Thai work permits are only valid as long as your visa allows you to stay in Thailand. Furthermore, a work permit is only valid for the specific job for which it was issued and within the geographical boundaries specified in the permit. Working in a location other than the approved area will result in the revocation of your permit. You can hold multiple positions with one or more employers, but you need a separate permit for each position and each employer. The permit for each position is typically documented in your original work permit.

    Exceptions to the Foreigners Employment Act allow foreigners to work without a work permit if the work is deemed necessary and urgent and can be completed within 15 days. However, the employment office must be informed before work begins.

    Exceptions to the work permit requirement

    The following groups of people are exempt from the work permit requirement:

  • Members of the diplomatic corps
  • Members of a consular mission
  • Representatives and officials of the United Nations and its specialized agencies
  • Personal staff from abroad employed by one of the above-mentioned companies
  • Persons performing duties or missions under an agreement between the Government of Thailand and another foreign government or international organization
  • Persons who perform duties or missions for the benefit of education, culture, art, sport or other activities authorized by royal decree.
  • Persons with a special permit from the Thai government to enter and perform duties or missions in the Kingdom

    • Penalties for violations of work permit regulations

    Working without a valid work permit is a criminal offense. The penalty can include imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of 2,000 to 100,000 baht, or both. If you agree to leave Thailand within the period set by the official, which may not exceed 30 days, the official may impose a fine and order your departure. Foreigners performing work reserved exclusively for Thai citizens are subject to a fine of up to 20,000 baht. Businesses or employers who hire foreigners without valid work permits must pay a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 baht for each foreign worker.

    Therefore, when traveling, you must always carry a copy of your relative's work permit and be able to present it upon entry into Thailand.

    One-stop service center

    The One-Stop Service Center was established to simplify the processing of visas and work permits for qualified foreign investors, experts, and correspondents. Visas and work permits are issued here within three hours. Visa processing is generally handled by the Immigration Office, while work permit processing is handled by the Employment Office. The processing time is typically 10 to 14 business days. The following investors, executives, and experts, as well as their family members, are eligible to submit applications here:

  • An executive or expert who has been granted privileges under the Investment Promotion Act, the Petroleum Act, or the Industrial Zone Authority of Thailand.
  • A single investor who contributes at least 2 million baht from abroad to purchase shares in a private company.
  • An executive or expert who works with a company whose fully paid-up share capital or working capital is at least 30 million baht.
  • Foreigners who work for the foreign press.
  • Extraterrestrial researchers and developers in science and technology.
  • Foreign employees of branches of foreign banks, foreign bank offices of foreign banks in Bangkok, provincial foreign bank offices of foreign banks and representative offices of foreign banks.
  • Foreigners working in branches, representative offices or regional offices of foreign companies.