The Non-Immigrant B visa lets you enter and stay in Thailand for work, and the work permit lets you actually work for one named employer in one named role. You need both, and you must not start work before the permit is issued. The employer has to meet capital and staffing rules.
People often ask for "a work visa" in Thailand. In practice it is two documents that have to match each other, and both are tied to an employer.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
Two documents, two jobs
| Item | B visa | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Lets you enter and stay for work purposes | Lets you perform specific work |
| Tied to | A Thai company or employer | An employer and a job position |
| Renewal | Extended in steps with papers from the employer | Renewed before it expires, aligned with the visa |
| If it is missing or wrong | Problems with your stay | Working is a violation that can lead to fines and trouble with your visa |
See B visa and work permit.
What the employer has to meet
The company must be properly registered and meet requirements about capital and staff before it can hire foreigners. Commonly quoted benchmarks are paid-up registered capital of 2,000,000 THB for each foreign employee and four Thai employees on social security for each foreigner, and both are checked again when the permit is renewed. Companies promoted by the Board of Investment and some offices have different rules. Sources describe the legal basis and the exceptions differently, so ask for the current figures before anyone signs a contract. If you are founding the company yourself, see company registration and BOI support.
The usual sequence, as reported
Provider guides describe the chain below. Details vary with the employer, the role and the embassy.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Employer pre-approval | The employer files a WP.3 pre-approval before you travel |
| 2. Non-Immigrant B visa | You collect the visa from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad |
| 3. Entry | You enter on the B visa, which allows an initial stay |
| 4. Work permit | The employer applies through the e-Work Permit system of the Department of Employment |
| 5. Stay alignment | Your extension of stay is then aligned with the permit and the employer's papers |
One provider guide reports that the e-Work Permit system became mandatory on 13 October 2025 and that since 1 July 2026 it issues a temporary permit (WP.62) at approval. We could not confirm this on an official page. Do not start work until you hold a permit document, and ask the employer to confirm in writing.
Do not start before the permit is issued
The visa does not let you work. Starting work before the permit is issued, or working in a role that differs from the one on the permit, is the most common and most costly mistake. Do not rely on verbal promises: keep the contract, the job title and the permit consistent.
Jobs reserved for Thai nationals and the cost of getting it wrong
The Department of Employment keeps a list of occupations reserved for Thai nationals, so a foreign applicant cannot take them. Working without a permit, or in a different role from the one on the permit, can lead to fines, deportation and trouble with future visas. Authorities often settle such cases by deporting the person, according to law-firm commentary.
Changing job or employer
The permit names an employer and a position. If either changes, the permit usually has to be updated, and your visa extension depends on the same facts. Tell us before the change happens, not after.
Remote work is a different route
The B visa and the work permit are for working in Thailand for a Thai employer or company. If you work remotely for clients or an employer abroad, look at the DTV instead. See how the DTV compares. For other categories, see Non-Immigrant visa types.
Keep your dates aligned
Permit expiry, visa extension and the 90-day report run on different clocks. Letting the visa and the permit expire on different dates is a typical source of trouble. Travelling? A re-entry permit protects your extended stay.
How we can help
Send us your passport copy and your employer details. We check whether your profile and the company fit, tell you what is missing and coordinate the visa and the permit so they match.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a B visa and a work permit?
Yes. The B visa lets you enter and stay for work purposes, and the work permit lets you work for your employer in your role.
Can I start working while the permit is processed?
No. Working before the permit is issued is a violation. Wait for the permit.
What must the employer meet?
The company must be registered and meet capital and staffing requirements. Commonly quoted benchmarks are 2,000,000 THB of paid-up capital and four Thai employees for each foreigner, with exceptions such as BOI-promoted companies. Confirm the current figures.
I work remotely for a foreign company. Do I need a work permit?
Usually the DTV is the right route for remote workers, not the B visa and work permit. Ask for a pre-check.
Do all companies need the four-to-one staff ratio?
Reports say BOI-promoted companies and LTR holders are outside the ratio. Other companies need four Thai employees and THB 2 million of paid-up capital for each foreigner.
Can I change employer on the same permit?
No. The permit names one employer and one role, and it has to be updated when either changes.
Official sources
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.