BOI Promoted Company Setup in Thailand — Secure & Great for Long-Term Investors
A BOI promotion certificate grants full foreign ownership, up to 8 years of corporate income tax exemption, import duty relief, and up to 20 Work Permits — all in a single government-backed structure. UnionSPACE delivers end-to-end support from eligibility assessment to BOI certificate, including business plan preparation and interview accompaniment. All-inclusive: THB 320,000.
What Is a BOI Promoted Company in Thailand?
A government-backed investment vehicle that combines 100% foreign ownership with the most extensive tax and operational incentives available under Thai law
The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) is a government agency that promotes investment in priority sectors — technology, advanced manufacturing, R&D, digital economy, and infrastructure. Companies that receive a BOI promotion certificate are granted statutory incentives that override the Foreign Business Act, most importantly the right to be 100% foreign-owned without a Foreign Business License.
The BOI structure is designed for serious, long-term investors in eligible sectors who are prepared to commit the required investment levels. For those who qualify, it delivers unmatched commercial and fiscal advantages unavailable through any other structure.
Is BOI right for you? Minimum investment: THB 1,000,000 (excluding land and working capital), long-term commitment required, and your activity must fall within the BOI's eligible list. UnionSPACE provides a complimentary eligibility assessment — speak to us before committing to any structure.
Tax Incentives Available to BOI Promoted Companies
Thailand's BOI offers three tiers of corporate income tax exemption, calibrated to the strategic value of the promoted activity
Knowledge-Based & Advanced Technology
R&D, design, innovation, infrastructure development, and activities employing advanced technology — Thailand's highest-priority investment categories.
High-Technology Activities
High-technology manufacturing and service activities important to Thailand's development where limited domestic investment currently exists.
Value-Added & Supply Chain Activities
Activities that add value to domestic resources and contribute to Thailand's supply-chain development — the most broadly accessible tier.
Additional Tax Incentives
Beyond the CIT exemption tiers, BOI-promoted companies are entitled to further fiscal benefits
| Double Deductions | Transportation, electricity, and water supply costs deducted at double their actual value — significant savings for energy- and logistics-intensive operations |
|---|---|
| Import Duty — Machinery | Machinery and equipment imported for BOI-promoted activities are exempt from import duties |
| Import Duty — Raw Materials | Raw materials and essential components for BOI-approved manufacturing may be exempt for a prescribed period |
| Dividend Exemption | Dividends paid from profits earned during the CIT-exempt period are exempt from dividend withholding tax |
Non-Tax Incentives — The Operational Advantages of BOI Promotion
Beyond fiscal benefits, a BOI promotion certificate unlocks a range of operational rights unavailable to standard Thai limited companies
Up to 20 Work Permits
No 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio. Up to 20 Work Permits for foreign skilled workers, enabling international teams to operate freely.
100% Foreign Ownership
The promotion certificate grants full foreign ownership for promoted activities — no Thai nominees, no Foreign Business License required.
Right to Own Land
BOI-promoted companies may own land in Thailand for their promoted activity — a right generally restricted to Thai nationals.
Unrestricted Remittance
Remit money abroad in foreign currency without restriction — removing exchange-control barriers on profit repatriation.
Nationalisation Protection
The BOI guarantees promoted businesses will not be nationalised or subjected to government competition or price controls.
Skilled Personnel Visas
Streamlined visa process for foreign skilled workers and technical experts under the BOI's facilitation programme.
Supplementary Incentives
The BOI regularly announces additional time-sensitive incentives for companies already operating under a promotion certificate.
Regulatory Fast-Track
Streamlined processes for licences, permits, and government approvals — reducing administrative friction for BOI investors.
Which Business Activities Are Eligible for BOI Promotion?
The BOI promotes investment across eight major industry categories — each encompassing a wide range of sub-activities assessed on individual merit
Falling within an eligible category does not guarantee promotion. The BOI assesses each application on the nature of the activity, investment scale, employment commitments, and economic benefit to Thailand. UnionSPACE conducts a pre-application assessment to evaluate realistic prospects of approval before any application is filed.
Is a BOI Company the Right Structure for Your Business?
The BOI structure delivers exceptional benefits — but only to businesses that genuinely meet its requirements
BOI Promotion Is Well-Suited to Businesses That:
- Operate in a BOI-eligible industry sector with a clearly defined, commercially substantive business activity
- Are committed to a long-term commercial presence in Thailand (the BOI is not appropriate for short-term or opportunistic ventures)
- Are prepared to invest a minimum of THB 1,000,000 (excluding land and working capital) in Thailand-based assets
- Can demonstrate meaningful economic benefit to Thailand — including employment creation, technology transfer, or supply-chain development
- Require full foreign ownership without the constraints of the Foreign Business Act
- Need to deploy more than one foreign employee and cannot meet the 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio of a standard company
BOI Promotion May Not Be Appropriate for Businesses That:
- Operate primarily in services, retail, hospitality, or real estate — sectors not generally included in the BOI's eligible activity list
- Are newly formed or pre-revenue, without a substantive business plan and evidence of operational capability
- Cannot commit to the minimum investment levels required by the BOI for their specific activity
- Require rapid registration — the BOI process takes three to six months and cannot be expedited
- Are US citizens or entities — in which case the Treaty of Amity structure may offer comparable ownership rights with a significantly simpler process
Not sure which structure fits? UnionSPACE offers a complimentary 45-minute consultation with a certified incorporation specialist — no cost, no obligation.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a BOI Company in Thailand?
UnionSPACE's all-inclusive BOI company setup service is priced at THB 320,000, covering every stage — from eligibility assessment and BOI officer pre-consultation, through business plan preparation, interview accompaniment, and BOI certificate collection, to company registration with the DBD and Revenue Department.
The BOI also requires a separate minimum investment of THB 1,000,000 (excluding land and working capital). Higher thresholds apply for most manufacturing and technology activities.
Our differentiator: We conduct a pre-application consultation with a BOI officer to assess the realistic prospects of your specific case — before any application is filed. This step substantially reduces the risk of rejection.
A structured, expert-guided pathway to BOI promotion approval
Step-by-Step: How to Register a BOI Promoted Company in Thailand
Eligibility Assessment & BOI Officer Pre-Consultation
Before any fee is committed, UnionSPACE assesses the proposed business activity against the BOI's eligible list — considering the nature, scale, investment level, and economic contribution of the specific business. Where prospects look strong, we conduct a pre-application consultation directly with a BOI officer to identify any areas requiring attention. This step substantially reduces the risk of rejection and is not offered by most advisors.
Thai Limited Company Formation
The BOI application must be made in the name of a registered Thai company. UnionSPACE incorporates the Thai private limited company with the DBD — including name reservation, MOA drafting, filing, and document collection — with the company's objectives and capital structured to align with the intended BOI-promoted activities from the outset.
Business Plan Preparation & BOI Application
The business plan is the most critical element of the BOI application. UnionSPACE works directly with the client to develop a plan that compellingly addresses each of the BOI's assessment criteria — commercial credibility, economic benefit to Thailand, investment commitment, and employment and technology-transfer intentions. All application forms are completed and reviewed by the client before submission.
BOI Interview & Promotion Certificate Collection
All BOI applications require a face-to-face interview. UnionSPACE accompanies the client throughout — providing pre-interview preparation, strategic briefing, and real-time support. Where officers request amendments or clarifications, UnionSPACE manages the response process to secure approval. The BOI promotion certificate is collected on the client's behalf upon issuance.
DBD Registration, Revenue Department & Ongoing Compliance
Following certificate issuance, UnionSPACE updates the DBD registration to reflect BOI-promoted status, notifies the Revenue Department to activate tax incentives, and completes VAT registration. Ongoing obligations — annual BOI activity reports, adherence to investment commitments, and maintenance of promotion conditions — are managed as part of our post-registration compliance service.
- Total timeline from instruction to BOI certificate: typically 3 to 6 months.
What Is Included in the UnionSPACE BOI Company Package?
A complete breakdown of every deliverable included in the THB 320,000 all-inclusive fee
| Initial consultation to assess whether your business activity meets BOI eligibility criteria | |
| Pre-application consultation with a BOI officer to assess likelihood of approval for your specific case | |
| Thai limited company registration with DBD (name reservation, MOA drafting & filing) | |
| Assistance with BOI application form completion to BOI expectations | |
| Business plan preparation, optimisation and tailoring to BOI assessment criteria | |
| Expert accompaniment and preparation assistance throughout the BOI face-to-face interview | |
| Obtaining supplementary advice from the BOI officer for any required amendments or corrections post-interview | |
| Collection of BOI promotion certificate from the Board of Investment | |
| Company registration update with DBD and notification to the Revenue Department | |
| VAT registration and company tax ID registration with the Revenue Department | |
| English version of all company incorporation documents | |
| 3 Months' Free Accounting & Tax Filing Service (Worth THB 22,500) |
All fees include government fees, professional fees, and incidental out-of-pocket expenses. The BOI minimum investment (THB 1,000,000 or more, excluding land and working capital) is separate from the service fee. Prices quoted in Thai Baht (THB) and exclude VAT where applicable.
Why Serious Investors Choose UnionSPACE for BOI Applications
Deep expertise, a rigorous process, and an honest assessment of your prospects before a single baht is committed
Honest Pre-Application Assessment
We tell you clearly whether your business is likely to qualify — before any fee is committed. Our pre-BOI officer consultation is rarely offered by other advisors.
Specialist Business Plan Preparation
A compelling business plan is the single most important determinant of BOI approval. Our team has prepared plans across every major BOI-eligible sector.
Interview Accompaniment
UnionSPACE attends the BOI interview with the client, provides pre-interview coaching, and manages any post-interview supplementary requests.
Fixed, All-Inclusive Pricing
THB 320,000 covers the entire process. No hidden charges at the interview stage or post-approval. Our price is guaranteed from day one.
Related & Post-Registration Services
Everything your BOI company needs to operate in full compliance and maximise its incentive benefits
Accounting & Tax Reporting
Starts from THB 8,500 per month
Work Permit Preparation & Application
For only THB 38,000
Non-Immigrant "B" Visa Preparation & Application
Starts from THB 42,000
Annual BOI Compliance Report Filing
Contact us for pricing
Trademark Registration
For only THB 40,000 per category
DBD-Compliant Registered Office Address
Contact us for pricing
Frequently Asked Questions — BOI Company Setup in Thailand
Authoritative answers to the questions most commonly raised by foreign investors considering BOI promotion
A BOI company has received a promotion certificate from Thailand's Board of Investment, granting it statutory incentives that override the Foreign Business Act. Key advantages over a standard Thai company: 100% foreign ownership (no Thai nominees, no FBL), corporate income tax exemption for up to 8 years, import duty relief, up to 20 Work Permits with no 4:1 ratio, the right to own land, and unrestricted foreign currency remittance.
Corporate income tax exemption for up to 8 years (knowledge-based / R&D / advanced technology), up to 5 years (high-technology activities), or up to 3 years (value-added domestic supply-chain activities). Additional incentives include double deductions on transportation, electricity and water costs; import duty exemption on machinery and raw materials; and dividend withholding tax exemption during the CIT-exempt period.
Up to 20 Work Permits for foreign skilled workers, with no 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio requirement. This makes the BOI structure the most practical option for international companies deploying large expatriate teams in Thailand.
From formal submission to promotion certificate issuance: 3 to 6 months. Including company formation and business plan preparation, the total timeline is typically 4 to 7 months from initial instruction. The process cannot be expedited — investors requiring rapid registration should consider alternative structures.
A minimum of THB 1,000,000 (excluding land and working capital) for most activities. Capital-intensive sectors — manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, data centres — require significantly higher investment. The BOI assesses adequacy relative to the scale and claimed scope of the proposed activity.
Yes — unlike the Treaty of Amity (US citizens only), BOI promotion is open to investors of any nationality. For American investors, it is worth comparing both routes: the Treaty of Amity offers comparable ownership rights with a simpler process and a much shorter timeline. UnionSPACE can advise on the optimal structure for your circumstances.
Annual activity reports to the BOI; adherence to investment, employment, and technology-transfer commitments stated in the promotion certificate; and notification of any material business changes. Non-compliance — or operating outside the promoted activities — can result in certificate revocation and retrospective tax assessments.
What Our Clients Say
Free 3-Month Accounting & Tax Reporting Service
Included with your BOI company registration package
Worth THB 22,500
Contact our Company Formation Team
Our professional & multilingual team is ready to assist you with your requirements.
Fill out the form
How can we reach you
Location
29, Sukhumvit Soi 39, Phrom Phong, 10110, Bangkok
sales@unionspace.com
Call
(+66) 02 0360 600
Open Hours
Monday-Friday: 9AM - 6PM