LegalThailand.com

Basic Info about Thailand Visa and Work Permit

Introduction
Normally you will get a 30-days tourist visa at the border when you enter Thailand. This is called "Visa on Arrival". This can be extended up to 15 days at the immigration office or the help of our service at LegalThailand.com.

When your visa expire, you must leave Thailand. But you can enter Thailand as many times you want and you will always get a 30-days tourist visa. Don't overstay your visa! Except the 200 baht fine/day you may also end up in jail!

Tourist Visa
If you plan to stay longer, you should apply for a Tourist Visa at the Thai embassy in your home country (60 days). This one can be extended with another 30 days at the immigration office for 1900 baht, thus 90 days in total. You can also try and ask for a double entry visa, this means you can enter Thailand two times and stay in Thailand up to 6 months.

Business Visa (Non Immigrant B)
If you want to work in Thailand you need a Non Immigrant B Visa plus a Work Permit. My experience is that this may be easy to obtain in your home country if you have a letter of employment and other documents supporting your visa from your counterpart in Thailand but you may only be granted 3 months

However, you can still apply for a Non Immigrant B (or change your status from tourist visa / visa on arrival) to a Non Immigrant B Visa. if this is first time you work in Thailand. Second time you may get double entry or 1 year multiple entry visa. YOU DON'T NEED TO LEAVE THAILAND EVERY 3 MONTHS. LegalThailand.com can help you extend your stay without border cross!

You are NOT allowed to work in Thailand without a work permit! Business Visa (Non-B) and work permit is required! Some companies try to hire staff and they say Business Visa is enough, work permit can be aquired later. This is wrong. You must simultaneously get Business Visa and Work Permit. You may end up and in jail and later be deported from Thailand if you only have Business Visa and do not have a Work Permit (in case you work or do business)

Married with Thai lady? (Non Immigrant O)
If you are married with a Thai lady/man and can show proof of your marriage, you can obtain a 1-year Non-O Visa.

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
Purpose of visit : BUSINESS, CONFERENCE, RESEARCH, TEACHING, MASS MEDIA or MISSIONARY (requiring letter from your government, agency or organization sending you on your mission or from your counterpart in Thailand). EDUCATION (requiring letter from educational institution in Thailand). FAMILY REUNION (requiring marriage or birth certificates). SETTLEMENT AFTER RETIREMENT (requiring proof of retirement and financial support). MEDICAL TREATMENT (requiring letter from licensed doctor).

Maximum stay 90 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.

TOURIST VISA
Purpose of visit : for pleasure purpose only.

Maximum stay 60 day, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.

TRANSIT VISA
Purpose of visit : TRANSIT (requiring proof of confirmed onward ticket to a Third country). SPORTS or CREW (requiring letter from organization concerned).

Maximum stay 30 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.