How to Get a Thailand Work Visa: An Essential Guide for UK Citizens

With the increase in emigration and remote working, people are increasingly considering alternative home bases abroad. 

British expats are often drawn to Thailand, ‘the land of smiles’, thanks to its amenable climate and competitive cost of living. While the majority of UK citizens living in Thailand are retirees, many UK citizens are currently working in Thailand, or aiming to do so. 

The most common sectors in which UK citizens choose to work in Thailand include:

• Teaching English as a foreign or second language. Applicants for these types of roles are required to have a bachelor’s degree as well as an additional qualification, such as a Teaching English in Foreign Languages qualification (TEFL), a teaching licence or a Master’s in Education;
• Tourism and hospitality roles, such as working or running hotels, resorts and holiday venues; and
• Digital and IT roles − particularly with the growth of the ‘digital nomad’ remote working population worldwide. Thailand provides a competitive, low-cost country to start or grow a digital/IT business.

It’s important to note that tourist visa holders can’t legally work in Thailand. Working without a valid work permit is illegal, so you must apply for the appropriate work authorisation before beginning employment.

This comprehensive guide covers everything about getting the Thailand work visa for UK citizens. It includes UK citizen requirements; steps in the Thailand visa application process for employment purposes; supporting documents typically required to obtain a visa (which is required as part of the work permit process); and other important information British expats considering working legally in Thailand should know.

What Type of Visa and Work Permit Do I Need to Live and Work in Thailand?

Firstly, it’s important to know the distinction between the visa and the work permit. The work visa is a permission granted by a Thai embassy that allows a foreigner to enter and stay legally in Thailand for work purposes, but it doesn’t authorise actual employment. The work permit, issued by the Thai Ministry of Labour after arrival, is the official document that legally allows the foreigner to work in a specific job and company. Both are required to work legally, but serve different functions: The visa is for entry and stay; the permit is for employment.

UK Citizen Requirements for Thailand Work Visa

In Thailand, there are a variety of visa types for different categories of people seeking to live and work in Thailand. 

For example: 

• The IB visa for those wanting to invest in Thailand.
• The tourist visa for short-term holiday stays only.
• The business visa is for business activities, but doesn’t permit employment.
• The SMART visa for highly skilled professionals.
• The digital nomad visa (called the Destination Thailand Visa or DTV).
• The Long-Term Resident visa (LTR) for wealthy global citizens, pensioners, highly skilled professionals and work-from-Thailand professionals who meet specific income, asset, or investment criteria.
• The Non-Immigrant B-A visa for foreigners who invest in Thailand and wish to reside or conduct business related to their investment in Thailand.

However, for the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on the commonest type of immigrant visa, which is the non-immigrant ‘B’ visa.

What is the Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa?

As per the London Thai Embassy, the non-immigrant ‘B’ visa permits holders to:

“[C]onduct business, to work, to study a teaching course, to work as an English teacher, to work as a sport coach, to do an internship, to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter for a short period, for internship (non-curricular)”

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies that: 

“Various categories of the non-immigrant visa are currently provided to meet the needs and qualifications of individual business persons. These include business visa Category ‘B’, business-approved visa Category ‘B-A’ and investment and business visa Category ‘IB’.”

The non-immigrant ‘B’ visa permits holders to visit and stay in Thailand for up to three months (90 days) from the date of arrival, although it’s possible to apply for lengthier and multi-visit visas of this kind, for one or three years, although each stay is limited to 90 days.

It’s important to note that obtaining the non-immigrant ‘B’ visa is part one of a two-part process since a work permit will also need to be obtained by your prospective employer following your arrival in Thailand.

To apply for a non-immigrant visa and begin your work permit application, you’ll need to follow the official process through the Royal Thai Embassy, as outlined below.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Thailand from the UK: Step-by-Step Process

The application process to obtain a non-immigrant ‘B’ visa from the Royal Thai Embassy in the United Kingdom is designed to be straightforward, ensuring qualified professionals can efficiently obtain the necessary authorisation to work legally.

Step 1: Secure Job Offer and Gather Documents 

You must obtain a formal job offer or employment contract from a Thai company registered with the Ministry of Labour and authorised to sponsor foreign workers. Ensure the position is eligible for foreign employment, as some occupations are restricted to Thai nationals only.

Prepare all necessary documentation before applying. You’ll need:

• Your UK passport with at least 6 months’ validity remaining
• A completed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photos (generally 3.5×4.5cm or 4x6cm photos with white background)
• A detailed employment letter specifying your position, salary and contract duration
• Proof of financial means (minimum 20,000 THB per person, around 460 GBP)
• A police clearance certificate
• A health certificate (if required)
• Academic/professional certificates that are legalised and translated into Thai

From your employer, you’ll require company documents signed and sealed by authorised personnel including: business registration, license, shareholder list, company profile, tax documents and VAT certificate.

Step 2: Apply for the Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa 

Since September 2021, UK and Ireland residents must apply online via Thailand’s official e-Visa website (thaievisa.go.th). There’s no requirement to present documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy. Create an account, complete the application form, upload all required documents and pay the visa fee (approximately £44−£110 depending on single or multiple entry). You’ll also need to provide proof of your UK residence.

Step 3: Wait for Visa Approval 

Processing typically takes 5−15 business days but can vary depending on document completeness and embassy workload. You’ll receive either a visa sticker in your passport or an electronic visa confirmation via email.

Step 4: Travel to Thailand 

Enter Thailand within the visa validity period (note: visa validity for entry differs from permitted stay duration, which is typically 90 days). From May 2025, you must complete the mandatory digital arrival card online before travel.

Step 5: Apply for a Work Permit in Thailand 

After arrival, your employer must apply for your work permit at the Ministry of Labour before you begin working. Submit all supporting documents, including passport, visa, employment contract, academic certificates, health certificate and company documents (all legalised and translated into Thai). Processing generally takes 7−21 business days.

Step 6: Collect Work Permit and Maintain Compliance 

Once approved, collect your physical work permit from the Ministry of Labour. You must carry this document at all times while working in Thailand to avoid fines or legal issues.

After receiving your work permit, you must fulfil several ongoing obligations:

• Report to immigration every 90 days
• Carry your work permit at all times
• Report any employment changes to authorities
• Renew your permit 30 days before expiration (work permits are valid for one year)

What Supporting Documents Are Required for a Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa?

The documents needed for a Thailand work visa application from the UK vary depending on your intended job role. The required supporting documents differ depending on whether the applicant is applying for a teaching, sports or other position.

For Teaching, Academic Staff and Sports Positions

• Passport or travel document valid for no less than six (6) months and with at least two (2) blank pages;
• Academic qualification certificates;
• Letter confirming employment details from schools/universities signed by an authorised person, together with a copy of the ID card or passport of the signer;
• Copy of school/university’s registration;
• Approval letter from the concerned authority under the Ministry of Education;
• Certificate of criminal record clearance not older than six months from the UK (ACRO, DBS, or issued by the police) or Ireland (issued by the national police department);
• Financial evidence (e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of sponsorship from a third party); and
• Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland.
• Recent passport photos (specific size requirements: generally 3.5×4.5cm or 4x6cm)
• Possibly, your CV

If the applicant has appropriate qualifications, the Embassy will issue a single-entry non-immigrant ‘B’ visa with three (3) months’ validity to the applicant. 

Once the applicant arrives in Thailand, the educational institution will apply for a teacher license at the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of University Affairs and also apply for a work permit at the Ministry of Labour for the applicant. The work permit will be issued within seven working days.

For the work permit, you need:

• Additional three 3x4cm photographs
• A medical certificate issued in Thailand
• Proof of residence in Thailand
• Proof of work experience
• Professional licences/certificates

After being granted a teacher license and work permit, the applicant is required to submit a teacher license, work permit, employment contract and employment certificate to the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok in order to apply for a visa extension to cover the term of employment.

For Other Positions

• Business license of the inviting company in Thailand with the company’s stamp and authorised person’s signature (issued by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand);
• Company profile or details of business operations;
• Letter confirming employment details from an employer in Thailand, signed by an authorised person;
• Copy of ID card or passport of the signer (authorised person who signed the employment letter);
• Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland; and
• Copy of bank statements.

Once you have obtained the visa, you can enter Thailand and then apply for a work permit from the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour. In order to expedite visa issuance, your employer may, on your behalf, apply for the work permit in advance (with the form called Tor Thor 3). The Department of Employment will then issue a pre-approved certificate to be used in your visa application. In such a case, please make sure to obtain the work permit (Tor Thor 2) once you arrive in Thailand.

Translation and Legalisation of Foreign Documents for a Thailand Work Permit

For UK residents applying for a Thai work permit, all foreign documents (such as degrees, marriage certificates, police checks) must be notarised and legalised before submission to Thai authorities. 

This involves having documents notarised by a UK notary, obtaining an apostille from the UK Legalisation Office, then legalising at the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Additionally, all foreign documents must be officially translated into Thai by certified translators, with the Thai translation itself legalised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand upon arrival.

The Cost of a Thailand Work Visa for UK Residents

According to the Royal Thai Embassy in London, the fees to apply for the non-immigrant ‘B’ visa are as follows:

Note that all payments for Thailand visas and work permits are non-refundable. This means it’s important to ensure that all information you complete within the visa application form is true, correct and accurate to avoid re-applications and additional fees. Specifically, please ensure your email address is correct as, on approval, the visa will be sent to the email address provided. You’ll be required to print this visa approval letter to produce to the airlines and immigration authorities on your arrival into Thailand.

These fees apply specifically to work permit application processing, and Thailand may have additional costs for related services.

Work Permit Fees

In 2025, Thailand’s work permit fees for holders of a non-immigrant ‘B’ visa are tiered by permit duration: 750 THB (~£16) for up to three months, 1,500 THB (~£33) for more than three months up to six months, and 3,000 THB (~£66) for permits longer than six months up to one year. Additionally, there is a 100 THB application fee payable upon submission. 

These government fees cover the official permit issuance, with additional charges applicable for changes such as job description updates or employer changes. Processing times typically range from one to three weeks, depending on the applicant’s profile and documentation completeness.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Thailand Work Visa for UK Citizens?

The average processing time for non-immigrant ‘B’ visa applications is typically 5−15 working days. However, the Royal Thai Embassy in the UK advises applicants to submit their visa application at least three months before their planned travel date to allow sufficient time for appointment scheduling, document preparation, and any potential delays. 

Applicants employed by BOI-promoted companies (Thailand Board of Investment) may experience expedited processing times for both visas and work permits due to special government facilitation.

Conclusion

The work permit process for British expats in Thailand is streamlined and accessible, making Thailand an increasingly popular destination for UK professionals seeking international opportunities.

If you’re looking for a notary to assist with your visa application for working overseas, please contact us at: info@notary.co.uk or call 020 7630 1777.