Business Visa and Work Permit Service in Thailand

What is the business visa and work permit?

The Thai business visa (Non-Immigrant B) and work permit are the pair of approvals you need if you want to legally work or run a business in Thailand. The visa lets you stay in Thailand for work or business, and the work permit is the separate document that authorises you to actually perform your job here. Without a Non-B and work permit, you are not a legal worker, even if you are on another long-stay visa. With them, you can sign contracts, receive Thai salary, pay tax correctly, and renew your stay year after year.

This is also the strongest long-term visa path in Thailand. Non-B plus work permit is the classic route to Thai permanent residency and, later, Thai citizenship. Your Thai company can lease or, in some cases, own land and property for business, hire staff, and issue proper salary and tax records in your name. Everything about your life in Thailand – bank loans, credit cards, school admissions, long-term leases – becomes easier when you are here as a legal worker or business owner instead of a “permanent tourist.”

General requirements

Requirements vary by embassy and job type, but in simple terms you need:

• A real job offer or business activity that fits Thai rules.
• A Thai company (your employer or your own) that:
  • Has at least the required paid-up capital (commonly 2 million THB per foreign employee).
  • Employs at least 4 Thai staff per foreign work permit, with all 4 registered in the Thai social security system. They can be full-time or part-time, but they must be real employees with proper contributions.
• A Non-Immigrant B visa issued by a Thai embassy/consulate, usually giving 90 days on first entry.
• A work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour after you arrive.
• Passport valid at least 6–12 months.
• Completed visa application form and recent photos.
• Evidence of personal funds (often 20,000 THB per person / 40,000 THB per family for initial entry).
• Company documents: registration papers, shareholder list, VAT/tax ID, financial statements, social security records for the Thai staff, and your employment contract and role description.
• For some roles: degree certificates, professional licences, or CV showing relevant experience.

Thai Kru’s job is to turn this into a clear checklist that fits your exact situation and make sure the company side, Thai staff, and your personal documents all line up.

For people who want to start a business in Thailand

If you want to run your own Thai company and work in it, the process has three big pieces: company formation, business visa, and work permit.

1. Company formation
   We help you choose the right structure (standard Thai limited company, possible BOI-promoted company, or Treaty of Amity options for US citizens). We handle name reservation, objectives, share structure, director appointments, registered office and registration at the Department of Business Development. We also:
   • Help you secure a reliable Thai business partner/shareholder so your structure is legal and practical.
   • Help you find at least 4 Thai staff for each foreigner, and register them properly in social security so you meet the 4-Thai-per-foreigner rule from day one.
2. Business visa (Non-B)
   Once the company and staff base are ready, we prepare the invitation package: company registration, shareholder list, tax ID, proof of capital, social security registrations for your Thai employees, and a letter confirming your position as director/manager. You take this package to a Thai embassy (or we guide you through e-Visa) and obtain your first 90-day Non-B visa.
3. Work permit and one-year extension
   After you enter on the Non-B, we prepare the work permit application: job description, education documents, company staffing details (including the 4 Thai staff and social security proof), and all forms. When your work permit is issued, we apply for a one-year extension of stay based on employment or company director status. At that point you are fully legal to live and work in your own Thai business.

We can also coordinate accounting, payroll and social security submissions so your company stays compliant and your records are strong.

For people who want a job in Thailand

If you already have a job offer, our service focuses on aligning you and your employer so both immigration and labour see a clean, compliant picture.

1. Employer review
   We audit your employer’s company: capital, Thai/foreign shareholding, number of Thai staff, existing foreign workers, tax filings and licences. If they do not yet have 4 Thai employees per foreigner on social security, we show them exactly how to hire and register those staff. We can also help them recruit the needed Thai staff quickly if they do not know where to start.
2. Pre-approval and Non-B visa
   We work with your employer to prepare the corporate package and, where required, pre-approval from the labour office or BOI. You then apply for your Non-B visa with your contract, employer documents and personal forms. Because the company structure and Thai staff requirements are already correct, your 90-day Non-B visa should be straightforward.
3. Work permit and yearly extension
   When you arrive in Thailand, we prepare your work permit application and attend the Ministry of Labour with you. After issuance, we extend your stay for one year based on employment. Each year we work with your employer to renew your work permit, your Non-B extension and your 90-day reports.

Why it is the best visa

The business/work route is the only practical path for most foreigners to:

• Apply for Thai permanent residency after holding a Non-Immigrant visa with work permit and one-year extensions for several consecutive years with strong income and tax payments.
• Use those permanent-residency years later to apply for Thai citizenship, if you want to fully integrate here.
• Build a Thai credit profile: banks and finance companies prefer clients with stable salary, work permit and tax history.
• Operate a Thai company allowed to hire staff, sign contracts and hold assets for business. In Thai-majority structures and some promoted schemes, the company can legally hold land and buildings for its operations.
• Show a clean, long-term record of legal work, social security and tax contributions – the “gold standard” in the eyes of Thai authorities.

If your long-term goal is to live, work, invest and possibly settle in Thailand, the Non-B + work permit route is the backbone of that plan.

Our process and timeline

1. Assessment (Week 0)

You tell us whether you are starting a business or joining an existing employer. We review your nationality, qualifications, role, salary level, and long-term goals (PR, citizenship, asset ownership, family visas).

2. Company and employer setup (Weeks 1–4)

• If you are starting a company:
  • We register the business with the right capital and structure.
  • We help you secure a trusted Thai business partner where needed.
  • We actively help you recruit and register at least 4 Thai staff per foreign work permit, and put them on social security so that the company meets the legal ratio.
• If you are being hired:
  • We bring your employer into the process, explain the 4-Thai-per-foreigner rule, and help them hire or regularize Thai staff if their current numbers are short.
  • We coordinate with their accountant and HR so the company documents match what immigration and labour expect.

3. Non-B visa application (Weeks 3–6)

We prepare your personal file and the full corporate invitation pack, including proof of capital and Thai staff social security. You apply for the Non-B at the chosen Thai embassy or through e-Visa. If the consulate asks questions, we provide the answers and extra documents.

4. Arrival, work permit and extension (Weeks 6–10)

After you arrive:

• We file the work permit application and attend the labour office with you.
• Once issued, we submit the one-year extension of stay based on employment or company director status.
• We set up your 90-day reporting schedule and check that your tax and social security registrations are active.

5. Ongoing maintenance (Year 1 and beyond)

We remind you and your employer about:

• Work permit and visa renewals
• 90-day reports
• Changes of address or job title
• Company compliance (capital, Thai staff numbers, tax filings)

You get a long-term partner in Thailand whose only job is to keep your work and business status clean.

FAQ

1. Why do I need 4 Thai employees?

Thailand uses the “4 Thais per foreign worker” rule to protect local jobs. For each foreign work permit, your company must employ at least 4 Thai staff and pay their social security. They can be full-time or part-time, but they must be genuine employees with proper contributions. We help you meet this requirement.

2. Can my 4 Thai staff be family or friends?

Yes, as long as they are legally hired, registered on payroll and social security, and actually doing some work. Immigration and labour are looking for real employment, not fake names.

3. I do not know any Thais to hire. Can you help?

Yes. As part of this service we can help you find the 4 Thai staff you need, either basic admin roles or more skilled positions, and help your company register them correctly.

4. Do I need a Thai partner to start a company?

In many cases you will need a Thai majority shareholder for a standard limited company, unless you qualify under special schemes (BOI, Treaty of Amity, etc.). We can introduce you to reliable Thai business partners and structure the shareholding legally while protecting your control as much as possible.

5. How long does it take to go from zero to legal work?

For a straightforward case, expect roughly 6–10 weeks from our first conversation to having a Non-B visa, work permit and one-year extension. Complex industries or BOI setups can take longer.

6. Can I switch from another visa to a business visa inside Thailand?

Often yes, but it depends on your current visa, timing and company readiness. We examine your passport, company structure and staff numbers and then tell you if an in-country conversion is realistic or if you should exit and re-enter.

7. Can my spouse and children stay with me?

Yes. They can usually stay in Thailand on Non-Immigrant O dependent visas linked to your work status. We prepare their applications so your family’s permission to stay follows yours.

8. Does a business visa always lead to permanent residency?

No visa “automatically” leads to PR, but a Non-B with stable income, tax payments and work permit is the strongest base. With several years of continuous extensions and good financial records, you can usually apply when the PR quota opens.

9. Can my company own land?

A Thai-majority company can own land for genuine business use. Foreign-majority companies can sometimes hold or control land under special investment schemes. We work with lawyers and accountants to structure this correctly for your goals.

10. What happens if I lose my job?

If your employment ends, your work permit must be cancelled and your permission to stay is usually shortened. If you want to remain in Thailand, we must quickly move you to a new employer, your own company, or another appropriate visa. Contact us immediately if your job situation changes.

11. Can I be paid overseas and skip the work permit?

If you are physically in Thailand and performing work, Thai authorities still consider that “working in Thailand.” Being paid overseas does not protect you. Without a work permit you are at risk; with our service you can make your work legal.

With Thai Kru, you are not left guessing how to meet Thai staff rules, capital rules and visa rules at the same time. You get a company that actually qualifies, four Thai employees on social security, a proper Non-B visa and work permit, and a long-term path that can grow into permanent residence and, if you want, Thai citizenship.