Non-Immigrant B + Work Permit — the standard work route
For salaried foreign employees, business owners, executives, and corporate transfers to Thailand. Includes the work permit. BOI promotion offers fast-track for qualifying companies in EEC industries.
Company capital
2M THB
per foreign employee
Thai:foreign ratio
4:1
2:1 if Thai-married
Visa fee
2k–10k THB
BOI fast-track
1–3 days
Two paths: standard Non-B vs BOI fast-track
Standard Non-B: Thai company sponsors you. Must have 2M THB paid capital per foreign work permit, plus 4 Thai employees per 1 foreigner (4:1 ratio). Visa + work permit takes 4–8 weeks.
BOI-promoted: Company has BOI status (technology, EEC industries, etc.). Exempt from 4:1 ratio, faster processing at OSOS in Bangkok (1–3 days for visa + work permit), reduced 90-day reporting to annual. Major upgrade if eligible.
Eligibility
- Confirmed job offer or employment contract from Thai company
- Sponsoring company meets capital + Thai-staff requirements (or BOI-promoted)
- Your role NOT on Thailand's 39 reserved-occupations list
- Educational degree or experience matching the role
- Personal funds: 20,000 THB / 40,000 THB family
Process — 6 steps
- Employer obtains WP.32 pre-approval letter from Department of Employment (7–15 working days)
- You apply for Non-B visa at Royal Thai Embassy in your home country (single-entry 90-day, 2,000 THB)
- Enter Thailand on Non-B
- Apply for work permit within 15 days of arrival (7–10 days Bangkok; 2 weeks Pattaya/Chonburi)
- Apply for 1-year extension at Jomtien (or OSOS for BOI) — 1,900 THB
- Renew annually with updated employer documents
Common pitfalls
1. The 4:1 ratio trap for small businesses
Solo entrepreneur setting up a Thai company to hire yourself = needs 4 Thai employees first. Most fail. BOI promotion or marriage to Thai (2:1) are the workarounds.
2. Working before the work permit is issued
Visa alone does NOT authorise work. Wait for the physical work permit booklet. Working in the meantime is a criminal offence.
3. Expired work permit kills the visa
Work permit and visa renewals are linked. If WP expires by even 1 day, your visa extension basis evaporates.
Pattaya / EEC angle
The Eastern Economic Corridor (Chonburi/Pattaya, Rayong, Chachoengsao) is a major BOI-promoted zone for automotive, electronics, food, robotics, aviation/logistics, and digital industries. Foreign senior hires increasingly use BOI-Non-B or LTR-H instead of standard Non-B for 4:1-exempt fast-track. See LTR for high-income alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a work permit without a Non-B visa?
What's BOI promotion and is it better?
Can I freelance on a Non-B?
Get matched with our Pattaya / EEC corporate immigration partner.
Pattaya immigration lawyers + accountants who handle Non-B + work permit, BOI promotion, EEC corporate setups, and company incorporation. End-to-end service.