Complete Non-Immigrant B Guide
Thailand's mandatory visa category for anyone working for a Thai company, running a Thai-registered business, or transferred to Thailand by a multinational employer. Must be combined with a separate Thai work permit. Renewable annually for as long as employment continues.
(not your personal funds)
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and is based on publicly available sources as of June 2026. Thai immigration and labour rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in your country, or a qualified immigration professional.
Who Is the Non-Immigrant B For?
The Non-B covers three distinct employment situations in Thailand. All result in the same visa category, but the sponsoring entity and supporting documents differ.
Not suitable
The Work Visa is NOT for:
Key distinction
The Non-B is for people whose employer and income source is in Thailand. The DTV is for people whose employer and income source is outside Thailand. If your company is registered outside Thailand and all your clients are outside Thailand, you almost certainly need the DTV, not the Non-B. See the DTV guide
Eligibility Requirements
The sponsoring Thai company must have a minimum registered and fully paid-up capital of 2 million THB per foreign employee (reduced to 1 million THB if the foreign employee is married to a Thai national). Board of Investment (BOI)-promoted companies are exempt from this requirement.
Standard companies must employ at least 4 Thai nationals for every 1 foreign worker. Export-oriented companies (in specific categories under the Labour Protection Act) follow a more lenient 10:1 ratio. Ask your employer to confirm if their business qualifies. BOI-promoted companies are generally exempt from this ratio.
If employed, you need a signed employment contract on Thai company letterhead specifying your position, salary and duration. If you are a business owner applying through your own company, a director appointment and company registration documents serve this purpose instead. Minimum salary thresholds for work permit approval are set by the Immigration Bureau on an official table by nationality, ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 THB/month depending on your country of origin. Ask your employer or an immigration specialist to confirm the exact threshold for your nationality.
Certain jobs are reserved for Thai nationals under the Foreign Business Act and Alien Occupation Act (for example, low-skilled retail, some clerical and manual labour roles). Your position must not appear on this list.
Standard background check. No history of overstaying or negative immigration record in Thailand.
Non-Immigrant B Costs: What to Budget
Visa fee (single-entry, 90 days)
~2,000 THB (≈ €55)
Paid at embassy or consulate
In-country extension to 1 year
1,900 THB (≈ €50)
Paid once your work permit is issued, at your local immigration office
Work permit issuance
3,100 THB (≈ €85)
Paid by the employer to the Ministry of Labour, per year of validity
Social Security contributions
5% of salary (employee) + 5% (employer)
Mandatory monthly enrolment via the Social Security Office (SSO). No separate private health insurance is required for the Non-B visa itself.
Document translations (if applicable)
€50–150 per document
For non-English, non-Thai documents requiring certified translation
Professional application assistance (recommended)
Variable
Some applicants and employers use an immigration consultant to reduce rejection risk. Contact us for trusted partners.
Contact usPrices are indicative and can vary by embassy, employer and exchange rate. Always confirm current costs before budgeting or applying.
Required Documents
Requirements can vary slightly between embassies and employer types. Always confirm with your specific embassy or employer's HR team before submitting.
- →Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and 2 blank pages
- →Copy of all passport pages
- →Recent passport-style photograph: white background, neutral clothing, no glasses or headwear, taken within the last 6 months, different from your passport photo
- →Completed visa application form
- →Signed employment contract or director appointment, on company letterhead, specifying position, salary and duration
- →Business registration certificate (Department of Business Development)
- →Shareholder list
- →Latest audited financial statements or proof of registered paid-up capital
- →Company tax registration documents
- →Invitation or offer letter from the employer on company letterhead
- →WP.3 preliminary work permit approval form from the Ministry of Labour (filed by the employer)
- →Certified copies of your degrees and professional qualifications relevant to the position
- →Detailed CV showing relevant experience
- →Medical certificate (required at the work permit stage, obtained in Thailand)
- →Map of the company premises, with nearby landmarks
- →Photos of the workplace: 4 to 8 photos showing company signage, interior and exterior, and Thai employees
All documents in a language other than English or Thai must be translated by a certified translator.
How to Apply for the Non-Immigrant B: Step by Step
Phase 1: Before Entering Thailand
Before applying, you need a signed contract with a Thai employer or confirmed ownership/director role in a Thai-registered company meeting capital and staffing requirements.
Your employer compiles company registration, capital proof, staff ratio evidence and the WP.3 preliminary work permit form.
Submit your application at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, or via the e-Visa portal where available. This grants a single-entry 90-day visa. See Costs below for fees and processing times.
Phase 2: After Arriving in Thailand
Enter Thailand on your 90-day Non-B visa.
Do not begin any work activity until the work permit is physically in your hands. Working without a valid work permit, even for a single day, is a criminal offence. Penalties include fines up to 100,000 THB, immediate deportation and a ban from re-entering Thailand.
Your employer submits your work permit application to the Ministry of Labour. See Costs below for fees and processing times.
Once your work permit is issued, extend your Non-B visa to a 1-year stay at your local immigration office, for 1,900 THB.
Complete TM30 address registration, 90-day reporting, and annual visa and work permit renewal alongside your employer.
Your Obligations Once You Arrive in Thailand
Every foreigner staying in Thailand must have their address declared to the local immigration office within 24 hours of arrival or any change of address. In practice this is usually handled by your hotel or landlord who is legally responsible for filing the TM30. If you are renting a private apartment, your landlord must file the TM30 on your behalf. If they do not, you can file it yourself online or in person. Without an up-to-date TM30 on file, you cannot complete your 90-day report or apply for a visa extension. Make sure your landlord confirms the TM30 has been filed when you move in.
See our full TM30 guideAll foreigners staying in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days must report their address to Thai immigration every 90 days. This is a notification requirement, not a visa renewal. The report can be done in person, by post or online at tm47.immigration.go.th. You can submit up to 15 days before or 7 days after your due date. Failing to report on time results in a fine of 2,000 THB. Missing the deadline by more than 7 days increases the fine to 5,000 THB and may complicate future visa applications.
See our full 90-day report guideBoth your Non-B visa and your work permit must be renewed annually alongside each other, with updated employer documents, tax certificates and, in some cases, a health check.
If you change employer in Thailand, you must cancel your existing work permit and have your new employer apply for a new one before you begin work. Your visa extension may also need to be updated. A change of employer can require a new Non-B visa application. Consult an immigration specialist before making any employment change to avoid gaps in your legal status.
Is the Non-Immigrant B Right for You?
Advantages
Limitations
