There are two separate documents you need to work legally in Thailand: the right visa and a work permit. They are not the same thing, and you need both.

Non-Immigrant Visa Category B (Business & Employment)

Required before you can apply for a work permit. Applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate before you enter Thailand. Once you have a signed employment contract, your employer typically guides you through this process. Note: EFL teachers have slightly different requirements — contact the nearest Thai Embassy for specifics.

Work Permit (Ministry of Labour)

Processed by the Ministry of Labour after you have your Non-B visa. The permit specifies your occupation, job title, and the Thai company you're working for. You cannot change jobs without updating your work permit. Competent employers handle the entire process — you provide documents and sign where required.

30-Day Visa Exemption (Tourist Entry)

Citizens of roughly 60 countries including the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, France, and most of Western Europe can enter without a visa for 30 days. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Korea, and Peru get 90 days. This is for tourism only — any work during this period still requires a work permit.

Non-Immigrant Visa O (Retirement)

Foreigners aged 50+ can obtain a retirement visa with proof of sufficient funds, extended annually. Does not permit work. Thailand has become increasingly popular for Japanese and other retirees following immigration reforms.

The work permit process, step by step

Step 1 — Get a signed employment contract. You need a formal offer in writing before any visa or permit application can move forward. Don't quit your job or buy flights without this in hand.

Step 2 — Obtain a Non-Immigrant B Visa. Apply at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country (or a neighboring country if you're already in Southeast Asia). Requires the employment contract, a letter from the Thai company, and standard personal documentation.

Step 3 — Enter Thailand on your Non-B Visa. For teaching jobs specifically, many schools arrange a visa run to a Thai Embassy in Malaysia, Cambodia, or Laos as part of the hiring process.

Step 4 — Employer applies for your work permit. Your employer submits the application to the Ministry of Labour, including company documentation and proof they meet the 4:1 Thai-to-foreign employee ratio.

Step 5 — Submit your personal documents. You'll need: passport-sized photo, medical certificate, original passport, employment letter, university degree certificate (original), Thailand address, and increasingly — a criminal background check from your home country.

Step 6 — Receive your work permit. It specifies exactly which job you're permitted to do, at which company. Using it for a different employer or occupation requires a new permit.

Note for teachers specifically: Teachers in Thailand also need a Teacher's License from the Teachers' Council of Thailand. A good school handles this entire process. If a school seems confused about how to sort out your documentation, that's a warning sign about how they operate overall.

Su su!
(keep fighting!)
–Tim