A Thailand Work Permit is a book of permissions or licenses that allows a non-Thai or foreigner to lawfully work in Thailand. The Ministry of Labor issues the Work Permit, which must be renewed every time it expires.
If you are hired by a Thai firm, foundation, school, or government, you must have a Work Permit book in order to work in Thailand. However, we’ve put up this guide to help you learn more about Thailand’s Work Permit and how to apply for it.
Additionally, we also provide details on how to renew your Thailand Work Permit. Therefore, let’s get to the facts and stay safe from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thailand Work Permit: Things you must know
To begin, you must get a Thailand Work Permit if you intend to work in Thailand. Working without a Work Permit is deemed illegal and is punishable by law, with a possible prison sentence. You have to appear in court and face a jail sentence. Henceforth, you will be deported after that and are not allowed to return to Thailand.
To apply for a Thailand Work Permit, you’ll also need a Non-Immigrant B Visa or an O Visa. Foreigners on a Tourist Visa or a Visa on Arrival cannot work and must ask for permission to do so. Please keep in mind that a Work Permit is not the same as a Working Visa.
The Thailand Work Permit does not last indefinitely. Therefore, you must renew it with the relevant documents before it expires. You must declare your wage once you acquire a Work Permit. Therefore, you must file your Personal Income Tax every year.
If you want to stay in Thailand yet work for a foreign company, you are not eligible to apply for a Work Permit in Thailand. It is because no Thai entity pays your salary or hires you.
You do not need to apply for a Work Permit if you purchase a condominium and rent it out.
Your Work Permit will be a blue book if you work for a regular company. Otherwise, if you work for a BOI company, your Work Permit will be a digital application on your phone. You must file an application in the location where the company is currently operating.
Finally, you should be aware that some jobs and occupations are exclusively available to Thai citizens. Therefore, you will be unable to work in some fields or sectors. The information on which professions you are not permitted to work in Thailand can be found in the following section.
List of Prohibited Jobs for Foreigners in Thailand
You should be aware that some vocations or careers are exclusively available to Thai citizens, making it impossible for a foreigner to work in Thailand. You will not be able to obtain a work permit for this occupation automatically. The following are the jobs for which foreigners are unable to obtain Thailand Work Permit.
- Manual work
- Work in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, or fishery excluding specialized work in each particular branch or farm supervision
- Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction works
- Wood carving
- Excluding international aircraft piloting, driving a mechanically propelled vehicle or a non-mechanically propelled vehicle.
- Shop attendance
- Auction
- Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy excluding internal auditing on occasions
- Cutting or polishing jewelry
- Haircutting, hairdressing, or beauty treatment
- Cloth weaving by hand
- Weaving of mate or making products from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw, or bamboo pellicle
- Making of Sa paper by hand
- Lacquerware making
- Making of Thai musical instrument
- Niello ware making
- Making of products from gold, silver, or gold-copper alloy
- Bronze ware making
- Making of Thai dolls
- Making of mattress or quilt blanket
- Alms bowls casting
- Making of silk products by hand
- The casting of Buddha images
- Knifemaking
- Making of paper of cloth umbrella
- Shoemaking
- Hat Making
- Brokerage or agency excluding brokerage or agency in international trade business
- Engineering work in civil engineering branch concerning designing and calculation, organization, research, planning, testing, construction supervision, or advising excluding specialized work
- Architectural work concerning designing, drawing of plan, estimating, construction directing, or advising
- Garments making
- Pottery or ceramic ware making
- Cigarette making by hand
- Guide or conduct sightseeing tours
- Street Vending
- Typesetting of Thai characters by hand
- Drawing and twisting silk-thread by hand
- Office or secretarial work
- Legal or lawsuit services
Work Permit in Thailand: Necessary Qualifications
We divided the qualifications that you must meet to qualify for a Work Permit in Thailand into a qualification that the Employer (business) must have and a qualification that the Employee must have to make it easier to grasp.
Qualification for the foreign Employee
- The foreign applicant must hold a Non-Immigrant Visa Type B or Type O. But not the Retirement Visa Type.
- The applicant has the knowledge and ability to work in the applied position.
- The applicant does not have the following diseases: Leprosy, Advanced Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Drug addiction, Chronic alcoholism, Elephantiasis, VDRL. And we have a partner nearby our office to issue a medical certificate, please refer to this clinic: Apply medical certificate.
- The applicant has not committed the jail term under Immigration Law or Foreign Working Permit Law in the last 1 year prior to the submission of the work permit application.
Qualification for the Company as Employer
- The ratio of paid-up capital must be 2 million THB per one foreign applicant. In case the applicant is married to Thai, paid-up capital can be 1 million THB.
- The ratio of Thai Staff in the Company must be 1 person per one foreign applicant.
- The Company must register VAT.
- In case the company operates in a business that requires specific licenses, the company must provide proof of such licenses such as restaurant, hotel, tour, etc.
Thailand Work Permit: Documents for New Application
Once you checked the qualification as above and you observed that you are eligible, the next is you need to prepare the requirements to follow the list of documents for applying for a Work Permit in Thailand as listed below:
- WP 1 Application Form.
- Photo size 3×4 cm. for 3 photos (must not longer than 6 months)
- Copy of Passport or book of Permanent Residence with its original
- Copy of education certificate
- Medical Certificate
- Copy of Company Affidavit (must not longer than 6 months)
- Copy of VAT Registration call PP.01 and PP.09(if any)
- Business License in case of the company operates in some business that is required to have one.
- Copy of Social Security Fund Contribution for last 3 months with its original
- Audited Financial Report for last 1 year with its original
- Copy of VAT Payment report called PP.30 for last 3 months with its original
- Copy of Thai ID Card of the Company’s director. In case of the foreign director signing the document, the foreign director must present the passport and work permit of such a foreign director.
For the copy of the company’s document, the director must sign and affix the company’s seal. Please be noted that the Thai Government Officer can ask for more detail or requirement if it is deemed necessary.
Thailand Work Permit: Fees
It is true that it is not free. When applying for a Work Permit, you must pay a government fee of 100THB at the time of application. After the application has been granted, you must pay the government fee according to the following schedule:
- Less than 3 months: 750 THB
- 3-6 months: 1500 THB
- 6-12 months: 3000 THB
The application for a Thailand Work Permit takes three working days to process after it is submitted. However, due to the COVID-19 situation or other circumstances such as holidays, it may be extended. Please keep in mind that payment must be made in Thai Baht.
Thailand Work Permit: Documents for Renewal
Your Work Permit will be valid for 3–12 months once you have been authorized. As a result, you must renew it before it expires. The following is a list of documents you’ll need to renew your Work Permit in Thailand:
- Form WP.5
- Original of Work Permit with its copy
- Employment Certificate
- Passport with a valid visa
- Medical Certificate with completed the checked
- Document as stated in the condition (See condition in your Work Permit)
- Copy of Company Affidavit
- Copy of List of Shareholder
- Lastest year of Financial report
- VAT payment PP.30 for last 3 months
- Personal income tax
- Power of Attorney from company
- Power of Attorney from Work Permit holder
- Fee (same as application time, see above)
Work Permit Application and Renewal
We’ve handled a lot of Thailand Work Permit applications, both for our clients and for our international employees. We are aware of all essential paperwork, and the first thing we do is double-check all corporate records to ensure that we will not face any difficulties while submitting the initial application or renewing the Work Permit.
More than merely producing the papers for the applicant is included in our work permit application and renewal service. We make certain that all additional documentation required by the Labour Officer is properly produced.
We also ensure that the Work Permit is obtainable legally so that the foreigner and the firm or entity that hired the foreigner do not face any future difficulties.
Even while renewing a Thailand work visa may appear to be simple enough for a foreigner, we strongly advise leaving it to the professionals to avoid any difficulties or mistakes that could cause you to lose a few days or cause lasting problems for your company or work permit renewals.
Bottomline
To summarise, a foreigner working in Thailand must get a Thailand Work Permit in order to work legally in Thailand. He must also ensure that it is linked to the appropriate visa.
The prerequisites for a Thailand Work Permit are rather basic; they are all given above, and any company eager to recruit a foreigner can produce the documentation if they like.
Some businesses neglect the need of obtaining a Work Permit in Thailand and learn the hard way. Be intelligent enough to understand a country’s rules. Follow the law and the laws if you wish to live a happy and peaceful life in Thailand. It may appear difficult, but with the proper person, it is as simple as deciding what to eat for dinner.
For more details and assistance on the process of application or renewal of Thailand Work Permit, mail us at [email protected].
