How to get Thailand Work Visa?

Vafa Balakishiyeva 22 March 2022 1806 views 5 min. read
thailand on the map
thailand on the map

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country initially known as Siam and is now known as the Kingdom of Thailand.

Thailand is among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world. It is especially susceptible to increasing sea levels and extreme weather conditions. Thailand is a unitary state with three administrative services provided by the executive branch: central, province, and local.

Thailand's economy is strongly dependent on exports, accounting for more than two-thirds of the country's GDP. The country exports more than US$105 billion in goods and services each year. Tourism sphere accounts for around 6% of the country's GDP. According to the World Tourism Organization, Thailand was the most visited country in Southeast Asia in 2013.

Bangkok, Thailand's capital, is among the top ten most desirable cities in the world to visit, with a growth in visitors from China, the United States, India, and the Middle East.

Work in Thailand

thailand people

The term "work" is defined quite broadly under Thai law and includes both physical and mental activity, whether or not for pay or another recompense. In Thailand, even volunteer or charity work necessitates a work visa.

Foreigners are allowed to work in Thailand under Thai law. However, factors such as national security and the need for foreign labor for the country's development are considered. Priority will still be given to Thai nationals.

Because Thailand is a developing country, there aren't as many well-paid office employment as there are in Western countries. Another factor is that many foreigners are looking for suitable employment prospects for the reasons stated, this one thing is sure: "Finding a good job in Thailand is not as easy as it is in your home country."

English is the only language you need to know if you want to work in Thailand. More than 80% of foreign workers in Thailand cannot communicate in Thai. However, if you can claim at least basic Thai language skills, you will have a far higher chance of landing a job in Thailand.

The following jobs are off-limits to foreigners under the Alien Employment Act and are only available to Thai citizens:

  • Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, or fishing, with the exception of employment requiring specialist knowledge, farm supervision, or labor work on fishing boats, particularly in the maritime fishery.
  • Whether it's bricklaying, carpentry, or other types of construction work,
  • Carvings in wood
  • Except for piloting international aircraft, driving motor vehicles, and vehicles that do not employ machinery or mechanical devices.
  • Except for infrequent internal auditing, supervising, auditing, or providing accounting services
  • Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautifying are all terms for the same thing, etc.

There are some jobs that are great for people who want to come to Thailand with a work visa and work in Thailand:

  1. Teaching: In Thailand, there are constantly teaching possibilities. Those in the public sector pay roughly 30-35k per month, whereas jobs in the private sector pay anything from 45-100k per month, depending on experience. To teach in Thailand, you must have a TEFL certificate.
  2. Mobile / Web Developer: Foreign nationals are employed by large organizations such as Agoda, DeeMoney, and Grab, and the roles are reasonably well-paid (50-120k per month, depending on experience). There are positions available for full-stack developers, SEO experts, and PPC campaign managers.
  3. Diving Instructor: If you've ever been scuba diving, you're already halfway there. You may join a diving school and teach at one of the major diving destinations like Koh Tao, Phi-Phi Island, or Krabi once you've earned your PADI certification (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors). Instructors make between $30 and $40 thousand a month, which is comparable to that of a teacher. However, as you advance in rank, your pay will rise.
  4. Movie Extra work & Modeling: Work for extra money starts at around 1,500 Baht per day. Cameo appearances cost between 5 and 20 thousand dollars, and modeling jobs might cost anywhere between 5 and 150 thousand dollars. The disadvantage is that it is unreliable. You'll have to attend several castings that may or may not lead to anything, and there will be a lot of waiting on set.
  5. Thailand-based Entrepreneur: The advantage of beginning a business in Thailand is that you can keep your living costs low while getting your firm up and running. This eliminates financial stress and allows you to re-establish your financial footing. If you're currently working on a company idea, rather than working alone in your apartment, consider going to a co-working facility. These workplaces are teeming with like-minded individuals working on comparable projects.

Do you need a visa to work in Thailand?

apply for thailand visa

Thailand does not allow tourists to work. They must request that their visa be changed to a Non-Immigrant B Visa if they wish to do so. This visa is often provided to foreigners who want to conduct business or work in Thailand. It is available in either a 90-day single entry or a 1-year multiple entry format. And if you're going to work in Thailand, you may be interested in “How to get a work visa for Thailand?” You can continue to read the article to obtain this information.

The Work Permit is another vital document. The Work Permit is the document that regulates the sort of work, length of employment, and some basic information about a foreign employee, such as who he works for and where he stays. (For further information, go to Siam Legal's Work Permit Application page.) A falang (even if he holds a non-immigrant B visa) is effectively barred from working in Thailand without this paperwork. To apply for a work permit, you must already own a non-immigrant B visa. A work permit, like a visa, can be extended and revoked under specific circumstances.

How to get a work visa for Thailand?

thailand flag

Before getting a work visa for Thailand, you must apply for a Thailand Work Visa at one of Thailand's diplomatic mission offices (an Embassy or Consulate) in your home country or a neighboring nation. Then:

  • If a website is available, contact the Thailand Embassy or Consulate, where you will submit your application. Make an appointment and inquire about the location's hours of operation, working days, and preferred payment method for Thai visa fees. A list of Thailand's diplomatic mission offices can be found here.
  • Gather the necessary paperwork for a Thai work visa.
  • Submit the required documents as well as the visa application. You can submit your application to the following embassies/Consulates, depending on which one you apply to:
  • In-person
  • In this case, you must include a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope by mail.
  • Wait for the application to be reviewed and approved.
  • Gather your passport and visa.

You must enter the country within the period specified on the visa if your Thailand work visa is approved, or it will expire.

Thailand work visa requirements

woman

The following are the main Thailand work visa requirements, according to Thai Immigration:

A valid passport with at least two blank visa pages valid for another six months. If you're seeking a one-year visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.

A completed and signed application for a Thailand Work Visa. You may be able to acquire it from the embassy/website consulate or obtain it in person if you apply in person.

A passport-sized photograph of yourself that is one of the leading Thailand work visa requirements:

  • White backdrop, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size
  • This photograph was shot during the last six months.
  • While facing straight ahead, you must keep a neutral expression.
  • You should be able to see your whole face.
  • Only religious headgear is permitted, and even then, only if it does not hide the face.
  • Glasses are only accepted if they do not cover your eyes and have a light frame.

Evidence of adequate financial means to cover your stay. If you're traveling alone, you'll need 20,000 Thai Baht; if you're traveling with a family, you'll need 40,000 Thai Baht.

Certificate of police clearance

view of thailand visa

The Thailand Ministry of Labor has granted a letter of approval. Your Thai employer must file an approval request to the Department of Employment of the Thai Ministry of Labor's Office of Foreign Workers Administration.

If you plan to teach at a pre-university level, you should:

  • Acceptance letter from the educational institution
  • An appropriate Thai government agency, such as the Office of the Private Education Commission or the Office of the Basic Education Commission, must issue a Letter of Approval.
  • The school's license or business registration, as well as a list of investors and a profile of the school
  • Your CV

How much is a work visa for Thailand?

thai baht

The following is Thailand work visa cost:

  • Single entry Thailand work visa costs 2,000 Thai Baht (about USD 65).
  • The multi-entry Thailand work visa cost is 5,000 Thai Baht (about USD 164).

The costs and the mode of payment can vary slightly from one country to the next, depending on the local currency. Some offices simply accept cash, while others may need payment by bank transfer.

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