BOARD OF INVESTMENT BOI Approved
Thailand's Board of Investment promotion offers real advantages for businesses setting up or expanding in Thailand. We guide you through every stage, from understanding which incentives apply to your business, to preparing your application and meeting compliance requirements. Our approach is straightforward: clear advice, practical support, and a focus on getting your BOI approval done efficiently and professionally.
LEARN BOI
What is Board of Investment?
The Board of Investment (BOI) is a Thai government agency set up to promote investment in industries that support Thailand's long-term economic growth. Its goal is to attract both local and foreign businesses into sectors the country wants to develop, such as technology, innovation, manufacturing, digital services, and sustainable industries.
Companies that qualify for BOI promotion gain access to a range of benefits, including tax incentives, easier foreign ownership, and streamlined visa and work permit processes. These advantages make BOI status particularly valuable for businesses planning to establish or expand a meaningful presence in Thailand.
BOI caters to a wide range of businesses, from tech startups and manufacturers to R&D centres, regional headquarters, and service providers operating in priority sectors.
POWERING YOUR BUSINESS
Benefits of Board of Investment
Ownership
100% Foreign Owned
Unlike many industries where Thai majority ownership is required, BOI projects often allow full foreign ownership.
Tax
Taxation Benefits
Tax incentives lower operating costs, boost profitability, and signal strong government support—enhancing investor confidence and long-term sustainability.
Immigration
Fast Track Visas
Fast-track visas enable quick entry for foreign experts and executives, ensuring fast access to global talent, smoother operations, and stronger investor confidence.
Workforce
Eased Foreign Hiring Rules
BOI-promoted companies are exempt from the rule requiring four Thai employees per foreign work permit, giving businesses flexibility to hire specialized talent without added staffing burdens.
Duty
Import Duty Exemptions
Exemption or reduction of import duties on machinery, raw materials, and essential components, lowering upfront investment costs.
Recognition
Global Recognition
BOI promotion is a globally recognized certification that builds trust, credibility, and signals stability and long-term growth to clients and investors.
Why Partner With Attori Law?
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End-to-end guidance
From assessing whether your business qualifies to preparing your application and managing ongoing compliance, we handle every stage of the BOI process.
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Clear, practical advice
We cut through the complexity and give you straight answers on what your business needs, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
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A partner beyond approval
BOI status comes with ongoing obligations, and we stay with you after approval to make sure your company remains compliant and continues to benefit from its incentives.
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We're BOI-promoted ourselves
We've been through the process from the inside, so we understand it not just as advisors but as a business that operates under BOI status every day.
TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY
What Clients Say
LUKAS KIRCHBERGER
Very professional and reliable law firm with excellent communication. They were clear, responsive, and provided practical legal advice without unnecessary complications. I felt well supported throughout the entire process and can highly recommend Attori Law to both individuals and businesses seeking legal assistance in Thailand.
SANKET VELHAL
I was handling a complicated situation around Thai business compliance + immigration/Non-B visa process, with deadlines and a lot of moving parts. Their team stayed calm, explained things clearly, and gave me realistic options instead of false promises... ... If you’re an expat or business owner in Thailand and you need help with visa/work permit, company filings, or compliance, I would definitely recommend Attori Law. They know what they’re doing and they treat clients with respect.
TRYSTAN TRESTCHENKOFF
Me and my partner registered a company with Attori and for now the service is reliable, good and on time. I recommend them to anyone willing to register a company in Thailand.
experts with key industry knowledge Get your free BOI feasibility review
WHAT TO EXPECT
Board of Investment Application Timeline
Step 01
Project Feasibility
Define your business activity, investment scale, and alignment with BOI criteria.
(7-30 days)
Step 02
Submission to BOI
Submit your investment proposal through BOI's e-Investment Promotion System.
Step 03
Proposal Evaluation
BOI reviews your application's eligibility and alignment with national priorities and may request edits or clarifications.
(15-45 days)
Step 04
Interview with BOI Officers
Present your project details to BOI representatives, addressing technical specifications and operational plans.
Step 05
Final BOI Assessment
BOI evaluates your proposal against investment criteria and guidelines, often requesting edits and clarifications.
(45 working days)
Step 06
Project Approval and FBL Application
Receive your official BOI promotion certificate, outlining approved activities, incentives, and compliance requirements.
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED
Services We Provide
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Company Overview
Legal structure, registered capital, shareholders, and founder credentials.
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Project Summary
Facility location, operational scope, and implementation timeline.
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Business Activity
Products and services, market and competitor analysis, distribution plans.
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Investment Plan
Capital requirements, expenditure breakdown, and funding sources.
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HR Plan & Project Impact
Workforce projections, skills development, and economic contribution to Thailand.
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Technology Transfer
Implementation roadmap and knowledge transfer to local workforce.
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Strategic Rationale
Business objectives and alignment with Thailand's economic priorities.
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Team Profile
Leadership backgrounds, management qualifications, and technical expertise.
AFTER APPROVAL IS JUST THE START
Post Approval Services
We stay with you past the approval: setting up the company, filing for Foreign Business Licenses, processing visas and work permits through the One Stop Service, and managing ongoing BOI compliance so your promotion status stays intact.
Implementation and Reporting
Submission of project commencement and tracking of milestones. Preparation of required BOI progress reports twice per year.
Visas, Work Permits and One Stop Service
Process non-immigrant visas and work permits for foreign executives and technical staff via BOI's expedited channel.
Foreign Business License For Foreign Ownership
Secure the FBL through the One Stop Service, enabling majority or full foreign ownership under your BOI promotion.
Accounting & Compliance Continuance
Manage bookkeeping, tax filings, and BOI reporting obligations to keep your promotion status and incentives intact.
BOARD OF INVESTMENT VS FOREIGN BUSINESS LICENSE
Comparing Structures
Choosing the right structure is the first decision for any foreigner doing business in Thailand. The main routes to majority foreign ownership are an FBL, BOI promotion, the US Treaty of Amity for Americans, or a Thai Limited Company. The table compares them on ownership, work permits, capital, and timeline.
| Category: | Foreign Business License (FBL) | Board of Investment (BOI) | Thai Limited Company | Treaty of Amity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ownership | Yes | Yes but FBL is tied to the project | Max 49% | Up to 100% for US citizens and companies |
| Work Permit Requirements | 4 Thai employees per work permit | No restrictions | 4 Thai employees per work permit | 4 Thai employees per work permit |
| Who Can Apply | All foreign nationals in qualifying fields | Projects falling under BOI promoted categories | All | US citizens or companies only |
| Minimum Registered Capital | 3 million baht (paid up over first 3 years) | Project dependent | No minimum capital | 3 million baht |
| Application Timeline | 6 to 9 months | 4-6 months depending on project complexity | 1-2 weeks | 6 to 9 months |
| Benefits | Not tied to project and can be applied for by anyone | Fast track visas, tax holidays, low barriers for foreign workers | Easy to set up and maintain | Same as FBL but easier to get certified |
| Roadblocks | Can be rejected or delayed with tougher guidelines | Must maintain project to keep BOI and benefits active | Does not allow foreign ownership except in a few specific areas. | US nationals only; no other benefits apart from ownership |
FAQs
Does my business qualify for BOI promotion?
Only certain activities qualify. The Board promotes the sectors Thailand wants to grow, such as technology, advanced manufacturing, digital services, research and development, and sustainable industry. If your activity is not on the promoted list, no amount of good paperwork will get it through. Start with the eligible activities, and we run a free feasibility review before you commit to anything.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a BOI-promoted company?
In most promoted activities, yes, and it is the main reason companies pursue promotion. It removes the 51% Thai shareholding rule that applies to a standard Thai limited company. Full ownership is tied to the promoted project, so it covers that activity rather than anything else you might add later.
Do I still need four Thai employees for each work permit?
No. Promoted companies are exempt from that ratio, and from the 2 million baht of registered capital ordinarily required for each foreign employee. Foreign staff are assessed instead against minimum monthly salary thresholds by position. Visas and work permits are processed through the One Start One Stop centre rather than the standard offices.
How long does BOI approval take?
Between four and six months from application to certificate. The formal review itself runs 40 to 90 working days depending on the size of the investment, with the remainder given to preparing documents, the interview and the post-approval steps. See how to apply for BOI promotion for the full sequence.
What tax incentives come with BOI promotion?
Corporate income tax exemption on income from the promoted activity, for a period set by the category your project falls under. Import duties on machinery and raw materials can also be exempted or reduced. The exemption applies to the promoted activity only, so income from anything else the company does is taxed normally.
Can I apply if my company is already trading?
Yes, provided the activity meets the Board's criteria. Promotion applies to the project going forward rather than to what you have already done, so the sooner you look at it the more you get from it.
What happens after approval?
The obligations begin. While the project is being implemented you file progress reports every quarter through the Board's e-Monitoring system, keep to the conditions set out in your certificate, and continue running the activity you were promoted for. Promotion can be reduced, suspended or withdrawn if the project is not carried out as approved, so this is not a one-off filing you can forget about.
Should I apply for BOI or a Foreign Business License?
BOI promotion if your activity is on the promoted list, because it is quicker and brings tax and hiring benefits a license does not. A Foreign Business License if it is not, since that route is open to any qualifying field. US nationals have a third option in the Treaty of Amity. The table above compares all four on ownership, work permits, capital and timeline.