1. Main Visa and Work Permit Categories

1. Visa Exemption Rules and Entry Requirements

1.1. Chinese Passport Holders

Under the China–Thailand mutual visa exemption agreement, eligible holders of Chinese ordinary passports and passports for public affairs may visit Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days per entry, with total stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.

The agreement does not cover employment, study, residence, media activities, or other matters requiring prior approval. Travelers whose actual purpose or intended stay falls outside the agreement must obtain the appropriate visa or authorization in advance.

1.2. Visa Exemption Changes Effective September 15, 2026

Thailand has formally announced the withdrawal of the previous 60-day visa exemption scheme covering 93 countries and territories. Revised arrangements will take effect on September 15, 2026, including:

1. A 30-day tourist visa exemption for nationals of 60 countries and territories;
2. A 15-day tourist visa exemption for nationals of two countries and territories;
3. A revised and reduced list of countries and territories eligible for Visa on Arrival.

Bilateral visa exemption agreements should be interpreted according to their respective terms. The same permitted stay cannot be applied uniformly to all nationalities.

Travelers who entered before the new rules take effect may remain for the period originally recorded upon entry. Travelers entering again after the effective date must follow the rules applicable at that time.

The new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption measures are intended for tourism. Individuals planning business activities should confirm whether their nationality is covered by a bilateral agreement, a specific business arrangement, or the Non-Immigrant B Visa requirements.

1.3. Basic Entry Requirements and TDAC

Travelers should generally prepare a valid passport, an explanation of the purpose of travel, accommodation details, return or onward travel arrangements, and evidence of sufficient funds. Admission and the authorized length of stay are determined by Thai immigration authorities.

Non-Thai nationals generally need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days before arriving in Thailand. Exemptions may apply to certain international transit passengers who do not pass through Thai immigration.

The TDAC is an arrival declaration. It is not a visa and does not grant any right to work.

2. Tourist Visas and Electronic Visas

2.1. Tourist Visa (TR)

The Tourist Visa is primarily intended for tourism. It may be appropriate for individuals who do not qualify for visa-free entry or who need to travel under a tourist visa arrangement.

Applicants generally need to provide documents supporting their genuine itinerary, accommodation, financial capacity, and place of residence.

A visa’s validity for entry, the permitted number of entries, and the authorized stay for each entry are separate matters and should be checked individually. Extending a stay requires approval from the responsible authority. Filing an extension application does not itself authorize a longer stay.

2.2. Thai e-Visa

The Thai e-Visa is a method of applying for and receiving a visa rather than a separate visa category. Applicants must still select the appropriate category based on their actual purpose, such as a TR Visa, Non-Immigrant B Visa, DTV, or another applicable visa.

Electronic issuance does not change the work rights or stay restrictions attached to the underlying visa category. Requirements and processing times may differ depending on the visa category, the application location, and requests for supplementary documents.

After approval, applicants should verify their personal information, visa category, permitted entry period, and number of entries.

3. Non-Immigrant B Visa and Business Visits

Meetings, business negotiations, contract discussions, exhibitions, client visits, and limited market research may qualify for an appropriate business-entry route, depending on the applicant’s nationality and actual activities.

Individuals planning business activities should use a visa exemption arrangement or visa that expressly permits those activities. A Tourist Visa should not be treated as general authorization for every form of business activity.

A Non-Immigrant B Visa may be used for qualifying business or employment entry, but the required documents differ:

An individual entering with a Non-Immigrant B Visa for employment must still obtain the required Work Permit before beginning work.

Activities that generally require a work-authorization assessment include:

1. Holding an established position with a Thai company or remaining under the continuing supervision of a local team;
2. Installing or repairing equipment, implementing systems, or delivering projects at a customer’s site;
3. Providing professional training or performing operational or production-management duties;
4. Providing labor or professional services to a Thai entity where a Work Permit is required.

Whether an activity constitutes work depends on the actual duties and applicable legal requirements. A short business trip, overseas salary payment, or absence of compensation does not independently establish that no Work Permit is required.

4. Work Permits and Local Employment

4.1. Functions of the Three Main Documents

Standard local employment usually involves the following documents:

A standard single-entry Non-Immigrant B Visa is commonly valid for entry for three months. The initial stay after entry is generally no longer than 90 days.

Eligible applicants may apply for an employment-related Extension of Stay. A standard annual extension is generally granted for no longer than one year.

The Work Permit has its own validity period and must be managed separately from the visa and permitted stay.

4.2. Applicant and Position Requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate education, professional qualifications, or work experience relevant to the proposed position. Regulated professions may require the applicable professional license, and the position must not violate Thailand’s restrictions on occupations available to foreign nationals.

Common application documents include:

1. Passport;
2. Photographs meeting the applicable requirements;
3. Résumé;
4. Employment contract;
5. Job description;
6. Evidence of education, professional qualifications, and work experience;
7. Health certificate.

Individuals who have previously worked in Thailand or who fall within particular nationality or industry categories may need to provide additional historical records or screening documents.

4.3. Employer Conditions and Income Requirements

The employer must possess the applicable registration and operating qualifications and be able to support the Work Permit and subsequent stay application.

Standard annual employment-related extensions generally also involve an assessment of registered capital, the number of Thai employees, continuing business operations, tax records, and social security records. Different requirements may apply to Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) companies and other special routes.

Work Permit requirements and annual Extension of Stay requirements are not identical. Standard annual extensions based on business necessity include nationality-specific income requirements. It is therefore insufficient to conclude that an applicant qualifies for a stay extension merely because Work Permits do not have one universal minimum salary.

The applicant’s actual income, tax records, and employment contract should support the selected employment and stay route.

4.4. Basic Application Sequence

The employer and position requirements should generally be confirmed first, followed by the applicable labor support, Non-Immigrant B entry visa, Work Permit, and any Extension of Stay required for long-term residence.

The date on which work may legally begin depends on when the required work authorization is in place. The visa approval date should not be treated as the legal employment start date.

The overall timeline may be affected by labor approvals, consular review, identity verification, supplementary document requests, and stay-extension procedures. The processing time for one stage does not represent the timeline for the entire case.

5. Short-Term Urgent Work and Specific Project Arrangements

5.1. Necessary, Urgent, or Specific Short-Term Work

Qualifying necessary, urgent, or specific assignments may be assessed under a short-term work notification or authorization arrangement generally based on assignments lasting no more than 15 days.

Eligibility depends on the nature of the work, the applicant’s qualifications, the work location, and the actual completion period.

Short-term installation, repair, or technical-support work is not automatically exempt from work-authorization requirements. The applicable notification or authorization must be completed before work begins.

If the assignment is extended or becomes a continuing on-site role, the appropriate work route should be reassessed.

5.2. BOI-Promoted Projects

Projects qualifying under Thailand’s Board of Investment may be able to use facilitated visa and Work Permit arrangements for eligible foreign specialists, technicians, or managers.

These arrangements are tied to the promoted company, the specific project, and the approved position. They do not automatically apply to every company operating in Thailand.

5.3. Smart Visa

Current new Smart Visa applications are mainly retained for entrepreneurs in targeted industries under the Smart S category and eligible dependants under the Smart O category.

The former Smart T, Smart I, and Smart E categories are no longer available as current new-application routes. Highly skilled professionals, investors, and executives should consider the LTR program or another appropriate immigration status based on their circumstances.

Smart S is intended for entrepreneurs who have established a certified startup in a targeted industry in Thailand. Applicants must satisfy the relevant shareholding or directorship, savings, and health insurance requirements. Approval may be granted for up to two years.

Eligible holders may be exempt from the standard Work Permit requirement for endorsed projects or activities. A new endorsement must be obtained when changing or adding work.

6. DTV Remote Work and Designated Activities

The Destination Thailand Visa is intended for eligible remote workers, freelancers, and participants in designated cultural, educational, medical, and other activities. It also includes corresponding dependant categories.

A DTV is commonly valid for five years and permits multiple entries. Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days, with an extension potentially available under immigration rules.

The five-year period is the visa’s validity period. It does not mean the holder may remain continuously in Thailand for five years after one entry.

Applicants must provide evidence corresponding to the remote-work or designated-activity purpose and satisfy the applicable financial requirements.

The DTV does not directly authorize employment with a Thai employer. An individual who becomes employed by a Thai company or assumes a local Thai position must arrange the appropriate work status.

7. LTR Long-Term Residence Routes

7.1. LTR Highly Skilled Professionals

This category is intended for highly skilled individuals who meet the requirements for a targeted industry or designated professional field. Applicants must satisfy the applicable professional-background, income, employment-relationship, and healthcare coverage requirements.

Under the standard income route, an applicant’s average annual income during the previous two years must be at least USD 80,000.

Applicants whose average annual income is at least USD 40,000 but below USD 80,000 must meet the applicable additional professional or educational requirements. Specific exceptions should be assessed under the relevant category.

The LTR arrangement is generally understood as a ten-year framework. The initial authorized stay is normally five years and may be extended for another five years if the holder continues to satisfy the requirements.

Highly Skilled Professionals working locally in Thailand must also obtain the appropriate Digital Work Permit.

7.2. LTR Work-from-Thailand Professionals

This category applies to professionals working remotely for an eligible overseas company.

The standard income route also requires an average annual income of at least USD 80,000 during the previous two years. Applicants relying on the lower income threshold must satisfy the additional qualifications published by the authorities.

The overseas employer must also meet the applicable listing-status requirements or requirements concerning operating history and revenue. Applicants must additionally satisfy the health insurance, qualifying social security, or savings requirements.

Possessing an overseas employment contract alone is insufficient to establish eligibility for this category.

The LTR Work-from-Thailand Professionals category does not provide a Digital Work Permit for employment with a Thai employer. Holders moving into a local Thai position must reassess and obtain the appropriate status.

2. Dependants, Study, and Other Common Routes

1. Accompanying Family Members

Family members of individuals using a standard employment route may generally be considered for a Non-O dependant visa and corresponding stay arrangements. The eligible family relationships depend on the principal applicant’s specific immigration status.

The DTV, LTR, and Smart Visa programs each have their own dependant rules, which cannot be applied interchangeably.

Dependant status does not normally grant standard local work rights automatically. A family member planning to work in Thailand must confirm the applicable Work Permit requirements or specific exemption based on their own status.

2. Study

Individuals studying, participating in an exchange program, or undertaking qualifying education or training in Thailand generally require support from the educational institution for the appropriate Non-ED or other study status.

Study status does not replace local employment authorization. Applicants planning to work while studying must separately confirm the applicable Work Permit requirements.

3. Transit, Retirement, and Other Long-Term Stays

Whether a transit visa is required depends on the traveler’s nationality, itinerary, airline arrangements, and whether the traveler must pass through Thai immigration.

Retirement visas and long-term residence membership programs have their own application and maintenance requirements. They should not be treated as local Thai work authorization.

3. Renewals, Changes, Termination, and Status Maintenance

Periodic reporting does not extend the authorized stay.

After employment ends, a foreign national cannot continue working for a new employer merely because the visa or Work Permit appears to remain valid.

4. How sailglobal Can Help

If your company plans to send employees to Thailand for business visits, local employment, intra-group transfers, short-term projects, or accompanying-family arrangements, sailglobal can help you understand the applicable route and requirements based on the applicant’s qualifications, actual activities, and intended timeline.

Visa, Work Permit, and Extension of Stay applications are independently assessed by the Thai authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee approval or a fixed issuance date.