Thailand Non-B Visa (Work and Business)

Overview

The Non-Immigrant Type B (Non-B) visa is Thailand's standard work and business visa. It covers:

• Business engagements: attending meetings, conferences, exhibitions, or negotiations with Thai companies
• Employment and internships: working for a Thai employer or completing an internship in Thailand
• Teaching: foreign nationals invited to teach at Thai schools or universities
• Other approved work activities: as defined by the Thai Ministry of Labour

The Non-B is required when you have a concrete employment offer from a Thai-registered employer and intend to work in Thailand. It is the standard route for Israeli professionals relocating to Thailand with a local job offer, unlike the DTV (which covers foreign-employer remote work only).

Sub-categories

Business (meetings, exhibitions, negotiations): For short-term business visits. No work permit is required for genuine business meetings, but the Non-B is required if a visa exemption does not cover the purpose of travel.

Teaching: For foreign teachers invited by Thai schools, language academies, or universities. Requires a letter from the relevant education authority.

Working or internship: For employment within Thailand. This sub-category requires a WP32 approval letter from Thailand's Ministry of Labour (or an existing work permit in renewal cases) before the Non-B visa can be issued. The Thai employer obtains the WP32 on behalf of the applicant.

Required documents

According to the official Thai Consulate (Los Angeles) page reviewed on 2026-06-06:

All Non-B applicants:

1. Passport — valid for at least the intended period of stay
2. Recent passport-size photo
3. Proof of current address in the country of application
4. Bank statement showing adequate funds

Business (meetings/exhibitions) route — additional:

• Invitation letter from the Thai business entity, specifying purpose and duration of the visit

Teaching route — additional:

• Letter from the relevant Thai education authority (Ministry of Education or equivalent)
• For U.S.-based applicants: FBI criminal record check, state criminal record check, and/or federal criminal record — consult the Thai Consulate for current requirements

Working/internship route — additional:

• WP32 approval letter from the Ministry of Labour (issued to the Thai employer, not the applicant personally) for new applicants, OR
• Existing Thai work permit for renewal cases

Common rejection causes include: uploading screenshots instead of proper document files, name discrepancies between the passport and the application, and missing the WP32 for the work route.

Application steps

1. Employer obtains WP32 — If applying on the work route, your Thai employer must first obtain the WP32 approval letter from the Ministry of Labour. This step is on the employer's side and must be completed before the visa application.
2. Gather your documents — Collect all required files as listed above, scanned as clear PDFs or images.
3. Apply online at thaievisa.go.th. All U.S.-mission Non-B applications are processed through the official e-Visa portal.
4. Track your application — Standard processing is approximately 15 business days from submission of a complete file. Additional document requests extend this by 3–5 business days.
5. Enter Thailand and proceed with your Thai employer to obtain the full work permit from the Ministry of Labour once in-country. The Non-B visa authorizes entry; the work permit authorizes the actual work.
6. Complete TDAC within 3 days before every entry at tdac.immigration.go.th.

Fees

Fees are per official Thai consulate schedule as of 2026-06-06 and are subject to change.

Work permit

The Non-B visa is the entry visa. A separate Thai work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour is required to legally work in Thailand. The work permit is typically applied for after arrival, through the Thai employer. Working in Thailand without a valid work permit is a criminal offense under Thai law and may result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entry.

Extensions and long-term stay

The Non-B multiple-entry visa (1 year validity) is common for expat employees. Long-term employment requires annual renewal through the Thai employer, who must maintain an active business, pay social security contributions for the employee, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with Ministry of Labour requirements.

Tax considerations

Employment income earned in Thailand is subject to Thai personal income tax at progressive rates (5%–35%). As an employee on a Non-B visa, your Thai employer is likely to withhold tax from your salary. You will also typically be enrolled in the Thai social security system.

Israel has no double taxation treaty with Thailand, so income tax paid in Thailand cannot be automatically offset against Israeli tax obligations. Consult a cross-border tax advisor to clarify your Israeli tax position.

Official sources

• Non-B visa page (Thai Consulate LA): thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org
• Visa types and fees: thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org
• Thai e-Visa portal: thaievisa.go.th

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration and employment rules change frequently. Consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions.