Q1352. How does a foreigner get a Work Permit in Thailand?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation team

A foreigner working in Thailand needs a Work Permit from the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour. The general process: (1) hold an appropriate visa first — usually a Non-Immigrant B (or another qualifying type such as LTR/SMART); (2) the Thai employer prepares corporate documents such as the company affidavit, shareholder list, tax filings, and evidence of the need to hire; (3) the applicant prepares personal documents such as passport, education credentials, a medical certificate, and photos; (4) file at the employment office where the workplace is located, or via the online system as prescribed. Cautions: the permit is tied to the stated employer, position, and workplace — working outside that scope is a legal offence; the company must meet capital and Thai-employee ratio requirements; BOI-promoted companies use a dedicated channel with their own criteria. This is general guidance; requirements and fees change — always verify with the district office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai Immigration, or the Department of Employment before proceeding.