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Thailand Business Visa for Australians
Australians operating businesses in Thailand, employed by Thai companies, or sent on extended business assignments need a Non-Immigrant B visa. Getting the category right from the start saves significant complexity later — a tourist entry with business activity is a legal risk. Visa Centre advises Australian business operators on the correct visa and work authorisation pathway.
WHAT COUNTS AS BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN THAILAND
Under Thai law, "work" includes any activity that generates income or provides an economic service in Thailand — regardless of whether payment is made in Australia or in Thailand. An Australian running a Thai-registered company from their laptop in Chiang Mai, an employee of an Australian firm sent to work with a Thai client, or a consultant billing an Australian company while resident in Thailand all potentially require proper business visa and work permit status.
NON-IMMIGRANT B VISA — THE BASELINE
The Non-Immigrant B (Business) visa is the foundation for working legally in Thailand. Applied for at the Thai Consulate-General in Australia before travel. Duration: 90-day single-entry initial visa, converted to a 1-year extension (with work permit) in Thailand. Required: a letter from the Thai employing or sponsoring company, copy of the company's business registration, financial statements, and an employee list showing the required Thai staff ratio.
WORK PERMIT — REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYMENT
A Non-B visa alone does not authorise you to work — a separate work permit from the Department of Employment is required. The work permit is obtained in Thailand by your employer. See our Work Permit service page for full details.
AUSTRALIANS SETTING UP THAI COMPANIES
Australians wishing to establish and operate a business in Thailand face the Foreign Business Act — most business categories require a Thai majority-owned company (typically 51% Thai). The notable exceptions: BOI-promoted businesses (which allow 100% foreign ownership and come with tax incentives), businesses under the Treaty of Amity with the USA (Australians do not qualify), and certain BOI-approved categories in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). For Australians, BOI promotion is the primary pathway to 100% foreign business ownership.
BOI-PROMOTED COMPANIES
If your business qualifies for BOI promotion (technology, advanced manufacturing, digital, healthcare, agriculture — see our BOI Investor service page), you gain 100% foreign ownership, corporate income tax holidays, and access to the Smart Visa for yourself and key staff. Visa Centre works with BOI-specialist lawyers to assess your business model against the current Activity List.
TREATY OF AMITY NOTE
The Thailand-USA Treaty of Amity allows American businesses majority foreign ownership in most sectors — it is not available to Australian nationals. Australian businesses should not attempt to structure under this treaty.
General guidance only, as of June 2025. Source: BOI Thailand (boi.go.th); Department of Employment Thailand (doe.go.th). No outcome guaranteed.
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