Applying for a visa

Any person planning on residing in Thailand on a Non-immigrant B or O visa is required to apply for the visa before reaching their port of arrival in Thailand. In this regard, Thai embassies and consulates-general are authorized to issue visas to applicants who fulfill the requirements.

Documentation

The following documentation is required to be submitted with any Non-immigrant visa application:

1. Visa application form (obtained from the embassy or consulates-general)
2. Passport, which must be valid for a period of not less than 6 months from the date of anticipated arrival in Thailand
3. 2 photographs (4 by 6 cm in size) taken within the last 6 months, in which you cannot wear a hat or glasses
4. Offer letter from your prospective employer in Thailand (if you are moving to a new company); or, letter from your current employer setting out the reasons why you are moving to work in Thailand, i.e. to do what job
5. Contract of employment from your employer - which must set out what your salary will be and this salary must be more than the minimum set by the Government. Currently the Government sets different monthly minimum salaries for each country, but generally the minimum salary you are allowed to earn is Baht 60,000 per month (US$1,600). In the event that you do not declare this as your minimum salary, your application will likely be refused.

6. A copy of all of the corporate documents of your employer - including :

- articles of association
- memorandum of association
- list of shareholders
- business registration and licenses
- latest balance sheet of the company - showing profit and loss
- evidence that both income and business tax have been paid (Phor.Ngor.Dor 50 and Phor.Nor.Dor 30 forms) and are up-to-date
- evidence of Value Added Tax registration (Phor.Ngor.Dor 20 form)
- evidence of Alien income tax return (Phor.Ngor.Dor 91)
- details of the nature of the business undertaken
- profile of the company
- a list of the Thai workers currently working for your employer in Thailand
- a list of the foreign workers currently working in Thailand (until recently, it was a requirement that there be a ratio of 4 Thai to each foreigner (4:1) per work permit)
- map of exactly where the business is located.
7. Copies of all of your educational transcripts (normally this is required to be university level), or letters of recommendation from previous employers setting out that you are qualified to do the tasks assigned to you if you are unable to provide educational transcripts

In addition to the above, you may be asked to provide bank statements as evidence that you have sufficient funds to relocate without the need to rely on the Thai Government.

Note: copies of documents are required to be certified as 'true and accurate' copies.