Work permit vs business visa: what each one covers
These are two separate authorisations, issued by two different agencies, and holding one without the other is a common and expensive mistake.
Side-by-side comparison
Point
Non-B business visa
Work permit
Issued by
Thai embassy/consulate or Immigration
Department of Employment
Permits
Entry and stay
Performing work lawfully
Company evidence
Affidavit, shareholder list, VAT registration
Same, plus financial statements and staff ratio
Personal documents
Passport, photos, employment letter
Degree and experience certificates, medical certificate
Certification needed
Foreign documents legalised
Foreign degrees translated and certified
How to choose
Sequence matters: obtain the Non-B first, then file the work permit within the permitted stay, then extend the visa on the strength of the permit. Foreign degrees and experience letters must be notarised and legalised in the issuing country before they are translated here, so start them early — that step is the usual delay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while the permit is pending?
No. Work may only begin once the permit is issued.
Does a digital nomad need a work permit?
It depends on where the work is performed and for whom; take advice before relying on a visa alone.
Prefer not to handle it yourself?
We prepare, file and track the whole chain under a power of attorney and courier the sealed originals back to you. Send a photo of the document and your deadline, and we reply with the exact route and timeline.
LINE @Thainotary · 094-895-8999 · Contact@thainotary.co.th
Real customer questions, answered by our attorneys
Selected from our knowledge base of 3,300+ real questions we have answered.
Do you have recommended health insurance packages that meet Immigration's requirements for the O-A retirement visa?
One-stop legal
For expats, HR teams and in-house counsel to "Do you have recommended health insurance packages that meet Immigration's requirements for the O-A retirement visa?" — Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Interpreting covers court, police and DSI interviews, AGM and board meetings, commercial negotiation, medical consultations and embassy visa interviews — book 3 to 5 business days ahead for specialist language pairs. Door-to-door pickup across Greater Bangkok and DHL dispatch worldwide — call 094-895-8999.
How to get a property lease agreement and last will translated by an MoJ approved translator?
One-stop legal
Practitioner's summary to "How to get a property lease agreement and last will translated by an MoJ approved translator?" — Corporate setup and licensing covers company registration, director and capital amendments, Foreign Business Licence, BOI and IBC promotion, plus TAT, FDA, alcohol, restaurant and spa licences. Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Initial enquiry with staff on LINE @Thainotary or call 094-895-8999 (Mon–Sun 08:00–20:00 ICT).
Is there a package for a notary lawyer to authenticate land purchase signatures and act as an interpreter at the Land Office?
One-stop legal
Short answer to "Is there a package for a notary lawyer to authenticate land purchase signatures and act as an interpreter at the Land Office?" — Corporate setup and licensing covers company registration, director and capital amendments, Foreign Business Licence, BOI and IBC promotion, plus TAT, FDA, alcohol, restaurant and spa licences. Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Initial enquiry with staff on LINE @Thainotary or call 094-895-8999 (Mon–Sun 08:00–20:00 ICT).
How to translate Thai employment verification records for foreign visa sponsorship?
Certified translation
Quick summary for expats, HR teams and law firms to "How to translate Thai employment verification records for foreign visa sponsorship?" — Inbound chain for foreign documents: notarisation or Apostille in the country of origin → that country's embassy in Bangkok (non-Apostille states only) → Thai translation → MFA certification, after which DBD, district offices, Immigration and the Thai courts accept the file. Multi-language certified translation for use in Thailand runs in three layers: translation by a native/MFA-recognised translator, a certificate of accuracy sealed by the translation company or a Notary Public lawyer, then MFA legalisation of that translation. Door-to-door pickup in Bangkok and DHL dispatch worldwide — call 094-895-8999.
Does out-of-court labor dispute mediation through the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare involve licensed lawyers?
One-stop legal
How our one-stop desk actually runs this to "Does out-of-court labor dispute mediation through the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare involve licensed lawyers?" — Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Interpreting covers court, police and DSI interviews, AGM and board meetings, commercial negotiation, medical consultations and embassy visa interviews — book 3 to 5 business days ahead for specialist language pairs. Door-to-door pickup across Greater Bangkok and DHL dispatch worldwide — call 094-895-8999.
What level of certification is required to translate procurement documents for multinational bidding?
One-stop legal
How our one-stop desk actually runs this to "What level of certification is required to translate procurement documents for multinational bidding?" — Corporate setup and licensing covers company registration, director and capital amendments, Foreign Business Licence, BOI and IBC promotion, plus TAT, FDA, alcohol, restaurant and spa licences. Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Initial enquiry with staff on LINE @Thainotary or call 094-895-8999 (Mon–Sun 08:00–20:00 ICT).
Do you provide Foreign Business License (FBL) application services for majority foreign-owned service businesses?
One-stop legal
Per the responsible Thai authority's 2026 practice to "Do you provide Foreign Business License (FBL) application services for majority foreign-owned service businesses?" — Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Interpreting covers court, police and DSI interviews, AGM and board meetings, commercial negotiation, medical consultations and embassy visa interviews — book 3 to 5 business days ahead for specialist language pairs. Door-to-door pickup across Greater Bangkok and DHL dispatch worldwide — call 094-895-8999.
Can you arrange an international seminar with wireless headset rentals, simultaneous interpreters in 4 languages, and VIP van transfers?
One-stop legal
For expats, HR teams and in-house counsel to "Can you arrange an international seminar with wireless headset rentals, simultaneous interpreters in 4 languages, and VIP van transfers?" — Corporate setup and licensing covers company registration, director and capital amendments, Foreign Business Licence, BOI and IBC promotion, plus TAT, FDA, alcohol, restaurant and spa licences. Immigration work spans Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Privilege, DTV, work permits, TM.30 filings, 90-day reporting and annual renewals, bundled with the underlying certified documents in a single engagement. Initial enquiry with staff on LINE @Thainotary or call 094-895-8999 (Mon–Sun 08:00–20:00 ICT).
