The complete process — from initial company formation through to FBL Certificate (T.7) issuance and corporate bank account opening — takes approximately 7 to 8 weeks. Where all required documents are available and in order from the outset, UnionSPACE has completed the full process within 14 business days. The principal timeline variable is the scheduling of the US Embassy appointment for the Certificate of Qualification.

No. A Treaty of Amity company is not exempt from the standard 4:1 Thai-to-foreign employee Work Permit ratio. To sponsor a Non-Immigrant B Visa and Work Permit for a foreign national, the company must: employ at least four Thai nationals, register for VAT, hold a minimum registered capital of THB 2,000,000, and remit social security contributions for all Thai employees. An exception applies to holders of a one-year visa extension based on marriage to a Thai national, who require only two Thai employees and THB 1,000,000 in registered capital.

The US Commercial Service requires the following at the Embassy appointment: (1) notarised copies of the passports of the American majority shareholders (notarised by a US Notary Public or the US Embassy/Consulate in Thailand); and (2) a complete original set of the Thai limited company documents, including the Certificate of Company Registration, Company Objectives, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, and List of Shareholders. UnionSPACE prepares and assembles all documentation in advance and provides a full briefing before the appointment.

Yes. A US-incorporated entity — including a limited liability company, corporation, partnership, or other qualifying business entity — may serve as the majority shareholder, provided the entity is incorporated and located in US territory and the ultimate beneficiary of the entity is American. The requirements as to American majority shareholding and directorship must still be satisfied at the level of the Thai company. UnionSPACE advises on the optimal shareholding structure depending on the client's corporate circumstances.

Yes. Thai nationals may serve as directors of a Treaty of Amity company. The requirement is that a minimum of 50% of the board must be American citizens. Where a director of a third nationality (neither American nor Thai) is appointed, that director must co-sign all company instruments, resolutions, and relevant legal documents jointly with an American or Thai co-director.

UnionSPACE offers a full refund of all fees paid in the event that the Department of Business Development (DBD) rejects the Treaty of Amity company application. The guarantee is activated upon UnionSPACE's formal acceptance and confirmation of the client's case — at which point we have assessed the eligibility of the applicant and the completeness of the documentation. The guarantee reflects our confidence in the rigour of our application preparation and the quality of every submission we make on behalf of our clients.

Despite its extensive scope, the Treaty of Amity does not extend to six categories of activity that remain reserved for Thai-majority-owned businesses: (1) communications; (2) transportation; (3) fiduciary functions; (4) banking involving depository functions; (5) land ownership and exploitation of land or other natural resources; and (6) domestic trade in indigenous agricultural products. All other business activities are generally accessible to a Treaty of Amity company on the same terms as Thai nationals.