Business Visa (Non-B) to Thailand

A business visa (Non-Immigrant B, or simply Non-B) is an official permit for long-term stay in Thailand for the purpose of working or doing business. It is a mandatory step for anyone who wants to legally work, open a company or invest in the Thai market.

Who is this option suitable for?

●       Entrepreneurs who want to register a company in Thailand;

●       Hired employees who have received an official invitation to work;

●       Investors investing in Thai businesses;

●       Freelancers who want to legalize their work through business structures.

Difference between business visa and other visa categories in Thailand

A business visa has key differences from a tourist, student and other visa categories.

A business visa does not automatically grant the right to work – this requires a Work Permit.

What grounds are needed to obtain a business visa?

To obtain a business visa, you must prove the basis for its issuance. There are three main ways:

●       Employment in a Thai company. The employer must issue a work permit, provide an invitation and confirm that the company meets the visa requirements (for example, there must be at least 4 Thai employees per foreigner).

●       Registering your own business in Thailand. Opening a company with a share capital of 2 million baht gives the right to a business visa and subsequent registration of a Work Permit.

●       Investments in Thai companies. Buying a stake in a business (usually at least 49% of shares) may be the basis for obtaining a business visa.

What documents are required to apply for a business visa?

To submit an application to the consulate or immigration office, you will need a standard package of documents:

●       Passport – valid for at least 6 months.

●       Invitation from a company – if the visa is issued through an employer, a contract or letter of employment is required.

●       Company registration documents – charter, registration certificate, tax reports.

●       Financial documents – a bank statement confirming the availability of funds, as well as the company’s authorized capital (if issued through a business).

●       A visa application is a standard form that is filled out when submitting documents to the consulate.

Additionally, certificates of no criminal record, medical certificates and photographs may be required.

The process of obtaining a business visa to Thailand

The process of obtaining a business visa involves several stages.

Step 1: Find an employer or register a company

If the applicant applies for a visa through employment, he/she must find an employer who agrees to prepare the documents and issue a Work Permit. For entrepreneurs, it is necessary to register a company that meets the visa requirements.

Step 2: Prepare documents and receive an invitation

The employing company must issue an invitation, confirm that the foreign employee will work legally and provide all registration documents.

Step 3: Submitting an application at the consulate or visa application centre

Business visas can be obtained at Thai consulates abroad. Popular countries for submission: Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia. In some cases, you can submit documents within Thailand, but this is more complicated and expensive.

Step 4: Enter Thailand and register with immigration

After receiving a visa, you must enter Thailand within 90 days. Upon arrival, you will need:

●       register with the company (for employees);

●       submit documents to the immigration service;

●       Obtain a Re-Entry Permit if you plan to travel abroad.

Step 5: Obtaining a Work Permit

A business visa does not give the right to work without a Work Permit. To obtain a permit, you must submit documents to the Ministry of Labor of Thailand. Only after receiving a Work Permit can you officially work or manage a business.

Where can I get a business visa for Thailand?

The main rule is that a business visa cannot be issued within Thailand if the applicant is already in the country on another visa (tourist, student).

Popular countries to apply to:

●       Laos (Vientiane) is one of the most convenient places to get a visa, the Thai consulate here works steadily.

●       Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang) – suitable for those who want to quickly obtain a visa without a long wait.

●       Cambodia (Phnom Penh) – fast track option available, but visa regulations may change.

Is it possible to get a visa within Thailand?

Previously, some agencies offered to process business visas within the country, but this practice has become more complicated since 2023. In rare cases, it is possible to submit documents through legal companies, but this will require additional costs and intermediaries.

Thailand's immigration policy is constantly changing, so it's important to stay up to date. In recent years, authorities have tightened controls on shell companies used by foreigners to obtain business visas. Now, every company must meet strict requirements for authorized capital, number of employees, and tax reporting.

Cost of a business visa in Thailand

The cost of obtaining a business visa in Thailand depends on several factors: the type of business, the number of required documents and the services of intermediaries.

Applying for a business visa at a Thai consulate abroad will cost approximately 2,000–5,000 baht (depending on the country of application). Additionally, you may need the services of lawyers or agencies if you apply through intermediaries – the cost of such services starts from 15,000 baht.

To obtain a business visa through company registration, you will need to invest at least 50,000-100,000 baht for legal registration. In addition, annual expenses include:

●       Tax reporting – from 10,000 baht per year;

●       Accounting services – from 3000 baht per month;

●       Social contributions for employees are approximately 1,000 baht per person.

Cost of obtaining a Work Permit and social taxes

The cost of obtaining a Work Permit starts from 15,000 baht, but the final amount depends on the type of company and region. You also need to take into account monthly payroll taxes (around 5%–10% of the employee's salary).

Work Permit and Work Rules in Thailand

To work in Thailand, a business visa is not enough – you need to apply for a Work Permit. This document is issued by the Ministry of Labor and allows foreigners to legally engage in certain activities.

What types of jobs are available to foreigners?

In Thailand, there is a list of permitted professions that foreign citizens can apply for:

●       English language teachers (subject to qualification);

●       Company executives and owners;

●       IT specialists, programmers, engineers;

●       Consultants and specialists in the field of tourism;

●       Workers in the real estate and finance sectors.

What professions are foreigners prohibited from taking up in Thailand?

Thai law prohibits foreigners from working in certain areas. These professions include:

●       Salespeople and cashiers;

●       Taxi drivers, public transport drivers;

●       Builders, painters, masons;

●       Massage therapists and beauty salon workers;

●       Farmers, fishermen, street vendors.

Any work without a Work Permit or in a prohibited area is considered illegal, which can lead to fines, visa cancellation and deportation.

Business visa extension and visa type change

A business visa is issued for 90 days, but can be extended up to 1 year. To extend, you must comply with the conditions and submit documents to the immigration office.

The procedure for extending a business visa includes several stages:

1. Preparation of documents: passport, work permit, company tax reports, registration documents.
2. Submit your application to the immigration office no later than 14 days before your visa expires.
3. Payment of duty (1900 baht).
4. Waiting for a decision takes from 3 to 10 working days.

Is it possible to change a business visa to a tourist or long-term visa?

Changing a business visa to a tourist visa within Thailand is not possible - to do this, you need to go to a neighboring country and submit documents to the consulate. However, changing to a residence permit or an Elite Visa is possible if certain conditions are met (investments, long-term residence).

What to do if your extension is denied?

If the immigration service refuses to extend your visa, there are several options:

●       File an appeal through a lawyer or consulting agency.

●       Travel abroad and apply for a new visa.

●       Consider alternative stay options (for example, applying for a long-term Elite Visa).

Pros and Cons of a Business Visa in Thailand

A business visa is one of the few legal ways to stay in the country for a long time. However, it has both advantages and certain risks.

It is important to consider all the pros and cons before applying for a business visa, as this category of visas requires serious financial investments and strict compliance with the law.

Conclusion

A business visa (Non-B) is one of the most popular ways to legally stay in Thailand, but its registration requires strict adherence to the rules. Regardless of whether the visa is issued through an employer or a company registration, it is important to consider all financial and legal aspects.

The choice between working for hire or starting a business depends on personal goals. For employees, it is important to find a reliable employer who can handle all the paperwork. For entrepreneurs, the process will be more difficult, since registering a company requires significant costs and compliance with Thai law.

To avoid problems with the immigration service, it is important to prepare all documents in advance, monitor changes in laws and not try to circumvent visa rules. Then a business visa will become a reliable way to stay in Thailand for a long time and conduct legal activities.