Work permit and employment pass application as an entrepreneur in Thailand                   

Introduction 

Thailand is a gold mine for new businesses. The country’s booming economy and cooperative government attractions for the investors. They lay the groundwork for foreign investors, providing them with tax exemptions and trimming the permit procedures. 

The employment pass breaks the ice to kick off a start-up in the country. It provides access to local support and official business networks. With empty-handed correct documents, foreigners can meet head-on heavy fines or deportation. Let’s leave no stone unturned about applying for an employment pass as an entrepreneur in Thailand. 

 

Visa Application Requirements as the Director/ Owner of the Company

To apply for a visa as a company director or owner, you need two things: documents and investment. 

Documents required

• The passport must be valid for the ongoing six months from application submission.
• You need to complete the Visa application form with accurate information and the same signatures as the applicant’s ID card. 
• Latest passport-sized photographs with transparent backgrounds.
• Corporate documentation includes proof of registration, a list of shareholders, a detailed business plan, and the company’s actual location map. 
• A financial statement is needed to express balance and income tax details. It guides to set financial planning for upcoming years.
• Proof of business ownership with a minimum 25% hold in the company and directorship through the applicant designation documents. 

Investment Required

1. Non-Immigrant B visa: The applicant must have 20,000 Baht as an individual, but for family, these financial funds are 40,000 per person.
2. Smart Visa: The required deposit balance is 600,000 Bhat in a local or home country bank.
3. General Business Operations: The minimum required deposit for this visa is 2,000,000 Baht annually. 

Required Time to Get the Permit and Other Conditions of Visa or Work Permit Application

The typical processing time for non-immigrant B visas is 5 to 10 working days, while work permit applications are approved within one working week. 

Conditions and Criteria for Approval: 

To get approved for a non-immigrant B visa, you need a valid passport for the next six months, a completed application form, proof of required funds availability, and all significant corporate documents. 

To get a work permit approval, wait for a visa approval, complete the registration process following Thailand regulations, and hire 4 Thai nationalists in the company.

Common Challenges and How to Address Them

• You may face Bureaucratic Red Tape, which can be resolved by hiring a local advisor for guidance. 
• You may encounter financial requirements that can be solved by declaring the availability of the required funds.
• You may also face cultural and language barriers, which can be overcome by hiring a translator. 

WP3 Application

The WP3 application allows you to live in Thailand, apply for a work permit, and complete the registration process. Its validity period is 90 days.

Step-by-Step Guide 

1. Download the form from the official Thai Labour Ministry website.
2. Fill it with the employer's company details.
3. Enter the employee's personal and job details.
4. Gather additional documents such as company registration, passport copy, power of attorney, and education certificate. 
5.  Now apply and wait for a minimum of 7 to 10 working days. 
6. After receiving the approval letter, you can apply for the 90-day business visa. 

Required Supporting Documents

• Completed WP3 Application Form
• Copy of Passport, including the first page with personal details.
• Education Certificate or Determination Form.
• Occupation or Professional License ( If applicable)
• Power of Attorney (made by the employer)
• Employer’s Identification Card
• Company Registration Documents with Proof of the company’s legal status in Thailand

 

Non-Immigrant B Visa

This visa is crucial for long stays in Thailand, both for business owners and employees. There are two options: They can renew it every 90 days or extend it to one year. 

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant should have a job offer from a Thai company. If he doesn’t, he should have a business investment plan in Thailand. The required funds are available at 20,000 Baht per person, but it should be 40,000 Baht for the family. The hiring company’s registered capital should be at least 2 million Bhat/foreign employees. It must maintain a 4:1 ratio of Thai to foreign employees.

Application Process

1. Prepare the Required Documents, such as your passport, latest photos, visa application form, all financial statements, and corporate documents.
2. Submit WP3 Form. 
3. Apply for a Visa with the required documents to the Royal Thai Embassy or your home country’s  Consulate. 
4. Pay Visa Fees around 2,000 Baht for a single entry. Multiple entries could be 5,000 Baht.
5. Receive a Visa allowing entry into Thailand for business purposes. 

Required Documents

1. Passport
2. Visa Application Form
3. Photographs
4. Financial Proof 
5. Approval Letter
6. Corporate Documents

 

B Visa Extension and Work Permit Application

B Visa Extension

To extend the B Visa, gather the required documents, including:

• A passport
• the completed application form
• recent photographs (passport-sized)
• financial stability proof
• a letter of approval
• corporate documents. 

Submit the application form to the Thai Immigration office along with the required documents and pay the fee. Approval will take several days to a week. 

Work Permit Application

• Completed work permit application form.
• Passport with Non-Immigrant B Visa.
• Copies of all passport pages.
• Two passport-sized photos (which are taken in the last six months).
• Health certificate ( which is issued in the last six months).
• Employment contract & offer of employment. 
• Proof of qualifications (e.g., degrees, certificates).

Apply with all these documents and fees to the Ministry of Labour and wait for several weeks. 

Final Thoughts 

So, to hijack the process of applying for employment passes as an entrepreneur in Thailand, you need to cross your t’s and dot your i’s to ensure steady success. Carefully understand all the requirements. Make sure all the required documents are complete and accurate. Double-check the financial requirements and make sure you have the necessary funds available. Consider hiring a local consultant to tackle bureaucratic red traps and other barriers. Ensure to start your application process in advance and submit it with all the mandatory documents and fees. It will provide sufficient time for approval, and chances of denial will slack off. Remember, compliance with regulation is the key to hitting the home run. You can also hire a translator to communicate better with the locals. That’s all you need to do to get your employment pass. Go and make a brand name for yourself.