Employer ratio or capital not met
Fewer than four Thai staff or under THB 2 million capital per foreigner.
The fix. Add staff or capital before filing, or use a BOI-promoted entity; Vistolane's partner pre-checks the company file.
Thailand Non-immigrant B work visa and work permit for Indian professionals
Working in Thailand takes two documents: a Non-immigrant B visa issued in India through thaievisa.go.th (INR 7,000 single entry, 90 days of stay; INR 13,500 for a one-year multiple entry) and a work permit from the Ministry of Labour obtained after arrival (THB 100 application plus THB 3,000 for a one-year permit). The employer must have THB 2 million of paid-up capital and four Thai employees for each foreigner, and Indian nationals are expected to earn at least THB 50,000 a month for the one-year extension. Executives, specialists and investors can skip the work permit with a SMART visa (INR 30,000 a year), a 10-year Long-Term Resident visa (INR 140,000) or, for remote work only, the Destination Thailand Visa (INR 30,000).
Thailand Non-immigrant B visa and work permit: quick answers
Who qualifies for a Non-B visa and work permit? A professional with a Thai employer that holds THB 2 million of registered capital per foreign employee, employs four Thai nationals per work permit and pays Indian employees at least THB 50,000 a month (THB 35,000 for teachers). The job must not be on the list of 40 occupations reserved for Thais, which covers manual labour, hairdressing, Thai massage, tour guiding and most clerical work. BOI-promoted companies, regional offices and international schools are exempt from the ratio rules.
What does it cost? INR 7,000 for the single-entry Non-B visa or INR 13,500 for a one-year multiple entry; the three-year multiple-entry Non-B costs INR 30,000. In Thailand the work permit costs THB 100 to apply plus THB 750 (3 months), THB 1,500 (6 months) or THB 3,000 (one year); the one-year extension of stay is THB 1,900 and a multiple re-entry permit THB 3,800. Employers usually pay all of it.
How long does it take from India? About 10 working days for the e-Visa once the employer's documents are ready, then 7 to 15 working days for the work permit after you arrive, with BOI companies using the One Stop Service Centre for same-day decisions. Plan six to eight weeks from signed offer to first day.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Non-immigrant B; 90 days on arrival, extended to 1 year once the work permit is issued |
| Government fee | INR 7,000 single entry (INR 13,500 multiple); work permit THB 3,100 for one year |
| Processing | About 10 working days (visa) + 7 to 15 working days (work permit) |
| Salary threshold | THB 50,000 a month for Indian nationals at the one-year extension |
| Employer rule | THB 2 million capital and 4 Thai staff per foreigner (BOI firms exempt) |
| Premium tiers | SMART visa (no work permit, 4 years), LTR (10 years), DTV (remote work only) |
| Dependants | Spouse and children on Non-O, extendable with the main applicant |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against the New Delhi embassy fee table and BOI |
Standard route or premium tier: which visa fits your job
| Route | Who | Fee in India | Stay | Work permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-immigrant B + work permit | Employees of Thai companies meeting capital and staff ratios | INR 7,000 (single) / INR 13,500 (1-year multiple) | 90 days, then 1-year extensions | Required (THB 3,100 a year) |
| SMART visa (T, I, E, S) | Talents earning THB 100,000+ in targeted industries, investors (THB 20M), executives, startup founders | INR 30,000 a year, up to 4 years | Up to 4 years, yearly reporting | Exempt |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | Work-from-Thailand professionals (USD 80,000 income), wealthy citizens, pensioners, skilled professionals | INR 140,000 for 10 years | 10 years, 1-year reporting | Digital work permit; 17% flat tax for skilled professionals |
| Destination Thailand Visa | Remote workers for foreign employers, freelancers | INR 30,000 for 5 years | 180 days per entry, extendable once | Not permitted to work for Thai employers |
The Non-B route is the default for Indian engineers, hotel managers, teachers and IT staff hired by Thai companies. The employer gathers its company documents (affidavit, shareholder list, VAT registration, balance sheet and the WP3 pre-approval letter from the Department of Employment where the local office requires it) and the applicant applies on thaievisa.go.th with the employment contract. Indian nationals sit in the THB 50,000 salary band that the Immigration Bureau applies at the one-year extension; the work permit itself has no salary floor, but immigration refuses extensions below the band.
SMART visas, run by the Board of Investment, suit specialists in the targeted S-curve industries (digital, automation, biotech, aviation, medical) with a THB 100,000 monthly salary, investors committing THB 20 million and senior executives of BOI companies; holders need no work permit, report once a year and bring family with work rights. The LTR visa, also through the BOI, gives 10 years, a digital work permit and a 17 per cent flat tax to highly skilled professionals earning USD 80,000 a year (USD 40,000 with a master's degree or in targeted industries). Remote employees of Indian or foreign firms should look at the DTV instead, which forbids local employment.
Fees and who pays them
| Item | Fee | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Non-immigrant B visa, single entry | INR 7,000 | Usually employer |
| Non-immigrant B, multiple entry, 1 year / 3 years | INR 13,500 / INR 30,000 | Employer |
| Work permit application | THB 100 | Employer |
| Work permit, 1 year | THB 3,000 | Employer |
| Extension of stay, 1 year | THB 1,900 | Employer or employee |
| Re-entry permit, multiple | THB 3,800 | Employee |
| SMART visa | INR 30,000 a year | Applicant or employer |
| LTR visa, 10 years | INR 140,000 | Applicant |
There is no health surcharge or skills levy in Thailand; social security contributions of 5 per cent (capped at THB 750 a month) start once the work permit is issued. Vistolane's licensed partner in Bangkok files the work permit and extension and charges the INR 7,000 visa fee at the official rate.
How the application runs, step by step
- Employer prepares the company file. Affidavit, shareholder list, VAT and tax filings, four Thai employees' social security records and the signed contract; WP3 pre-approval where the provincial labour office asks for it.
- Apply for the Non-B on thaievisa.go.th. Upload the passport, photo, degree, contract and company documents; pay INR 7,000 or INR 13,500.
- Enter Thailand and submit the TDAC. The officer stamps 90 days; start the work permit within the first weeks.
- Work permit at the Department of Employment. Form WP1 with medical certificate, degree, photos and the company file; 7 to 15 working days, same day at the BOI One Stop Service Centre.
- Extend the stay to one year. Before day 90, TM.7 with the work permit, salary proof and tax documents; THB 1,900. Add a re-entry permit before any trip abroad.
Timeline for an Indian hire
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Company documents | 1 to 2 weeks | Employer's registrar and accountant prepare the file |
| e-Visa | About 10 working days | Embassy or consulate decides |
| Work permit | 7 to 15 working days | Department of Employment (same day for BOI firms) |
| Extension of stay | Same day, before day 90 | Immigration Bureau, Chaeng Watthana or provincial office |
| Renewals | Yearly | Work permit and extension renewed together |
Starting on a visa exemption and converting to Non-B inside Thailand is possible at the Immigration Bureau (THB 2,000 change of visa type) but is discretionary and needs at least 15 days remaining on the stamp; applying from India is the safer path.
After arrival: permits, taxes and family
The work permit names the employer, job title and work location; changing any of them requires an amendment, and a resignation cancels both the permit and the extension within 24 hours, giving seven days to leave or switch. Personal income tax runs from 5 to 35 per cent, with Indian residents able to claim credits under the India-Thailand double tax agreement.
Spouses and children join on Non-immigrant O visas (INR 7,000 each) and extend alongside the main applicant; a spouse who wants to work needs their own work permit. After three years of extensions and THB 80,000 monthly income (or THB 30,000 if married to a Thai national), the employee can apply for permanent residence in the annual December quota, paying THB 7,600 to apply and THB 191,400 on approval.
Document checklist: applicant
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months | Colour scan of the bio page |
| Photo taken within 6 months | White background |
| Degree certificate and CV | Relevant to the job title on the permit |
| Employment contract | Signed, stating salary of THB 50,000 or more |
Employer
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Company affidavit and shareholder list | Issued within 3 months by the Department of Business Development |
| VAT registration (Por Por 20) and latest tax filings | Shows an active, tax-paying company |
| Social security records of 4 Thai employees | Per foreign employee, unless BOI-promoted |
| WP3 pre-approval letter | Where the provincial Department of Employment requires it |
In Thailand
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Medical certificate | From a Thai clinic, within 30 days |
| Form WP1 and photos | For the work permit |
| Form TM.7 and TM.8 | Extension of stay and re-entry permit |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Salary below the band
Extension refused because the Indian employee earns under THB 50,000 a month.
The fix. Set the contract at or above the band; the work permit alone does not protect the extension.
Reserved occupation
Job title on the list of 40 prohibited occupations.
The fix. Reframe the role to the professional duties actually performed and attach the degree.
Incomplete company documents
Missing VAT filings, outdated affidavit or unsigned contract.
The fix. Use documents issued within three months and have each page company-stamped.
Working before the permit
Starting work on the 90-day stamp before WP1 is approved.
The fix. Attend orientation only; begin paid duties on permit issue.
Official sources
Questions, answered
How much is a Thailand work visa for Indians?
INR 7,000 for the single-entry Non-immigrant B visa (INR 13,500 for a one-year multiple entry), plus THB 3,100 for the one-year work permit and THB 1,900 for the extension of stay in Thailand; employers normally pay all three.
What salary do I need to work in Thailand?
The Immigration Bureau expects Indian nationals to earn at least THB 50,000 a month at the one-year extension (THB 35,000 for teachers). SMART visa talents need THB 100,000 and LTR professionals USD 80,000 a year.
Can I skip the work permit?
Yes, with a SMART visa (INR 30,000 a year, targeted industries) or a Long-Term Resident visa (INR 140,000 for 10 years with a digital work permit). The DTV allows remote work for foreign employers only.
Can my employer sponsor me on a visa exemption and convert later?
Conversion inside Thailand is possible but discretionary, costs THB 2,000 and needs 15 days left on the stamp; the embassy route from India is more reliable.
Does Vistolane handle Thailand work visas?
Yes. Vistolane's licensed partner checks the employer's capital and staff ratios, files the Non-B e-Visa, the work permit and the extension, and charges the INR 7,000 fee at the official rate.