Kingdom of Thailand · work sponsored
Non-Immigrant Visa "B" + Work Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Thailand's standard employment route: a Non-Immigrant "B" visa from a Thai mission plus a separate work permit issued by the Department of Employment.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. The Thai mission and Department of Employment publish current timelines; the work permit is applied for after entry.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Visa fees are set by the Thai mission and work-permit fees by the Department of Employment; confirm on the official pages.
- Typical duration
- Visa commonly issued for 90 days initially; work permit and stay extended in Thailand, typically year by year.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Non-Immigrant "B" visa is the long-standing route for taking up employment in Thailand. The visa and the right to work are two separate authorisations: the Thai embassy or consulate issues the Non-B visa, and the Ministry of Labour Department of Employment issues the work permit after arrival. A Thai employer must support the application, and the company must meet registered-capital and Thai-employee-ratio conditions set by Thai law. Working without a valid work permit is an offence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A confirmed job offer from a Thai-registered employer that will support the visa and work permit.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ✓Employer meets Thai registered-capital and Thai-to-foreign employee-ratio requirements.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ✓Passport valid for the period required by the Thai mission, plus the required financial evidence.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ✓A work permit obtained from the Department of Employment before starting work.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
Common blockers
- !No supporting Thai employer.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- !Employer does not meet the capital or Thai-employee-ratio conditions.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- !Starting work before the work permit is issued.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- !Incomplete employer documentation (registration, financials, tax records).Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and visa application form with photograph.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ·Employment contract or letter of employment from the Thai company.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ·Ministry of Labour approval / employer-submitted work-permit paperwork.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
- ·Company documents: business registration, financial statements and tax records.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the Thai employer can sponsor and meets the capital and Thai-employee-ratio rules.
Build the evidence pack
Gather the employment contract, company documents and Ministry of Labour approval before applying.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the Non-B visa at a Thai embassy/consulate, then enter Thailand and file for the work permit with the Department of Employment.
After approval
Begin work only once the permit is issued, then extend the stay and permit on the official annual cycle.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Non-Immigrant Visa "B" + Work Permit route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Non-Immigrant Visa "B" + Work Permit.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) · verified
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare Kingdom of Thailand with
Related routes
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
A 10-year BOI-administered visa for high-potential foreigners across four categories, with a digital work permit and tax and re-entry benefits.
SMART Visa
A BOI visa for talent, investors, executives and startup founders in targeted industries, granting up to four years of stay with no separate work permit required.
Non-Immigrant Visa "O" (Family / Spouse of Thai National)
A family visa for foreigners married to Thai nationals or accompanying close family, with an initial 90-day stay extendable yearly; it does not grant the right to work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in Thailand on a Non-B visa alone?+
No. The Non-B visa allows entry for employment purposes, but you may only work once the Department of Employment has issued your work permit. Working before the permit is granted is an offence.
Does this route lead to permanent residence?+
Not directly. The Non-B visa and work permit are renewed year by year. Thailand has a separate, limited permanent-residence process with its own long-residence and quota requirements; most work-permit holders do not convert automatically.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor →