As we enter 2025, Thailand is preparing to hire 2.4 million foreign workers. If you believe you are a skilled candidate who wants to work for a BOI-promoted company in Thailand, you need to apply for both a Thai work permit and the BOI Visa Thailand.
However, obtaining a BOI Visa can seem complex. You must meet specific criteria and follow the visa application rules carefully. This is why you should reach out to our experts at S & F Consulting Firm. We can help you obtain a work permit and a visa in Thailand. To learn about the BOI Visa, keep reading this article!
The BOI Visa Thailand is a special visa designed for foreign nationals who want to work in Thailand with companies approved by the Thailand Board of Investment.
This visa offers great benefits for foreign investors and professionals like you. It allows you to live and work in Thailand while enjoying perks such as tax breaks, simpler work permit processes, and the ability to own land for business use.
The BOI Visa is commonly given to individuals working in industries that the Thai government encourages, such as technology and manufacturing. In simple terms, if you are looking to work or invest in Thailand with a BOI-approved company, this visa can make that happen.
If you are considering applying for a BOI visa, it's essential to understand which types of businesses are eligible for it.
Businesses involved in plant and animal breeding, forest plantations, and the production of fertilizers are eligible. This also includes deep-sea fishing, packing and storing of vegetables and flowers, and the production of plant or animal fats.
If your business engages in mineral prospecting, potash mining, or the production of advanced materials, it falls under this category. Manufacturers of glass, ceramics, fire-resistant materials, and heat insulation products are also eligible.
This category includes businesses in textiles, sports equipment, musical instruments, furniture, toys, jewelry, lenses, medical devices, and leather products. For instance, a startup designing innovative sports gear or a boutique jewelry manufacturer would be eligible.
Companies producing metal products or parts, machinery, equipment, automobiles, engines, and parts, as well as rubber tires, ships, and aircraft, qualify here.
Businesses involved in electrical products, equipment for industrial use, electronic products, transmission cables, parts for telecommunication products, printed circuit boards, solar cells, and media for hard disk drives are eligible.
This includes industrial chemicals, polymers, oil refineries, petrochemicals, plastic products for industrial goods, plastic packaging, recycled plastic products, and medicines. A business producing biodegradable plastics or eco-friendly packaging materials would be eligible.
Businesses in the production of electricity, tap water, loading facilities for cargo ships, airports, mass transit systems, distribution centers, international headquarters, international trading centers, trade investment support offices, energy service companies, real estate development for industrial use, cloud services, research and development, biotechnology-related services, engineering designs, scientific laboratories, calibration, sterilization, and waste treatment would be eligible.
Businesses focusing on biotechnology, nanotechnology, advanced materials, technology, and digital technology are eligible. A startup developing nanotechnology applications would qualify.
To be eligible for a BOI Visa in Thailand, you need to meet specific criteria. Firstly, you must have a valid passport with at least six months' validity remaining. You should also obtain a non-immigrant B visa before entering Thailand.
This visa is necessary for those who wish to work in the country. Once you have this visa, you can apply for a work permit. Your prospective employer in Thailand must provide the necessary documents to support your work permit application.
Additionally, the job you intend to perform should not be on Thailand's list of occupations prohibited to foreigners. If you are employed by a company promoted by the Board of Investment, you can obtain your visa and work permit through the One Stop Service Center.
Overall, to qualify for a BOI Visa, Follow the checklist:
A valid passport
A non-immigrant B visa
A job offer from a BOI-promoted company
A position that is not restricted for foreign workers
Start by finding a job with a company that is promoted by Thailand's Board of Investment. Research companies in Thailand that have BOI status. These are often in industries like technology, manufacturing, and services.
Many well-known multinational companies, such as Sony, Toshiba, and ByteDance, operate in Thailand under BOI promotion. Once you identify a suitable job, customize your resume and cover letter to match the job requirements.
Highlight your skills and experiences that align with the position. After submitting your application, prepare thoroughly for the interview. Learn about the company and be ready to explain how your expertise can add value to their business.
Getting hired by a BOI-promoted company is crucial. They will be responsible for sponsoring your BOI Visa application.
Once employed by a BOI-promoted company in Thailand, collect the required documents for your visa application. These typically include:
If you plan to work in Thailand, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant Category "B" Visa before your trip. You can complete this process at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. You need to include all the required documents when submitting your application.
Documents Required for a Thailand Work Visa
Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six to twelve months.
Visa Application Form: Submit a completed and signed application form. You can usually download it from the embassy or consulate's website or collect it in person.
Passport-Size Photo: You will need a recent photo that meets these specifications:
Photo size should be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
It should have a white background
Your face should be fully visible in the photo.
Proof of Financial Means: You need to show that you can support yourself during your stay. The requirement is 20,000 Thai Baht for solo travelers and 40,000 Thai Baht for families.
Police Clearance Certificate: Obtain this document as proof of your clean criminal record.
Letter of Approval from the Ministry of Labour: Your employer in Thailand must request this on your behalf by applying to the Office of Foreign Workers Administration under the Thai Ministry of Labour.
|
Estimated Cost of a Thailand Work Visa |
Number of Entry |
|
2,000 Thai Baht |
Single-entry |
|
5,000 Thai Baht |
Multiple-entry |
After obtaining your Non-Immigrant "B" Visa, you can travel to Thailand. Once you arrive, the next step is to apply for a work permit. To do this, you must submit your application to the Ministry of Labor in Thailand. Their office is located on Mitmaitri Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok.
To qualify for a Thai work permit, you must be employed by a company that meets these requirements:
The company must have a registered capital of at least 2,000,000 Thai Baht.
The company must have paid at least 5,000,000 Thai Baht in income tax to the Revenue Department over the past three years.
The company must employ at least 50 Thai nationals.
When applying for the work permit in Thailand, you need to provide several documents along with your application. These include:
Your passport and copies of all its pages
Your Thai Work Visa
Academic degrees and certificates
A Letter of Employment
Any relevant certificates or licenses
Your CV
Three passport-sized photos
Proof of accommodation in Thailand
A Health Certificate
You also need to submit documents from your employer, such as:
The company’s Company Certificate
A list of the company’s stakeholders
The VAT Certificate
The company’s Withholding Tax
|
Estimated Thai Work Permit Fee |
Duration |
|
750 Thai Baht |
Three months |
|
1,500 Thai Baht |
Three to six months |
|
3,000 Thai Baht |
Six to twelve months |
Once your application is submitted, it usually takes about seven days for the Ministry of Labor to process it. After the approval is finalized, you will need to return to the Ministry of Labor to collect your work permit.
At the same time, you have the option to apply for a one-year extension of your Non-Immigrant "B" Visa. It is also important to remember that Thai law mandates you to report your residential address to the Immigration Bureau every 90 days if you intend to stay and work in Thailand for more than 90 days
The connection between the BOI visa and Thailand work permit is sequential. A BOI-promoted company can help its foreign employees obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa "B."
This visa is necessary before you can apply for a work permit. Think of the Non-Immigrant Visa "B" as your permission to enter Thailand for work. The work permit in Thailand is your official permission to actually do the job.
The BOI mainly assists with issuing the Non-Immigrant Visa "B." They confirm that the foreign employee is needed for a BOI project. This confirmation makes the visa application process easier. It is an important first step. After you receive the Non-Immigrant Visa "B," you can apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labour.
The Tourist Visa is the right choice if you are traveling to Thailand for leisure, sightseeing, or personal exploration. It usually permits you to stay in the country for up to 60 days. You can also apply for a 30-day extension if needed.
For example, if you are planning a vacation to explore Bangkok's temples and beaches, this visa would suit your needs. To apply for this visa, you must provide a valid passport, recent photographs, and evidence that you have enough funds to support your trip.
The Non-Immigrant Visa is designed for individuals who are visiting Thailand for reasons other than tourism. There are different categories under this visa, such as:
Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B): If you have a job offer from a Thai company, this Thailand work visa is necessary for you to apply for a work permit. To apply, you will need an invitation letter from the Thai company, company registration documents, and proof of your qualifications.
Education Visa (Non-Immigrant ED): You need to get this visa if you are attending an educational institution in Thailand. To apply for this visa, you will need an acceptance letter from your school, proof that you have paid your tuition, and evidence that you have sufficient funds.
Marriage Visa (Non-Immigrant O): If you are married to a Thai citizen, you can apply for this visa. To do so, you will need to provide your marriage certificate, your spouse's Thai ID, and proof that you are financially stable.
If you are 50 years or older and want to retire in Thailand, the Retirement Visa is the right option for you. The O-A visa lets you stay in Thailand for one year. On the other hand, the O-X visa allows a five-year stay that can be extended up to 10 years.
To apply, you need to provide proof of your age, a valid passport, and financial evidence such as a required bank balance or monthly income. You will also need health insurance that covers specific medical treatments and a police clearance certificate.
The SMART Visa is intended for highly skilled professionals, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs in fields such as technology, healthcare, and agriculture. For example, if you are a tech entrepreneur planning to start a business in Bangkok, the SMART Visa might be the perfect choice for you.
This visa is available for those with diplomatic or official passports who want to enter Thailand for reasons other than official duties. Additionally, ordinary passport holders can receive this visa if they are invited as guests of the Thai government or for other special reasons, based on an official request.
For example, if you are a famous researcher invited to give a speech at a Thai university, you may receive a Courtesy Visa.
|
Visa Type |
Purpose |
Work Permit |
Duration |
Family Visa |
|
BOI Visa |
This visa is for foreign workers or investors in BOI-approved companies. |
It allows you to easily apply for a work permit. |
It can be valid for 3-12 months |
Your family can apply for dependent visas and work permits. |
|
Tourist Visa |
This visa is for tourists visiting Thailand for a holiday. |
You cannot work or apply for a work permit on this visa. |
It is valid for up to 60 days. You can further extend it for a month. |
Your family can enter on the same tourist visa, but they cannot work. |
|
It is meant for family members of Thai citizens or for those coming to Thailand to be with a spouse or family member who already lives there. |
You cannot work or get a work permit with this visa. |
It is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. |
Your family can apply for dependent visas but cannot work. |
|
|
This visa is for students enrolled in educational programs in Thailand. |
You cannot work or apply for a work permit on this visa. |
It is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. |
Your dependents can come but cannot work. |
|
|
Elite Visa |
This visa is for wealthy individuals who want to stay in Thailand long-term. |
You cannot work or get a work permit with this visa. |
It is typically valid for 5 years. |
Your family can be included, but they cannot work. |
You can switch jobs, but only if your new employer is also a BOI-promoted company. If you move to a non-BOI company, you will need to apply for a new visa and work permit.
Yes, your spouse and children can join you in Thailand if you have a BOI Visa. They will need to apply for dependent visas, which are connected to your BOI Visa.
No, you cannot apply for a BOI Visa without a job offer. You must have an employment contract with a BOI-promoted company to be eligible for this visa.
You cannot use a BOI Visa to start your own business unless your company is officially promoted by the BOI. You would need to apply for BOI promotion for your business separately.
The BOI Thailand work permit process benefits employers by allowing them to hire foreign professionals more easily.
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