TH · Work Permit

Thailand
Work Permit

The Thailand Work Permit allows foreign professionals to work legally in Thailand. A Non-Immigrant B Visa and a local employer are required.

Pathfinder

EmployerIn Thailand

Thai:Foreign Employment Ratio4:1

Non-B VisaRequired

Validity1 Year

Last updated: 10/2026

Overview

Anyone working in Thailand needs a work permit

The Work Permit is required for all foreign employees working in Thailand. A residence visa such as the Retirement Visa, the Privilege Card or the DTV does not replace it.

A Non-Immigrant B Visa and a Thai employer are required. The 4:1 ratio applies in standard cases, though exceptions may apply. We prepare the documents for the Non-B and the work permit with you and accompany the application together with our partner offices in Thailand; the embassy and the Department of Employment decide.

What the work permit lets you do

Legal work in Thailand

Renewable annually

Family reunion possible

BOI companies: simplified process

Process

Apply for Non-B Visa

Application for Non-Immigrant B Visa at the Thai embassy.

Entry to Thailand

Entry with the Non-B Visa.

Work Permit Application

Submission to Department of Employment with all documents.

Approval

Issuance of Work Permit.

The authority sets the timeline; we tell you the current state in the call.

Clients abroad, living in Thailand?

If you have no clients in Thailand, you often need not a Thai company but a company where the business runs, for example in Hong Kong or Singapore. What then counts is where the work is actually done and where decisions are made; a company run from Thailand can earn Thai-source profits.

Guide: company in Hong Kong Guide: company in Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 4:1 ratio?

For standard company-sponsored work permits, authorities commonly expect around 4 Thai employees and about THB 2 million registered capital per foreign work permit. Exceptions and alternative criteria can apply, especially for BOI-promoted businesses and certain special visa categories.

Can I work as a freelancer?

Not with a regular work permit, because it requires an employer in Thailand. If you work remotely with an employment contract or clients abroad, you can look at the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Thai embassies list it as a workcation visa for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers. It does not include permission to work for clients in Thailand.

Do I need a work permit if my company is in Hong Kong or Singapore?

It depends on what you do in Thailand. Anyone who works in Thailand for Thai clients or runs a business in Thailand needs a work permit; for remote work with clients abroad, Thai embassies list the DTV as a workcation visa. For tax, what counts is where the work is actually done and where decisions are made: a company run from a desk in Thailand can earn Thai-source profits. How to keep residence and company apart, we settle in the first call.

What taxes will I pay in Thailand?

It depends on how long you spend in Thailand each year. Anyone in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year is tax resident there and pays income tax on Thai-source income and on foreign income to the extent it is brought into Thailand (Revenue Department). The rate is progressive at 0–35%. Since 2024: foreign income remitted to Thailand is taxable regardless of the year in which it is remitted.

Can my family come along?

Yes, your spouse and children can obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa (Type O) based on your work permit. Children can be enrolled in international schools.

Can I get a Thai Work Permit through my own company?

Yes, but the company must be a genuine, compliant operating business and must meet the relevant requirements. In standard cases, authorities commonly look at registered capital, Thai employee ratio and the actual role of the foreign applicant. BOI-promoted businesses may follow different rules.

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Requirements

Non-Immigrant B Visa

Thai employer

4:1 employee ratio

THB 2M capital/WP

Routes to work authorisation in Thailand

The most common options for foreign professionals compared

Criterion	Non-B + Work Permit	BOI Work Permit	Smart Visa
Target Audience	Employees, Entrepreneurs	BOI-promoted companies	Tech Experts, Investors
Validity	1 Year (renewable)	1-2 Years (renewable)	Up to 4 Years
Employer Required	Yes	Yes	No (partially)
Family Reunion	Yes	Yes	Yes
Thai Employee Ratio	4:1	Exempt	Exempt

Target Audience

Non-B + Work PermitEmployees, Entrepreneurs

BOI Work PermitBOI-promoted companies

Smart VisaTech Experts, Investors

Validity

Non-B + Work Permit1 Year (renewable)

BOI Work Permit1-2 Years (renewable)

Smart VisaUp to 4 Years

Employer Required

Non-B + Work PermitYes

BOI Work PermitYes

Smart VisaNo (partially)

Family Reunion

Non-B + Work PermitYes

BOI Work PermitYes

Smart VisaYes

Thai Employee Ratio

Non-B + Work Permit4:1

BOI Work PermitExempt

Smart VisaExempt

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is deliberately not in this table: Thai embassies list it as a workcation visa for remote work, digital nomads and freelancers. It does not include a work permit for working in Thailand.

Guide values for standard cases; we check the requirements for your case before every application. Subject to change.

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