How do you get a work permit in Thailand in 2026?

Most employees arrive on Non-Immigrant B, often issued abroad or through the Thai e-Visa system, with a permission to stay that matches the employment contract. The hiring company must be registered, have the correct ratio of Thai to foreign staff where the law requires it, and hold business documents DOE lists for your sector. Board of Investment (BOI) and Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) promoted companies sometimes use the BOI One Stop Service counter in Bangkok to align visa and work-permit steps, but the underlying rule is the same: no employer file, no permit.

Before DOE accepts the case, clear any overstay fines at Immigration. Keep your host address report current through TM30 and plan for 90-day notifications if you stay continuously: paperwork after moving.

From October 2025 the DOE rolled out nationwide online filing at eworkpermit.doe.go.th. The employer (or an authorised agent) registers the company, opens the foreign worker case, uploads passport data, job description, education evidence, medical certificate, and company papers, then pays the fee online. The system tracks status and lets you book an appointment at one of the 54 service centres for photo, fingerprints, and permit collection. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket each host centres, but you must book the slot the portal assigns for your file.

Carry originals that match the upload: passport, Non-Immigrant visa page, entry stamp, photos, and any translations DOE requested. Rejections usually trace to mismatched job titles, missing Thai staff counts, or expired company registrations, not to missing a generic checklist item.

The work permit card lists employer name, location, and occupation. You may work only within that scope. A new employer or a promotion that changes the legal job description needs a new permit or an approved amendment through DOE, not an informal HR letter. Immigration extensions for Non-Immigrant B often ask for the current work permit and employer support letters at renewal time.

Parallel civilian setup still matters. Payroll and withholding usually need a Thai tax ID: get a tax number. Salary accounts and proof-of-address files often need a bank that accepts your stay evidence: open a bank account. Employer health schemes or public registration may follow: enrol in public health when your category requires it.