Answered2 months ago

What are the current requirements for visa extensions and work permits in Thailand?

Visa Extension Bank Statement Requirement Work Permit Thai Business Regulations Smart Visa DTV Visa

Polat *******

asked Aug 21, 2026

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I applied for my second extension today. Everything went smoothly thanks to the kind and helpful officers at Jomtien Immigration. After accepting my documents, they gave me a form stating I need to bring an updated bank statement/bankbook to the same counter along with my next 90-day report. I'm aware of the financial requirements to keep the extension valid, but I don't remember receiving this document after my first extension last year — seems like a new requirement to me.

Answer summary

The post discusses a user's experience applying for a second visa extension in Thailand, noting a requirement to bring an updated bank statement along with the next 90-day report. This requirement appears to be new compared to previous extensions. The comments explore work permit options, including the financial implications of starting a business in Thailand and the different visa categories available, such as the Smart visa for established startups. Additional advice on navigating the complexities of Thai immigration and business regulations is also shared.

14 repliesnewest first

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Phil ********

You can legally work if you are the representative of a foreign company - usually without the 4:1 staff requirement but there are conditions such as you must not generate income or engage in direct sales within Thailand. Using that route you would need to set the company up abroad. Its problematic but potentially do-able. Setting up a Thai Ltd Co. is your best route but again, for a small company - the 4:1 staff ratio per work permit can be a killer. Its 2:1 if your married to a Thai. Google 'Can the foreign representative of a UK get a work permit in Thailand?'

2 months ago

Shayne **********

There's other option that would work and be much better.

2 months ago

Lea ********

@Shayne *********

Could you please shine some light on any of them?

2 months ago

Wilian *************

If you want to promote services in Thailand you need to register a company with an address,,and that will cost you alone with the visas etc,,, it all depends on your capacity to bring clients to the service you are offering,,,

2 months ago

Paul ********************

You will need a Thai work permit to do that.. If you are operating a business like that in Thailand dealing with Thai businesses

2 months ago

John **********

Your right to be concerned. You can't work with any Thai entities or clients inside Thailand on a DTV visa. If that interaction was done by someone unrelated to Thailand, such as hiring someone in the EU to do and you only handle what you can genuinely do remotely you might be OK. But it sounds like your business plan requires an in person interface between your clients and the medical facilities inside Thailand. You can't do that on a DTV and your EU company hiring a Thai national would only get round this if you (the person on the DTV) had nothing to do with that person. Also hiring a Thai risks falling foul of the Foreign Business Act.

It would be much more sensible to just set up a Thai company and get a visa and work permit via that company

2 months ago

Lea ********

@John *********

First, thank you so much for your reply. It’s valuable and I’m grateful.

I’m not against starting a that business but doing so drastically increases the capital I must invest into the business.

To be able to work with the company once it’s started it’s my understanding that I would need 2mil Thb to sponsor my own work-permit, right now that sum is too high for me.

Are you aware of any different routes to take when navigating the work-permit issue?

2 months ago

John **********

@Lea *******

not just that but you would need to employ 4 Thai nationals for each work permit as well. Plus registration fees and so on. If you don't have the finance you can't do it I'm afraid, plus you need a Thai investor to hold 51% of the company. But it doesn't look to me like you have any other options for your plan

Lea ********

yes of course.

John **********

have you actually spoken to the BOI? They're very helpful

2 months ago

Lea ********

@John *********

yes I have explored the Smart visa, unfortunately they have discontinued some of their visas and can only provide the “S” visa at it is right now.

The S visa is to my knowledge for startups that have already established themselves in Thailand and are technology based.

So to apply for it, I understand it as it already needs to be a registered company.

It’s all quite complicated

2 months ago

John **********

@Lea *******

Have you actually spoken to the BOI about smart visas?

You seem to me like you might fit in this category

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2 months ago

Lea ********

@John *********

That is correct, I have thai connections and have lived there before on education visa.

But my business wouldn’t need that scale to start with so it’s not a viable option for me. Not because it’s not good but because it’s too “big” in the early stages.

Are you aware of any small business projects specifically made for small sized companies that want to operate in Thailand?

2 months ago