PEOPLE PROCESS
1. MICE Activities That Don't Require a Work Permit!
Did you know... some MICE industry activities don't require a Work Permit — a visa alone is enough to enter Thailand. There are 7 activities that don't count as "work" under the Act on Foreign Employment, so no Work Permit is needed, and a Tourist Visa can be used instead.
Anyone traveling to Thailand to work must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (business visa), and afterward apply for a Work Permit — without one, working in Thailand is not permitted.
2. Work Permit Application Steps
If a Work Permit is required, follow these steps:
- 1Submit Form Tor.Tor.3 to support a Non-'B' Visa application at the embassy
- 2After receiving the visa, use it to apply for the Work Permit (Tor.Tor.1)
- 3Prepare the required documents
- 4Submit documents at the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour
3. Submitting Form Tor.Tor.3 for a Non-'B' Visa (Stays Over 90 Days)
The employer submits Form Tor.Tor.3 on the applicant's behalf, then sends the documents to the foreign national to apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in their country of residence. They must travel to Thailand within 30 days of receiving the documents.
4. Submitting Form Tor.Tor.1 (Work Permit)
The foreign national submits an employment contract to the Royal Thai Embassy in their country of residence. Once the visa is issued, they travel to Thailand to apply for Form Tor.Tor.1.
Good to Know
- If the foreign national already holds a Certificate of Residence and an Alien Registration Certificate, they may submit Form Tor.Tor.1 directly, without applying for a visa.
- Must apply within 90 days of arriving in Thailand, under the law permitting a temporary stay in the Kingdom.
5. Required Documents
- 1. Form Tor.Tor.1 application form
- 2. Three 3×4 cm photographs, taken within the last 6 months (not computer-printed or Polaroid photos)
- 3. Letter of employment certification
- 4. Copy of passport
- 5. Copies of educational and work experience records
- 6. Copy of professional license (if applicable)
- 7. Medical certificate (issued within the last 6 months)
- 8. Location map of the workplace
- 9. Power of attorney from the foreign national, affixed with a 10-baht duty stamp, and a copy of the attorney-in-fact's ID card (if the foreign national does not submit in person)
- 10. Power of attorney from the employer, affixed with a 10-baht duty stamp, and copies of the ID cards of the employer and the attorney-in-fact
6. Fees
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Application submission | 100 THB per copy |
| Permit | |
| Permit valid for up to 3 months | 750 THB per copy |
| Permit valid for over 3 up to 6 months | 1,500 THB per copy |
| Permit valid for over 6 months up to 1 year | 3,000 THB per copy |
| Permit renewal or extension of work period | |
| Renewal/extension of up to 3 months | 750 THB per instance |
| Renewal/extension of over 3 up to 6 months | 750 THB per instance |
| Renewal/extension of over 6 months up to 1 year | 3,000 THB per instance |
| Replacement permit | 500 THB per copy |
| Permission to change/add type of work | 1,000 THB per copy |
| Permission to change/add employer | 3,000 THB per copy |
| Permission to change/add locality or workplace | 1,000 THB per copy |
| Permission to change/add permit conditions | 150 THB per copy |
7. Renewing the Work Permit
To renew a Work Permit, first extend the visa at the Immigration Bureau, then submit Form Tor.Tor.5 — this must be done before the current Work Permit expires.
To change employer/workplace, contact the Immigration Bureau to endorse the visa as no longer tied to the previous employer and request a 7-day extension of stay, or leave the country to apply for a new Non-Immigrant Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy — then apply for a new Work Permit using Form Tor.Tor.1 to work for the new employer before the visa expires.
For urgent, necessary work of no more than 15 days, submit Form Tor.Tor.10. The work must be completed within 15 days, as this cannot be extended.
8. Related Websites and Form Downloads
Work Permit Applications through the Board of Investment (BOI)
Foreign nationals or investors traveling to Thailand can apply for a Work Permit through the BOI. Two types of service are available: Work Permit applications for businesses promoted by the BOI, and for businesses not promoted by the BOI.
9. Work Permit Applications for BOI-Promoted Businesses
Must be for the purpose of evaluating investment opportunities, or engaging in activities beneficial to investment, or operating a project in the process of applying for investment promotion or the issuance of an investment promotion certificate, under Section 24.
Good to Know
Processing through the Single Window for Visa and Work Permit, an online platform — the company will receive a User ID and Password within 1 business day. After registering, the user will receive a username and password; if the company already has an e-Expert ID, that ID can be used to log in immediately.
For More Information
The One-Stop Service Center, 18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building, 319 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Email: osos@boi.go.th Tel. 0 2209 1100 Fax 0 2209 1199