Thailand Non-B Visa and Work Permit for Foreigners, the Employer Route

Updated: July 23, 2026Written and reviewed by AsiaLongStay Editorial Team

The standard route for employment with a Thai company uses two separate documents. A Non-Immigrant B (Non-B) visa or status allows you to enter or stay for the approved purpose and a work permit from the Department of Employment authorises the job. A Non-B alone does not give you permission to work.

The Non-B and work permit combination is common, but it is not the only option that may allow employment. Some other qualifying Non-Immigrant statuses can support a work permit, while eligible Long-term resident visa holders follow a separate process. For the standard Non-B route, the employer, applicant, and proposed job must all qualify.

Non-B Visa procedure overview

The employer confirms that it can support the application. It checks the proposed role and prepares its company and employment documents.
You use the correct starting process. An employer applying for a worker who is still abroad uses BT.32. A qualifying Non-Immigrant holder already in Thailand generally uses BT.25.
You obtain or hold the required immigration status. An overseas applicant normally obtains a Non-B before entering Thailand. A Tourist Visa holder may request a discretionary change of status through Immigration.
You complete the work permit process. Submit the personal, employment, medical, and employer documents required for your application type. Do not start work until the permit is issued.
You apply for a one-year extension if needed. Immigration applies separate company, staffing, salary, and document tests.
You complete ongoing reporting and renewals. The 90-day report, TM.30 notification, work permit renewal, and extension of stay have different triggers and deadlines.

In this guide

Is the Non-B the right route, or should you look at the DTV or LTR?
Who qualifies, and where each rule applies
How the Non-B visa and work permit process works, step by step
Documents you will need

What it costs, once you separate the three kinds of fee
Staying compliant after you start work
What happens if you lose or change your job
Frequently asked questions

Is the Non-B the right route, or should you look at the DTV or LTR?

The correct option depends on who employs you and where the employer is based. If you are still comparing visas, see Thailand's long-stay visa options.

Route	Who it fits	Thai work permission
Non-B plus work permit	Standard employment with a Thai company	A separate work permit is required
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)	Remote work or freelance activity connected to clients or an employer outside Thailand	Does not authorise employment with a Thai company
LTR Work-from-Thailand Professional	Eligible remote workers employed by a foreign company	Normally no Thai work permit
LTR Highly Skilled Professional	Eligible specialists working for a qualifying Thai employer or institution	Uses the separate LTR work permit process

LTR applications do not use the ordinary process described in this guide. The Work-from-Thailand Professional category is designed for remote work for a foreign employer. BOI guidance says these holders normally do not receive a work permit, although a temporary permit may be considered case by case.

A person staying under a marriage-based Non-O may also be able to obtain a separate work permit. Foreign workers married to Thai citizens report using this arrangement so that their permission to stay is not based on the job. The work permit and employer documents are still required. See the Thailand marriage visa guide for the immigration requirements.

Who qualifies, and where each rule applies

The Department of Employment assesses the employer, applicant, occupation, and proposed work for the permit. Immigration applies a separate set of tests when the employee later requests a one-year extension of stay.

What your employer must be able to show

For BT.32 or BT.25, the employer must provide the documents required for its organisation type. A Thai company may need its Department of Business Development records, shareholder information, tax and VAT documents, employment certification, and evidence relating to the proposed position. Government bodies, schools, foundations, BOI-promoted companies, and other employer types use different evidence.

The familiar capital and Thai employee tests belong to the standard business extension of stay. Immigration guidance generally requires at least 2 million baht in paid-up registered capital and four Thai employees for each foreign employee. The company must also provide financial, tax, social security, and employment records. Special categories and promoted companies may follow different criteria.

A job offer does not guarantee that the application will proceed. Applicants report that employers sometimes withdraw sponsorship after checking the role, qualifications, or documents with their immigration team. Confirm that the employer will support the visa, work permit, and extension before making travel or resignation plans.

You and the job

The current BT.25 process requires qualifying Non-Immigrant status. Tourist and Transit status do not meet that requirement, so an applicant in either category must first obtain an eligible status.

Your qualifications must support the proposed job. Regulated occupations may also require a professional licence or approval from the responsible authority.

Thailand lists 27 occupations as strictly prohibited for foreign workers. These include tour guiding, street vending, clerical or secretarial work, Thai massage, hairdressing, and driving motor vehicles, except for specified international transport work. Other occupations, including some accounting, engineering, and architecture work, are permitted only under stated conditions.

There is no single minimum salary for every initial work permit application. Nationality-based income thresholds apply when a standard employee requests a one-year extension of stay.

How the Non-B visa and work permit process works, step by step

Thailand launched the e-WorkPermit system nationwide on 13 October 2025. Online filing is now the standard process. Applicants attend the designated service centre when biometric verification or permit collection is required.

Current practitioner guidance reports a temporary manual filing option when a documented technical problem prevents online submission. This exception is reported to run until 28 October 2026. Check the e-WorkPermit portal or responsible Employment Office if the system does not accept the application.

If you are applying from outside Thailand

BT.32 is the employer application for a worker who is outside Thailand.

The employer submits BT.32 and the required company, job, and applicant documents.
After approval, you apply for the Non-B through the official e-Visa portal or the responsible Royal Thai embassy or consulate.
You enter Thailand and receive the permission to stay shown by Immigration, commonly up to 90 days for the initial Non-B entry.
You and the employer provide the post-entry documents required to complete the work permit process. These may include the passport and entry stamp, medical certificate, photographs, and applicable fees.

Published guidance gives different post-entry deadlines for completing a BT.32 case. Follow the deadline on the BT.32 approval notice and confirm it with the responsible Employment Office. Do not assume that a general 15-day or 30-day period applies to every case.

If you are already in Thailand

BT.25 covers a new work permit application by an applicant who already holds qualifying Non-Immigrant status. The applicant files the form and may appoint a representative by power of attorney. The employer supplies the required company and employment evidence.

Thai Immigration rules allow a Tourist Visa holder to request a change to Non-Immigrant status in Thailand. Approval is discretionary. The official material checked does not establish the same process for every visa-exempt or DTV case.

Foreign workers report that an in-country change can require more employer documents than an application made abroad. They also describe different handling between Immigration offices. Some employers therefore ask the employee to obtain the Non-B outside Thailand. Confirm the available process while you still have enough time on your current permission to stay.

Getting the work permit

The work permit application requires evidence from both the applicant and employer. For BT.25, the official processing period is three working days after a complete application is accepted. The office may use up to ten additional working days when it needs further verification.

The medical certificate remains valid for the period stated by the issuing doctor. Do not rely on a universal 30-day rule unless the responsible office gives that instruction.

You cannot start the approved work until the permit has been issued. The permit limits you to the authorised employer and work details.

Extending your stay to one year

The initial Non-B entry commonly gives permission to stay for up to 90 days. A worker who wants to remain longer applies to Immigration for an extension of stay. The application fee is 1,900 baht.

For a standard business extension, Immigration checks the applicant's Non-Immigrant status, employment, monthly income, and the employer's records. The company must generally show at least 2 million baht in paid-up registered capital, financial statements, tax and social security records, and four Thai employees for each foreign employee. Different rules may apply to promoted companies and other special categories.

Police Order No. 327/2557 sets the following monthly income thresholds for the standard business extension.

Nationality group	Minimum per month
Europe except Russia, Australia, Canada, Japan, USA	50,000 THB
South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong	45,000 THB
Other Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Central America, Mexico, Russia, South Africa	35,000 THB
Africa except South Africa, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam	25,000 THB

These figures apply to the extension of stay, not as one universal test for the initial work permit. Check whether a later order or a category-specific exception applies before filing.

Documents you will need

The required documents depend on the stage and the employer type. Do not use one combined checklist for the visa, work permit, and extension.

Non-B visa application

Passport and visa application materials required by the embassy or e-Visa portal.
Employer letter stating the position, purpose of travel, and employment details.
Employer registration, business, tax, and financial documents requested by the mission.
Department of Employment approval or supporting work permit document required for the case.
Financial evidence and any additional documents listed by the responsible mission.

BT.32 for an applicant outside Thailand

BT.32 application and employer authorisation.
Applicant identity, education, experience, and professional documents relevant to the job.
Employment and job description documents.
Employer documents required for its organisation type.
Post-entry passport and Non-B entry details, medical certificate, photographs, and fees required to complete the process.

BT.25 for an applicant in Thailand

BT.25 application and employment certification form BT.46.
Passport and evidence of qualifying Non-Immigrant status.
Employment letter or contract and job description.
Education or experience evidence relevant to the position.
Professional licence or approval when the occupation is regulated.
Medical certificate valid for the period stated by the doctor.
Two work permit photographs sized 3 by 4 cm.
Employer documents required for its organisation type.
Power of attorney documents if a representative files for you.

One-year extension of stay

TM.7 application, passport, current permission to stay, and photograph.
Work permit and employment evidence.
Company registration, financial, tax, social security, and Thai employee records required by Immigration.
Evidence that the salary meets the applicable nationality threshold.
Office-specific or category-specific documents requested for the case.

Use the latest checklist from the portal, embassy, Immigration office, or Employment Office handling the application. A document required at one stage does not automatically satisfy another stage.

What it costs, once you separate the three kinds of fee

Government fees, employer compliance costs, and optional professional services are different expenses.

Government fees

Item	Amount
Non-B visa, single entry	2,000 THB
Non-B visa, multiple entry	5,000 THB
Work permit application	100 THB
Work permit, up to 3 months	750 THB
Work permit, more than 3 months and up to 6 months	1,500 THB
Work permit, more than 6 months and up to 12 months	3,000 THB
One-year extension of stay	1,900 THB
Re-entry permit, single	1,000 THB
Re-entry permit, multiple	3,800 THB

A Royal Thai embassy may collect the Non-B visa fee in local currency. Check the amount shown by the mission or e-Visa system before paying.

Employer compliance costs

The paid-up capital requirement is a company eligibility test, not a government fee paid for the application. Employers may also incur payroll, tax, social security, accounting, document preparation, and staff costs.

Optional service costs

Agency, law firm, and employer of record packages can cost far more than the government fees. Applicants report that some packages also cover payroll, tax registration, social security administration, document preparation, and continuing employer services. Request an itemised quote that separates official fees from service charges and states who will pay each amount.

Staying compliant after you start work

These obligations have different deadlines and responsible parties.

90-day report. A foreigner who stays in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days must report the current address to Immigration. The normal filing window runs from 15 days before to 7 days after the due date. Leaving and re-entering Thailand starts a new 90-day count.
TM.30 address notification. The house master, owner, or possessor must notify Immigration within 24 hours after the foreigner arrives at the residence. Confirm that the notification has been completed when you move or return to an address where a new filing is required.
Re-entry permit. If you hold an extension of stay, obtain the required re-entry permit before leaving Thailand. Departing without it can end the existing extension.
Renewals. The work permit and extension of stay are separate. Check both expiry dates and begin each process early enough to supply updated employer documents.

What happens if you lose or change your job

A work permit, visa, permission to stay, and extension of stay are separate records. The effect of a job ending depends on which immigration permission you hold.

Changing employer or work details. The Department of Employment provides procedures to amend permitted details, including employer and work information. A change does not always require an entirely new work permit. It may also affect an employment-based extension of stay, which Immigration handles separately.
Ending employment. The end of employment must be reported to the Department of Employment within 15 days. Confirm which party must file the notice and what supporting documents are required for the case.
Employment-based extension. If your extension of stay is based on the job, the end of employment can end the basis for that extension. Contact Immigration before the final working day. Do not assume that a fixed grace period will be granted.
Dependants. A spouse or child's extension based on the principal worker may also lose its basis when the principal employment-based extension ends. Confirm their position with Immigration at the same time.

Foreign workers who stay under a marriage-based Non-O report that their permission to stay is not automatically based on the employer. They still need a valid work permit, and a change of job still requires Department of Employment action.

Working without a valid permit carries separate penalties for the worker and employer. A foreign worker may be fined 5,000 to 50,000 baht and deported. An employer may be fined 10,000 to 100,000 baht for each unlawfully employed foreign worker. Repeat employer offences can lead to imprisonment, a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht, and a three-year restriction on employing foreign workers.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Non-B the only legal way to work for a Thai employer?

A Non-B plus a work permit is the standard route for ordinary employment with a Thai company, but it is not the only possible arrangement. Some other qualifying Non-Immigrant statuses can support a work permit. Eligible LTR Highly Skilled Professionals use a separate process. The correct route depends on the immigration status, employer, occupation, and work permit rules.

My employer asked me to handle the work permit myself. Is that normal?

Applicant involvement is normal because BT.25 is an applicant filing and a representative may act under a power of attorney. The employer must still provide the company and employment documents. Treat a refusal to provide those documents or confirm sponsorship as a warning, rather than treating applicant participation itself as a problem.

Can I switch from a tourist or DTV entry to a Non-B without leaving Thailand?

A Tourist Visa holder may request a discretionary change to Non-Immigrant status through Immigration. Approval is not guaranteed and employer documents are required. The official sources checked did not confirm one general in-country change process for DTV or every visa-exempt entry. Ask the responsible Immigration office before your current permission to stay runs short.

What happens to my status if I lose or change jobs?

The Department of Employment must be notified when employment ends, and permitted employer or work details may need amendment for a new job. If your extension of stay is based on the employment, losing the job can also end the basis for that extension. Check both the work permit and Immigration consequences before the final working day. Do not rely on a fixed grace period unless Immigration confirms it for your case.

What is the difference between the Non-B visa and the work permit?

The Non-B visa or status supports entry and stay for the approved purpose. The work permit authorises the approved employment. Holding a Non-B does not allow you to start work, and holding a work permit does not replace the need for valid permission to stay.

Which jobs are closed to foreigners?

Thailand lists 27 occupations as strictly prohibited for foreign workers, including tour guiding, clerical or secretarial work, Thai massage, hairdressing, and most motor vehicle driving. Other occupations are allowed only under specific conditions. Check the current Ministry of Labour notification before accepting a role.

What does the whole process cost once fees are separated?

For a typical 12-month case, the published government charges include 2,000 baht for a single-entry Non-B visa, 100 baht for the work permit application, 3,000 baht for a permit longer than six and up to twelve months, and 1,900 baht for the extension of stay. A re-entry permit and any professional service are separate. The employer may also have payroll, tax, social security, accounting, and staffing costs.

Can my spouse and children come with me?

A legally married spouse and qualifying children may apply for Non-O dependant status based on the principal worker. That status does not itself authorise employment. Their permission to stay may be affected if it is based on the principal worker's employment extension, so the family should check its position when the principal changes or leaves a job.

This guide reflects Thailand's Non-B visa and work permit rules for employment with a Thai employer as understood on 23 July 2026. Requirements and local filing procedures can change. Check the current instructions from the Department of Employment and Immigration Bureau before filing.