How long does a Thai work permit take in 2026? Non-B visa to work permit timelines and common causes of delay

The full route from Non-B visa to work permit often runs to several weeks, because the employer's documents, the visa and the permit happen in sequence[1]. On that basis, this guide treats work permit processing time as a question of document readiness first and the government queue second.

Key takeaways

About the Author

This guide was prepared by the Settlr Global visas and work permits team in Bangkok. The team works with Managing Director Gagan Ajmani, who has 15+ years of regional experience across Southeast Asia.

How long does a Thai work permit take in 2026?

The answer depends on which clock is being measured. The Board of Investment's 2026 guide estimates 3 to 7 days for work permit processing after filing and says timing may vary by location and type of business[2]. Applications sponsored by Board of Investment (BOI) promoted companies may be expedited, though approval is not guaranteed[2].

Both clocks also start only once the file is complete.

Founders often plan around the shortest number: "The permit takes a week, so the new hire can start on Monday." That plan leaves out the employer documents, the Non-B visa application and travel, all of which come before the filing.

A hiring plan should count backwards from the start date and allow a buffer for every stage in the table, not only the final review.

What happens between the Non-B visa and the work permit?

The gap between visa and permit is where the weeks in a hiring plan go, so the order of steps matters more than any single processing time. The Non-B visa is the standard Thailand employment visa, and the work permit is issued after it.

Applicants filing for a work permit in Bangkok or in another province should confirm the local office's current procedure before Step 4, because practice can differ between offices. Our visa and work permit service page sets out how each step is handled.

What are the Thailand work permit requirements for employees and employers?

Each step above relies on a document set. Thailand work permit requirements fall partly on the employee and partly on the sponsoring company.

The employee generally provides documents such as the following, and the exact list should be confirmed with the Department of Employment[7]:

The sponsoring company generally needs:

Minimum income thresholds apply at the visa extension stage, and to BOI-promoted roles, so the salary should be checked against them before filing[8].

A company should check its staff ratio and capital position before it recruits, because a company that falls short of 4 Thai employees and THB 2 million of registered capital per work permit generally cannot sponsor the hire, although representative offices, regional offices, branches of multinationals, 18 targeted industries and startups have different terms under Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568[8]. If the Thai company does not exist yet, see our company registration service.

Common causes of work permit delays in Thailand

Delays follow the same pattern as the requirements. Document issues are a common starting point before the government review. The causes include:

Before filing, the employer should check the contract against the application forms line by line. A mismatch that an officer finds often means the application has to be resubmitted.

How much does a Thai work permit cost?

Government fees for a Thai work permit are small. Official fees depend on the validity period of the permit, and a standard application filing fee is added on top.

According to the Ministry of Labour, a work permit valid for more than 6 months and up to 1 year costs THB 3,000, plus THB 100 for the application form, and a longer permit pays an added fee for the period over 1 year[3]. Fees are subject to change, so they should be confirmed with the Department of Employment in Thailand before budgeting. Visa fees, translations and medical checks are separate costs.

How can a company hire a foreigner in Thailand without a local entity?

Every route above assumes there is a Thai company that can sponsor the permit, and overseas companies often do not have one. An employer of record in Thailand solves this. It is a Thai company that becomes the legal employer of a worker on a client's behalf, while the client directs the day-to-day work.

Settlr Global's Employer of Record service is available from 1 employee, from THB 8,999 per employee per month for a local hire and THB 10,999 for an expat hire, with a first hire in about 2 days. For a foreign hire, the Non-B visa and work permit still follow the government timeline described above. A company planning its own entity can use EOR while incorporation is underway and move employees across afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Can an employee start work while the work permit is being processed?

Generally, a foreigner should not start work in Thailand until the work permit is issued[2]. Set the start date around the issue date, not the filing date.

Can a Non-B visa be obtained inside Thailand?

In some cases, a change of visa status is possible inside Thailand, depending on your current visa and the immigration office[4]. The common route is to apply at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.

Is the Destination Thailand Visa a substitute for a work permit?

The DTV workcation category covers digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checklist of Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)[9], and it does not permit employment by a Thai employer or work for Thai clients[10]. See our DTV guide for 2026 requirements. The Thailand Visa Matcher gives an indicative comparison of routes, and final eligibility rests with the Thai authorities.

How long is a Thai work permit valid?

Under the Foreigners' Working Management Emergency Decree, a work permit is valid for no more than two years from the date of issue (Department of Employment: Foreigners' Working Management Emergency Decree[11]), and in practice its term often follows the employment contract and the immigration extension. A renewal can be granted for up to two years at a time, while an immigration extension based on work is granted for up to one year at a time[6].

Is there a minimum salary for a Thai work permit?

Income thresholds apply to the visa extension, at THB 25,000 to THB 50,000 a month depending on nationality under Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568, and BOI-promoted companies have their own minimum income conditions for foreign personnel, from THB 35,000 to THB 150,000 a month depending on position[8].

Does BOI promotion make the work permit faster?

Applications sponsored by BOI-promoted companies may be expedited, though timing and approval are not guaranteed. See our BOI company registration page for how promotion works.

About Settlr Global

Settlr Global is the operating arm of WOWS Global, a Singapore-incorporated corporate advisory and investment banking group, and an all-in-one platform for company setup, accounting and tax, payroll, visas and Employer of Record in Thailand. It brings those services under a single team, so founders do not have to coordinate separate local agencies. The platform has processed payroll and compliance work for 200+ clients across 15+ countries, from early-stage startups to established multinational enterprises. Its Employer of Record service lets companies hire in Thailand in about two days, with or without a local entity.

To map out a Non-B visa and work permit timeline for your next hire, speak with the Settlr Global team in Bangkok.

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