Business in Thailand

A work permit allows a non-Thai citizen to work and operate a business in Thailand as a skilled professional or even as an employer. The work permit is required in order to be able to work legally in the Kingdom of Thailand. Working without a Thai work permit might cause severe consequences. A foreigner, who is arrested for working without work permit, will be punished with a fine or imprisonment.

In general, the success of a work permit application depends on the hiring company's registered capitalization.

• Thai Business Entities who want to apply their foreign employee for work permits must have at least two million baht fully paid-up registered capitalization. However, where the foreign employee has a Thai spouse, the registered capitalization may only be one million baht.
• Foreign Business Entities who had operated their business in Thailand can apply their employees for work permit.

Before you can apply or be issued with a work permit you must have a non-immigrant visa first. This is required to apply for a Thai work permit in the Kingdom. Ideally, it should be acquired prior to your arrival in Thailand. We can assist you in obtaining it in your home country or in country close to Thailand. In addition, we can help you convert a tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa without leaving Thailand.

Qualifications of an Application

• Having residence in the Kingdom or having permission to stay in the Kingdom temporarily under Immigration law (only NON-IMMIGRANT VISA is acceptable).
• Having the knowledge and/or skills to perform the work as stated in the application for a work permit.
• Not being insane or mentally sick, suffering from Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Elephantitus and Tertiary Syphilis.
• Never having been imprisoned for violation of the Immigration Law or the Working of Alien Act at least one year prior to the date of application.

The Main Documents Required

• Completed Form WP.1 with 3 (3 x 4 cm.) photos (taken within 6 months, not allow computer/Polaroid printing)
• FORM OF THE EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATION duly filled out.
• Passport and one copy of all pages or Certificate of Permanent Residence and Certificate of Alien with a copy.
• Copy of the applicant’s education certificate or the determination form duly filled out.
• A copy of occupation or profession license, in case which is prescribed by the related law.
• Medical certificate showing that the applicant does not suffer from prohibited diseases, as item 3 of the above qualifications.
• A Power of Attorney made by applicant with 10 Baht duty stamp affixed and a copy of grantee’s I.D. card.
• A Power of Attorney made by the employer with 10 Baht duty stamp affixed and copies of employer’s and grantee’s I.D. card.

Supported Documents as category of employer

1. Company
   • A copy of Thai Company Registration and a copy of recent shareholders’ list. (Updated within 6 months). Or foreign juristic person needs to submit a copy of the Business Operation of foreigners and documents about money import.
   • A copy of VAT Registration; Form Phor Por 01 identifying type of business and Form Phor Por 09 (if add/change).
   • In case of foreign employer, a copy of employer’s work permit is needed. If the employer is not working in Thailand nor has no work permit, Power of Attorney certified by Notary Public and Thai Embassy is needed.
   • Company engaging any business which a license from the relevant Authority is needed, for example: Factory License, Restaurant License, Hotel License, Tourism License, Hospital License, Chemical Import License, etc.
   • A copy of Social Security Payment (1 month), Balance Sheet (last year) and VAT payment Phor Por 30 (1-3 months)
2. Private school / Private University
   • A copy of letter of teacher or instructor assignment and employment contract / Private University has to show the certificate letter from the organization of Ministry of Education.
   • A copy of the license of the school establishment / a copy of the license of the university establishment and a copy of the documents show the name of employer has the right for signing on the behalf of the university.
3. Government organization / Teacher of government school A certificate letter from the government organization/ Ministry of Education and school, which shows applicants’ name, position and work period.
4. Association/ organization/ foundation License of association/ organization/ foundation establishment (plus the list of managing director)
5. Film making
   • A letter from Ministry of Tourism and Sport show the list of applicants’ name, position and passport number and coordinator license.
   • A copy of Company Registration and a copy of recent shareholders’ list (updated within six months).

Remark: All the Forms have to be filled in Thai Language. Any documents in foreign language must be translated into Thai and certified by an academic Thai native speaker.

Every page of the documents belonging to the company need to be certified by the authorized person or the appointee with company seal. Every page of the documents belonging to the applicant need to be certified by the applicant himself