This is an ultimate guide on obtaining a work permit in Thailand.

A work permit is a document needed for foreigners who intend to work in Thailand legally. Securing a work permit is necessary as foreigners could face several punishments without a valid work permit.

Continue reading to find out more about work permits.

Who can sponsor a work permit for foreign employees?

Companies must meet certain conditions before hiring foreign employees.

These conditions include:

• Officially registered in Thailand
• Have applied for a tax ID and VAT registration
• In the case of a Thai limited company with Thai majority ownership, must have a minimum paid-up capital of THB 2 million per foreign employee
• For foreign majority ownership, must have a minimum paid-up capital of THB 3 million per foreign employee

How to apply for a work permit in Thailand?

Step 1: Securing a non-immigrant B visa

Before applying for a work permit, the foreigner must obtain a non-immigrant B visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. However, it is important to check with the embassy or consulate whether a WP.3 letter is also required or not.

WP.3 is a pre-approval system that needs to be completed by the employer in Thailand while the employee is out of the country. In some case, the applicant can only apply at an embassy or consulate within the country of their passport. You can read more about the WP.3 letter giving pre-approval of a work permit in our guide here.

The documents needed to obtain a non-immigrant B visa include:

• An invitation letter from the employing company in Thailand signed by the company directors
• A request from the company that the applicant shall be given a non-immigrant B visa so that the company can apply for a work permit for the applicant
• Company attestation stating that the applicant is upstanding, law-abiding and guarantees that the employee will respect Thai culture and laws
• You should apply for the non-immigrant B visa at least 30 days before travelling to Thailand. The consular officer may ask for copies of the company’s registration certificate and financial statements, which the company must issue.

Once the non-immigrant visa is secured, a temporary stay in Thailand for 90 days is allowed.

Step 2: Obtaining the work permit

The applicant must provide the following documents to apply for a work permit:

• Work permit application form
• Six photographs
• Valid passport, copies of every page which each copy is signed by the applicant and:
  • For non-permanent residents – a non-immigrant visa
  • For permanent residents – a certificate of permanent residence and certificate of alien
• Copy of education certificates and CV to prove the applicant’s educational qualifications
• Recently issued medical certificate from a recognised hospital in Thailand showing that the applicant does not suffer from prohibited diseases:
  • Mental illnesses
  • Leprosy
  • Tuberculosis
  • Drug addiction
  • Alcoholism
  • Elephantiasis
  • Syphilis