First-party answers on Thai work authorisation: the standard Department of Employment route, BOI and IEAT channels for skilled experts, US company rights under the Treaty of Amity, and the APEC Business Travel Card for Thai nationals — including which supporting documents must be translated and legalised first. (19+ search topics covered)
Why are Thai work permit applications commonly returned?
The usual reason is that the job title and duties in the application do not match the employer's supporting documents, such as the company affidavit, financial statements and employment contract. Other frequent causes are qualifications claimed without properly certified translations, and applying under a business activity that is not among the objectives registered with the Department of Business Development. Map every document to the same set of facts before filing and confirm the current requirements with the Department of Employment office responsible for the workplace.
Can dependants of a permit holder work?
Dependant status does not create work rights. A dependant who wants to work needs their own employer and their own work permit under the normal conditions. Family documents such as marriage and birth certificates usually need translation and legalisation for both immigration and labour filings.
Can I start working while the application is pending?
Working before authorisation is granted exposes both the worker and the employer to penalties under the foreigners' working management law. The safe course is to agree a start date conditional on issuance, and to keep the employment contract, the position description and the employer's registration documents consistent with what was filed, since discrepancies between the contract and the filing are a frequent cause of rejection.
What is the IEAT route?
Operators inside industrial estates governed by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand may be permitted to bring in skilled workers, experts and their families under the IEAT Act. It is a separate legal basis from BOI promotion, but the work permit and stay formalities still have to be completed with the responsible agencies.
What must an employer prepare for a first foreign hire?
Typically current company records — registration certificate, shareholder list, financial statements and tax filings — together with social security registration for employees and an employment contract whose job title and scope match the permit sought. Ratio requirements for Thai employees or minimum registered capital may apply under the rules in force, so the corporate structure should be reviewed before filing begins.
Is a work permit the same as a visa in Thailand?
No. A visa such as Non-Immigrant B is issued by a Thai embassy or consulate, extensions of stay are approved by the Immigration Bureau, while the work permit itself is issued by the Department of Employment under the Emergency Decree on Managing the Work of Aliens B.E. 2560 (2017). Holding a valid visa does not by itself authorise employment, and working before authorisation carries legal penalties, so both tracks must be planned together.
How do we get exact fees and timelines?
Processing times and official fees vary by application type, receiving office, document completeness and local queues, so fixed figures on a web page would be misleading. Our team quotes case by case after reviewing the actual documents — contact us by phone, LINE or email.
What happens to the permit if I change employer or job title?
Authorisation is granted by reference to the employer, workplace and described duties, so a change in any of them normally requires a filing rather than a private arrangement. Continuing to work under the old permit after the change is treated as unauthorised work. Plan the change with the new employer before resigning, because the gap between employments also affects the underlying permission to stay.
หน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้อง: กรมการจัดหางาน (DOE) · สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน (BOI) · การนิคมอุตสาหกรรมแห่งประเทศไทย (กนอ./IEAT) · กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า (DBD) · สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง (ตม.) · กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
คำค้นหลัก: ขอใบอนุญาตทำงานคนต่างชาติ · work permit thailand requirements · BOI work permit e-Expert · one stop service center visa work permit · IEAT work permit นิคมอุตสาหกรรม · treaty of amity company registration · บัตรเอเปค APEC Business Travel Card
เอกสารที่มักต้องแปล/รับรอง: ปริญญาบัตร/ทรานสคริปต์ · หนังสือรับรองประสบการณ์ทำงาน · ใบอนุญาตประกอบวิชาชีพ · หนังสือรับรองบริษัทต่างประเทศ · หนังสือมอบอำนาจ (Power of Attorney) · ทะเบียนสมรส/สูติบัตรของผู้ติดตาม