BOI Work Visa and Work Permit in Thailand: Steps and Timeline

What are the steps for a BOI company to obtain a Thai work visa and work permit for an expatriate, and how long does it take?

2026-10-03

To work legally in Thailand, a foreign national needs two things at the same time: a visa of the correct category and a work permit issued by the Thai Ministry of Labour. A visa without a work permit, or a work permit with the wrong visa category, does not count as compliant employment.

BOI-promoted companies can apply through the e-Expert system (Single Window for Visa and Work Permit System) and the BOI One Start One Stop Investment Center (OSOS). The process is simpler than for non-BOI companies and normally takes about 1–2 months in total.

1. The four steps and typical timing

Step	Timing	Key points
① Position approval	1–2 weeks	The company applies online for the position in the e-Expert system and receives a BOI position approval letter. The approval is valid for 90 days
② Non-B business visa abroad	About 1–2 weeks, subject to the embassy or consulate	Apply online through the BOI channel of the e-Visa system with the approval letter; no visit to the Immigration Bureau is needed
③ Work visa and work permit after arrival	2–3 weeks	Processed at the BOI One Start One Stop Investment Center after entry
④ Interview	Same day	The applicant attends in person and pays the Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Labour fees on site

2. Where do things most often go wrong?

In the 90 days after step 1. The position approval is valid for only 90 days, and the applicant must obtain the Non-B visa abroad within that period. If the applicant's travel plans are delayed and the approval expires, the company has to apply again and start the whole process over.

3. A work permit is not a one-off

The work permit must be renewed every year, and the visa and work permit usually expire on different dates, so track both. Changes to position, employer or address also require a change filing.

4. Basis and scope

This answer is based on current procedures at the BOI One Start One Stop Investment Center and in the e-Expert system. Timings are typical for normal cases; actual timing depends on the embassy, Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Labour and BOI. Z&X currently handles work visas and work permits for BOI-promoted companies only.

A BOI position approval is valid for only 90 days. What if it expires, and how can we avoid that?

An expired position approval cannot be extended; you must apply again. The key to avoiding this is to confirm when the applicant can enter Thailand before applying, and to start the visa application abroad on the day you receive the approval letter.

Are there significant differences in tax burden for a Chinese-invested company in Thailand when repatriating funds in the form of dividends, service fees and technology royalties?

The differences are significant, but "which has the lower tax rate" cannot be equated directly with "which method is optimal". Dividends, service fees, technical fees / royalties, and intra-group loan interest differ in legal nature, pre-tax deductibility, withholding tax, VAT, transfer pricing, and the Chinese tax treatment.

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FAQ

1. The four steps and typical timing

2. Where do things most often go wrong?

3. A work permit is not a one-off

4. Basis and scope