If you are among the many foreigners who view Thailand as an ideal place to stay for the long term, then pursuing employment in this country stands as an excellent and practical choice. As you may already know, working in a foreign country requires a work permit. In order to get a work permit in Thailand, you must first have a valid work visa.
What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit? Aren’t they the same? And what type of work visa can I apply for? ManPower Group Thailand is here to answer your questions.
The Difference Between a Work Visa and a Work Permit
While work visas and work permits may be considered the same thing for some countries, Thailand follows a different approach. To legally work in Thailand, foreigners need to have both a work visa and a work permit. They are two separate documents and cannot be used interchangeably.
Work Visa
For foreigners to work in Thailand, they must apply for a work visa while outside of the country. There are different types of work visas available for foreign nationals to apply for a work permit once they enter the country, such as the Non-Immigrant B visa. On the other hand, if the foreigner is already in Thailand with a tourist visa, they must convert the tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa, valid for 90 days and can be extended once their work permit in Thailand has been issued.
Work Permit
As mentioned above, a work visa is required for foreigners to obtain a work permit. It is a legal document issued by the Ministry of Labor outlining the foreign employee’s occupation, position, and the employing company. It allows non-Thai citizens to work or legally establish a business in Thailand. Additionally, note that the work permit application process should be completed within ninety days before the applicant’s non-immigrant visa is expired to avoid having to re-enter the country.