Non-Immigrant B visa vs tourist visa in Thailand: what founders and employees should know in 2026

A tourist visa or visa-exempt entry lets a founder or employee enter Thailand for tourism, but it does not allow work, because a work permit applicant needs a Non-Immigrant visa[1]. The Non-Immigrant B visa is the entry route for employment. It becomes legal work only after a separate Thailand work permit is issued for a named employer and role. Settlr Global reports 300+ visas and work permits processed for executives, founders and key team members, and this guide follows the questions those applicants ask first.

Key takeaways (TL;DR)

About the Author

This guide was prepared by Settlr Global's visa and work permit team with Managing Director Gagan Ajmani, who has 15+ years of regional experience across Southeast Asia. The team handles Non-B applications, work permits and 90-day reporting for clients in Thailand.

What is the difference between a Non-Immigrant B visa and a tourist visa in Thailand?

The difference is purpose, and purpose decides what the holder may legally do. The Government Public Relations Department's visa guide on Thailand.go.th states that a visa must match the purpose of entry, and that tourist and non-immigrant visas carry different permitted stays.

A founder should choose the category based on the activities planned during the stay, because length of stay alone does not decide which visa applies. The visa and work permit services page compares the main routes side by side.

What can founders do in Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption?

The tourist category is built for leisure, so the list of allowed activities is short. Founders often assume a short trip is safe. "I am only here for three weeks to set up the office and train the first hires," the thinking goes.

That plan is likely to count as work[6]. According to the Government Public Relations Department, foreigners entering Thailand on any type of visa are not allowed to work unless they have obtained a work permit.

Before booking travel, a founder should list every task planned for the trip and check it against the Thailand Visa Matcher. The tool gives indicative recommendations only, and final eligibility is decided by the Thai authorities.

What are the Thailand business visa requirements in 2026?

Once the planned tasks include work, the Non-B visa becomes the starting point. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applicants generally need the following[7]:

Timelines generally vary by embassy or consulate, so applicants should allow buffer time before any planned contract start date.

Applicants should secure the WP3 approval letter from the Ministry of Labour before filing, because the visa application generally depends on it, although Japanese nationals are exempt and some embassies accept a letter from the Board of Investment or certain other bodies instead[9].

How does a Thailand work permit fit with a Non-B visa?

The WP3 letter belongs to the second half of the process. A Non-Immigrant B visa does not authorise employment on its own, so holders need a separate work permit from the Department of Employment, tied to a specific employer and role.

The main Thailand work permit requirements fall on the employer. BOI-promoted companies use a separate route through the BOI's Single Window for Visa and Work Permit system and the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC)[10].

Step 1: The employer confirms that its capital and Thai headcount meet the conditions for each foreign hire, commonly THB 2 million of registered capital and 4 Thai employees per work permit, with different terms for some business types[3].

Step 2: The employer obtains the WP3 approval letter.

Step 3: The employee applies for the Non-B and enters Thailand on the 90-day stay.

Step 4: The employee applies for the work permit for the named role, and the Board of Investment's 2026 guide says the process should be complete within 90 days or before the non-immigrant visa expires[3].

Step 5: The employee extends the stay and files 90-day reports[11].

Employers should set each 90-day deadline in the HR calendar from the entry date and assign one named person to file it.

How can an overseas company hire in Thailand without a Thai entity?

The capital and headcount conditions are the main barrier for an overseas company making its first Thai hire, because it has no Thai employer to sponsor anyone. An employer of record (EOR) in Thailand is a local company that becomes the legal employer. The client still directs the day-to-day work.

With Settlr Global, for example, companies can hire from one employee, with the first hire in about two days. EOR fees start from THB 8,999 per employee per month for a local hire and THB 10,999 for an expat hire. For expat hires, visa and work permit approval still rests with the Thai authorities.

A simple budget formula is annual EOR fee = N x E x 12, where N is headcount and E is the monthly fee. Salary and statutory costs sit on top. Details are on the employer of record Thailand page.

When does the Thailand DTV visa or LTR visa make more sense than a Non-B?

The Non-B and EOR routes both assume the person works for a Thai employer, and many remote founders do not.

The Thailand LTR visa targets qualifying high-income professionals, investors and remote workers, and each category has its own eligibility tests[12]. Remote founders paid from abroad should read the DTV visa guide and the LTR visa overview. Anyone planning to join a Thai payroll should plan for a Non-B and work permit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work in Thailand on a tourist visa?

Generally not. Foreigners on any type of visa are not allowed to work unless they have obtained a work permit, according to the Government Public Relations Department.

Is a Non-Immigrant B visa enough to start working?

No. You generally need a separate work permit for the specific employer and role.

What is the typical work permit cost in Thailand?

Government fees are THB 100 for the application plus THB 3,000 for a permit of more than 6 months and up to 1 year, according to the Ministry of Labour. Visa and work permit service costs vary by service provider and application complexity[13].

How long does a Non-B visa take to process?

Applications often go through the Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), and processing times generally vary by embassy or consulate. Singapore, for example, asks applicants to file at least 21 working days before travel, so applicants should check with the Thai embassy or consulate handling the application and plan for potential delays[9].

Can a foreign company sponsor a Non-B without a Thai entity?

Generally not directly, because the Non-B requires sponsorship from a Thai-registered company, although an overseas-registered company holding a Foreign Business License can qualify. An employer of record can act as the Thai employer while you incorporate your own company[3].

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 compare visa routes or plan a first hire, get in touch with Settlr Global.

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