1. Apply for a work permit
Applicants for work permits must show every page of their passports to prove they are outside Thailand. You should apply for this visa within 30 days before you plan to depart your country. The Consulate or consular officer will ask for copies of the registration documents and financial statements from the company.
2. Apply for 90 days Non B visa
A foreigner wishing to work in Thailand will need to obtain a Non-Immigrant Category “B” Visa before entering the country. Any accompanying family members (i.e. spouse and/or children) will be required to obtain a Non-Immigrant Category “O” Visa. With the receipt of the work permit application, a 90 days visa may be obtained at the Thai consulate of your choice.
3. Enter Thailand
A foreigner entering the country on a Non-Immigrant visa will be granted permission to stay in the country for a period of not more than 90 days. The Work Permit application and Visa extension must therefore be submitted and approved within this 90 day period.
4. Receive work permit
In general, work permit applications are made at the Labour Department. However, if the employer company has total assets or registered, paid-up capital exceeding THB30 million and if a management position is being applied for, the application can be made at the One-Stop Service Centre. As with the application for the Non-Immigrant type B visa, various documents, both personal and corporate, are required to be submitted as part of the application process and it can take up to 14 days before approval is given. However, if the application is made at the One-Stop Service Center, approval can be given on the same day.
5. Make 1 year business visa
With the required work permit you can then extend your visa for 1 year if you meet the criteria. Visa extension applications can be made either at the Immigration Bureau or, in cases where preferential rights apply, at the One-Stop Service Center. The applicant will need to submit the application, along with various personal and corporate documents, prior to the expiry of the Non-Immigrant visa ( i.e. within 90 days of the date of arrival in Thailand). On the day of submission, the applicant will receive a 1-month extension and will need to follow up with the Immigration Bureau every month until approval. In practice, this should take 1-2 months, meaning that, on approval, the applicant will have another 10-11 months of valid visa extension.
6. Become a Thai expats
Once you have 1 year visa you may carry out your business in Thailand as you wish.
