Thailand Non-Immigrant B Visa and Work Permit in 2026

Thailand uses Non-Immigrant B status for qualifying business and employment purposes. Permission to work is handled separately under Thailand's employment authorization system.

Visa and work permission are separate

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Non-Immigrant B is used for qualifying business and employment purposes. For employment, however, the visa is only the immigration step. A foreign national must obtain the required work permission before starting work unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The standard single-entry Non-B is generally valid for entry within three months and gives an initial permitted stay of up to 90 days. Where the employment/business case continues and the legal criteria are met, Immigration can consider an extension of stay, commonly up to one year at a time.

Employer and employment evidence

The exact document set depends on the embassy and case, but MFA guidance expects evidence tying the applicant to a genuine Thai employer or business activity. For employment this can include the Thai employer's corporate records, employment details and the required labour-authority documentation.

Do not assume a job offer email alone is enough. The employer's legal status, corporate filings and ability to employ foreign workers can be part of the review.

2025–2026 e-WorkPermit change

Thailand's Department of Employment launched the nationwide e-WorkPermit service on 13 October 2025. The department describes the platform as an online system for work-permit applications, status tracking, approval and permit issuance. The current portal specifically includes applications for Non-Immigrant foreigners doing skilled work.

Use the live Department of Employment portal at eworkpermit.doe.go.th rather than following an old article that still assumes only paper filing.

Typical process

  1. Confirm the Thai employer/business case and correct Non-B purpose.
  2. Prepare the embassy or Thai e-Visa documentation required by the filing post.
  3. Receive the Non-B visa and enter Thailand within its validity.
  4. Complete the Department of Employment work-authorization process through the current e-WorkPermit system or any specifically directed channel.
  5. Do not begin covered work until authorization is effective.
  6. Before the initial stay expires, complete any qualifying extension-of-stay process with Immigration.
  7. Keep visa/stay status, work permission and employer information aligned when employment changes.

Fees

MFA's general Non-B guidance lists THB 2,000 for a single-entry visa and THB 5,000 for a multiple-entry visa in the applicable categories, but overseas posts collect local-currency fees. Work-permit fees are separate. Department of Employment material identifies skilled-worker permit fees on an annual basis, so verify the current amount shown by e-WorkPermit for the requested permit period before payment.

Family

MFA guidance provides a Non-Immigrant O dependant route for qualifying family members of Non-B holders, including a spouse and qualifying children. Family status does not automatically give unrestricted employment rights; a dependant who wants to work must qualify for the appropriate authorization.

Business visits are not the same as employment

Thailand also issues Non-B for business visits and meetings. A business-purpose visa should not be treated as permission to take up local employment. MFA's separate three-year business-only Non-B explicitly prohibits employment, illustrating why the visa label and the actual activity must match.

Tax and social security

Local employment normally creates Thai payroll, tax and potentially social-security obligations separate from immigration permission. The Thailand Revenue Department also applies its own residence/source rules. Employers and workers should coordinate immigration, employment, tax and payroll compliance rather than treating a work permit as a substitute for those obligations.

Permanent residence

For the ordinary quota-based permanent-residence route, Immigration guidance generally expects a foreign applicant to have held Non-Immigrant status with one-year extensions for at least three consecutive years before applying, together with a qualifying PR category. This is a separate application with annual quotas, not an automatic result of working in Thailand.

Alternatives

  • Remote work for overseas clients/employer without Thai employment: compare DTV.
  • High-income remote employment with a qualifying overseas company: compare LTR Work-from-Thailand.
  • Endorsed technology startup: compare Smart S.

Common mistakes

  • starting work after receiving Non-B but before work authorization is effective;
  • using an old paper-only process instead of checking the current e-WorkPermit system;
  • confusing business visits with local employment; and
  • assuming a family dependant can work without separate authorization.

Frequently asked questions

Is Non-B itself a work permit?

No. Thailand treats immigration status and work authorization as separate requirements.

How long is the initial stay?

A standard single-entry Non-B commonly gives up to 90 days, subject to the immigration officer and the specific visa case.

Can the stay be extended?

MFA guidance states that qualifying Non-B holders may apply to Immigration for an extension, potentially up to one year when the applicable requirements are met.

Official and supporting sources

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