A
foreigner wishing to work in Thailand must first obtain
a Work Permit by submitting an application to the labour
Department. There are requirements that must be met
before work permit can be issued.
Sukhothai
Inter Law can provided assistance and advice to assist
in the successful application for a work Permit.
Alien
Work Permit
The Alien Occupation Law requires that every aliens
working in Thailand obtains a work permit with certain
exceptions. At the present time, 39 occupations are
closed to aliens, including architecture, civil engineering,
accounting and law. Generally, aliens may start working
only after a work permit is issued. In practice, little
difficulty is experienced in obtaining work permits
for qualified aliens for positions for which qualified
Thai nationals are not available.
Immigration
Law
The Immigration Law prescribes a number of visa categories.
Aliens wishing to reside and work in Thailand need a
non-immigrant visa, which is initially valid for 90
days or 1 year and is renewable. The procedures to acquire
a non-immigrant visa valid for 1 year are usually complicated
and are linked to procedures of the Labor Department
governing work permits. Aliens of most nationalities
may enter Thailand for periods up to 15 - 30 days without
a visa.
