Work visa

A Thailand work visa is a category "B" non-immigrant visa to Thailand that you must apply for when you enter Thailand with the intention of working.

However, even though a non-immigrant B visa is issued for the purpose of work, you cannot work on the visa alone. To get permission to live and work in Thailand, you must obtain a work permit and an extension of stay after entering the country.

Who needs a working visa to Thailand?

When you apply for a work visa in Thailand, you need the following documents:

• Your passport that is valid for at least six months and has at least two blank visa pages. If you are applying for a one-year visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
• A completed and signed application form for a work visa to Thailand. The questionnaire should be filled out on a computer. Forms filled out by hand are not accepted for obtaining a Thai visa 
• Your passport-sized photo with the following characteristics
• Confirmation of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay. You need 20,000 Thai baht if you are traveling alone and 40,000 Thai baht if you are traveling with the whole family.
• Police clearance certificate
• Letter of approval issued by the Ministry of Labor of Thailand. Your employer in Thailand must apply for approval to the Foreign Workers Administration of the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labor of Thailand.
• If you will work as a school teacher at the pre-university level:Letter of acceptance from the educational institution
• A letter of approval issued by the relevant Thai government agency, such as the Office of the Private Education Commission or the Office of the Basic Education Commission.
• School license or business registration along with a list of shareholders and a school profile
• Your resume

A work permit in Thailand allows its holder to work legally in Thailand.

To be eligible for a work permit in Thailand, you must work for a company that meets the conditions set by the Ministry of Labour, such as:

• The company has a registered capital of at least 2,000,000 Thai baht.
• The company has paid at least 5,000,000 Thai baht in income tax to the Department of Revenue in the past 3 years.
• The company is an export company with overseas remittances of at least 3,000,000 Thai baht in the last year
• The company employs at least 50 Thai nationals.

In addition, there is a limit on the number of foreigners a company can hire, according to the company's capital. For example, companies can hire one foreign worker for every 2,000,000 Thai baht of registered capital, or one foreign worker for every 50 Thai nationals.

A work permit in Thailand is tied to a specific profession and employer. If you want to change your employer, your office address has changed, you must notify the Ministry of Labor and make the necessary changes.

Requirements for a work permit in Thailand

When applying for a work permit in Thailand, both you and your employer must have several documents, such as:

• Your passport and copies of all pages in your passport
• Your Thai work visa
• Your academic degrees and certificates
• Your employment/work contract, which states your salary, position and job duties
• Any relevant certificates and licenses
• Your resume
• Three photos of you 5 x 6 cm in size
• Confirmation of residence in Thailand
• Health certificate
• If you are married to a Thai citizen: Marriage certificate
• Company certificate

Any additional documents requested by employees of the Ministry of Labor who are reviewing your application.

You or your employer must apply for a work permit in Thailand at the Ministry of Labor after you receive your non-immigrant (work) visa and travel to Thailand. Both you and your employer must have the necessary documents to support the application. The application for a work permit must be submitted before the visa expires and before the start of work.

The fee for a work permit in Thailand varies depending on the validity period of the permit:

• Work permit in Thailand for up to three months: 750 Thai baht
• Work permit in Thailand for three to six months: 1,500 Thai baht
• Work permit in Thailand longer than 6 to 12 months: 3000 Thai baht

What is the validity period of a work permit in Thailand?

A work permit in Thailand is issued for a maximum period of 1 year. If your employment contract is concluded for a period of less than one year, a work permit will also be issued for this period.

The SMART Visa is offered to foreign experts, executives, entrepreneurs and investors who wish to come to the Kingdom of Thailand to work or invest in the following "10 S-Curve" industries or the country's target industries.

• New generation cars
• Smart electronics
• Wealthy, medical and wellness tourism
• Agriculture and biotechnology
• Food for the future
• Automation and robotics
• Aviation and logistics
• Biofuels and biochemical substances
• Digital
• Medical centre

Thailand SMART Visa is divided into the following types:

• SMART Visa "T", for foreign talents
• SMART Visa “I” for foreign investors
• SMART Visa “E” for foreign executives
• SMART Visa “S” for foreign technological start-up entrepreneurs
• SMART Visa “O” for family members (dependent spouse and children) of one of the primary SMART Visa holders above

How to get SMART Visa "T"?

To apply for a Thailand SMART Visa T visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a highly qualified professional in one of the target industries
• You must be qualified in science and technology related to one of the target Industries
• You must have a monthly income of at least 100,000 Thai baht
• If you will work in a startup or are a retired expert who has approval from the relevant agency, the monthly income must be at least 50,000 Thai baht.
• You must have a contract for the performance of works/services valid for at least 1 year

Additional documents required for SMART Visa T

• Your employment or service contract, stating the minimum duration of one year, and details of your work, including title and salary.
• Annual report of the hiring company

How to get SMART Visa "I"?

To be eligible for a SMART I visa to Thailand, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must directly invest at least 20 million Thai baht in a technology business in one of the target industries in Thailand, either individually or through a venture capital firm.
• Invest at least 5 million Thai baht in a startup or incubation/acceleration program in Thailand approved by relevant agencies
• The business in which you invest must be based on technological production or service provision in one of the target industries

Additional documents required for SMART Visa I

• List of shareholders of the company, which is not older than three months, or another document that proves the ownership of shares and the value of the company
• The company's annual report, brochures, catalogs and the company's most recent annual financial report (if available)

How to get SMART Visa "Е"?

To be eligible for a Thailand SMART Visa E, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must hold a senior management position, such as chairman or managing director of a technology company in one of the target industries.
• You must have a monthly income of at least 200,000 Thai baht.
• You must have at least a bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of work experience in a relevant field.
• You must have a contract for the performance of works/services valid for at least 1 year

Documents required for SMART Visa E

• Your employment or service contract, stating the minimum duration of one year, and details of your work, including title and salary.
• Organizational chart of the company
• The company's annual report, brochures, catalogs and the company's most recent annual financial report (if available)
• The list of shareholders of the company, which is not older than 3 months

How to get SMART Visa "S"?

To obtain a Thailand SMART Visa S qualifying visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must establish a startup company in Thailand in one of the target industries
• You must own at least 25% of the company's authorized capital or be a director in the company
• You must have a deposit of at least 600,000 Thai Baht or its equivalent in a bank account in Thailand or your country of residence, which you have held for at least 3 months.
• You must have health insurance that covers the duration of your stay in Thailand

Additional documents required for SMART Visa S

• Overview of your business plan (Pitch Deck)
• List of shareholders of the company and/or transfer receipt, which is not older than 3 months
• The company's annual report, brochures, catalogs and the company's most recent annual financial report (if available)
• Proof of acceptance into an incubation or accelerator program.
• Confirmation of participation in startup promotion events
• Proof that you have a deposit of at least 600,000 Thai baht or its equivalent in a bank account in Thailand or your country of residence, which you have held for at least 3 months.
• If you have dependent family members with you, the deposit should be an additional THB 180,000 per person.
• Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay in Thailand

How to get SMART Visa "O"?

To qualify for a SMART Visa to Thailand, you must be the spouse and/or legitimate dependent child (biological or adopted) of the primary SMART Visa holder.

Additional documents required for SMART Visa O

• A copy of the passport of the main owner of the SMART Visa
• Proof of family relationship
• If you will be working in Thailand: your employment or employment contract, stating the minimum duration of one year, and details of your employment, including title and salary.
• If you are accompanying a Smart Visa "S" holder:
• Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay in Thailand
• Proof of deposit of at least 600,000 Thai baht with an additional 180,000 baht for each dependent.

SMART visa requirements

When you apply for a SMART Visa, you need the following documents:

• A printout of the SMART Visa application form according to the specific type of visa you are applying for.
• Your passport.
• Certificate of clean criminal record. Police ID issued by the police authorities of your country of citizenship. The certificate must be notarized.
• If you are in Thailand, please also include a police certificate issued by the Thai police authorities.
• Health certificate. It must be issued within the last three months, confirming that you are not infected with one of the prohibited diseases (leprosy, tuberculosis, elephantiasis, drug addiction (drugs/alcoholism) or third-phase syphilis). The certificate must be notarized.
• If someone else is applying on your behalf: Add a power of attorney.

The Thai SMART Visa application processing fee is 10,000 Thai Baht per year. However, the exact amount may vary depending on the local currency of the country in which you are applying.

1. Explore Remote Work Opportunities: With the rise of digital nomadism, many expats in Thailand work remotely for international companies. Explore online platforms and job boards that specialize in remote work opportunities. This allows you to maintain employment while enjoying the lifestyle in Thailand.

2. Freelancing and Gig Economy: Thailand has a growing gig economy. Consider freelancing in areas such as graphic design, writing, programming, or digital marketing. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and local Thai platforms can connect you with clients. This flexibility allows you to work on various projects and manage your own schedule.

3. Teach Specialized Skills: If you possess specialized skills such as yoga instruction, scuba diving, cooking, or arts and crafts, consider teaching workshops or classes. Many tourists and expats are interested in learning new skills, providing you with opportunities to offer paid lessons or workshops.

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