Quick Facts
Thai Work Permit at a glance
Section 1
Employer Qualification Requirements
Before a work permit can be issued, the employing company must independently meet two DOE requirements. These are checked against live DBD and social security records at the time of application — not on the basis of what the company intends to do in future.
฿2,000,000
Paid-Up Capital
Minimum registered paid-up capital per foreign employee the company wishes to sponsor. A company wanting to sponsor two foreign employees needs ฿4,000,000 in paid-up capital.
4 Thai : 1 Foreign
4:1 Thai Employee Ratio
Four registered Thai employees earning at least ฿18,000/month per foreign work permit holder. The ratio is calculated across the entire company — not per department.
BOI-promoted companies are exempt from the 4:1 ratio and the paid-up capital threshold. Applications are processed in 3 business days through the One Stop Service Centre.
Section 2
Document Requirements
Employer Documents
Personal Documents
Section 3
The DOE Filing Process
Confirm employer qualification
Check paid-up capital, Thai employee headcount and ratio against current DOE requirements before any documents are prepared.
Prepare employer and personal document packs
Employer documents must be current (company affidavit within 6 months). Personal documents must include a medical certificate from a Thai-registered physician.
Lodge application at the DOE within 30 days of entry
Bangkok: One Stop Service Centre at Chamchuri Square. Provinces: local DOE office with jurisdiction over the workplace address listed on the permit.
Collect the work permit
Processing at Chamchuri Square is typically 3–5 business days. Provincial offices vary. The permit is collected in person. The Non-Immigrant B visa is then converted to a 1-year multiple-entry Non-B.
Section 4
Reserved Professions (Annex 1)
The Working of Foreigners Act reserves 39 occupations exclusively for Thai nationals. No work permit can be issued for these roles under any circumstances — regardless of employer type, BOI status or years in Thailand.
Common Mistakes
Five errors that create problems
Applying before the employer meets the capital and ratio requirements
The DOE will reject an application where the company's paid-up capital is below ฿2,000,000 or the Thai employee headcount is below 4:1. These checks are done against live DBD and social security records. Applications that cannot succeed are not refunded.
Missing the 30-day application window after entry
Once you enter on a Non-Immigrant B visa, the work permit application must be lodged at the DOE within 30 days. A missed window means leaving Thailand and re-entering on a fresh Non-B before any application can be lodged.
Performing work outside the scope listed on the permit
The work permit names the job title. Performing duties outside that description — even senior duties for the same employer — is a violation. Role changes must be updated on the permit before the new duties begin.
Working for a new employer on the old permit after changing jobs
The permit is tied to a specific legal entity. Moving to a new company, even within the same corporate group, requires cancelling the existing permit and filing a new one with the new employer's documents.
Headcount falling below 4:1 at renewal without advance planning
If the employer's Thai employee count drops below the 4:1 ratio between the initial application and renewal, the renewal can be denied. This is a timing and headcount planning issue — it requires attention 60 days before renewal, not at the DOE counter.
Questions & Answers
Common questions about Thai work permits
Can my employer have the work permit ready before I arrive in Thailand?
No. The work permit application requires your physical presence in Thailand on a valid Non-Immigrant B visa. Document preparation can begin before you arrive, but the application is lodged in person at the DOE within 30 days of entry. The employer's sponsorship documents for the Non-B visa application can be prepared in advance.
What is the difference between the Non-Immigrant B visa and the work permit?
The Non-Immigrant B visa is issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before arrival and gives the right to enter and remain in Thailand for work purposes. The work permit is issued by the Department of Employment after arrival and gives the right to perform paid employment for a specific employer. Both are mandatory and neither substitutes for the other.
Can I have work permits for two different employers at the same time?
Each work permit covers one employer. If you perform paid work for two separate employers, each requires its own permit — and each employer must independently meet the capital and ratio requirements. Performing work for a second employer on a single permit covering only the first is a violation.
How does the work permit renewal align with the Non-Immigrant B visa renewal?
Both the Non-Immigrant B visa and the work permit are valid for one year and must be renewed in alignment. In Bangkok, the renewal of both is processed at the same appointment through the One Stop Service Centre at Chamchuri Square. We coordinate both renewals so neither document lapses while the other is being processed.
My role has changed — do I need a new work permit or can it be amended?
If the job title on the permit no longer reflects the work you are performing, the permit must be amended or replaced before the new duties begin. Minor title adjustments can sometimes be handled as an amendment. A significant role change — particularly one involving duties on Annex 1 of the Working of Foreigners Act — requires careful review before any application is lodged.
Lawyers for Expats Thailand
We handle work permit applications from employer eligibility assessment through DOE submission to annual renewal — including BOI One Stop Service applications and role amendments.
See how we help — Work Permit service page →Related Guides
Business Visa — Reference Guide
→Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit pair explained — the two authorisations required to work legally.
Company Formation — Reference Guide
→Thai company structures, foreign ownership limits, BOI promotion and registration process.
LTR Visa — Reference Guide
→10-year visa that removes the work permit requirement for qualifying remote professionals.
Business in Thailand
→All business services — company formation, banking, BOI and work authorisation.
