Non-B Visas vs Work Permit
A Non-B (Non-Immigrant Business) visa allows you to enter and stay in Thailand for work-related purposes — but it doesn’t give you the legal right to work until you also get a Work Permit.
The Work Permit is what officially allows you to perform duties for a Thai company. Without it, working is illegal — even if you have a valid visa.
✅ Non-B Visa = permission to stay
✅ Work Permit = permission to work
💼 You need both to legally work in Thailand
How to obtain a Non-b visa and work permit
There are two options to start the process of the Non-B visa. Firstly you will need to get a 3 month Non-B. Your company will apply for a letter from the labour department (which controls issuance of work permits) to allow you to work in Thailand. With this document you will be able to apply for the Non-B Visa.
Option 1: Apply for a 3-month Non-B e-Visa from abroad
Option 2: Convert your current visa to a 3-month Non-B inside Bangkok
Once you have your Non-B visa you will:
👉 Apply for your Work Permit
✅ Once approved, extend your visa to 1 year
It’s a step-by-step process, and you need both the Non-B visa and the Work Permit to work legally in Thailand. For a more detailed look at the documents that you will need, click here.