I have recently found a company that is willing to hire me and give me the necessary documents to get a work permit. I was hoping to get some input on the easiest place to apply for one. I know some consulates are more likely to approve them then others. I am currently in Thailand so a neighboring country would be easiest for me. Anyone have any input or suggestions?

Also, I have found much conflicting information on what I need to bring and the price. Any information would be much appreciated. I currently have a tourist visa, which I know I will have to change. Can I do it all at once?

Thanks,

Erika

First of all no Thai consulate in world issues Thai work permits, they are only issued in Thailand via the department of labour, if you paper work is straight, there will be no issue with any consulate in world giving you the Non-imm B visa, which FYI is not a WP

If already in country and have enough time left on your toursit visa, you may be able to change your visa over and be issued with a WP without leaving the country

Cost 3100 Baht at the labor Office.

You (or preferably your company) apply in Thailand for a Work Permit now with the correct paper work - you don't need any class of visa to apply.

You get a receipt against the Work Permit application (WP3 Receipt), which you then take to a Thai Consulate/Embassy in another country (along with all the other the correct paper work) to apply for a non immigrant B, single entry 90 day visa.

Here is a link to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website with all the required papers for the visa MFA non immigrant B visa

You then re-enter Thailand and use your passport with the non immigrant entry to actually obtain your Work Permit.

This is how you can start work, how you remain in Thailand depends on the financial status, etc of the company you are working for and to an extent the nature of your work.

Any neighboring country will do for getting a non-B visa, the WP you get form the labor office in Thailand.

Best is if you apply now for the WP. The labor office will give you a WP3 form if everything is in order. You will need to show this form to the Thai consulate where you apply for the non-B visa (as well as several documents form your employer). Once you have the non-B visa you re-enter Thailand and go back to the labor office to get the work permit.

If your new employer has had staff on Work Permit before then they probably know to complete the application form and what company documents must also be supplied and what documents from you must be supplied. In fact they are mostly documents already in existence from the original set-up of the company.

If company has not applied for work permits before and wants help then suggest you shop around for some professional help. Many lawyers offer this service (in reality their junior staff do the work, it's quite easy) and many lawyers charge totally outrageous fees for this.

There are other business agencies who will do it for you at much lower fees.

As already mentioned there are two steps:

1. Apply for and get work permit (this gives you permission to work but is not a visa to allow you to physically be in Thailand.) WP is handled / approved totally by the Thai Ministry of labour which is inside of Thailand. Embassies and consulates abroad have nothing to do with this matter.

2. On the basis of the work permit, now get an appropriate visa which allows you to be in the country. Lots of good advice already on this point from the other posters.

Good luck.

Edited September 27, 201015 yr by scorecard