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Types of Visas and Work permit for foreigner living in Thailand
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 Informative Article Summary by Anny Redperz
Visitors to and foreign residents of Thailand require a specific visa to stay. The type is dependent upon their length of stay and activity undertaken while in the country.
Transit Visa
This is the basic visa issued to those arriving in Thailand without a visa issued from a Thai consulate/embassy outside of the country. However, the issuance of this visa is usually reliant upon the visitor having a flight ticket to leave the country before the transit visa expires. In most cases, a visitor arriving without a visa will be issued a transit visa for 14 days, however residents of several countries are able to obtain visas for three months upon arrival, while others will need to apply for a receive a visa before leaving their own country for Thailand. Thai visa regulations are dependent upon the specific country of origin and should be clearly checked before departure for Thailand or the visitor may be forced to exit the country before even leaving the airport.
Tourist Visa
Valid for between 60 and 90 days, these visas can only be issued by Thai consulates/embassies overseas. The duration of the visa is dependent upon the home country of the person applying and the country in which it is applied for. It may be possible to receive more than one Tourist Visa at a time that can then be used consecutively, however it is rare that such roll-overs are allowed and is again country specific. As long as no work is undertaken and the holder is solvent, it is possible to receive repeated tourist visas at the cost of a short trip to a neighbouring country (Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, etc). however, it should not be considered as guaranteed and is dependent upon a case by case basis.
Non-Immigrant Visa
Valid for 90 days, these visas can only be issued by Thai consulates/embassies overseas, however they can be extended for up to a year while in the country. The criteria that allows for the issuance of a Non-Immigrant Visa are:
- that the person applying is working in Thailand and has a valid work permit (see below)
- that the person applying has a Thai family
- that the person applying is retired (over-55) and can show adequate means of financial support
A significant amount of personal documentation must be copied with the application for a Non-immigrant Visa and for each renewal thereafter. Holders should also apply for a re-entry permit if they intend to leave the country during the period of the visa, or the visa will be cancelled upon leaving.
Resident Visa
Only a small number of Resident Visas are issued each year. The person applying must show an ability to read and write Thai, have a solid local financial background and submit references from respectable Thai nationals.
Work Permit
Every foreign national who wishes to work in Thailand must hold a Work Permit before the work is begun. Applying for the Work Permit is the responsibility of the employer, but it is the responsibility of the foreign employee to ensure that the Work Permit is in place before work is begun. Employers found to be using foreign labour without a work permit will be fined, but the foreign employee will be arrested, possibly jailed, and very likely deported with a "persona non grata" stamp in their passport, which disallows future visits to the country.
Companies applying for Work Permits for foreign employees usually require a registered capital of at least Bht3 million, unless it is for a specialized position that cannot be taken by a Thai national. Laws regarding working foreigners are now strict and strictly administered. It is in the foreign nationals best interests to ensure that the application procedure is undertaken correctly.
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