|
HOW TO GET WORK PERMIT IN THAILAND
All foreigners who engaged in any kind of work
in Thailand need to obtain a valid work permit issued by the Department
of Employment of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare prior
to starting work, pursuant to the Alien Employment Act B.E. 2522
(A.D. 1979). Under the provisions of this Act, a foreigner cannot
perform any act of work or service unless a work permit has already
been issued by the Department of Employment, or unless the individual,
or the work performed, falls within an exception to the Act.
The term "work" is defined very broadly,
covering physical and mental activities, whether or not for wages
or other benefits. Working without a valid work permit even for
one day is a criminal offense.
Employers in Thailand may apply for a work permit
on behalf of prospective alien employees who wish to work in Thailand
in advance prior to the commencement of work. After the work permit
has been granted, the foreigners have to enter Thailand with the
“Non-Immigrant” visa (Class “B”: Business) according to the immigration
laws and have to present in person to receive their work permits,
and then start working.
|
|
Exemptions
| Exemptions from the work permit requirements are granted
to foreigners occupying the following professions: |
 |
Members of the diplomatic corporations |
|
Members of consular missions |
|
Representatives of member countries and officials of the United
Nations and its specialized agencies |
|
Persons who perform duties on missions in the Kingdom of Thailand
under an agreement between the government of Thailand and a foreign
government or international organization |
|
Persons who are specially permitted by the Government of Thailand
to enter and perform any duty or mission in the Kingdom of Thailand.
|
|
Assisting the government in developing national education, including
training teachers and professors or teaching students at a college
or state university. |
|
Assisting and/or training athletes in sports pursuant to an agreement
with the Sports Authority of Thailand or participating in sports competitions
not exceeding thirty (30) days. |
|
Exchanging arts or cultures with the approval of the cabinet. |
|
Participating, advising, or demonstrating in conferences, seminars,
or exhibitions not exceeding thirty (30) days, but only those which
are co-organized by a government agency or state enterprise, or which
a government agency or state enterprise is aware of. |
In applying for a Non-Immigrant visa at Thai Embassy
or Thai Consulate abroad nearby Thailand, beware that some overzealous
Consulate officer may ask you some question like "How do you like
working in Thailand?, or How has you company treated you so far?"
This is often a way to trick you into disclosing information that might
indicate you are working without a permit. Be careful in how you reply
and only answer questions asked.
However, we recommend the Applicant to apply a Multiple-Entry
of Non-Immigrant visa, just in case there might be some problem with the
work permit paperwork, then the Applicant do not need to go to the Thai
Embassy/ Consulate for visa purpose again. Oftentimes, the Thai Embassy
or Consulate mostly tries to encourage you to get a single-entry and may
even tell you that they do not issue multiple-entry visas. They do, however,
and often a patient and friendly approach will get you what you seek.
|
|
