How to Get a Work Permit in Thailand
Ancient pastoral traditions endure within the clamor of modern metropolises; saffron robed monks join sharp suited businesspeople on the morning commute and the clang of temple bells starts up when the throb of Bangkok's notorious nightlife ends. With its rich cultural heritage, wonderful food, and warm, welcoming people, it is easy to understand why so many Westerners want to live and work in Thailand.
The Kingdom of Thailand is eager to attract foreign business and investment, but it has a quota on the number of foreigners it can allow to work in the country. Before applying for a work permit, it is essential that foreigners have already obtained the appropriate visa to work in the kingdom.
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Instructions
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Find an employer in Thailand. The Thai government only grants work permits to people who have a prospective employer or have set up their own business in Thailand; in order to obtain the documents necessary to work, you will need to find a job first.
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Apply for the appropriate work visa. Foreign nationals who wish to obtain a Thai work permit need to do so on the correct visa. If you are already in Thailand on a tourist visa, you will have to leave the country first and then return on new business visa. The non-immigrant "B" visa is suitable for most types of business; however, you can also obtain a work permit on a business-approved visa (Category "B-A") or an investment and business visa (Category "IB") where applicable. Your country's Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General can advise you on the most appropriate visa for your purpose.
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Take the following documents to your local Thai embassy to apply for a non immigrant "B" Visa: a passport with at least six months validity remaining, a recent passport-sized photograph, and evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family).
Request that the company employing you obtain a letter of approval from the Thai Ministry of Labour. Along with whichever of the following corporate documents are applicable you will need to submit this at the embassy: business registration and business license, list of shareholders, company profile, details of business operation, list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions, map indicating location of the company, balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax, value-added tax registration. If you intend to work in the tourism industry, you should provide an additional document indicating the number of foreign tourists your prospective company serves. In the case of export businesses, you should provide a bank-issued document indicating the companies export transactions. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists separate, special requirements for teachers wishing to obtain non-immigrant "B" visas on its website (See Resources), including documents evidencing qualifications, a resume and a police safety check.
Complete the visa application form to submit with the aforementioned documents. You will also need to pay for the visa. In May 2010, the cost of a single-entry visa with three-months validity was listed as 2,000 and 5,000 Baht for a multiple entry visa with a one-year validity.
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Ask your employer to apply for a work permit on your behalf. It is common practice for Thai employers to assist you in obtaining your work permit once you have acquired the suitable visa. The Department of Employment in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Bangkok is the principal issuer of work permits. You (or more likely, your employer) can also apply for a work permit at the provincial employment office in your respective province if you are based outside of Bangkok.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure that you bring hard copies of the relevant business and academic documents with you, this is particularly important if you are applying for a work permit away from your home country.
Work Permit rules may be subject to change, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate before leaving your home country for the most up to date information.
In almost all cases it is illegal for foreigners to engage in any work in The Kingdom of Thailand without a work permit. Foreigners who breach these regulations, and the companies who employ them are liable to face fines or imprisonment.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thailand image by Alexander Lebedev from Fotolia.com
