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. As a result, we’ve put up this guide to help you learn more about Thailand’s Work Permit and how to apply for it. Apart from that, this article will help you to know about the renewal process of your Work Permit in Thailand in 2023.
Things to Know About Thailand Work Permit
To begin, you must get a Thailand Work Permit if you intend to work in Thailand. Working without a Work Permit is illegal and is punishable by law, with a possible prison sentence. We frequently receive questions from foreign nationals being arrested by an immigration officer while working without work authorization. They were deported henceforth and cannot return to Thailand. To apply for a Work Permit, you’ll need a specific sort of Visa, such as 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.
In Thailand, you must have an employer, or you can set up a company to do business and hire yourself as the director.
The Thailand Work Permit does not last indefinitely. 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 based on this. You do not need to apply for a Work Permit if you purchased a condominium and rent it out. However, you must continue to submit and pay your personal income tax.
You can engage with a legal body for your convenience and avoid making mistakes that will take several days to correct. Your Work Permit will be a blue book if you work for a regular company. If you work for a BOI company, your Work Permit will be in the form of a digital application on your phone. You must file an application in the location where the company is currently operating.
Jobs Prohibited for Work Permit 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 work permits in Thailand.
Trades Prohibited from Work Permit
- Manual work
- Work in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, or fishery
- Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction works
- Wood carving
- Driving mechanically propelled or a non-mechanically-propelled vehicle, excluding international aircraft piloting
- Shop attendance
- Auction
- Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy
- 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 Sand 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
Necessary Qualification for Work Permit in Thailand
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.
Qualifications for a 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.
- Applicant must not have the following diseases: Leprosy, Advanced Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Drug addiction, Chronic alcoholism, Elephantiasis, VDRL.
- 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 a Company as an Employer
- The ratio of paid-up capital must be 2 million THB per one foreign applicant. (In case the applicant married with 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. (Don’t be confused that 4 Thai staff is required for Non-B Visa)
- 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.
Documents to Apply for Work Permit in Thailand
Once you’ve examined the qualifications given above and determined that you’re eligible, you’ll need to prepare the following documents to apply for a Work Permit in Thailand:
- 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
- One Copy of 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 passport and work permit of such foreign director)
The director must sign and affix the company’s seal to the copy of the company’s document. Please keep in mind that the Thai Government Officer has the authority to request further information or requirements if deemed appropriate.
Documents for Renewal of Work Permit in Thailand
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
Application & Renewal Services for Work Permit in Thailand
We’ve handled a lot of Thailand Work Permit applications, both for our clients and for our international employees. Moreover, 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.
Additionally, we ensure that the Work Permit is obtained 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. Therefore, we strongly advise leaving it to the professionals to avoid any difficulties or mistakes causing you to lose a few days or lasting problems for your company or work permit renewals.
The 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 the work visa and the respective is has a sync. Many people take the risk of working without a Work Permit, and we constantly tell anyone who asks about Work Permits that they can take the risk if they are ready to risk a jail sentence, pay penalties, and get a fine in a criminal case. For any and all types of support for your Work Permit in Thailand, email us at [email protected].
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. Therefore, 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 contacts, it is as simple as deciding what to eat for dinner.
