Visa is an entry permit for foreign citizen when entering country outside of their country with citizenship. The Thai visa is issued at the Thai embassies throughout the world, however some citizens will be waved to hold a tourist visa prior to arrival (usually with maximum stay of 30 days with entering via air route, 15 days with entering via land). For visas other than for touring purpose, it is essential to obtain a permit prior to the departure at closest Thai embassy.
Types of Visas
Below are summary of 5 most common visas being applied by the foreign citizens when entering Thailand.
Tourist Visa
A type of visa issued for tourists, allowing holders to stay in the country for maximum of 60 days, with possible 30-day extension.
There are 3 types of tourist visas; a single entry permit (maximum stay of 60 days, single entry permission with validity of 3 months from date of issue), double entry permit (maximum stay of 60 days, 2 entry permission with validity of 6 months from date of issue) and a triple entry permit (maximum stay of 60 days, 3 entry permission with validity of 6 months from date of issue).
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Working Visa (a.k.a. B Visa, Non-Immigrant B Visa, NON-B)
A type of visa issued for an intension to work upon arrival in Thailand, allowing 90 days of stay with initial acquisition. However, it is required to obtain both Working Vis and Work Permit prior to starting a business in Thailand.
It is required to apply for a work permit within the first month of arrival in Thailand, and with valid work permit and tax being paid, the extension of stay will be granted from the immigration.
Partner Visa, Family Visa (a.k.a. O Visa, Non-Immigrant O Visa, NON-O)
A type of visa issued for the family accompanied by the holder of working visa and work permit or a partner with Thai citizen, allowing initial stay in Thailand for maximum of 90 days. With required documents fulfilled, it is possible to extend the stay at immigration within Thailand.
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No Visa
An entry without obtaining any visa prior to arrival will be allowed maximum stay of 30 days in Thailand. The extension of maximum 7 days can be granted by applying through immigration in Thailand, however it is recommended to obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival.
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Retirement (Long-Stay) Visa
As a part of Thai government’s plan to expand the visit of the retired visitors to Thailand, a visa which allows foreign citizen over 50 years of age is available for a long stay.
Documents Required for Working Visa Application and Application Fee
Working visa can be obtained by applying at Thai embassy (outside Thailand) or by switching from other types of visa at immigration within Thailand. The documents required for the application differ according to the embassy of application; therefore it is important to contact the embassy nearby prior to the application.
For further assistance or query on other types of visa, please contact us.
For an application at Thai Embassy
Time required:
1 Working Day
Application fee:
2,000 THB or equivalent
Applicant:
Must be in person (deputy application not permitted)
Documents required:
refer to a list below (differ according to the embassy)
Documents
Detail
Photo
4Ă—4.5cm
Profile (Eng)
Detailed profile with income detail
Company Invitation (Eng)
Company invitation from Thai company, signed stamped
Company Registration Related
Registration documents, investor record, company rules, corporate tax card, VAT registration and other relative documents Must be signed and stamped by the representative
Annual Financial Report (Previous Year)
Not required if the company was established within a financial year.
Education Transcript
Must be in English
Guarantor
Signed guarantor document with photocopied passport
Work Permit Application Form
Can be obtained from the embassy
Documents Required for Working Visa Application and Application Fee
Working visa can be obtained by applying at Thai embassy (outside Thailand) or by switching from other types of visa at immigration within Thailand. The documents required for the application differ according to the embassy of application; therefore it is important to contact the embassy nearby prior to the application.
For further assistance or query on other types of visa, please contact us.
Time required:
20 Working Days
Applicant:
Must be in person
Documents required:
refer to a list below
Documents
Detail
Photo
4Ă—6cm
Profile (Eng)
Detailed profile with income detail, attestation from Japanese embassy or Thai ministry of foreign affairs required
Education Transcript from your latest institute (Eng)
Only from the latest institute studied Attestation from Japanese embassy or Thai ministry of foreign affairs required
Company Registration Related
Registration documents, investor record, company rules, corporate tax card, VAT registration and other relative documents Must be signed and stamped by the representative
Corporate Tax Report (Previous Year)
Contact us for detail
Tax Record of 3 Previous Months
Contact us for detail
Annual Financial Report (Previous Year)
Must be approved and signed from Tax office
Company Photo
Building, building with company banner, company banner, inside the office (4-6 shots)
Q. Is it possible to work with only Working Visa?
A. It is required for foreign citizen to obtain both Working Visa and Work Permit prior to starting a job and failing to do so may result in 3 months imprisonment and/or 5,000 THB fine.
Q. Is it permitted to work for any company with a valid Work Permit and Working Visa?
A. Under “Foreign Capital Restriction” law, there is a restriction on the business which can involve the foreign citizens. Failing to obey so may result in maximum of 5 years imprisonment and/or 10,000 THB fine. If the business involves relation to Foreign Capital Restriction, it is important to consult professional advisors.
Business Restricted by Foreign Capital Restriction
Manual Labour
Paper Production
Umbrella Production
Livestock Farming and Fishery
Paint Related
Shoes Production
Carpentry
Thai Traditional Instrument Production
Hat Production
Log Processing
Silver Work and Manufacturing
Mediation Wholesale (excluding export)
Operation of Heavy Machinery
Gold/Silver Manufacturing
Architectural Construction and Engineering(excluding special methods)
Sales
Copper Manufacturing
Quantity Surveying
Auctioning
Thai Traditional Doll Production
Clothing Manufacturing
Accounting
Matt/Blanket Manufacturing
Ceramic Manufacturing
Jewelry Manufacturing
Religious Pot Manufacturing
Tobacco Production
Hair and Beauty Salon
Silk Production
Tour Guide
Clothing Stitching
Buddhism Product Sales
Hawkers
Weaving
Knife Production
Thai Typing
Silk Design Related
Office Work/Secretary
Law Related Business
Q. What happens if caught for illegal employment?
A. When illegal employment is caught by the Department of Labour or the immigration officer, evidence photo will be captured and may be asked to sign a document. It is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer prior to signing a document, as it may result in maximum of 3 years imprisonment and expulsion from Thailand.
Q. What happens when the visa expires?
A. The expired visa must be renewed within 3 days from expiry date, otherwise 2,000 THB will be fined and need to re-apply for a new working visa.
Q. When caught for working illegally, would a penalty be on the company or the employee?
A. The employee will be heavily fined, whilst employer will face minimum fine.
Q. When quitting a company, would visa be valid?
A. The working visa will expire within 7 days from quitting a job. However, for the initial working visa which has been obtained from Thai embassy outside of Thailand will be valid for the full 90 days.
If obtaining a new job, it is strongly recommended to travel out from Thailand once and obtain a new working visa outside of Thailand
For further detail on visa, please contact us.
For more information please contact : Hotline 086-844-1313
