Date: August 12, 2026

How long does it take to get a work permit in Thailand?

In many cases, around 7 working days after submitting a complete application. However, the overall process is often longer because applicants must first obtain the correct visa, prepare the required documents, and satisfy the eligibility requirements before the work permit application can be submitted.

What We See In Practice

My employer said the work permit only takes a week. Why hasn't mine been issued yet?

WHAT CLIENTS ASK US

The work permit itself can often be processed quite quickly once a complete application has been submitted. Most delays occur beforehand, while the employer prepares company documents, the employee obtains the correct visa, or additional information is requested by the authorities.

Before a work permit application can be submitted, the employer must prepare corporate documents, the foreign employee must obtain the correct Non-Immigrant visa or permission to apply, and both parties must satisfy Thailand’s work permit requirements. Only once these steps have been completed can the Department of Employment begin processing the application.

In our experience, delays are rarely caused by the Department of Employment itself. More commonly, they arise because company documents are incomplete, the applicant is waiting for the correct visa, or additional information is requested during the application. Preparing everything in advance usually has a much greater impact on the timeline than the official processing period.

Author: Vincent Birot

Vincent Birot is a French-trained international business lawyer based in Bangkok. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business Law from La Sorbonne and an LL.M in International Commercial Law from the University of Exeter (UK), and has passed the Paris Bar examination. He is the Founder of Belaws, a one-stop platform for legal and corporate matters, facilitating access to trusted legal and business professionals who deliver compliant, practical solutions aligned with local laws and on-the-ground realities. He has advised foreign investors for over 10 years on corporate structuring, BOI promotion, cross-border tax, and regulatory compliance in Thailand. He previously served as Vice President of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce and is a founding member of French Tech Bangkok.