Non-Immigrant Visa “B” (Business / Employment)วีซ่าคนอยู่ชั่วคราว ประเภท “บี”

The standard entry visa for foreigners coming to work or do business with a Thai company. The initial visa is single-entry, valid 3 months, granting a 90-day stay. It is only the first step: you then need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and an in-country Non-B extension to stay and work long-term. A named, qualifying Thai employer is mandatory.

Duration

Single-entry: 3-month visa validity, 90-day stay on entry. Multiple-entry: 1-year validity, up to 90 days per entry.

Extensions

Within the 90-day stay the employer obtains the work permit, then you file an in-country Non-B extension (commonly a 1-year extension of stay) at Immigration, renewed annually.

Financial requirement

Proof of adequate finances: 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family. Some embassies request a personal bank statement (often ~USD 5,000+). The employer must separately meet work-permit thresholds — typically 2,000,000 THB registered capital per foreign worker and a 4 Thai : 1 foreigner ratio (employer-side; verify per case, as of 2026-05-24).

Fees

Single-entry (3-month): 2,000 THB. Multiple-entry (1-year): 5,000 THB. Work permit (separate, paid in Thailand): typically 750–3,000 THB depending on duration.

Processing time

Embassy processing is commonly a few business days; allow roughly 5 working days.

Who it’s for

• Foreigners taking up employment with a Thai company
• Foreigners coming to conduct business — meetings, negotiations, setting up or managing a Thai company
• Anyone with a sponsoring Thai employer or business partner (there is no self-sponsored Non-B)
• Not for remote workers with a foreign employer and no Thai sponsor — look at the DTV or LTR Work-from-Thailand instead

Key documents

• Completed visa application form
• Passport (6+ months) + passport photo (4×6 cm)
• Ministry of Labour letter of approval and/or WP.3 work-permit pre-approval
• Employer company registration documents, balance sheet and most-recent tax return
• Employer letter of invitation/employment stating position and salary
• Applicant CV / employment contract and educational credentials

Staying compliant

• You cannot legally work until the work permit is issued — entering on a Non-B does not by itself authorise work
• The employer must apply for the work permit within the 90-day stay
• 90-day reporting once resident; late fine not less than 2,000 THB
• Annual renewal of both the Non-B extension and the work permit
• A re-entry permit is needed before leaving Thailand to keep the extension alive

Common pitfalls

• Applying without a confirmed, qualifying Thai employer (no self-sponsorship)
• Employer not meeting the 2M THB capital per foreigner / 4:1 ratio, so the work permit is refused after the visa is granted
• Working before the work permit is issued — illegal and a serious violation
• Incomplete or inconsistent employer corporate documents
• Letting the 90-day stay lapse without filing the extension / work permit in time, or forgetting a re-entry permit before travel