Non-Imm B · Work Permit
Work in Thailand. Legally, from day one.
Working or running a business in Chiang Mai requires both a Non-Immigrant B visa and a Thai work permit. We handle both: application, approval, and annual renewal.
Discuss your situation on WhatsApp →Applicant Status
Business Visa Benefits
Legal work authorisation in Chiang Mai
The Non-Immigrant B and work permit combination is the correct legal foundation for any foreigner working or running a business in Thailand.
Full legal work rights
The work permit specifies your role and employer, giving you full legal authorisation to work in Thailand without risk of deportation.
Annual renewable status
Both the visa and work permit renew annually. Our team handles the paperwork so renewals don't disrupt your business.
Business credibility
Legal work status lets you open corporate bank accounts, sign contracts, and engage with Thai government bodies as an authorised representative.
Correct compliance base
The Non-B is the correct visa for obtaining a work permit. Other visa types (tourist, retirement, DTV) do not support local employment.
Family coverage
Dependants of Non-B holders can apply for Non-Immigrant O visas, allowing the whole family to live legally in Thailand.
Path to long-term status
Years of legal work history in Thailand, backed by correct tax filings, is the strongest basis for a long-term residence application in future.
Learn More About the Business Visa & Work Permit
Eligibility, required documents, the application process, and what your legal obligations are once you're working in Thailand.
Who needs the Non-Immigrant B and work permit
Any foreigner working in Thailand, in any capacity, requires a work permit. No exceptions.
If you are employed by a registered Thai company, your employer sponsors both your Non-Immigrant B visa and your work permit application. The company must meet Thai Labour Department requirements to sponsor a foreign worker.
Thai Employee Ratio
The company must employ at least 4 Thai staff for every 1 foreign work permit holder in most sectors. We check this before submitting: a non-compliant company means a rejected application.
Business owners who actively manage or work in their Thai company need a work permit even if they are a shareholder. The work permit covers your specific role, whether director, manager, or technical specialist, as registered in the company documents.
We can refer you to a qualified Thai business lawyer for company formation if you haven't set up your Thai entity yet.
Short-term business visits, such as meetings, negotiations, or conferences, can often be conducted on a Non-Immigrant B visa without a work permit, as long as no actual work or employment activities occur in Thailand. We advise on the distinction based on your activities.
Some activities are exempt from the work permit requirement, including government representatives, certain diplomatic staff, and specific BOI-approved positions. If you think you may qualify for an exemption, we'll review your situation and confirm.
Expert Insight
Working without a work permit in Thailand is a criminal offence, not just a visa violation. The fine is relatively modest, but the real risk is deportation and a re-entry ban. We have never had a client face this, because we get the paperwork right before they start working.
Documents you'll need
Two parallel applications, visa and work permit, each with their own document set. We manage both simultaneously.
- YouPassport valid for at least 18 months with blank visa pages
- YouRecent passport-style photographs
- YouCompleted Non-Immigrant B application form
- EmployerEmployment contract or letter of appointment
- EmployerCompany registration documents (DBD certificate, VAT registration)
- EmployerCompany shareholder list and latest annual filing
- All Non-Immigrant B documents above
- YouEducational certificates and professional qualifications
- YouCV / résumé detailing relevant work experience
- EmployerMap and photograph of the workplace
- EmployerCompany affirmation letter detailing the foreigner's specific role
- EmployerList of Thai employees with copies of their IDs and social security cards
How the process works
The visa and work permit are separate applications that run in sequence. We manage both.
Step 1
Non-Immigrant B Visa
- Obtain a job offer or company appointment letter
- Apply at a Thai embassy in your country (or convert in-country)
- Enter Thailand on the Non-Immigrant B
- Valid for 90 days initially, enough time to complete the work permit
Step 2
Work Permit Application
- Submit work permit application to the Ministry of Labour
- Ministry reviews company compliance (employee ratio, tax status)
- Work permit issued within 7–30 working days
- Visa then extended annually in line with the work permit
Work Permit Processing
7–30 days
Work Permit Fee
3,000 THB per year
90-Day Work Permit Deadline
Your Non-Immigrant B visa is valid for only 90 days before you must extend it alongside your work permit. You cannot legally start work until the permit is issued, so this window is the critical path: we submit on day one of your arrival to avoid any gap in status.
Why getting this right matters
- Full legal work authorisation, no grey-area risk
- Annual renewal handled by our team with no gaps in status
- Correct tax and social security compliance alongside visa
- Covers your specific role, easy to update if your responsibilities change
- Foundation for future long-term residence applications
Work Permit Fee
3,000 THB
Official government fee per year. Chat with us for a full breakdown including our service fee.
Compliance obligations
Your work permit is tied to a specific employer and role. If you change employers or your role changes significantly, you must update your work permit before starting the new role. Working outside your permitted role is a violation.
We handle work permit amendments. Contact us as soon as a job or role change is confirmed.
Yes. If you remain in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days without exiting, you must file a 90-day report. We handle this for all ongoing clients.
Yes, with a re-entry permit. Leaving without one cancels your visa and work permit, requiring you to reapply from scratch. Always obtain a re-entry permit before any international trip.
Work permit holders are tax residents of Thailand for years in which they are present for 180+ days. Thai-sourced income is subject to Thai personal income tax. We can refer you to a qualified Thai accountant for tax filing.
Ready to work legally in Thailand?
Every situation is different. Tell us your employer, role, and company structure and we'll map out the exact process. Chat with us on WhatsApp →
Ready to work legally in Chiang Mai?
A free consultation covers your visa type, work permit eligibility, and what your company needs to be compliant.
Chat on WhatsApp