If you are looking for a job in Thailand, the work permit is a must for expats here. The expat is required to apply for work permit by the employer’s sponsorship and supports subject to Section 11 of the Working of Aliens Act, B.E. 2551, which means the company who desire to hire the foreigner living abroad to work for its business in Thailand, may apply for work permit on behalf of foreign worker and this application is called WP3.
Qualifications of employer’s company
- Registered company in Thailand with the minimum paid up capital for 2 MB
- Having 4 Thai employees per 1 work permit
- Having Tax ID, Social Security and VAT registration
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Requirements
- Form WP.3
- Form of the employment certification duly filled out
- A copy of the first page of Passport
- Copy of the applicant’s education certificate or the determination form duly filled out
- A copy of occupation or profession license, in case which is prescribed by the related law
- Power of Attorney made by the employer with 10 Baht duty stamp affixed
- A copy of employer’s I.D. card and a copy of grantee’s I.D. card
Supported Documents as category of employer
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Company
- A copy of Thai Company Registration and a copy of recent shareholders’ list. (Updated within 6 months). Or foreign juristic person needs to submit a copy of the Business Operation of foreigners and documents about money import.
- A copy of VAT Registration; Form Phor Por 01 identifying type of business and Form Phor Por 09 (if add/change).
- In case of foreign employer, a copy of employer’s work permit is needed. If the employer is not working in Thailand nor has no work permit, Power of Attorney certified by Notary Public and Thai Embassy is needed.
- Company engaging any business which a license from the relevant Authority is needed, for example: Factory License, Restaurant License, Hotel License, Tourism License, Hospital License, Chemical Import License, etc.
- A copy of Social Security Payment (1 month), Balance Sheet (last year) and VAT payment Phor Por 30 (1-3 months)
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Private School / Private University
- A copy of letter of teacher or instructor assignment and employment contract / Private University must show the certificate letter from the organization of Ministry of Education.
- A copy of the license of the school establishment / a copy of the license of the university establishment and a copy of the documents show the name of employer has the right for signing on the behalf of the university.
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Government organization / Teacher of government school
A certificate letter from the government organization/ Ministry of Education and school, which shows applicants’ name, position and work period.
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Association/ organization/ foundation
License of association/ organization/ foundation establishment (plus the list of managing director).
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Film making
- A letter from Ministry of Tourism and Sport show the list of applicants’ name, position and passport number and coordinator license.
- A copy of Company Registration and a copy of recent shareholders’ list (updated within six months).
Period and Fees
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Processing period
After the completion of application (WP3) and supporting documents, the letter of approval will be issued in 3 working days.
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Government Fee
- Application fee is 100 THB
- Work Permit validity
- 3 months : 750 THB
- 3-6 months : 1,500 THB
- 6-12 months : 3,000 THB
- Renewal 1 year : 3,000 THB
What is the next step after obtaining the letter of approval?
After the employer obtaining the letter of approval, then the employer must send this letter along with the company’s supported documents to employee abroad for the Non-Immigrant B visa issuance by Royal Thai Embassy. (How to apply for Non-Immigrant B visa click here)
After that the employee will be able to enter into Thailand by Non-Immigrant B visa which is valid for 3 months for the extension of 1 year visa and obtain the work permit. Then the employee will be able to work legally in Thailand.
Moreover, the employee is not allowed to work aside from that company designation.
Prohibited occupations for foreigner in Thailand
To get a job and apply for a work permit in Thailand, you have to make sure that your job is not prohibited and make you in a trouble later. Check the list of prohibited jobs below.
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39 Prohibited jobs
- Unskilled Laborer or housework except Cambodian, Lao and Burmese
- Farm work, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery work, except work that uses expertise, specific fields or farm supervision work
- Brickwork, carpentry or other construction work
- wood carving
- Driving vehicles Or driving a vehicle that does not use machinery or mechanical Except international aircraft piloting work
- Store sales work
- Auction Sale
- Control, audit or provision of accounting services, except temporary internal auditing
- Cutting or polishing of diamonds or stones
- Haircut, perm or beauty work
- Weaving by hand
- Mat weaving or making utensils from reed, rattan, hemp, straw or bamboo pulp
- Making mulberry paper by hand
- Making lacquerware
- Making Thai musical instruments
- Making filling machines
- Making gold, silver or swordfish
- Making stone tools
- Making Thai dolls
- Making mattresses, quilts
- Making monks
- Making silk products by hand.
- Making Buddha images
- Knife work
- Making umbrellas with paper or cloth.
- Making shoes
- Hat making
- Brokerage or agency work except brokerage or agency work in international business
- Engineering Jobs, Civil Engineering Related to design and calculations, organize research, lay out projects, test and control construction Or give advice However, this does not include the need for specialization
- Architectural work related to design, drawings, cost estimation, construction supervision or advice
- Craft of costume
- Mole or pottery
- Rolling cigarettes by hand
- Tour Guide Or a tour arrangement
- Hawking
- Thai alphabetical work by hand
- Lady work and twisting silk by hand.
- Clerk, employee, or secretarial work
- Providing legal services or litigation
Penalties for Employee
For working without a Work Permit
Imprisonment up to 3 months and/or a fine of up to 5,000 THB
Working in the prohibited activities
Imprisoned for 5 years and/or fined between 2,000 to 100,000 THB
Penalties for Employer
Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years and/or fined up to 60,000 THB
Place to submit the application
In Bangkok:
Ministry of Labour, Mitmaitri Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400
