Traveling to Thailand for work? Here’s everything you need to know about the Non-Immigrant B Visa — the documents, the steps, the fees, and the stuff most people get wrong the first time.
If you’re heading to Thailand for a business meeting, a conference, or to work with a Thai company, you can’t just show up on a tourist visa and hope for the best. Thailand takes this seriously, and immigration officers know the difference. The right move is the Non-Immigrant B Visa and the good news is you can apply for it entirely online through the Royal Thai Embassy’s e-Visa system, without setting foot in an embassy.
This guide walks you through the whole thing. What it covers, what you need, how to apply, and what happens after you land.
What the Thai Business e-Visa Actually Is
The Thai business e-Visa is the digital version of the Non-Immigrant B Visa. Instead of going to an embassy, getting a sticker in your passport, and queuing up, you apply online, upload your documents, pay the fee, and get your approval sent to your email as a PDF with a QR code.
That QR code is your visa. You print it out (or save it on your phone), show it at the immigration counter when you arrive, and you’re in.
One thing that catches people off guard: a Non-Immigrant B Visa gets you into Thailand for business purposes. It does not give you the right to work. Those are two different things.
The visa covers things like attending meetings, negotiating deals, visiting a company you’re partnering with, or presenting at a conference. If you’re going to be employed and earn a salary in Thailand, you need a separate Work Permit from the Ministry of Labour — your Thai employer applies for that on your behalf. More on that below.
Not sure which visa fits your situation? The Royal Thai Embassy visa overview lays out all your options in one place, including the tourist visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for remote workers, and long-stay options.
Who Actually Needs This Visa?
You need the Non-Immigrant B Visa for any of these situations:
- Business meetings with Thai companies, clients, or partners
- Conferences, trade fairs, or exhibitions held in Thailand
- Contract negotiations or signing agreements
- Auditing or inspecting a Thai business your company is involved with
- Training sessions or workshops at a Thai company
- Teaching or academic activities approved by a Thai institution
- Sports-related professional activities or competitions
- Approved internships with a Thai employer
If your trip is more exploratory — you’re scoping out the market, doing some research, not yet tied to a specific Thai employer — you might be better served by a tourist visa for now. The Thailand business travel visa guide covers the short-stay side of things if that sounds more like your situation.
The Documents You Need
Getting rejected or delayed almost always comes down to documents — either a missing one or one that doesn’t meet the format requirements. Here’s the full list of what to prepare before you start your application.
Your personal documents
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your departure date from Thailand, and two blank pages. Check the passport validity requirements if you’re cutting it close.
- Clear color scan of your biodata page — the page with your photo and personal details. Blurry scans get rejected.
- Recent passport photo taken within the last 6 months. White background, no glasses, no hats, face clearly visible. The Thai e-Visa photo requirements page has the exact specs — worth reading before you take the photo.
- Proof of your current address — a utility bill, bank statement, or any official document showing where you live.
Your business documents
- WP.3 pre-approval letter from the Thai Department of Employment, confirmed by your Thai employer. This is the most critical document for the Non-Immigrant B. Without it, you don’t have a case.
- Thai company registration documents showing the company you’re working with is legitimately registered in Thailand.
- Invitation or authorization letter from your Thai host company explaining the purpose and duration of your visit.
Financial proof
- Bank statements showing at least 20,000 THB (roughly $560 USD) available. If your family is traveling with you, the threshold goes up to 40,000 THB.
- Statements covering the last 3 to 6 months work best. A big sudden deposit with nothing before it raises questions. Consistent transaction history is what you want.
For more detail on what satisfies the financial requirement, read the Thai visa financial proof guide. For a printable version of this checklist, the Thailand visa document checklist has you covered.
Worth knowing: Your Thai employer needs to be actively involved in this process. The WP.3 letter and company documents come from their side. If they’re not familiar with the process, share the Royal Thai Embassy visa documents guide with them — it explains exactly what the embassy is looking for.
How to Apply, Step by Step
Once your documents are ready, the actual application is straightforward.
1. Go to the official e-Visa portal Start at the Royal Thai Embassy’s official application site. The Thai e-Visa official website guide points you to the right URL and helps you avoid unofficial third-party sites that charge extra fees.
2. Upload your documents Submit your passport scan, biometric photo, and all supporting documents. Make sure everything is a clear color scan — not a photo taken with your phone at a weird angle. Blurry uploads cause the same delays as missing documents.
3. Enter your travel details Fill in your flight numbers, travel dates, and your first accommodation address in Thailand. You’ll also specify your business purpose here and provide your Thai host company’s details.
4. Pay the fee online Use a Visa or Mastercard through the secure payment gateway. Standard processing is $74 USD. Urgent processing is $99 USD. All fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome, so double-check your application before you submit. The Royal Thai Embassy fees page has the full schedule.
5. Wait for your approval email Processing takes 5 to 15 business days in most cases — longer during peak periods like Thai public holidays. Apply at least four weeks before your travel date. Your visa arrives as a PDF with a QR code. Print it or save it on your phone. See the Thai e-Visa processing time guide for what affects the timeline.
6. Complete the Digital Arrival Card Before you fly, fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at least 72 hours before you land. This replaced the old paper TM6 card and is now mandatory for everyone entering Thailand regardless of visa type. It takes a few minutes — don’t forget it.
If you want a screen-by-screen walkthrough of the portal, the how to apply for a Thai e-Visa online guide goes through it in detail. The best way to get a Thai e-Visa article also has tips on speeding things up and avoiding common mistakes.
Fees and How Long It Takes
| Option | Fee (USD) | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Processing | $74 | 5–15 business days |
| Urgent Processing | $99 | Faster turnaround |
Weekends and Thai public holidays don’t count toward processing time. If you’re applying close to a holiday period, plan for the upper end of that range.
For current figures and any updates, check the Processing Time and Fees page and the Thai e-Visa fees 2026 guide.
Non-refundable fees: Visa fees don’t come back if your application is rejected, withdrawn, or if your plans change. Make sure your documents are complete and accurate before you pay and submit.
After You Land: The Things People Miss
Your visa is not your work permit
The Non-Immigrant B Visa gets you into Thailand. It does not let you work. If you’re going to be employed there — actually earning a Thai salary — your employer needs to get a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labour before you start. It’s their process, not yours, but it has to happen. The how to get a Thai Work Permit guide covers what’s involved on both sides.
90-day reporting
If your stay runs long, foreign nationals living in Thailand must report their address to immigration every 90 days. You can do it online, by mail, or in person at an immigration office. Missing the deadline carries fines, so set a reminder. The Royal Thai Embassy FAQ page covers this and other common questions about living and working in Thailand.
The 4-to-1 employee ratio
Thai law requires companies employing foreign workers to maintain a ratio of four Thai employees for every one foreign worker. This is your employer’s responsibility to manage, but it’s worth knowing — if a company is stretched on this ratio, it can create complications for your Work Permit application down the line.
Common Questions
Can I extend my stay inside Thailand? Yes, but it’s at the immigration officer’s discretion and not guaranteed. You’d visit an immigration office before your visa expires and show valid reasons for extending your business stay.
What’s the difference between the Non-Immigrant B and the DTV? The Non-Immigrant B is for people employed by or invited by a Thai company. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is for remote workers whose employer is based outside Thailand. The DTV requires 500,000 THB in funds and a remote work contract. If your employer is overseas and you just want to work from Thailand, that’s your route.
Is a multiple-entry business visa available? Yes. A multiple-entry Non-Immigrant B Visa is available through the same online system. The financial and document requirements are higher, but the process is still fully online.
Can I apply without visiting the embassy? Yes — that’s the whole point of the e-Visa system. You apply online, receive your approval by email, and show the PDF at immigration. No in-person appointment, no embassy queue. The apply without an embassy visit guide walks through how that works.
My passport expires within a year. Can I still apply? Your passport needs at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your departure date from Thailand. If it’s close, renew your passport before you apply for the visa.
Ready to get started? The Royal Thai Embassy visa application portal handles the whole process online. Get your documents together, apply at least four weeks before you travel, and you’ll have your approval well before your flight.
