Starting a business in Thailand as a foreign entrepreneur is exciting, but it comes with navigating visa and immigration requirements. In this fourth article of our series, we break down the key visa options for foreign directors/founders, how they tie into your company’s compliance, and what to watch out for. We’ll explore the standard Non-Immigrant “B” business visa (from the initial 90-day visa to 1-year extensions), special programs like BOI and SMART Visas, regional immigration nuances, and practical tips on staying compliant (90-day reports, renewals, avoiding overstays). Let’s dive into Thailand’s business visa landscape and how to keep your startup’s expat team legal and running smoothly.
Non-Immigrant “B” Visa: The Standard Business Visa
For most foreign business owners, the Non-Immigrant “B” Visa (Business Visa) is the main pathway to live and work in Thailand. This visa is employer-sponsored – you need a Thai company to sponsor your application. Typically, the process begins outside Thailand: you incorporate your Thai company and then apply at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad for a 90-day Non-B visa. The embassy will issue a single-entry 90-day Non-B visa (sometimes multiple-entry), which you must use to enter Thailand within its validity. In other words, you cannot get a long-term work visa on arrival; you must obtain this initial visa from abroad, using your Thai company’s invitation and documents as support. (If you’re in Thailand on a tourist visa and decide to start a company, you generally have to exit Thailand to get the Non-B visa and re-enter, unless you qualify for a special one-stop in-country conversion.)
After arriving in Thailand with the 90-day Non-B, you’ll get a 90-day permission-to-stay stamp in your passport. During this period, obtaining a Thai work permit is essential. Your company needs to apply for your work permit at the Ministry of Labor using the Non-B visa and provide documents like the company registration, shareholder list, your qualifications, medical certificate, etc. The work permit process usually takes 1–2 weeks, and once issued, you’re legally allowed to work. The initial work permit validity is often tied to the remaining time on your 90-day visa.
Converting to a 1-Year Visa: Before your 90-day entry period expires, you must extend your stay to one year. This is done at Thai Immigration inside Thailand (in Bangkok, at Immigration Division 1, Chaeng Watthana; in other provinces, at the local immigration office). To get the 1-year extension, you’ll need to show that your company is active and meets the requirements to employ a foreigner – this includes having sufficient registered capital (usually at least 2 million THB per foreign employee) and typically hiring four Thai employees per foreign work permit (the standard 4:1 ratio for non-BOI companies). Immigration officers will scrutinize your company’s credentials before approving the extension. Once approved, your visa status changes from the initial 90-day entry to a 1-year permission to stay (often called a “1-year Non-B visa”). At the same time, you’ll extend your work permit to match the new visa expiry date. With this, you enter an annual cycle of renewing your visa and work permit each year as long as you continue doing business in Thailand.
Re-entry Tip: The 1-year visa extension is typically single-entry by default. If you plan to travel abroad during the year, be sure to obtain a re-entry permit before you depart. A re-entry permit (available as single or multiple entry) will keep your visa valid when you exit and re-enter Thailand. Without it, your 1-year visa cancels upon leaving the country.
Visa Extensions & Company Compliance Requirements
Securing the 1-year extension is not a one-time effort – your company must continue to meet visa eligibility requirements at each annual renewal. Thai Immigration uses these checkpoints to ensure the business is genuine and contributing to the economy. Key factors include:
- Registered Capital: Your company should maintain at least THB 2 million in registered capital per foreign employee. This capital underpins the work permit and visa. If you initially capitalized the company with 2M baht, ensure it remains intact (e.g., not reduced via share buy-backs).
- Thai Employees & Social Security: The standard requirement is 4 full-time Thai employees for each foreign work permit (4:1). Immigration will ask for evidence – typically, social security (SSO) filings for the past months showing Thai staff on payroll. For the extension, you usually need to show at least three months of payroll records and SSO contributions for those Thai employees. (Some business structures like BOI companies, rep offices, or branch offices have relaxed ratios or exemptions, which we’ll note later.)
- Minimum Salary & Tax Withholding: The foreign director/employee should be paid a sufficient salary (Thailand sets minimum monthly salaries by nationality – e.g., 50,000 THB for many Western nationals) to justify the work permit. Immigration often checks that the company filed monthly withholding tax (PND forms) that include the foreigner’s name, proving the tax on salary is paid. You’ll need copies of the last 3 months of these filings with receipts.
- Financial Reports & Revenue: To renew a business visa, the company is expected to be financially active. You should present the latest balance sheet and income statement, plus the annual corporate income tax return (with proof it was filed). A key test is that the company had revenue in the past year sufficient to cover all foreign salaries. In practice, this means the annual revenue should exceed the total salaries/benefits paid to foreigners, demonstrating the business can financially support its foreign staff. Net equity should be positive (at least 1M THB in shareholders’ equity is often expected).
- Office Premises: Immigration may require a map to your office and photographs of the workplace. They want to see a legitimate business location with your company signage and employees actually working. You’ll usually submit a map with the office address and photos of the building (exterior with sign) and interior (showing staff at work). This helps prove your company isn’t just on paper.
- Corporate Compliance: You must show your company is in good standing. Immigration will want a current company registration certificate, "up-to-date" shareholder list, and proof of annual filings. If your company skipped annual audits, tax filings, or is falling behind on requirements, it’s a red flag. Falling out of good standing – for example, not having the required Thai staff or missing filings – can lead to a visa extension denial.
Checkpoint 1 of 6
Registered capital still in place?
Tap to reveal requirement
Your company should maintain at least THB 2M in registered capital per foreign employee. This capital underpins both the work permit and visa.
If you initially capitalised the company with ฿2M, Immigration expects that structure to remain intact – not quietly reduced via capital reduction or share buy-backs. Changing capital downwards can weaken your visa case.
Checkpoint 2 of 6
Thai staff and social security proof?
Tap to reveal requirement
The standard rule is 4 full-time Thai employees per foreign work permit (4:1). To prove it, Immigration relies on SSO filings, not just a staff list.
For the 1-year extension, you usually need at least three months of payroll records and SSO contributions showing those Thai employees actually on payroll. Some structures (BOI, rep office, branch office, etc.) have relaxed ratios, but ordinary companies do not.
Checkpoint 3 of 6
Foreign salary and tax filings aligned?
Tap to reveal requirement
The foreign director/employee must be paid at least the minimum monthly salary for their nationality (e.g. often ฿50,000 for many Western nationals).
Immigration then checks your recent withholding tax filings (PND forms) to see the foreigner’s name and salary. You’ll need copies of the last three months of these filings with official receipts, proving that tax on the foreign salary is being paid correctly.
Checkpoint 4 of 6
Is the company financially active?
Tap to reveal requirement
To renew a business visa, the company is expected to be operating, not dormant. You’ll be asked for the latest balance sheet and income statement, plus the annual corporate income tax return with proof of filing.
A key informal test: annual revenue should comfortably cover all foreign salaries, showing the business can truly support its foreign staff. Net equity should be positive; often at least ~฿1M in shareholders’ equity is expected as a sanity check.
Checkpoint 5 of 6
Real office or just a nameplate?
Tap to reveal requirement
Immigration may request a map to your office and photos of the premises. They’re checking that you actually operate from a legitimate business location.
Expect to provide a map, exterior photos with your company signage, and interior photos showing staff working. In some cases, officers may visit to verify the office. A company existing only to sponsor a visa is high-risk.
Checkpoint 6 of 6
Is your company “in good standing”?
Tap to reveal requirement
You’ll need to show that the company is fully compliant: a current company registration certificate, an up-to-date shareholder list, and evidence of annual audits and tax filings.
If audits are missing, corporate tax returns are late, or shareholder/board changes were never registered, it’s a red flag. Falling out of good standing – and especially dropping below Thai staff or capital thresholds – can result in a visa extension being denied.
When preparing for a 1-year extension application, gather all these documents and start about 30-45 days before your visa expires. You’ll file an extension of stay application (Form TM7) at Immigration, and a parallel work permit renewal at the Labor Department. Each standard extension is granted for one year at a time (occasionally two years in special cases). With timely renewals, you can extend indefinitely year after year – but continuous compliance is essential.
BOI-Sponsored Visas and One-Stop Processing
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) offers an attractive route for companies that qualify for investment incentives. If your startup obtains BOI promotion (typically in exchange for meeting investment, technology, or industry criteria), you unlock special visa and work permit privileges. BOI-promoted companies are exempt from the standard 4:1 Thai-to-foreigner employee ratio, allowing you to hire foreign experts more freely. They also use a streamlined system for immigration formalities.
Under BOI, visa and work permit applications can be handled at the One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits (recently relocated from Chamchuri Square to the new One Bangkok center in 2025). This one-stop center consolidates Immigration and Labor Ministry services in one place, making the process faster and more convenient for eligible companies. For example, a foreign employee of a BOI company can often convert a tourist visa to a Non-B visa in-country at the one-stop center, and obtain their work permit on the spot – something not possible through normal channels. Regular companies without BOI status must use the standard immigration offices (e.g., Chaeng Watthana in Bangkok) for extensions, but BOI companies skip the queues at Chaeng Watthana and go to the dedicated center.
Another advantage is the digital work permit (e-Work Permit) system available to BOI firms. Instead of a blue paper booklet, BOI work permits are issued electronically (often a digital card or QR code linked to your passport), which you can manage online. This ties into Thailand’s push for digital processing – as of 2025, some work permit holders can even have permits delivered by post or issued electronically. BOI’s online portal (e.g., the BOI E-Expert system) allows companies to apply for visas and work permits for foreign staff digitally, upload documents, and schedule appointments. Overall, the BOI visa route significantly reduces paperwork and waiting time, making it popular for tech startups and international companies that qualify.
Important: Not every business can get BOI promotion – it’s limited to certain industries and requires meeting investment or project criteria. But if your company is eligible, BOI promotion not only grants tax and ownership benefits, but also makes the immigration process far smoother (no Thai staff quota, in-country visa processing, one-stop service, etc.).
The SMART Visa Program for Entrepreneurs & Experts
Thailand’s SMART Visa is a special visa category designed to attract high-value investors, tech entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. It’s backed by the BOI and targets specific “next-generation industries” important to Thailand’s economic development. If you qualify for a SMART visa, it offers generous benefits that traditional visas do not.
SMART Visa at a Glance: Initially, SMART Visas were divided into sub-categories: SMART “T” (Talent) for highly skilled specialists (with advanced degrees and high salaries in fields like biotech, robotics, digital, etc.), SMART “I” (Investor) for major investors in tech ventures, SMART “E” (Executive) for senior executives in target industries, SMART “S” (Startup) for entrepreneurs starting a technology or innovation-driven business, and SMART “O” for spouses and dependents of Smart Visa holders. Each category has strict criteria – for example, SMART-T required a THB 200,000+ monthly salary and tech industry expertise, SMART-I required a 20 million THB venture investment, and SMART-S required a detailed startup business plan and funding threshold.
| Category | Who it’s for | Core eligibility criteria |
|---|---|---|
| SMART “T” – Talent |
Highly skilled specialists
Biotech, robotics, digital, automation, next-gen tech
|
Salary ≥ THB 200,000 / month
Proven expertise, advanced degree, employment in BOI-targeted industries
|
| SMART “I” – Investor |
Major investors in tech ventures
Innovation-driven, deep-tech, or BOI-promoted industries
|
Investment ≥ THB 20 million
Must invest in a certified tech company or relevant fund
|
| SMART “E” – Executive |
Senior executives
Management roles in BOI-targeted sectors
|
Leadership position + required experience
Often includes salary minimums, sector relevance, and company eligibility
|
| SMART “S” – Startup |
Tech/innovation founders
Entrepreneurs building IP-driven or scalable ventures
|
Detailed startup plan + funding proof
Often requires showing sufficient personal funds and a viable innovation-based model
|
| SMART “O” – Dependents |
Spouses & dependents
Of SMART-T, SMART-I, SMART-E, or SMART-S holders
|
Linked to main applicant
SMART-O allows spouse to work — a key advantage vs. Non-O dependent visas
|
Business Visa in Thailand?
Plan for Extensions — Not Just Entry.
For founders, the visa is tied to whether the company looks real on paper and in practice: staffing, payroll, tax filings, financial activity, and a credible operating footprint.
- Non-B pathway: align visa steps with your company timeline and work rights.
- Extension readiness: avoid “compliance gaps” that surface at renewal.
- Alternate routes: BOI/SMART-style options when they truly fit your profile.
If you travel, don’t accidentally break your status. If you renew, don’t leave it to the last minute.
Key benefits of the SMART Visa:
- Up to 4-Year Visa with No Work Permit Needed: A SMART Visa can be issued for up to four years (depending on the category), unlike the 1-year-at-a-time extensions of a Non-B. Crucially, SMART visa holders don’t need a separate work permit – the visa itself authorizes you to work. This means no Labor Ministry work permit paperwork or maintaining the 4:1 Thai employee ratio. It greatly simplifies things for the visa holder (and their employer).
- Bring Your Family (They Can Work Too): Spouses and children of a SMART Visa holder get a corresponding SMART “O” visa, allowing them to reside in Thailand. A unique perk is that the spouse is allowed to work in Thailand without a work permit under the SMART “O”, which is not the case for dependents of Non-B visa holders. This makes the SMART visa very attractive for those relocating with family, effectively giving a work authorization to the accompanying spouse as well.
- Streamlined, One-Stop Processing: SMART Visas are processed via the BOI’s one-stop center, with an inter-agency committee reviewing applications. The application involves getting a BOI endorsement: you apply online through the SMART Visa portal, submit all required documents (credentials, business plans, etc.), and wait ~30 business days for a committee to approve. Once you have the approval letter, you can obtain the actual visa either in Thailand (at the One Stop Center) or at a Thai embassy abroad. Compared to the traditional route, you skip the need to set up a Thai company first (though you might need one later if you start a business) – the focus is on your qualifications and plan rather than a pre-existing company sponsor.
However, SMART Visas aren’t for everyone. They cater to niche scenarios of particular interest to Thailand. Many common business activities (running a restaurant, small trading company, etc.) do not qualify for SMART visas and thus require the traditional Non-B route. Additionally, the bar is intentionally high: not everyone will meet the salary, investment, or innovation benchmarks set for Smart Visa eligibility.
2025 Updates: Thailand introduced a new 10-year Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa to attract wealthy retirees, professionals, and investors. To avoid overlapping programs, the government is phasing out most SMART Visa categories. As of early 2025, the Talent, Investor, and Executive categories of SMART Visa are being discontinued, leaving primarily the SMART “S” (Startup) visa for entrepreneurs as the main avenue going forward. This shift means if you were eyeing a Talent or Investor SMART visa, you may need to look at the LTR visa or stick to a Non-B. The SMART “S” remains for startup founders in tech/innovation, who must show things like 600,000 THB in bank funds, a viable startup plan in an approved sector, and periodic progress reports. Also note, having a SMART visa doesn’t free you from all obligations – you still must do 90-day immigration reports and report to BOI annually or biannually to confirm you’re meeting the visa conditions. If conditions are not met, even a multi-year Smart Visa can be revoked.
In summary, the Non-B visa vs. SMART visa choice comes down to your situation. Most entrepreneurs setting up ordinary businesses will use the Non-B + work permit route, which applies to any industry (as long as you meet the general company requirements). The SMART Visa offers a fantastic work permit-free, multi-year solution with less bureaucracy – but only for a select group in high-tech or strategic fields. If you qualify, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, you will plan around forming a Thai company and doing the standard process.
Bangkok vs. Regional Immigration (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket)
Thailand’s immigration process can vary slightly depending on where your company and work are located. In Bangkok, the main hub is Immigration Division 1 at Chaeng Watthana (Government Complex), which handles most standard business visa extensions, re-entry permits, and 90-day reports for the capital. If you’re on a normal Non-B visa with a typical company, you’ll be dealing with Chaeng Watthana (or sending a staff member/agent on your behalf) for your 1-year extensions and renewals. Be prepared: it’s a large government office, and wait times can be long, so going early with all paperwork in order is advised. The Ministry of Labor has a presence there as well, for work permit services.
Outside Bangkok, provincial immigration offices handle these matters. For example, in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, etc., foreigners will renew their visas at the local Immigration Office. Regional offices might have slightly different interpretations of documentation – some may request additional local documents or have unique queues for certain visa types. Generally, though, the rules are the same nation-wide. One key difference is volume: busy hubs like Phuket or Chiang Mai (which have large expat populations) can still see lines, but often these offices are smaller and a bit more personal. In any case, always check the specific procedures of your province; many immigration offices post their own checklists (in Thai and English) on-site or online.
For those under BOI or certain special visas, Bangkok’s One-Stop Service Center (One Bangkok) is the go-to (since BOI one-stop service is centralized in the capital). If you qualify for one-stop, you won’t use the provincial office even if your company is upcountry; you’d handle everything in Bangkok. Conversely, if you’re in a province on a normal visa, you typically cannot use the Bangkok one-stop center. Always confirm where you’re supposed to process your extension to avoid wasted trips.
Another regional nuance is the 90-Day Reporting (address check-in). This can be done at any immigration office or online, regardless of where your visa was issued. If you live in Chiang Mai but got your visa in Bangkok, you can report at Chiang Mai for convenience. Just remember to report every 90 days of continuous stay.
90-Day Reporting Reminder: Every foreigner on a long-term visa must report their current residential address every 90 days (if continuously in Thailand). This is done via Form TM47 at immigration or online. It’s a simple process, but don’t forget: failure to file the 90-day report on time results in a fine (usually 2,000 THB). Mark your calendar for every 3 months from your arrival or last report. (If you leave Thailand and re-enter, the 90-day count restarts from the re-entry date.) Always keep proof of your latest 90-day report receipt in your passport in case of random checks.
Visa Runs, Overstays & Immigration Red Flags
When setting up your business, you might hear tales of “visa runs” – quick trips in and out of the country to reset a visa. While a common practice for tourists or digital nomads, visa runs are not a sustainable solution for a company director. Relying on back-to-back tourist visas or visa-exempt entries to manage a business is risky and signals to authorities that you might be working without the proper visa. If you haven’t secured your Non-B visa yet (say, when you’re still in setup phase), a border run might buy you another 30 or 60 days on a tourist status, but you should transition to the proper Non-B visa as soon as possible. Frequent visa runs can raise red flags at Immigration – officers may question your purpose if you repeatedly exit and re-enter on tourist status while effectively residing in Thailand.
Overstays are even more serious. An overstay means you stayed past the permission date stamped in your passport. Even if only, a single day, you’re liable for a fine (500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB). If you overstay more than 90 days, Thailand imposes a one-year entry ban once you do exit and get caught. Longer overstays carry multi-year bans (e.g., 1–3 years overstay = 3-year ban, over 5 years = 10-year ban). In short, overstaying will not only hit you with fines but can wreck your ability to do business (since you may be barred from re-entering Thailand for a long time). Always keep track of your visa expiry and extension dates. If you realize you’re about to overstay due to some emergency, contact Immigration immediately – sometimes they can advise on a short extension or exit plan, but if you simply let it lapse, you’ll face penalties.
| Overstay duration | Penalty / fine | Immigration consequences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 90 days |
฿500 / day
Maximum fine ฿20,000
|
No ban for short overstays, but recorded in the system.
Hurts future visa credibility.
|
| Overstay > 90 days |
Fine payable on departure
Up to ฿20,000 max
|
1-year entry ban
Activated once exiting and detected.
|
| 1 – 3 years overstay |
Maximum fine
|
3-year entry ban
Severe impact on future business / residency plans.
|
| 3 – 5 years overstay |
Maximum fine
|
5-year entry ban
|
| Overstay > 5 years |
Maximum fine
|
10-year entry ban
One of the strictest penalties in the region.
|
| Emergency scenario |
Case-by-case
|
Contact Immigration before expiry — sometimes short extensions or
guided exit plans are possible if handled proactively.
|
Beyond the legal rules, here are some immigration red flags to avoid as a foreign entrepreneur:
- Inadequate Company Activity: Immigration may scrutinize new companies sponsoring visas. If they suspect it’s a shell company (e.g., no real revenue or operations), they might visit your office or ask for extra proof. Always be prepared to demonstrate genuine business activity (contracts, invoices, product or service info) if asked.
- Frequent Changes or “Visa Hopping”: Continuously changing visa types or sponsors without a clear reason can draw attention. For instance, hopping from one company’s sponsorship to another repeatedly, or switching from an Education visa to Business to Tourist, etc., could make officials curious about what you’re really doing. It’s not that you can’t change status – just ensure there’s a legitimate narrative (sold your stake in one company and started another, etc.) and proper follow-through each time.
- Late Reporting/Filings: Habitually late 90-day reports or late TM30 filings (the requirement for your landlord or company to report your address upon each entry) can mark you as non-compliant. While a late 90-day report fine is small, repeat offenses show a disregard for rules. Similarly, ensure your company files TM30 (residence notification) whenever you return from travel – in some provinces, this is strictly enforced.
- Working Without Authorization: Perhaps the biggest red flag – if you are caught engaging in work (even volunteering or “helping out” at your own company) without the proper visa or work permit, the penalties are severe. This includes working on a tourist visa or beyond the scope of your visa. Thai authorities do conduct inspections and raids, especially if tipped off. Being found working illegally can lead to fines up to 50,000 THB, deportation, and blacklist you, and fines or legal trouble for the company. Always ensure your visa and work permit accurately reflect your role, and you start working only after they’re issued.
Staying on the right side of Thai immigration law is absolutely worth it. Penalties and bans aside, maintaining a good record will make future dealings with immigration smoother. As long as you plan ahead, keep your company in compliance, and respect the rules, you’ll find Thailand to be a welcoming place to grow your business.
FAQ: Common Questions on Thai Business Visas
Question 1 of 6
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a Non-B without leaving?
Tap to reveal answer
In most cases, no – you’ll need to leave Thailand and apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad. The standard process is to get your company paperwork in order, then make a trip to apply for the Non-B (either in your home country or a nearby country).
Exception: If your company is BOI-promoted or qualifies for the One-Stop Center, you may be able to convert a tourist visa to a Non-B inside Thailand via One-Stop in Bangkok. For a normal company (non-BOI), you cannot convert a tourist or visa-exempt entry to a Non-B in-country – you plan on going out to get the proper visa.
Question 2 of 6
How often do I need to report to Immigration on a long-term visa?
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You must file a 90-day address report every 90 days of uninterrupted stay in Thailand. This is a simple address confirmation (TM47), not a visa extension. The 90-day clock resets every time you leave and re-enter.
The report can be done in person, by mail, or online (when the system works). Separately, if you change your residence, your landlord or company should file a TM30 (notification of new address) within 24 hours. The recurring 90-day report is the main ongoing requirement; missing it results in fines. Put it in your calendar every three months from your last entry/report.
Question 3 of 6
What actually triggers a visa denial or extension refusal?
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Immigration will deny a visa extension if you fail to meet core requirements or look non-compliant. Common triggers:
• Not having the required Thai employees (or no proof via social security records).
• Insufficient capital or ongoing losses that undermine the ฿2M/foreigner rule.
• Missing or inconsistent paperwork, or mismatch between work-permit job title and visa purpose.
• Signs the company is a shell (no real office, no activity).
Compliance issues like unpaid taxes, missing financial statements, or prior overstays also hurt. If you fix the issues (hire staff, inject capital, file missing documents), you can usually re-apply or appeal. In serious cases involving fraud or illegal work, you risk cancellation and blacklisting – so keep everything clean.
Question 4 of 6
Do I need 4 Thai employees immediately for a visa?
Tap to reveal answer
No – you usually don’t need all four Thais on day one. Many embassies will issue the initial 90-day Non-B based on company registration and basic documentation, sometimes with few or no Thai staff in place yet.
However, by the time you apply for the 1-year extension inside Thailand, Immigration will expect the 4:1 ratio (four Thai employees per foreigner) and will check it via social security and tax filings. That’s when the rule bites.
So you have a short runway: set up the company, get the 90-day visa and WP, then staff up within the first three months before your first annual extension. BOI or some special structures may have relaxed rules.
Question 5 of 6
What’s the difference between a 90-day and a 1-year visa?
Tap to reveal answer
The “90-day visa” is usually the initial Non-Immigrant B you get from an embassy. It lets you enter and stay up to 90 days. Think of it as the entry ticket to start your work-permit and extension process.
The “1-year visa” is actually a 1-year extension of stay granted inside Thailand after you have your work permit. You then renew this 1-year extension annually.
Important: even on a 1-year extension, you still do 90-day address reports – but you do not need to leave the country every 90 days. You can stay continuously as long as you submit 90-day reports and renew the 1-year extension on time.
Question 6 of 6
Can my spouse and children live in Thailand with me?
Tap to reveal answer
Yes. Once you have your Non-B visa and work permit, your spouse and children can apply for Non-Immigrant “O” dependent visas, tied to your visa validity. They can stay long-term as your dependents.
However, a standard dependent Non-O does not allow your spouse to work. If they want to work, they need their own work permit and appropriate visa.
If you hold a SMART Visa, your spouse can often get a SMART-O with work authorization built-in. Children on Non-O can attend school in Thailand. Make sure you renew their visas when you renew yours, and remember that dependents staying continuously also have 90-day reporting obligations.
Business Visa in Thailand?
Plan for Extensions — Not Just Entry.
For founders, the visa is tied to whether the company looks real on paper and in practice: staffing, payroll, tax filings, financial activity, and a credible operating footprint.
- Non-B pathway: align visa steps with your company timeline and work rights.
- Extension readiness: avoid “compliance gaps” that surface at renewal.
- Alternate routes: BOI/SMART-style options when they truly fit your profile.
If you travel, don’t accidentally break your status. If you renew, don’t leave it to the last minute.
Next: Accounting, Tax & Ongoing Compliance – What foreign entrepreneurs need to know about Thai accounting standards, taxes, audits, and keeping your company in good standing
