BOI Visas & Work Permits in Thailand

Company promotion and individual approval

Separate three questions: whether the company has the relevant promotion rights, whether the proposed position is approved, and whether the individual meets that position’s requirements. The job description should connect to the promoted project, with evidence of the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

A person working for a promoted company does not automatically qualify for SMART or LTR. Those are individual programmes with different tests. Likewise, an ordinary company cannot use the BOI channel merely because it plans to apply for promotion later.

Prepare the project and employee evidence

• Promotion certificate, conditions and the company’s current status under the project.
• Description of the promoted operations and the need for the foreign specialist.
• Position title, responsibilities, workplace, proposed duration and reporting structure.
• Applicant passport, immigration history, qualifications, experience and employment terms.
• Any project reporting, knowledge-transfer or staffing evidence required for the approval.
• Family documents and individual passport records where dependents will accompany the employee.

Keep the role consistent across the BOI submission, employment contract and immigration documents. If the actual activity falls outside the promoted project, identify that issue before treating the promotion privileges as applicable. Changes to the project or company structure can require an additional review.

From position approval to lawful work

1. Check the promotion conditions and current expert-position procedure.
2. Prepare the position and individual application through the BOI Single Window system as appropriate.
3. Obtain the support required for the relevant visa. The embassy checklist distinguishes BOI employment and business visits under Non-IB.
4. Coordinate the immigration and Department of Employment steps, including appointments and digital permission where applicable.
5. Verify the granted duration, job and employer details, then record renewal and reporting obligations.

The official Non-IB checklist identifies a BOI letter as a key supporting document. Do not book an assignment around an unapproved position or assume that endorsement alone completes every remaining step.

When may the employee start?

Investment-promotion cases have specific provisions in the employment decree, including section 62. The precise entitlement and procedural stage must be confirmed against the person’s approval. Do not apply an ordinary-work-permit rule mechanically, or infer an exemption merely from the employer’s BOI status.

Keep the official evidence showing the legal basis and dates for commencing work. A practical onboarding file should include the signed employment terms, approval records, entry stamp, work-authorisation record and the person responsible for follow-up.

Dependents and relocation planning

Family applications are individual cases. Obtain marriage, birth or adoption documents in the required form, check translation/legalisation requirements and establish the relationship to the employee. Coordinate arrival dates with the principal applicant’s approval so that dependents do not travel on the assumption that a company letter covers the whole family.

A dependent’s right to remain does not automatically permit employment. A spouse planning to work should assess their own labour and immigration requirements. School-age children may also need a separate education plan; admission to a school is not proof that the parent qualifies for a guardian extension.

Changes, renewals and the service centre

Review any change of job title, employer, assignment, project or family status before it takes effect. Renew the individual approvals and stay within the applicable procedure; do not rely on the company’s promotion certificate expiry alone. Keep evidence of continuing eligibility and any required project reporting.

The BOI identifies the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC) at One Bangkok, PARADE zone, floors 6 and 7. Confirm appointment instructions through the current BOI information instead of travelling to an address copied from an older guide.

Pimaccounting can discuss how company records, accounting compliance and employee documentation fit together. For project financial obligations, see BOI accounting and compliance.

Frequently asked questions