Business Visa in Thailand

Business Visa in Thailand. For anyone who wants to live and work or run a company in Thailand, the business (Non-Immigrant “B”) visa and its ecosystem (work permits, SMART/BOI routes, immigration reporting and compliance) are the operational foundation. This guide explains—practically and in detail—what the Non-Immigrant B gives you, when you should choose alternative routes (SMART, BOI or Privilege pathways), how a work permit ties to the visa, exact document checklists, conversion and renewal mechanics, employer obligations, timing traps and common enforcement mistakes to avoid.

Which visa for which commercial purpose (quick map)

Non-Immigrant “B” (Business/Work) — the standard route when a foreigner will be employed by a Thai company, seconded to a Thai branch, or entering to set up a business and then obtain a work permit. Apply at a Thai embassy/consulate or sometimes at certain points of entry; it admits you to apply for a Thai work permit.
SMART Visa (S / E / I / O / T categories) — a specialist, higher-privilege visa for targeted investors, executives, startup founders and experts in promoted tech/innovation sectors; it can exempt holders from the standard work-permit requirement and gives multi-year stays. Use SMART when you qualify (target industries and certification by BOI/SMART office apply).
Thailand Privilege / Long-stay alternatives — long-stay packages (Privilege/Elite) offer multi-year entry but generally do not confer the right to work unless you meet special investor conversion programs. They are convenience/concierge options rather than employment visas.

(Choose the route that matches your commercial plan; for salaried employment in a Thai company Non-Immigrant B + work permit is the default.)

How Non-Immigrant B + Work Permit flow works (stepwise)

Get a Non-Immigrant B visa at a Thai embassy (or enter on a qualifying stamp and convert where allowed). Typical embassy requirements are passport (≥6 months), completed application, passport photos and supporting letters from the Thai employer or host organization. The embassy’s checklist often asks for proof of employment/contract and corporate documents of the Thai sponsor.
Enter Thailand on the Non-B and apply to the Ministry of Labour (Department of Employment) for a work permit. The work permit is the legal authorization to perform paid work in Thailand and is employer-sponsored; it normally ties you to a specific job title, employer and location. (SMART visas may remove this step where exempt.)
90-day reporting & visa renewals: once resident, foreigners must report their address to Immigration every 90 days and renew visas/work permits per their expiry—annual renewals are common for both the visa stamp and the work permit. Failing to report or renew exposes you to fines, detention and bans.

Documents you will be asked for (precise checklist)

For the Non-Immigrant B application (embassy stage) and the subsequent work-permit filing (Ministry of Labour), expect to provide:

For the visa:

Passport (≥6 months validity) and copies of biographical pages.
Completed embassy visa form and recent passport photos (4×6 cm).
Letter of appointment/contract from the Thai employer (signed) and letter explaining the purpose of stay.
Company documents of the Thai sponsor: company affidavit/DBD extract, VAT certificate, list of shareholders, audited accounts or financial statement, and tax withholding records.
Proof of funds / bank statements or sponsor guarantee (embassy may ask).

For the work permit:

Application form (Ministry of Labour form).
Medical certificate (fitness to work).
Educational certificates and work experience CV (translated and certified where required).
Employer letters confirming position, monthly salary and job description.
Company documents: company affidavit, tax clearance, social security registration, bank statements, and BOI certificate if applicable.
Passport and Non-B visa stamp.

Tip: prepare originals plus certified English/Thai translations where documents are not in Thai.

SMART visa — when it’s better (and why)

If you qualify, the SMART Visa can be operationally superior: longer validity (up to 4 years), exemption from a separate work permit in many categories, and faster immigration processing for qualified executives, investors and experts in target industries. However, SMART uses a certification process (BOI/SMART Office) and precise eligibility rules—so use SMART only when your project or profile clearly fits the program.

Employer obligations & payroll mechanics (what your Thai employer must do)

Employers who hire foreigners must:

Demonstrate the post cannot be filled by Thai labour or justify foreign expertise in certain sectors.
Withhold income tax from salary and file monthly/annual tax returns.
Register you with Social Security (if the job meets thresholds) and make employer contributions.
Maintain correct work-permit records and notify Immigration and the Labour Ministry when there are changes to employment, termination or address.

These statutory duties tie to immigration—employers who fail to comply risk fines, permit suspension and reputational damage.

Common traps and how to avoid them

Working on a tourist or Privilege stamp. It’s illegal to accept Thai-source paid work without the correct Non-B + work permit (or SMART exemption). Do not rely on exceptions; obtain the formal permit.
Mismatched job description and permit. Immigration and Labour inspect positions; doing duties outside the permit’s scope can lead to fines and revocation. Keep job descriptions narrow and accurate.
Delayed 90-day report or visa renewal. Even small delays draw fines; set calendar reminders and use company or immigration services to automate reporting.
Nominee/ownership misunderstandings. If you incorporate or take equity in a Thai company, check Foreign Business Act implications and BOI rules before assuming board control. Regulatory exposure can disrupt your authorised status.

Timeline & realistic processing expectations

Non-Immigrant B (embassy): typically days to a few weeks depending on mission and document completeness.
Work permit (Ministry of Labour): allow 2–6 weeks after filing (can be faster with one-stop service centers or BOI support).
SMART visa: allow longer for certification and BOI/SMART review—commonly several weeks to months depending on complexity.

Plan hires and project starts around these realities; do not assume immediate authorization on arrival.

Conversions, renewals and exits

Converting inside Thailand from another non-immigrant category to Non-B may be possible at Immigration but many embassies prefer initial visa issuance at a consulate—check local rules.
Renewals usually require employer sponsorship (updated company docs) and annual work-permit renewal paperwork.
Leaving Thailand with pending regularisation: don’t travel until the visa/work permit is granted—some returning processes require re-entry visas.

Final practical checklist (actionable)

Decide: Non-B + work permit vs SMART (check SMART eligibility).
Gather company files: DBD extract, VAT, audited accounts, tax receipts, and sponsor letter.
Get original diplomas/certificates and translated/certified copies.
Book embassy appointment and prepare physical copies of all paperwork.
After arrival, submit work-permit application with employer; schedule 90-day reporting reminders.
Maintain payroll, tax withholding and SSO registration; align your contract duties with the permitted job description.

Bottom line

For salaried work or company employment in Thailand the Non-Immigrant B visa plus a Ministry of Labour work permit is the operational baseline: it’s employer-sponsored, documentation-heavy and compliance-driven. When eligible, the SMART visa offers superior privileges and should be prioritized, but it requires BOI/SMART certification. Plan timelines conservatively, prepare full certified documentation in advance, and keep strict calendar discipline on 90-day reporting and renewals to avoid fines or enforcement.