Documents, Translation & Legalization

A work permit is the authorization issued by the registrar under the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers' Employment B.E. 2560 (2017), allowing a foreigner to work in the specific position, for the specific employer, and at the specific workplace stated on it. Every foreign national working in Thailand needs one unless a statutory exemption applies, such as accredited diplomatic missions. Tourist-visa holders may not work, whether paid or unpaid.

Typically: company affidavit and shareholder list issued within 3–6 months, VAT registration certificate (Phor Phor 20), the latest audited financial statements, recent VAT (PP.30) and withholding tax (PND.1) returns, social-security registration with the Thai employee list, the employment contract, plus a map and photographs of the workplace.

In principle yes, but officials will assess whether the business genuinely operates using other evidence: proof of capital payment, the office lease, photographs of the signboard and premises, social-security registration of Thai staff, and a business plan. New companies are commonly asked for extra documents and take longer to review.

It generally must be translated as required and authenticated through the chain used by the issuing country — for example certified by the competent authority and then legalized by the Royal Thai Embassy, or translated in Thailand and certified by the Department of Consular Affairs. Note that Thailand's Apostille system takes effect on 28 February 2027.

In some cases yes, using experience letters from previous employers stating position, duration and duties, together with skills certificates or professional licences. This is at the registrar's discretion and usually attracts requests for further supporting documents.

One issued by a medical facility in Thailand confirming the applicant is free of the diseases prohibited by law, and issued within the validity period set by the receiving office — commonly within one month of filing.

Generally a recent full-face photograph taken within six months, without a hat or dark glasses, in the size specified by the office. Some offices also ask for a photograph of the applicant at the workplace with the company signboard visible, so check local requirements before shooting.

Documents not prepared in Thai or English must be accompanied by an accurate translation certified as the agency requires. In practice degrees, marriage certificates and experience letters are the documents most often asked for in translation.

File a police report and apply to the registrar for a replacement within the prescribed period, attaching the report and photographs. A replacement fee applies under the ministerial regulation.

We assess the employer's eligibility, assemble corporate and personal document sets, translate and legalize degrees or experience letters, coordinate filing at the local employment office, and set up a compliance calendar for renewals, 90-day reports and TM.30. Fees depend on the case type and document volume — please ask our team by phone, LINE or email. Every approval is at the officer's discretion and we do not guarantee outcomes.

OSOS puts BOI, Immigration and Department of Employment officers under one roof, so position approval, visa and work permit issuance can complete in a single working day once documents are in order and the position is approved in e-Expert. The bottleneck is usually not the service centre but the e-Expert position approval, which requires degrees and experience letters matching the job title. Have those legalised and translated before you file.

If the document was issued in a Hague Convention country, obtain an Apostille from the competent authority there. If not, legalise it at the issuing country's foreign ministry and then at the Royal Thai Embassy. Then translate into Thai and have the translation certified by the Legalization Division of the Department of Consular Affairs. The name in the translation must match your passport letter for letter.

Beyond the company and qualification set: a letter from the school, a teaching licence or a Teachers' Council waiver, and in many cases a police clearance certificate from the home country. Degrees and transcripts must be Apostilled or embassy-legalised, then translated into Thai with Department of Consular Affairs certification. Allow several weeks before term starts.

Degrees, employment references, professional licences and marriage certificates issued abroad must be translated into Thai or English as the office requires, and in many cases legalised by the issuing country's embassy in Thailand or by a Thai consulate abroad. Many countries can now use an Apostille instead of two-step legalisation. We handle certified translation and legalisation end to end so this step does not push back the start date.