Representative Offices and Regional Offices
Managers or staff of a foreign company's representative office in Thailand carrying out non-revenue activities.
Filing order at a glance
Register the representative office with DBD → Non-B visa → work permit → TM.7 extension.
Conditions you must meet
- Activities limited to the permitted scope — sourcing, quality control, information reporting — with no income earned in Thailand.
- Minimum funds must be remitted into Thailand under the Foreign Business Act rules.
- Thai-staff and capital tests follow the Department of Employment guidance applicable to representative offices.
Documents to prepare
- DBD registration certificate for the representative office.
- Evidence of remitted funds meeting the threshold.
- Employment contract and the applicant's qualification documents.
Process
- Register the office and remit the required funds.
- Apply for the Non-B visa, then the work permit.
- Renew annually with evidence of remittance and financial statements.
Common pitfalls
- Carrying out commercial activity or invoicing through the representative office, beyond the permitted scope.
- Failing to remit the required funds within the statutory schedule.
Deciding authority
Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, and the Department of Employment.
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
Work Permit with an Ordinary Thai Company (Non-B)BOI Work Permits and the One Stop Service CentreWork Permits for Foreign Teachers and LecturersSMART 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