Receiving a work permit is a long and quite difficult procedure requiring a lot of paperwork. ABC Asian Legal Service Co., Ltd. will help you to minimize the time expenditure and prepare the full set of the documents needed to assist you at the Labour Office to apply and receive the Work Permit.

All foreigners engaged in any kind of work in Thailand must have a valid work permit. Work permits are issued by the Department of Employment, a section of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

Working without a valid work permit even for a day is a criminal offence. Foreign employees found in breach of the law are liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to a fine not exceeding 5,000 Baht, or to both penalties.

There are certain occupations and professions reserved for Thai nationals. These are mainly related to manual labour and the production of handicrafts. A foreigner who performs work which is prescribed by law as prohibited for foreigners is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine from 2,000 to 100,000 Baht, or both penalties.

In order to apply for a work permit, a foreigner must have a business visa or a residence permit. The employer should apply for the work permit on behalf of the employee. A Work permit is issued for one year period and should be renewed before expiry.

Once a work permit is received, a foreigner can work legally. The work permit must be kept with the holder or at the holder’s work place during working hours in order to be ready to be presented to an official or the registrar. A foreigner can be engaged in the work as specified in the work permit only. In case he wishes to be engaged in other work or change the locality or place of work from that which is specified in the permit, permission from the registrar must be obtained.