Work Permit with an Ordinary Thai Company (Non-B)
Foreign employees of a Thai-registered company or partnership that is not BOI-promoted.
Filing order at a glance
Non-B visa (or a change of visa category inside Thailand if eligible) → work permit application at the Department of Employment → one-year extension of stay on form TM.7.
Conditions you must meet
- Paid-up registered capital of generally THB 2 million per foreign employee (THB 3 million for a foreign juristic person holding a foreign business licence).
- Thai-staff ratio of generally 4 Thai employees per foreign employee, all genuinely registered with social security.
- The job title must not fall on the list of occupations closed to foreigners under Ministry of Labour notifications.
- The employer must have a real place of business and file annual financial statements and tax returns.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with the Non-B visa page and arrival record (TM.6 / entry stamp).
- Medical certificate on the form accepted by the Department of Employment, plus photographs in the required size.
- Degree certificate and employment reference letters, translated and legalized as required.
- Employer file: company affidavit, shareholder list, latest financial statements, VAT registration/returns and the social-security insured-persons list.
Process
- Check employer eligibility (capital, Thai-staff ratio, job title) before issuing the invitation letter.
- Obtain a Non-B visa at a Thai embassy/consulate, or apply to change visa category inside Thailand.
- File the work-permit application at the provincial employment office or through the Department of Employment e-Workpermit system.
- Collect the work permit, then file TM.7 for a one-year extension and obtain a re-entry permit before travelling.
- Keep ongoing duties: 90-day reporting, TM.30 address notification and personal income tax filing.
Common pitfalls
- Changing employer without filing a new application — the permit is tied to the named employer and workplace.
- Working outside the stated job scope, or starting work before the permit is issued.
- Letting permission to stay expire while the work permit is still pending.
Deciding authority
Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour (work permit) and the Immigration Bureau (stay).
Talk to our team
Ask about scope, documents and timelines by phone, LINE or email. We cannot guarantee an authority's decision, but we review your file before submission to reduce the risk of rejection.
Contact our teamOfficial sources
Information as of August 2026. Confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before acting.
Other routes
BOI Work Permits and the One Stop Service CentreWork Permits for Foreign Teachers and LecturersRepresentative Offices and Regional OfficesSMART Visa and LTR — Routes Replacing the Standard Work PermitOccupations Prohibited or Conditionally Open to ForeignersRenewals, Changing Employer and Notifying ChangesForeign Documents, Translation and Legalization for Work Permits
More: Work Permit FAQ · All Thai visa types