Thailand is a popular destination for business and investment, with its robust economy, attractive business environment, and strategic location in Southeast Asia. The Thai government has established various programs to encourage foreign investment and entrepreneurship, including the issuance of business and investor visas.

A business visa is intended for foreigners who wish to conduct business activities in Thailand, such as attending meetings, negotiating contracts, or exploring business opportunities. This visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and can be extended for up to one year.

An investor visa, on the other hand, is designed for foreigners who wish to invest in Thailand. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must invest at least 10 million baht (approximately $320,000) in a Thai company or government bonds, or in a Thai bank account. This visa allows a stay of up to four years and can be extended indefinitely.

Both the business and investor visas offer a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs and investors to establish a presence in Thailand, and to take advantage of the country's business-friendly policies and economic opportunities. However, there are certain requirements and procedures that must be followed in order to obtain these visas, and it is important to consult with a qualified legal or immigration professional before proceeding.

Business and investor visas are divided into two categories

Business and investor visas in Thailand are generally divided into two categories:

• Non-Immigrant B Visa
• Non-Immigrant IB

Both types of visas require the applicant to meet certain criteria and follow specific procedures, including obtaining the necessary documents, applying through the appropriate channels, and complying with Thai immigration laws and regulations. The requirements and procedures can vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant's individual circumstances, so it is important to seek professional guidance before proceeding with the application process.

Non-Immigrant B Visa

If you are an ordinary passport holder and wish to enter Thailand for conducting business or working, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa. This type of visa is issued to foreigners who wish to engage in business activities in Thailand or who have been offered employment by a Thai company.

To apply for the Non-Immigrant B Visa, you will need to provide various documents, including a valid passport, a completed application form, a letter of invitation or employment offer, and evidence of financial support. You may also be required to provide additional documents depending on your specific situation.

Once your application has been submitted, it will be processed online. If approved, you will be issued a Non-Immigrant B Visa that will allow you to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. You can then apply for an extension of stay if needed, for up to one year.

It is important to note that the Non-Immigrant B Visa is subject to certain conditions and restrictions, including limitations on the type of work that can be performed and the length of stay in Thailand. It is also important to comply with Thai immigration laws and regulations during your stay. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional guidance to ensure that you meet all the requirements and procedures for obtaining and maintaining your Non-Immigrant B Visa.

Non-Immigrant IB

If you are an ordinary passport holder and plan to invest in or work for a BOI-registered company in Thailand, you can apply for the Non-Immigrant type IB Visa. The BOI, or the Board of Investment, is a government agency that promotes foreign investment in Thailand by offering various incentives and benefits to eligible companies.

To apply for the Non-Immigrant type IB Visa, you will need to provide various documents, including a valid passport, a completed application form, and evidence of your investment or employment with a BOI-registered company. You may also be required to provide additional documents depending on your specific situation.

If approved, you will be issued a Non-Immigrant type IB Visa that will allow you to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. You can then apply for an extension of stay if needed, for up to one year.

It is important to note that the Non-Immigrant type IB Visa is subject to certain conditions and restrictions, including limitations on the type of work that can be performed and the length of stay in Thailand. It is also important to comply with Thai immigration laws and regulations during your stay. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional guidance to ensure that you meet all the requirements and procedures for obtaining and maintaining your Non-Immigrant type IB Visa.

If you are an ordinary passport holder and want to enter Thailand for business or work purposes, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa. To apply for the visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

Required Document for Thailand Business & Investor Visa

The required documents for a Thailand business and investor visa may vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the applicant. Here are some general documents that may be required:

Non-Immigrant B Visa

• A recent passport-sized photograph (taken within the past six months)
• A letter from your employer stating the purpose of your visit to Thailand, or documents showing correspondence with business partners in Thailand (such as a letter confirming employment details or a business registration/license of a partner company in Thailand).
• A letter of invitation from a trading company in Thailand.

Non-Immigrant IB

• The passport or travel document must have a validity of at least six months.
• A recent photograph of the applicant, taken no more than six months ago, is required.
• An employment confirmation letter from the employer is necessary.
• A letter from the BOI is also required.

Employment/ Working in Thailand

If you are planning to work in Thailand, you will need to apply for an Employment Visa. To apply for the visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport or travel document with a validity of at least 6 months (18 months validity is required for a one-year visa application).
• A recent passport-sized photograph (taken within the past six months).
• A letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this letter, your prospective employer in Thailand will need to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour or at a Provincial Employment Office in the respective province. Further information is available at An employment contract indicating the rationale for employing you, as well as your salary, position, and qualifications. The document must be signed by an authorized managing director and affixed with the company seal.
• A copy of your Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour, if you have previously worked in Thailand.
• Copies of your educational records and letters of recommendation from your prior employers, identifying job description and length of service time.

In addition, you may also be required to provide corporate documents such as a list of-

• Shareholders,
• Business Registration And License,
• Company Profile,
• Details Of Business Operation,
• List Of Foreign Workers Stating Names,
• Nationalities And Positions,
• Map Indicating The Location Of The Company,
• Balance Sheet,
• Statement Of Income Tax And Business Tax (Porngordor 50 And Porngordor 30) Of The Latest Year,
• Alien Income Tax Return (Porngordor 91), And
• Value-Added Tax Registration (Porngordor 20).

Once your application has been submitted with all the required documents, it will be processed by the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. If approved, you will be issued an Employment Visa that will allow you to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. You will need to apply for a Work Permit upon your arrival in Thailand to be legally employed. It is recommended to seek professional guidance to ensure that you meet all the requirements and procedures for obtaining and maintaining your Employment Visa and Work Permit in Thailand.

Internship (Non-Curricular internship)

For a non-curricular internship in Thailand, the required documents for the visa application will depend on the specific needs and purposes stated in the application form. However, it is generally required to submit copies of the company's documents that are signed by the Board of Directors and affixed with the company seal. If any required document is not available, a letter explaining its unavailability must be provided. It is important to note that the applicant must sign on each page of the copy.

Furthermore, any documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai. If the translation is done in English, it should be notarized by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission.

Validity of a Thailand Business & Investor Visa

The validity of a Thailand business and investor visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the applicant.

For example, the Non-Immigrant B visa for business purposes is generally valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issuance. This means that the visa holder must enter Thailand within the 90-day validity period.

The validity of a business and investor visa can vary depending on the country that issues it and the terms and conditions of the visa. In general-

Non-Immigrant B

A non-immigrant B visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to enter a foreign country for business or work purposes. A single-entry non-immigrant B visa is valid for a period of three months from the date of issue. This means that the visa holder can enter the foreign country only once within the three-month period. If they leave the country, they will need to obtain a new visa to re-enter.

On the other hand, a multiple-entry non-immigrant B visa allows the visa holder to enter and exit the foreign country multiple times within a specified period. The validity of a multiple-entry visa can vary from three months to one year, depending on the specific country's regulations and the terms of the visa. The visa holder can enter and exit the foreign country as many times as they wish during the validity period of the visa, as long as they comply with the visa conditions and requirements.

Non-Immigrant IB

A non-immigrant IB visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to enter a foreign country for investment or business purposes. The validity of this type of visa is three months from the date of issue, which means that the visa holder must enter the foreign country within this period. Once the visa holder enters the foreign country, they can stay for a specific period, which is usually determined by the immigration laws of the country.

It is important to note that the validity period of a non-immigrant IB visa does not necessarily reflect the amount of time that the visa holder is allowed to stay in the foreign country. Instead, the length of stay is usually determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry and is often based on the purpose of the visit and other factors. It is also important for the visa holder to comply with the visa conditions and requirements to avoid any issues with their stay in the foreign country.

Period of Stay Thailand Business & Investor Visa

The period of stay for a Thailand Business and Investor visa can vary depending on the specific type of visa and the terms and conditions of the approval.

The initial validity of a Thailand Business and Investor visa is typically 90 days from the date of entry. However, this can be extended for an additional one year or more, subject to the discretion of the Thai immigration authorities.

Non-Immigrant B

The Non-Immigrant B visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in Thailand for the purpose of conducting business or working for a Thai company. The initial period of stay granted for this visa is 90 days, but it can be extended for an additional one year or more, subject to the discretion of the Thai immigration authorities.

It is important to note that the Office of Immigration Bureau has the authority to instruct the visa holder to stay for a shorter period of time, or to leave the country earlier than the originally granted period of stay, if they determine that the visa holder has violated any immigration laws or regulations. Therefore, it is important for visa holders to comply with the terms and conditions of the visa and to maintain the appropriate documentation and permits throughout their stay in Thailand.

Non-Immigrant IB

The Non-Immigrant IB visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in Thailand for the purpose of conducting investment-related activities. The initial period of stay granted for this visa is 90 days, unless otherwise instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau.

It is important to note that the Office of Immigration Bureau has the authority to instruct the visa holder to stay for a shorter period of time, or to leave the country earlier than the originally granted period of stay, if they determine that the visa holder has violated any immigration laws or regulations.

Therefore, it is important for visa holders to comply with the terms and conditions of the visa and to maintain the appropriate documentation and permits throughout their stay in Thailand. If a visa holder needs to stay in Thailand for a longer period, they can apply for an extension of stay at the Office of Immigration Bureau before the expiration of their initial period of stay.

Extension of Stay Thailand Business & Investor Visa

An extension of stay for a Thailand Business and Investor visa is possible for those who wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period of time than the initial period of stay granted upon entry. To apply for an extension of stay, the applicant must have a valid visa and meet certain requirements, which may vary depending on the specific type of visa and the applicant's circumstances.

Some of the common requirements for an extension of stay for a Thailand Business and Investor visa include:

• Having a valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
• Having a valid Business and Investor visa
• Providing proof of financial stability, such as bank statements, showing that the applicant has sufficient funds to support their stay in Thailand
• Providing a valid work permit, if the applicant is working in Thailand
• Providing a business plan, if applicable
• Paying the required fees for the extension of stay

The duration of the extension of stay granted may vary, but it is usually granted for a period of one year, subject to the discretion of the Thai immigration authorities. To apply for an extension of stay, the applicant must visit the local immigration office in Thailand and submit the required documents and information. It is recommended to start the extension application process at least 30 days before the expiry of the current period of stay.

Frequently asked questions