Work permit vs Non-B visa in Thailand
Quick answer
A Non-B visa is permission to enter and stay in Thailand for business purposes; a work permit is permission to work in a specified role for a specified employer. They are separate documents from separate agencies, a foreigner working in Thailand normally needs both, and changing employer or role immediately affects the work permit.
Side-by-side facts
| Aspect | Non-B visa — permission to enter and stay | Work permit — permission to work |
|---|---|---|
| What it grants | Entry and stay | Work in the specified role for the specified employer |
| Issuing authority | Thai embassies/consulates and the Immigration Bureau | Department of Employment, or a dedicated channel for promoted projects |
| Usual order | Secure the visa or an appropriate status first | Apply for the work permit once status supports it |
| Tied to | The person and purpose of travel | Employer, position, and workplace |
| On changing jobs | Stay permission may need adjusting | The work permit must be handled before the new job starts |
| Ongoing duties | 90-day reporting and address notifications | Renewals and statutory change notifications |
Choose Non-B visa — permission to enter and stay when
Choose Work permit — permission to work when
Documents to prepare
- Passport with sufficient validity and photos per specification
- Company affidavit, shareholder list, and VAT certificate if registered
- Employer financial statements and tax filings as requested
- Employment contract stating position, duties, and salary
- Degrees and experience letters, legalized through the correct chain
- Medical certificate in the prescribed form
Step by step
1. Check the employer first
Verify registered capital, Thai staff numbers, and tax documents before filing.
Typical duration: 3–5 business days
2. Prepare foreign documents
Foreign degrees and certificates must pass the correct legalization chain.
Typical duration: Varies by country of origin
3. Apply for the visa or adjust status
File at a Thai mission abroad, or use the channel appropriate to current status.
Typical duration: Varies by mission and office
4. File the work permit
File with the Department of Employment with the employer and employee sets.
Typical duration: Varies by office and queue
5. Set the compliance calendar
Set reminders for 90-day reports, expiry dates, and change notifications.
Typical duration: Ongoing
What usually goes wrong
- Starting work before the permit is issued — a risk for both employee and employer.
- Working outside the position or location stated on the permit.
- Missing the 90-day report or failing to notify an address change.
- Submitting degrees that have not been legalized through an accepted chain.
- Assuming the old permit survives a change of employer.
Why an adviser beats a template
Visa and permit work fails on sequencing and calendars, not on forms. We maintain the year's calendar, warn you before deadlines, and advise your HR team on hiring structures that will not break at next year's renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. Working requires a work permit and a stay status that supports employment. Working without a permit carries penalties for both employee and employer under the foreign workers management law.
What is the minimum salary?
Minimum income thresholds vary by nationality and application type and are revised periodically — verify the current figure with the Department of Employment or Immigration before signing the contract.
What about the Thai-to-foreign staff ratio?
Registered-capital and Thai-headcount criteria apply, with exceptions for certain categories such as promoted projects. Confirm which criteria apply to your case before planning hires.
Can your team handle the whole package?
Yes — from employer eligibility checks and legalizing foreign documents to filing the visa and permit and maintaining the reporting and renewal calendar all year.
Official sources
Not sure which route fits your case?
Call +66-92-017-0000, email contact@tla.co.th, or message us on LINE. Monday to Saturday, 09:00–18:00 Bangkok time, in English or Thai.