A Thailand business visitor visa (Non-Immigrant B for a business visit) is for people employed by a company outside Thailand who are invited by a Thai company for meetings, negotiations, site visits or conferences. The Thai host's invitation letter is the core document. Most visitors get a single-entry visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days; some embassies also issue 6-month or 1-year multiple-entry visas, and frequent visitors with a business history and 3,000,000 THB in funds can apply for a 3-year visa. It does not include a work permit.
Since 15 September 2026, Thailand's visa exemption covers tourism only[1], so business trips that used to happen visa-free now need this visa. For the background, see Thailand ends visa-free entry for business visitors; for general documents, fees and timing, see our business visitor visa guide.
Is a business visitor visa right for you?
It fits if all of these are true:
- your salary is paid by your employer outside Thailand
- a Thai company is inviting you for short-term business
- you will not be employed by, or paid by, the Thai company
If a Thai company is hiring you, you need a Non-B work visa and a work permit instead. If you are only attending a conference that is supported by Thailand's convention bureau (TCEB), a tourist visa for meetings and events (MICE) may be an option.
The invitation letter
The invitation letter comes from the Thai company you are visiting, on its letterhead. Alongside it, your application states the purpose of the visit, the period of your business visit in Thailand, and your position and salary at your overseas employer. The letter should cover, consistently with those:
- who is being invited, with your name exactly as in your passport
- the purpose of the visit (for example meetings, negotiations, a site visit or a conference)
- the dates or period of the visit
Keep it factual and matching. Your passport name, the dates in the letter and the dates in your application should all agree. Do not ask the host to describe the trip as anything other than what it is: if the work is really employment, a business visitor visa is the wrong visa.
Who provides which documents
| From you | From your overseas employer | From the Thai host company |
|---|---|---|
| Passport biodata page | Letter confirming your position and your visit | Invitation letter on company letterhead |
| Photo taken within the last 6 months | Confirmation that it, not the Thai host, pays your salary | Company affidavit (registration certificate) |
| Proof of where you currently live | ID card of a director, or a foreign director's passport, Non-B visa and work permit | |
| Bank statements for the last 3 months showing the required funds, or a sponsor letter |
Typical funds are 30,000 THB for a single-entry visa and 120,000 THB for a multiple-entry visa. Each embassy sets its own amounts and may ask for more documents, so check your embassy's requirements on Issa Compass before you apply.
Single entry, multiple entry or 3-year?
| Single entry | Multiple entry | 3-year frequent visitor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | One trip | Several trips in 6 to 12 months | Regular business in Thailand over years |
| Stay per entry | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days | 90 days per stay |
| Validity | Typically 3 months to enter | 6 months or 1 year, depending on the embassy | 3 years |
| Typical funds | 30,000 THB | 120,000 THB | 3,000,000 THB |
| Invitation letter | Yes | Yes | No; your business history replaces it |
| Leaving and coming back | Needs a re-entry permit before you leave, or the visa is cancelled | Leave and return freely until it expires | Leave and return freely until it expires |
| Government fee | 2,000 THB, charged in local currency | 5,000 THB, charged in local currency | Set by each embassy; not offered at every post |
Not every embassy issues multiple-entry or 3-year business visas, and some issue shorter multiple-entry visas. Apply from your country of residence.
How to choose: if you have one trip, apply for single entry. If you already know you will come back two or more times within a year, multiple entry saves applying again and avoids the re-entry permit. If you visit Thailand on business several times every year and can show that history plus 3,000,000 THB, ask about the 3-year visa.
Common problems
- Dates that do not match between the invitation letter, flights and application.
- A Thai company paying you. That makes it employment, not a business visit.
- Leaving on a single-entry visa without a re-entry permit, which cancels the visa.
- Applying for business on visa exemption. It covers tourism only now[1].
How we help
We file business visitor visas from the country where you live. Our service fee is 5,000 THB for single or multiple entry, and the embassy's government fee is separate. We check your invitation letter and documents against your embassy's requirements before you pay the government fee. If you are not sure whether this is the right visa, use find my visa or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What should a Thai business visa invitation letter include?
It comes from the Thai host on its letterhead and states who is invited, the purpose of the visit and the visit dates. It should match your passport and application exactly.
Can I attend business meetings in Thailand on a visa exemption?
No. Since 15 September 2026 Thailand's visa exemption covers tourism only. Meetings, negotiations, site visits and conferences need a business visa, or a MICE tourist visa for TCEB-supported events.
Should I get a single or multiple-entry business visa?
Single entry for one trip. Multiple entry if you will return within the visa's 6 or 12 months, because you can come and go without a re-entry permit. Not every embassy issues multiple entry.
How long can I stay on a Thai business visitor visa?
Up to 90 days per entry, on both single and multiple-entry visas.
Do I need a work permit for business meetings in Thailand?
Not for a genuine business visit paid by your overseas employer. If a Thai company employs or pays you, you need a Non-B work visa and a work permit.
What is the 3-year Thai business visa?
A multiple-entry business visa for frequent visitors with a proven history of business in Thailand and 3,000,000 THB in funds. It needs no invitation letter and allows 90 days per stay.
References
- Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September (tatnews.org), 1 Sep 2026
