Thai Business Visa

There are many different Thailand visa categories and each category has its own benefits and drawbacks. This page will provide a brief overview of some occasionally used visas and how they can be obtained.

A common visa that many foreigners in Thailand opt to obtain is the Thai Education visa or the Thai ED visa. The ED visa is intended for those who wish to come to Thailand and remain for the purpose of study. The course of study must be approved by the Ministry of Education in Thailand if the student wishes to use the course as a basis for visa issuance. Obtaining Ministry of Education approval can be very difficult and for this reason many opt to pursue a different type of visa. One of the main drawbacks of the ED visa is the fact that it does not allow for the visa holder to apply for a work permit. Much like the United States of America, Thailand does not necessarily grant work authorization as a matter of right upon the issuance of a visa (a major exception to this rule is the Thailand "F" visa which is only issued for official purposes to those conducting official business in the Kingdom). In the case of an ED visa, it is very difficult to obtain a work permit because the Ministry of Labour does not consider it an "employment authorized visa." That being said, there are limited circumstances in which work authorization may be a possibility, but in nearly every case the employment is usually with the school where the foreigner is studying.

The major benefit to those in Thailand on an ED visa is the fact that it is usually easier to extend in Thailand, but if one plans properly before coming to the Kingdom it may be possible to obtain a long term visa before leaving the USA.

Another popular visa is the Thai "O" visa. This is a truly miscellaneous catch-all category as in some cases is simply a long term visa for those with no particular agenda. However, the "O" category is also used by those who have Thai family members. This is often referred to as the Thai marriage visa as it is the category used by those with a Thai spouse. It can also be used by those who have children who are Thai. It may be difficult to acquire work authorization on an O visa unless the visa was issued based upon kinship with a Thai. In cases where the O visa was approved for a family member of a Thai, the visa holder will usually be allowed to apply for a work permit.

Thai transit visas are a common type of Thai visa, but they are usually issued for extremely short durations and for limited purposes. Thai Medical visas are being issued more and more as Medical tourism becomes a popular reason for foreign nationals to travel to the Kingdom.

Contact Integrity Legal For More information about these visas and Immigration options for the Kingdom of Thailand.

Why Do I need a Thai Visa?