For those that are employed by a business or start a business of their own, Thai Immigration will grant an extension of stay up to one year at a time.

The documentation necessary to get an extension of stay for the purpose of working in or conducting a business can be extensive.

If you are being employed by a major Thai company, they will usually have someone handle all the paperwork for getting a Work Permit and obtaining the extension of stay.

If you are preparing the application for a Work Permit (i.e., being employed by a small company or are starting your own company), the process can be cumbersome because of all the documentation required.

Please CLICK HERE to check our Latest Thai Immigration Information page for updates or temporary changes that are not included in these pages.

Visa and Work Permit Required

To qualify for an extension, you will need to be in Thailand on the basis of holding a Non-Immigrant Visa (this is most often a category "B" Visa issued by a Thai Embassy/Consulate - other categories can also qualify).

Visas or extensions of stay issued for the purpose of retirement do not qualify for the issuance of a Work Permit as they are prohibited from working in Thailand.

Visas or extensions of stay issued for the purpose of retirement do not qualify for the issuance of a Work Permit as they are prohibited from working in Thailand.

A Work Permit is needed to qualify for an extension of stay. These are issued by the Ministry of Labor and they have their own documentation requirements. 

Foreigners are permitted to do work that not prohibited by the Alien Employment Act. The permitted work is described in the Work Permit.