Work permit and visa services in Chiang Mai.
Non-B business visas, work permits and company registration — handled end to end by an English-speaking accounting team in Chiang Mai that also keeps your Thai books and tax filings in order.
For foreigners working, hiring or starting a business in Chiang Mai — whether you already have a Thai company or need one set up first.
Our Services
Everything a foreigner needs in Chiang Mai
From your first Thai visa to a fully compliant company — work permit, business visa (Non-B), company registration and tax, all in Chiang Mai.
Thai Visa
Non-B, tourist-to-work conversion, retirement, LTR and SMART visa — applications and renewals.
Non-B · Retirement · LTR · SMARTWork Permit
New permits, renewals, employer changes and 90-day reporting handled end to end.
New · Renewal · 90-day reportsCompany Registration
Register a Thai Limited Company, VAT, social security and shareholder structuring for foreigners.
Thai Limited · VAT · Social securityThai Tax
Personal and corporate tax filing, bookkeeping and monthly compliance for foreign-owned businesses.
Bookkeeping · Monthly filing · Year-endBOI
Board of Investment promotion — eligibility, application and the visa and work-permit privileges it unlocks.
Eligibility · Application · Visa privilegesForeign Business
Foreign Business License, US Amity Treaty, and structures for majority foreign ownership.
FBL · US Amity Treaty · OwnershipLiving in Chiang Mai
Practical settling-in help — bank accounts, driving licence, TM.30 and everyday admin.
Bank account · Driving licence · TM.30Why work with IC
More than a visa agent — your local partner.
Most agencies stop at the paperwork. We run your accounting and tax too, so every visa renewal, work permit and audit lines up perfectly, year after year.
We speak your language
A fluent English-speaking team liaises with Thai officials for you — no misunderstandings.
Visa + accounting in one
Your permit depends on company financials. We handle both, so renewals stay smooth.
Chiang Mai experts
First-hand knowledge of the local immigration and labour offices — faster, predictable results.
100% compliant
Documents checked in detail to minimise rejections and keep you fully within Thai law.
The process
How a Chiang Mai work permit actually works
Six steps, in order, from document preparation to collection — around three to five months end to end. We run every stage for you.
These are your employer’s eligibility requirements. We check them before anything else — and they must stay in place for as long as the permit is valid.
Prepare all required documents
- Two sets: company documents and applicant documents — the full checklist is below.
- We verify the registered capital and the Thai-employee ratio before anything is filed.
Obtain WP.3 pre-approval, then apply for the Non-B visa
- As your employer’s representative we file the WP.3 (Tor.Tor.3) at the Provincial Employment Office to obtain the pre-approval letter.
- You then apply for the Non-B visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad, or through the Thai e-Visa system.
Enter Thailand — you receive a 90-day permission to stay
- Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before every entry.
- Your landlord or house owner must file the TM.30 within 24 hours of you taking up residence.
Apply for the work permit within 90 days of entry
- Filed at the Chiang Mai Provincial Employment Office with the original company and applicant documents.
- A medical certificate issued by a Thai hospital is required at this stage.
- Permits are now issued through the e-Work Permit (digital) system.
Extend your permission to stay to 12 months
- Filed at Chiang Mai Immigration before your 90-day stay expires — we recommend starting 30 to 45 days ahead.
- The work permit from step 4 is the key supporting document, together with your tax and Social Security evidence.
Process complete — your annual obligations begin
- 90-day address reporting, annual visa and work permit renewal, and personal income tax filing.
- We keep all three on schedule alongside your company’s accounts.
Important: the Non-B visa alone does not authorise work. You may only start working once the work permit has been issued — otherwise fines and deportation apply.
| Stage | Duration | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Document preparation | 1–2 weeks | Employer + IC Accounting |
| WP.3 pre-approvalTor.Tor.3 | 7–15 working days | Provincial Employment Office |
| Non-B visa issuance | 5–10 working days | Royal Thai Embassy / Consulate |
| Work permit | 7–15 working days | Department of Employment |
| 12-month extension of stay | 1–30 days | Immigration Bureau |
| Total end to end | Approximately 3–5 months | |
Service fees
What it costs, paid in three stages
Our service fee includes the government fees at each stage. You pay as the process moves forward — never everything up front.
| Installment | When it is due | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Installment 1 | On submission of the Non-B visa application | 45,000฿ |
| Installment 2 | On the day the work permit is collected | 22,000฿ |
| Installment 3 | On the 12-month extension of stay | 45,000฿ |
| Total | Service fee including government fees | 112,000฿ |
| Annual renewal | Per year |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay — 12 months | 25,000฿ |
| Work permit renewal | 12,000฿ |
| Total per year | 37,000฿ |
Re-entry permits are paid separately and in cash by the applicant at Immigration or the airport — 1,000฿ single entry, 3,800฿ multiple (around 1,200฿ at the airport).
What to prepare
Your work permit document checklist
Two sets of documents. Most of the company side comes straight out of your accounts and tax filings — which is exactly the half we already look after.
Part 1 · Company documents12 items
From the sponsoring Thai company
- Company Affidavit / Certificate of RegistrationIssued within the last 6 months
- Memorandum of AssociationPlus all amendment records
- List of ShareholdersBor.Or.Jor.5
- Latest audited financial statementsCertified by a licensed auditor
- PND.50 / PND.51Annual and half-year corporate income tax returns
- PND.1 and PP.30, last 3 monthsWithholding tax and VAT returns
- SorPorSor.1-10Monthly Social Security contribution filings
- VAT registration certificatePor.Por.20 and Por.Por.01
- Office map and photographsSignage, interior and exterior
- Authorised director’s IDID card and house registration
- Letter of Employment / AppointmentIncluding the job description
- Employment ContractStating position, salary and workplace
Part 2 · Applicant documents8 items
From you, the foreign applicant
- Original passportAt least 6 months validity, plus copies of every stamped page
- Six photos, 3×4 cmWhite background, taken within the last 6 months
- Educational proofDegree certificate or transcript
- Proof of work experienceCV or résumé
- Reference lettersFrom previous employers, if any
- Medical certificateFrom a Thai hospital, for the work permit stage
- TM.6 form and proof of residenceLease agreement or TM.30
- Certified translationsAll foreign-language documents must be translated and certified as required
Want every detail? Read our full guide Work Permit เชียงใหม่ (in Thai)
Important notes
Obligations that continue after the permit
A work permit is not a one-off. These are the rules that decide whether next year’s renewal goes through — we track every one of them for you.
Re-entry permit before every departure
Without one, your permission to stay is cancelled the moment you leave. Official fee 1,000฿ single or 3,800฿ multiple (around 1,200฿ at the airport), cash, paid in person at Immigration or the airport.
90-day reporting
You must report your address to Immigration every 90 days — online, by post or in person. Free of charge when filed on time.
TM.30 after every move and re-entry
Your house owner or landlord must notify Immigration of your residence within 24 hours, every time you move or return to Thailand.
The permit is tied to one employer and role
It covers a specific employer, position and workplace. Any change requires an amendment or an entirely new permit.
Personal income tax
Work permit holders must file an annual PND.91 return. Proof of tax paid is essential evidence for the following year’s visa renewal.
Start renewals early
Begin the work permit renewal 60 days ahead, and the visa extension 30 to 45 days before expiry.
Your employer must stay eligible
2,000,000฿ registered capital and 4 Thai Social Security-registered employees per foreigner must hold throughout the permit’s validity, or renewal may be refused.
Some occupations are reserved for Thai nationals
Certain jobs are restricted by law. Confirm the intended position with us before starting the process.
This page is for general guidance only. Government fees, processing times and requirements are subject to change by the relevant authorities — please confirm current details with our team before proceeding. Last updated: July 2026.
Who we work with
Is this you?
Every situation below is one we handle week in, week out in Chiang Mai.
Employees hired by a Thai company
You have a job offer in Chiang Mai and need a Non-B visa plus a work permit before you can legally start.
Owners setting up a Thai company
You are registering a Thai Limited Company and need the structure, VAT and social security done right from day one.
Teachers and school staff
Schools and language centres in Chiang Mai sponsor your permit — the paperwork still has to match the school’s filings.
Retirees and long-stay residents
Retirement, LTR and SMART visa applications and renewals, kept on schedule year after year.
Foreign-owned businesses
Bookkeeping, monthly filings and year-end accounts that keep your permit renewals straightforward.
People who just arrived
Bank account, driving licence and TM.30 — the everyday admin nobody explains to you.
FAQ
Common questions from expats
Can I convert my tourist visa to a work visa in Chiang Mai?
Yes — in most cases we convert a tourist or visa-exempt entry to a Non-B business visa inside Thailand, then process your work permit. We handle the paperwork and appointments.
How long does a work permit in Chiang Mai take?
The Department of Employment takes 7 to 15 working days to issue the permit once your documents are in order. End to end — document preparation, WP.3 pre-approval, the Non-B visa, the permit itself and the 12-month extension of stay — allow roughly three to five months.
How much does a Non-B visa and work permit cost?
Our service fee is 112,000 THB including government fees, paid in three installments: 45,000 on submission of the Non-B visa application, 22,000 on the day the work permit is collected, and 45,000 at the 12-month extension of stay. Renewal from the second year is 37,000 THB per year.
What does my employer need to qualify to sponsor me?
2,000,000 THB of paid-up registered capital per foreign employee, 4 Thai employees registered with Social Security per foreigner, and a minimum monthly salary of 25,000 to 50,000 THB depending on your nationality. These conditions must be maintained for as long as the permit is valid.
Do I need a Thai company to get a work permit?
Usually yes — you need a sponsoring employer. We can register your Thai company and sponsor the work permit in one package.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Thai business?
In specific cases — via BOI promotion, a US Amity Treaty company, or a Foreign Business License. We advise the best route for you.
Don’t have a Thai company yet? We can register one for you first
Visit us
Our office in Chiang Mai
We are a licensed Thai accounting firm, not a visa broker — the same team that files your work permit also keeps your company’s books and tax filings in order.
Ready to sort out your Chiang Mai work permit?
Free, no-obligation consultation in English. Tell us your situation and we will map the right visa and business path for you.