Work Permit & Employment Visa — Bangkok, Thailand

Documentation handled with care,
not hurry.

Sangha assists foreign nationals and the companies that employ them through the work permit system, the Non-B visa pathway, and the routine reporting obligations that follow. Each matter is prepared with the attention it requires.

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+66 2 819 4762

[email protected]

Sathon, Bangkok

Our Services

Three areas of practice

The work is specific to Thai immigration and employment law. Each service is scoped to a defined set of documents and procedures, so you know from the start what the engagement covers.

Work Permit Application & Renewal

Considered preparation of work permit applications and renewals at the Department of Employment. Includes supporting documentation from both employer and applicant, BOI exemption coordination where applicable, and a renewal calendar once the permit is issued.

Employer and applicant documentation
BOI exemption coordination
Renewal calendar and reminders
Permit scope and role change updates

฿9,500 Enquire

Non-B Visa & SMART Visa Pathway Counsel

A measured walkthrough of the Non-Immigrant B visa, the SMART visa for qualifying technologists and investors, the Long-Term Resident visa work-rights category, and the documentation each requires. Eligibility tests and financial evidence reviewed.

Non-B and SMART visa comparison
Eligibility and financial evidence review
Category transition planning
Suited to senior hires and founders

฿28,800 Enquire

90-Day Reporting & TM30 Compliance Briefing

A short briefing on the routine reporting obligations most foreign workers and residents encounter — the 90-day report, TM30 notification by hosts and landlords, and re-entry permits before international travel. Delivered as a written summary with calendar reminders.

90-day reporting procedure
TM30 host notification guidance
Re-entry permit before travel
Calendar reminders for your records

฿3,500 Enquire

Why Sangha

What shapes our approach

The permit system rewards patience and precision. We try to bring both.

Regulatory familiarity

The Department of Employment and Immigration Bureau update their requirements regularly. We track those changes so that the documents we prepare are current on the day they are submitted.

Scoped, not open-ended

Each engagement is defined before it begins. You know what is included, what falls outside, and what the fee covers. There are no surprises added to the invoice at the end.

Direct access to the practitioner

Questions go to the person doing the work, not a general inbox or a junior handler. Most queries are answered the same working day.

Bilingual document handling

Thai-language correspondence with government departments is handled by our office. Translated summaries are provided to the client at each stage of the process.

Pathway planning

A Non-B visa and a work permit are related but separate instruments. We explain how the two interact, what conditions apply to each, and what will need to happen at renewal time.

Calendar discipline

Overstaying a permit or missing a 90-day report creates complications that take time to resolve. We track deadlines and send reminders before they become problems.

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Have a permit question that needs a clear answer?

Whether you are at the start of a visa application or managing an existing permit through a role change, a brief consultation often saves considerable time. We are reachable by phone or written enquiry.

Get in Touch +66 2 819 4762

Common Questions

Questions we hear often

Do I need both a visa and a work permit to work legally in Thailand?

Yes, in most cases. A Non-Immigrant B visa authorises entry; a work permit authorises the act of working. The two documents are distinct and issued by different departments. There are limited exceptions — certain BOI-promoted activities, SMART visa holders — but for the majority of foreign employees, both are needed. We clarify which instruments apply to your specific situation during the initial consultation.

How long does a work permit application typically take?

If all documents from the employer and employee are complete and correct, the Department of Employment usually processes an application within three to five working days. Delays tend to arise from incomplete employer documentation — corporate registration records, signatory authority letters, and staff ratio confirmations. We review the full set before submission to reduce the likelihood of a return.

What is the 90-day reporting requirement and what happens if I miss it?

Foreign nationals holding long-stay visas are required to notify Immigration of their current address every 90 days. Missing the deadline carries a fine of ฿2,000 per occurrence and can complicate subsequent applications. The report can be submitted online or in person. We provide the calendar dates and instructions, and can accompany clients to the Immigration office when in-person attendance is preferred.

My employer is a BOI-promoted company. Does that change the work permit process?

It does, in a useful way. BOI-promoted companies are exempt from the standard Thai-employee-to-foreign-employee staffing ratio requirement and may process permits through the BOI's One Stop Service Centre. This tends to be faster and requires a somewhat different set of documents. We handle BOI coordination as part of the work permit service for qualifying employers.

What is the SMART visa and who qualifies?

The SMART visa is a long-stay option (up to four years) designed for senior experts, executives, investors, and startup founders in target industries designated by the Thai government. Qualifying industries currently include digital technology, aerospace, biotechnology, and several others. The visa includes work authorisation and extends to spouses and dependents. Eligibility criteria relate to salary levels, professional qualifications, and industry sector. Our Non-B Visa & SMART Visa Pathway Counsel service assesses whether SMART is a realistic option for your situation before any application is prepared.

Can my work permit be used at a different location from the one listed?

A work permit specifies both the employer and the location where work may be performed. Working outside the listed location — including temporary assignments to a branch office — technically requires a permit amendment or an additional permit. We discuss these limits during the application process and advise on how to handle changes when roles evolve.

Our Location

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51 Yenakat Road, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120

Contact

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We respond to written enquiries within one working day. For time-sensitive matters, please call directly.

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