Understanding the Non-Immigrant “B” Visa for Business and Work in Thailand

gentlelawlawfirm
Jun 11
3 min read

Foreigners who wish to work, invest, or run a business in Thailand must obtain a Non-Immigrant “B” Visa—commonly referred to as a Business Visa. This visa is a legal prerequisite for applying for a Work Permit and for operating as a foreign director or employee in Thailand.

This article breaks down what the Non-B Visa is, who it’s for, how to apply, and what you need to prepare, step-by-step. If you're a foreign SME investor, this is the foundation for your legal stay and business operation in Thailand.

What Is a Non-Immigrant “B” Visa?

The Non-Immigrant “B” Visa (Business Class) is issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau or Royal Thai Embassies/Consulates to foreigners who intend to:

Work legally in Thailand
Conduct business activities (e.g., client meetings, negotiations)
Start or manage a company

This visa can be obtained in either single-entry (90 days) or multiple-entry (1 year) formats, depending on your purpose and documentation.

Common Use Cases for the Non-B Visa

Applicant Type	Typical Purpose	Requirements
Foreign employee	Employment in Thai company	Job offer, WP3 (pre-approval), corporate docs
Company director	Running own Thai-registered company	Company capital, shareholder/director status
Investor	Managing BOI- or Treaty-protected business	BOI or Amity approval, company documents
Consultant / Freelancer	Providing services to a Thai company	Formal invitation letter, service agreement

Note: You cannot legally work or even volunteer in Thailand on a tourist visa. Doing so violates the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and risks arrest or deportation.

Key Requirements

To apply for a Non-B Visa, you typically need:

1. Company Support Documents

Invitation letter (on company letterhead)
Company registration (Certificate, MOA, shareholder list)
VAT and tax documents
Financial statements or proof of operations

2. Personal Documents

Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
Passport-sized photos (as per consulate requirements)
Resume or CV (often requested)
Degree certificate or qualifications (if applying for employment)

3. WP3 Document (Pre-Approval for Work Permit)

Required for applications based on employment
Issued by Thailand's Ministry of Labour
Valid for 30 days

Where to Apply

You must apply for the initial Non-B Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. Common choices include:

Your home country
Thailand’s neighboring countries (e.g., Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia)

Some embassies are stricter than others. We recommend contacting the specific consulate before applying, as document requirements may vary.

Application Steps (Outside Thailand)

Prepare your documents
Obtain WP3 (if employed)
Submit to a Thai consulate
Pay the visa fee (around THB 2,000–5,000)
Wait for approval (3–5 business days)

Once approved, you'll receive a 90-day Non-B Visa that can later be extended inside Thailand.

In-Country Conversion (Tourist Visa → Non-B Visa)

In some cases, you may convert a tourist visa to a Non-B Visa without leaving Thailand, but this involves:

Strict documentation
Strong justification (e.g., urgent employment, company ownership)
Approval from Immigration and Labour Office

This is often used by foreign business owners who form a company in Thailand while already staying in the country.

Extension and Work Permit

Once you enter Thailand with a valid Non-B Visa:

Apply for a Work Permit within 15 days
Extend the Non-B Visa to a 1-year stay based on the work contract and permit
Report every 90 days to Immigration (90-day report)
Renew the visa annually if employment or business continues

Important Compliance Points

You must not start working until your Work Permit is approved.
Ensure that your company meets capital and Thai staff ratio requirements (usually THB 2M capital and 4 Thai staff per foreigner).
Report address changes and job title changes to Immigration and Labour offices.
Overstaying your visa is illegal and subject to fines or blacklisting.

Summary

Topic	Details
Purpose	Legal business activity or employment
Validity	90-day (single entry) or 1-year (multiple entry)
Where to Apply	Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand
Requirements	Employer support, company documents, WP3, passport
Next Steps in Thailand	Apply for Work Permit → Extend Visa → Renew yearly