Setting Up Your Thai Company and Work Permit: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Directors

Starting a business in Thailand as a foreigner can feel complex – but with the right guidance, it’s absolutely manageable. In this guide, we walk you through every step of setting up a Thai limited company and securing a work permit as a company director. We will explain you what needs to be done, why starting early is crucial, and how we guide you through each phase. Our goal is to build your trust, anticipate your needs (“we think ahead for you”), and even create a bit of urgency – because these steps take time and shouldn’t be delayed. Let’s dive in.

Why You Should Start Now

Time is your ally in this process. Starting early means fewer last-minute scrambles and more confidence that everything will be in place when you need it. We often hear clients say, “I’ll sort out the work permit later,” not realizing that certain prerequisites take weeks or months (for example, hiring staff and filing taxes). By beginning now, we ensure your company meets all requirements by the time you’re ready to work in Thailand.

You deserve clear information and a partner who anticipates challenges. We think ahead for you: for instance, we know Thai Immigration will want to see your company’s tax and social security filings, so we’ll have those ready. We guide you through compliance steps that many newcomers overlook. We treat your goals as our own. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand not just the what, but the why of each step, and why it’s important to act without delay.

From Company Setup to Work Permit: Timeline Overview

Timeline: From company registration to obtaining a work permit – an overview of the key phases and their typical durations. Each step builds on the previous, and some tasks (like staff hiring and tax filings) must be done early to avoid delays later. As shown above, setting up a company and securing your director’s work permit is a multi-stage process that can span several weeks or a few months, so planning ahead is essential. Below, we break down each step in detail, with approximate timelines and important requirements at each phase.

Step 1: Company Registration – Laying the Foundation

Your company’s journey begins with formal registration in Thailand. We help you handle all the paperwork to turn your idea into a legal Thai entity. Here’s what this involves:

1. Company Name Reservation (1–3 days): We start by reserving your desired company name with the Department of Business Development (DBD). This is quick (usually a couple of days for approval), and the approved name is then locked in for 30 days, giving us a window to file the registration.

2. Preparing Registration Documents (1–2 weeks): Next, we prepare the necessary documents for incorporation. This includes the Memorandum of Association (listing your company’s name, address, objectives, capital, and promoters/shareholders), Articles of Association (company bylaws), a list of shareholders, and forms to appoint directors. We ensure everything is correctly prepared and translated (if needed) to avoid delays.

3. Shareholders and Structure: One common misunderstanding we clarify upfront: Thailand now only requires a minimum of 2 shareholders to form a private limited company, not 3 as in the past. This recent change (effective 2023) makes it easier to set up your company. However, in a standard setup you will still need a Thai shareholder. Typically, at least one of your shareholders (often holding 51% of shares) should be Thai. This is because Thai law (the Foreign Business Act) restricts fully foreign-owned companies in many sectors. By having Thai nationals own at least half (or more) of the company, your business is considered a “Thai company” and not subject to foreign ownership restrictions. In other words, your Thai partner helps your company avoid the need for special foreign business licenses in most cases. (Note: U.S. citizens have an option under the Treaty of Amity for 100% ownership – we’ll discuss this exception later.)

4. Statutory Meeting: Once documents are ready, a formal meeting of the initial shareholders (called the statutory meeting) is held. Don’t worry – we guide you through this formality. In this meeting, the shareholders adopt the Articles of Association, officially appoint the directors (e.g. you as the company director), and approve the initial setup. We prepare the minutes of this meeting as part of the documentation.

5. Company Incorporation (registration with DBD, ~1 week): With all documents signed by the shareholders and directors, we submit the application to register your company with the DBD (Ministry of Commerce). The registration process itself is quite fast once everything is in order – often done within 1–3 business days after submission. Upon approval, your company is officially formed! You will receive the Certificate of Incorporation and a company registration number, confirming that your company is a legal entity in Thailand.

   Timeline: In total, company formation typically takes about 1–2 weeks from name reservation to receiving the incorporation certificate for a straightforward case. (It can be faster if all shareholders are ready to sign quickly, or a bit longer if there are document preparations and international coordination.) Keep in mind, more complex cases (e.g. involving special licenses or promotions) could take longer, but for most small businesses we handle, a couple of weeks is a good estimate.

6. Initial Capital and Shareholders’ Meeting: Upon incorporation, the company should issue share certificates to the shareholders. Each shareholder must pay in their subscribed capital (more on capital in Step 4). We ensure that this “pay-up” of capital is properly documented in the minutes and records.

By the end of Step 1, your company exists – congratulations! But we’re just getting started. Now we need to equip your new company with the necessary tax registrations and prepare it to employ staff and foreign directors.

Step 2: Tax ID and VAT Registration – Getting Your Company on the Grid

After company registration, the next critical step is registering with the Revenue Department for tax purposes. Thailand requires new companies to complete tax registrations within a set timeframe. Here’s what we do:

• Corporate Tax ID (within 60 days): Every company must obtain a Tax Identification Card/Number from the Revenue Department within 60 days of incorporation. This tax ID is essentially your company’s ID for all tax filings. We will file the application and secure your company’s tax ID well within the deadline, typically just a day or two after incorporation.

• VAT Registration (if applicable, ~1 week): If your business will be engaging in activities that generate revenue, especially if you plan to invoice clients, or if you intend to hire foreign staff, registering for VAT is a must. In Thailand, companies are generally required to register for Value Added Tax if their annual revenue is expected to exceed THB 1.8 million. Importantly, if you will employ foreigners (like yourself as a director), the company should register for VAT regardless. Thai authorities consider VAT registration as a sign that your company is actively trading; immigration officers often expect to see the company’s VAT number and filings when you later apply for visas. We will prepare and submit the VAT registration on your behalf, usually right after the tax ID is obtained. The VAT registration process can take around 5–10 days to complete, and you’ll receive a 13-digit VAT ID and certificate once approved.

• VAT Filings: After registration, you must file VAT returns monthly (by the 15th of each month for the previous month’s sales). Even if your company hasn’t started operations, a “zero” VAT return is filed. We think ahead for you here: Before you apply for your one-year work permit and visa extension, immigration will want to see that your company has filed at least one monthly VAT return. So, we’ll ensure your company’s VAT is set up in time to file the first return. This is a key reason not to delay – if you register too late, you won’t have the necessary tax filings done in time for your visa appointment.

• Specific Business Taxes (if any): Most businesses just need VAT, but if your business falls into certain categories (like banking or finance), there might be a Special Business Tax. We’ll advise you if anything additional is needed (for most clients, it isn’t).

By completing the tax ID and VAT registration promptly, your company is officially on the tax radar. This demonstrates to authorities that your business is active and compliant – which builds credibility when it’s time to sponsor work permits and visas.

Step 3: Social Security & Hiring – Building Your Thai Team

A major requirement for foreign work permits in Thailand is demonstrating that your company hires Thai employees. The general rule (for a standard company) is often summarized as a “4 Thai employees per foreign work permit” ratio. Let’s break down what that means and how we help you achieve it:

• Hiring Thai Employees: Your company will need at least 4 Thai staff on its payroll to support one foreign director’s work permit in a typical scenario. This is not a requirement at the moment of initial company registration, but it becomes crucial by the time you apply for your long-term visa extension. These employees can be in any positions that make sense for your business. They must be genuine employees, meaning you’ll pay them a lawful salary and they’ll work in your company. (Important note: The *Ministry of Labor’s work permit rules technically focus on company capital rather than staff count, requiring THB 2 million in capital per work permit. However, the Immigration Bureau, which handles visa extensions, does enforce the well-known 4:1 Thai-to-foreigner ratio for standard companies. In practice, to live and work in Thailand on a one-year visa, you will indeed need those 4 Thai employees.)

• Social Security Registration (within 30 days of hiring staff): Once you have even one Thai employee, your company must register as an employer with the Social Security Office (SSO) and enroll its employees in the social security system. We will handle this registration for you. The process involves submitting an employer registration form and employee details to obtain a Social Security employer code. After that, you’ll need to start contributing to social security for each employee (the required contribution is currently 5% of salary, capped at a salary of 15,000 THB per month per employee, so max 750 THB per employee per month, matched by the employer).

• Activating Your 4 Thai Staff: For the work permit process, it’s not enough to name four Thai employees – they must be actively employed and contributing to social security. Immigration will typically ask for proof, such as copies of the monthly SSO contribution filings (Form สปส.1-10) that show contributions paid for at least four Thai staff, and possibly payroll records. We guide you in onboarding your Thai team quickly so that by the time you’re ready to apply for your work permit and visa, these employees have been registered and at least one cycle of salary payments and SSO filings is completed. This often means you’ll want to hire staff and run one payroll about 1 month before your visa/work permit application.

• Timeline for Hiring: If your company is new, you might not have employees on Day 1. But to avoid delays, we often advise hiring the necessary Thai staff as soon as possible after incorporation – ideally within the first month. This gives you time to register them with SSO and make the required filings. Remember, you’ll eventually need 4 staff for one foreign director. (There are some exceptions – see “Special Cases” below – where fewer staff are required, but the standard case is 4.)

Building your local team not only satisfies legal requirements, it also shows the Thai government that your business contributes to local employment. We’ll help ensure your Thai employees are properly documented, and we’ll handle the paperwork of enrolling them in social security. By thinking ahead on this step, we save you from the panic of trying to find staff at the last minute. It’s all part of why starting early pays off.

Step 4: Capital Requirements – Registering and Paying Up Capital

Another foundational requirement for a foreign work permit is the company’s capital. Thai law mandates a minimum registered capital of THB 2 million per foreign work permit holder in a typical company (or THB 1 million if the foreigner is married to a Thai). Here’s what you need to know:

• Registered Capital: When we registered your company, we declared an initial registered capital (for example, many foreign-owned startups go with 2,000,000 THB registered capital to meet the work permit threshold). This is the amount of capital the company is authorized to issue in shares. At least 25% of this amount must be paid in by shareholders at the time of incorporation, but for work permit purposes you should fully pay up the THB 2 million. We will guide you to set an appropriate capital amount during Step 1 (if you plan multiple foreign employees, we might set higher capital – e.g. 4 million THB for 2 foreign workers, etc.).

• Capital Pay-Up: Saying your company has 2 million baht capital on paper isn’t enough – you must actually deposit this money into the company’s bank account to “pay up” the shares. Typically, after incorporation (once the company bank account is opened), each shareholder will deposit their portion of the capital into the account. For example, if you own 49% and a Thai partner owns 51% of a 2M capital company, you’d deposit 980,000 THB and they’d deposit 1,020,000 THB. We help coordinate this and ensure you get a bank statement or a pay-in slip as proof of the capital injection. This evidence may be requested by the Labor Department when issuing the work permit, and by Immigration for the visa extension, to confirm the company meets the capital requirement.

• Why Capital Matters: The rationale is that Thailand wants to see foreign-invested companies bring in funding. By law, the Labor Department requires at least THB 2 million in registered capital for each work permit (unless you’re married to a Thai, in which case THB 1 million suffices). We make sure your company’s capital is properly registered at the outset and fully paid in so that this condition is satisfied. (Note: Certain industries or promotions might have higher capital requirements, but 2M is the general baseline for one foreign employee in a normal company.)

• Proof for Authorities: When the time comes to get your work permit, officials might ask for the company affidavit and list of shareholders (which shows the registered capital and current paid-up capital) and possibly proof of the funds. Because we’ll have already handled the pay-up and documentation, you’ll be ready to show that your company’s capital is in order.

• No “Under the Table” Capital: A frequent misunderstanding is that you can register 2 million THB capital but not actually fund it. That’s not advisable. In practice, authorities can ask for evidence of paid-up capital. We emphasize doing it by the book – you contribute the capital to your company, and it remains your company’s asset (it can be used for business expenses, etc.). Paying up capital properly also demonstrates good faith and keeps your company fully compliant.

By ensuring the capital is registered and paid-up properly, we remove another potential hurdle to getting your work permit approved. It’s one more way we think ahead on your behalf, making sure all the fundamentals are solid.

Step 5: Securing a Non-Immigrant “B” Visa – Two Paths (In Thailand vs. From Abroad)

With your company established (Step 1), tax and social security in motion (Steps 2–3), and capital in place (Step 4), you’re now poised to apply for the visa and work permit that let you legally work as a director. The Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business) is the visa you need to work in Thailand. There are two scenarios:

A. You’re already in Thailand and need to change your visa status:
If you are in Thailand on a tourist visa or other permit, it is possible to convert to a Non-Immigrant B visa without leaving the country. We guide you through this visa conversion process. Key points:

• You must have at least 15 days of valid stay remaining on your current visa when applying to change status (ideally more, to be safe). The application is made at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok (a specific office handles change-of-visa requests).

• We will compile all required documents for you, including your company documents (registration papers, shareholder list, etc.), a letter from your company explaining your role, and the Labor Department’s approval letter that is typically needed for the visa conversion. (We obtain this letter by submitting a work permit pre-approval request to the Ministry of Labor – essentially it’s a way of confirming that your company can hire you.)

• The processing time for an in-country visa status change to Non-B is usually around 2–4 weeks. During this period, you must remain in Thailand; immigration will keep your passport or at least require you not to exit while the application is under consideration.

• Once approved, you’ll receive a 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa stamp in your passport. This is the initial validity (90 days) for the visa. Don’t be alarmed that it’s not a full year yet – the one-year extension comes after you get the work permit (more on that soon).

We’ll assist you at every step – preparing the application, escorting you (or our staff) to the immigration office, and following up until your new visa status is granted. By converting in-country, you avoid the inconvenience of flying out just to get a visa.

B. You’re applying from abroad (not currently in Thailand):
If you’re not in Thailand yet (or you prefer to handle the visa outside), the process is a bit different:

• You will apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country (or another country convenient to you). We will supply you with the necessary supporting documents from your Thai company: an invitation letter, corporate documents (certificate of incorporation, company affidavit, list of shareholders, etc.), proof of capital and Thai employees, and the Ministry of Labor approval letter or WP.3 form if required. Different embassies have slightly different document checklists, but we prepare a comprehensive package so you won’t be caught off guard.

• The embassy will typically issue a 90-day single-entry Non-Immigrant B visa (in some cases they issue multiple-entry, but single-entry is common for first-time). Processing times vary by embassy, but usually it’s 2–7 business days for the visa to be stamped in your passport.

• Once you have the visa, you can enter Thailand on that Non-B visa. On arrival, you’ll get a 90-day permission to stay.

Which path to choose? If you’re already here and time is tight, converting in-country is convenient (no travel needed). If you’re abroad or your current stay is too short to convert, then obtaining the Non-B from an embassy is the way to go. We’ll advise you based on your situation. Either way, the outcome is the same: you’ll have a Non-Immigrant B visa, which is the prerequisite to apply for a work permit.

Step 6: Work Permit Application – Getting Your Right to Work

Now comes the big moment: obtaining your Work Permit as a company director. The work permit is a blue booklet (now sometimes a digital card) that officially authorizes you to work in Thailand in a specific position (e.g. Managing Director of Your Company Co., Ltd.). Here’s how we handle this step:

• Application Submission: We will prepare the work permit application to submit to the Ministry of Labor. The documents for this are quite extensive, but don’t worry, we organize everything. They include:

  • Company documents (certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association, list of shareholders, company tax ID and VAT certificate, financial statements if any, etc.).

  • Evidence of your company’s compliance with hiring and capital requirements: e.g. proof of social security filings for at least 4 Thai employees and evidence of paid-up capital (often a letter from the bank or the DBD’s capitalization form).

  • Your personal documents: passport copies, Non-B visa stamp, education certificates, CV, photos, and a medical certificate (a simple check-up at a Thai clinic for work permit is needed – we’ll direct you where to get this).

  • Employment details: the employment contract or appointment letter as director, details of your job description, etc.

• Approval Criteria: The Labor Department’s main checks are: Does the company have sufficient capital (THB 2 million per foreigner)? Is the business legitimate and properly registered for tax? Are there Thai employees? (As noted, Labor may not enforce the 4 Thai strictly for the permit issuance, but Immigration will for your visa – since you’ll have those 4 anyway, you meet all requirements). Thanks to the groundwork we laid in previous steps, your company will meet all these criteria – capital is in place, employees are registered, taxes are in order. This dramatically improves the chance of a smooth approval.

• Processing Time: A standard work permit application takes around 7 to 10 business days for the Ministry of Labor to process. In some cases, it can be faster; occasionally, if there’s a high workload or if they require additional documents, it could stretch a bit longer (even up to a month, though that’s rare). We often follow up closely and address any queries to keep it moving. You will receive a receipt on the day of application which indicates the pick-up date for the work permit.

• Work Permit Issuance: Once approved, you (or we, on your behalf) will go to collect your work permit booklet on the given date. You’ll sign the permit, and now you are legally allowed to start working in Thailand as per the permit’s terms. Congratulations! At this point, you have a 90-day Non-B visa (from Step 5) and a work permit card/book. The final step is to convert that 90-day stay into a one-year stay.

(Note: In special situations, such as companies eligible for the BOI One-Stop Service Center, work permits can be issued within a day or two along with visas. This applies if your company is BOI-promoted or in certain industries with large capital (generally 30 million THB capital or more) or special status. If applicable, we’ll use those expedited channels. For most small businesses, the regular route described above is used.)

Step 7: One-Year Visa Extension – Finalizing Your Legal Stay

The last piece of the puzzle is extending your Non-Immigrant B visa from the initial 90 days to a one-year visa (extension of stay). This is handled by the Immigration Bureau in Thailand and is typically done after you have the work permit in hand (or simultaneously via one-stop service if eligible). Here’s how we wrap things up:

• 4 Thais & VAT – Checked: Before applying for the extension, we double-check that the key requirements are all set: at least four Thai employees are registered in SSO and have at least one month of contributions paid, your company is VAT registered and has filed its first VAT return, and the company’s paid-up capital is at least THB 2 million. These are the critical items immigration will verify for a one-year extension. (They may also ask for corporate income tax filings if the company is old enough, or withholding tax proof for salaries – since your company is new, we’ll show the monthly withholding filed for your Thai staff salaries as needed.)

• Application Preparation: We prepare the extension application (Form TM.7) and supporting documents. This package will include much of what was in the work permit application, plus updated forms from the Social Security Office (to prove Thai staff employment) and the Revenue Department (to prove VAT filing and any tax payments). Essentially, we present a full picture that your company is active and compliant: employee register, payroll, tax receipts, etc. It can be a thick stack of paperwork, but we’ll handle the heavy lifting.

• Immigration Interview: When you (accompanied by our staff) go to Immigration for the extension, an officer will review the application. Often there is an interview or at least some questions – we will be right there with you, helping to explain your business to the officer in Thai if needed. Common questions: What does your company do? Where is it located? How many staff and what are their jobs? We’ll have coached you on these, and since everything is legitimate, it’s straightforward.

• Approval and Timeline: Typically, on the day of your application, Immigration will let you know if the extension is approved (sometimes it goes under consideration for a few weeks, but in Bangkok usually it’s same-day approval for straightforward cases). Once approved, your passport will be stamped with a new permission to stay for 1 year from the date of entry (or date of conversion). You will also pay the fee for the extension (currently 1,900 THB). Congratulations – you now have a one-year visa! 🎉

  Keep in mind, this visa still requires 90-day check-ins (reporting your address to Immigration every 90 days, which we can also assist with or show you how to do online) and annual renewals. But as long as your company remains in compliance (having 4 Thai staff, filing taxes, etc.), renewals are routine and we will remind you each year.

• Wrapping Up Compliance: At this stage, your company and your status are fully set up. We will remind you of ongoing duties: monthly VAT returns, monthly social security and withholding tax filings, an annual financial statement audit, etc.. These might sound tedious, but with our accounting and legal support, we keep your company in good standing behind the scenes, so you can focus on your business. Our proactive approach means we’ll also be prepared well in advance for your next year’s visa extension and work permit renewal – no surprises.

Special Cases and Exceptions (BOI, Treaty of Amity, etc.)

We’ve focused on the standard scenario for most foreign entrepreneurs. It’s worth noting there are some exceptions and special programs that can ease the requirements:

• BOI-Promoted Companies: If your business obtains promotion from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), many restrictions are lifted. BOI companies can be 100% foreign-owned and are exempt from the normal 4 Thai employees per foreigner rule. They also benefit from streamlined visa/work permit processing (the One-Stop Service Center can issue visas and permits often within a day). The capital and hiring requirements for BOI projects depend on the project details, but generally the BOI facilitation means you don’t need 2 million THB per work permit or 4 Thai staff in the same way – you follow BOI’s conditions instead. (For example, some BOI companies have work permit quotas tied to their investment size or technology transfer plans rather than a fixed Thai employee ratio.) If BOI status is an option for you, we will discuss how to pursue it. Otherwise, assume the standard rules above apply.

• U.S.–Thai Treaty of Amity Companies: If you are a U.S. citizen, the Treaty of Amity allows you to own a company in Thailand with 100% American ownership (no Thai majority needed), in most sectors. We have helped American clients set up Treaty of Amity companies which enjoy “national treatment” (treated as Thai companies in most ways). Important: The Treaty of Amity does not exempt you from the work permit requirements like capital or Thai staff for visa purposes. In fact, a Treaty company still needs 4 Thai employees, social security, VAT registration, and 2M capital to sponsor a work permit – just like any standard company. The major benefit is ownership flexibility. However, if an American investor is married to a Thai, there is a helpful twist: immigration rules allow a reduced requirement for the visa extension if the work permit holder is on a marriage visa. In that case, only 2 Thai employees and THB 1 million capital are required (instead of 4 Thais/2M). This exception comes from the marriage-based visa category, and we clarify it because many people mix this up: it’s not the Treaty per se giving the reduction, but the marriage status of the foreigner. For our American clients who qualify, this can significantly lower the initial hurdles.

• Other Treaties or Special Programs: Nationals of some countries might have bilateral agreements (e.g. certain free trade agreements) or special visas (like the SMART visa, Elite visa, etc.) that change the landscape. For instance, the SMART Visa for targeted industries in Thailand allows working without a work permit and doesn’t require the 4 Thai employee rule – but it has high qualification criteria. If we think you might qualify for a special program, we’ll bring it to your attention. Generally, though, the majority of foreign SMEs in Thailand will follow the standard process we’ve outlined.

In summary, while exceptions exist and we’ll apply them if relevant, it’s safest to plan for the standard requirements (2M capital, 4 Thai staff, etc.). If you later get BOI approval or another exemption, that’s a bonus. We prefer to structure your company conservatively so that you’re always in compliance with Thai laws – no shortcuts that could cause issues down the road.

Common Misunderstandings – Clarified

Let’s address a few frequent misunderstandings explicitly, to put your mind at ease:

• “I heard I need 3 shareholders and a Thai nominee.” – No, you only need 2 shareholders now, and one can be you (foreign) and one Thai partner. The law changed in 2023 to require a minimum of two shareholders (down from three). And that Thai partner shouldn’t just be a token name – they should legitimately hold shares. Using so-called “nominee” Thai shareholders who don’t actually invest or partake in the business is illegal. We’ll help you structure a fair partnership if needed, possibly with voting arrangements or preference shares to protect your interests, but it will be compliant with the law.

• “Can’t I just own 100% of the company as a foreigner?” – In certain industries or via special programs, yes. But for a standard company in a restricted sector, a Thai shareholder is required to avoid the burdensome Foreign Business License process. We typically recommend a Thai majority ownership (51% Thai, 49% foreign) unless you have a specific plan for 100% foreign ownership (like U.S. Treaty of Amity or BOI promotion). Rest assured, there are ways to maintain control of your company’s operations even with 49% shares (through board control, etc.), and we’ll discuss those. But in the eyes of Thai law, having Thai co-ownership is the straightforward path to start your business quickly.

• “I’ll deal with capital and employees later, after I get the visa.” – This is risky and likely impossible. Thai Immigration will not grant a one-year work visa extension until they see proof of the paid-up capital and the requisite Thai employees on payroll. These are not steps you can skip or postpone until after you get a visa – they must be done before or during the work permit process. That’s why we emphasize doing things in the correct order and starting early. We’ll make sure your capital is paid in and your staff are hired in time. If you delay these, you could end up with a work permit but no visa extension (meaning you’d have to leave the country when your initial 90 days are up). We don’t let that happen to our clients.

• “Isn’t all this extremely expensive?” – It doesn’t have to be. A fully legal, compliant company setup with a work permit can absolutely be achieved for under THB 139,000 in government fees and basic costs. We pride ourselves on transparency and efficiency – investing a reasonable amount to do things right the first time is far better than facing fines or problems later. To break it down: government fees for company registration depend on your capital (for 2M THB capital, fees are a few thousand baht), the work permit government fee is around 3,000 THB for a one-year permit, visa fees are modest, and our professional service fees for handling the process are competitive. By planning smartly (for example, hiring staff at reasonable salaries, using virtual office addresses if suitable, etc.), we help keep your costs under control. The figure of 139k THB is a realistic ballpark for many small businesses to get fully set up with us. Compare that to the potential cost of mistakes – it’s a wise investment for peace of mind.

• “I can get a work permit on a tourist visa, right?” – No. To apply for a work permit, you must hold a Non-Immigrant visa (Category B) or another eligible long-term visa. A tourist visa or visa-on-arrival won’t cut it. That’s why Step 5 (securing the Non-B visa) is so important before the work permit is issued. If you’re currently on a tourist entry, we’ll either convert it to Non-B (if time allows) or assist in obtaining a proper visa. Skipping this step is not an option, as the law is very clear on this requirement.

By clearing up these misconceptions now, we hope you feel more confident about what lies ahead. We want you to know the facts and trust the process. Whenever you have a question or doubt, we’re here to give you honest answers.

We Guide You Every Step of the Way

Setting up a Thai limited company and obtaining a director’s work permit is a journey with many steps – but you’re not doing it alone. Our role is to guide you through each phase, handle the heavy paperwork, and think ahead so that no requirement catches you off guard. We understand that as a foreign client, you might be thousands of miles away or unfamiliar with Thai bureaucracy. That’s why we make our communication direct and transparent – much like this blog post, we talk you through the process in plain language.

Time is of the essence. If you’re serious about establishing your presence in Thailand, the best time to start was yesterday; the second best is today. Many steps (hiring staff, getting registrations, etc.) have built-in waiting periods. By starting now, you create a comfortable runway to launch your operations without visa troubles. Delaying could mean avoidable downtime or even having to leave Thailand and come back, which is disruptive for your business plans. We help you avoid those scenarios by planning the timeline carefully from Day 1.

Your success is our success. We take pride in seeing our clients open the doors of “your company” in Thailand and begin work legally with all permits in hand. It might seem daunting at first glance, but as we’ve shown, it’s a matter of following the steps methodically. With our expertise, what’s complex to others is routine to us – we have done this many times, and we’ve refined the process to be as smooth as possible for you.

In the end, setting up a company and obtaining a work permit in Thailand is not just about paperwork – it’s about establishing a future in a country full of opportunity. By building a compliant foundation (proper registration, tax compliance, local employment, etc.), you are investing in the longevity and credibility of your business. Thai authorities appreciate companies that play by the rules, and in return, you get stability and the legal freedom to pursue your goals here.

We hope this guide has demystified the process and given you a clear roadmap. We’re ready to walk this road with you, step by step. Feel free to reach out with any questions – as your partners, we’re here to ensure your Thai venture not only takes off, but soars to success.

Let’s get started on making your Thai business dream a reality – together, we won’t leave anything to chance. Your company’s journey in Thailand begins now!