Application Process / ขั้นตอนการดำเนินการ

Introduction of Procedures, Fees, Documents :

All Non-Thai nationals wishing to work in Thailand must obtain a Work Permit before beginning to work. The actual issuance of the work permit will only take place once the foreigner is in Thailand. Entering Thailand must, however, occur in accordance with the immigration regulations.

Therefore, the the work permit application process consists of two distinct steps:

1. Obtaining a Visa

Before the foreigner seeking employment in Thailand is actually entering Thailand, he/she needs to obtain a lawful immigration title. Non-Thai nationals who seek a prolonged stay in Thailand and enter Thailand for working within the Kingdom need to obtain a Non-Immigrant type B Business Visa. Such a visa needs to be applied for at a Royal Thai Consulate or Embassy. The employer needs to invite the future employee and sent him formal invitation documents. Non-Immigrant type B Business Visa entitle holders for a period of stay of up to 90 days, but can be extended once in Thailand. For details on how to obtain a Non-Immigrant type B Business Visa, please refer to our immigration section.

2. Obtaining a Work Permit

Once the Non-Thai national is legally in Thailand, the actual application for the Work Permit can be filed with the Ministry of Labor. The filing of the application can be done either by the employee or by the employer on behalf of the employee. Collecting the actual Work Permit, needs to be done in person by the employee.

Please note, that the application must be directed to the office of the Labor Department in the province in which the company’s head office is located. Given that the basic principles are met, the following documents need to submitted:

@  Employee provided Documents

      - Signed passport copy

      - Personal details page

      - Entry stamp and departure card

      - Non-Immigrant type B Business Visa (for non-permanent residents only)

      - Residency permit and alien book (for permanent residents only)

      - Three passport sized (3×4 cm) photos of the applicant, business attire, not older than six months

      -  Signed curriculum vitae

      -  Curriculum vitae showing former employers, positions, lenght and place of employment

      -  Recommendation letters of previous employers

      -  Educational certificate and transcripts

      -  Other certificates and licenses, if needed (e.g. press card, doctor’s license, teacher’s license etc.)

      -  Medical certificate from a Thai hospital stating blood type and certifying overall good mental and physical          health conditions

        Note: if the applicant is married to a Thai national, a copy of the marriage certificate, the spouse’s identity                   card and household registration is required

@  Employer provided documents

     - Commercial registration certificate

     - Company registration as juristic person

     - Company objectives

     - Registered capital

     - Name of the company’s directors

     -  Shareholder list (Bor Or Jor 5)

     -  VAT certificate (Phor Phor 20)

     -  Work Permit application

     - Completed application form

     - Job description, indicating that skills are required that Thai nationals are unlikely to posses

     -  Office map

     -  Explanation why the company wants to hire a Non-Thai national

     -  Factory license, if applicable

     - For renewals: withholding tax (Phor Ngor Dor 1)

All employer provided documents must have the company seal on them and one of the directors needs to sign all copies. All officially issued documents must not be older than three months. Normal work permits have a validity of up to one year. Executive positions and skilled experts might be granted work permits with validities of up to two years. Please note that usually Non-Immigrant type B Business Visa are valid only for 90 days, so holders need to apply for an extension once the work permit has been issued.