Which jobs can foreigners do in Thailand?

Skilled roles not on the reserved list are possible with the correct visa and work authorization. Examples include corporate leadership, technology, education, hospitality management, aviation, logistics, healthcare with licensing, and R&D in targeted industries.

Which jobs are reserved for Thai nationals only?

Examples include shopfront sales, domestic driving, public accounting services, tour guiding, civil engineering design and calculation, clerical or secretarial work, and traditional crafts such as weaving, wood carving, lacquerware, and Thai musical instrument making.

What visa types allow work in Thailand?

Most employees use the Non Immigrant B visa with a work permit. Experts in science and technology in targeted industries may qualify for SMART Visa. Some professionals may qualify for the LTR Visa for long term residence with work benefits.

Can I work on a tourist visa or a 30 day visa exemption?

No. Tourist status and most visa exempt entries allow stay only. They do not allow employment or a work permit application.

How long does visa and permit processing take?

Many embassies advise applying at least 15 working days before travel. Timing depends on the post, visa type, and whether additional documents are requested.

What is WP.10 urgent work?

WP.10 is a notification route for urgent and necessary work up to 15 days. It is short term and does not replace a standard work permit.

Where can I check the current reserved occupations?

Check the Ministry of Labour Thailand and the Department of Employment Thailand websites for the latest reserved occupations and notices.

Jobs foreigners can and can’t do in Thailand

Q: What documents are required for a work permit application?

Typical items include passport, photos, completed forms, employment contract, company registration papers, shareholder list, tax and social security filings, and a job description. Officers may request additional documents.

Rohan Jain
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Jobs foreigners can and can’t do in Thailand

What the law says

Thailand regulates any work by a foreign worker. Paid or unpaid tasks can count as work. Working without permission is unlawful under the Royal Ordinance foreign workers Thailand framework.

The permit also limits the type of working and the employer and location approved. This is core Thai labour law for foreign nationals (Royal Ordinance, 2017).

The Ministry of Labour Thailand and the Department of Employment Thailand maintain lists of reserved occupations Thailand. These are prohibited occupations Thailand for a foreign worker. Some roles are for a Thai national only (Ministry of Labour Thailand, n.d.).

Jobs foreigners can do in Thailand

Skilled roles that are not on the reserved list are possible when the employer and role match the rules. A Thai company can hire managers, engineers, product leads, designers, and other specialists. Scope the duties to the permit’s type of working and to the real job description to avoid risk (Ministry of Labour Thailand, n.d.).

BOI Thailand options expand access. SMART Visa Thailand targets talent in science and technology and other targeted industries. It can allow up to four years of stay in Thailand and may remove the separate work permit when endorsed (BOI SMART Visa, 2025).

LTR Visa Thailand also supports long stays for defined profiles such as professionals and executives with set benefits. It runs through the BOI LTR portal. Timelines sometimes show processing in working days and note that additional documents can be requested (BOI LTR, 2025).

Jobs foreigners cannot do in Thailand

Some roles are off limits. Examples often include shop sales, domestic driving, public accounting services, and traditional crafts such as wood carving, weaving, lacquerware, and Thai musical instrument making. Tour guide is reserved for a Thai national.

The Ministry posts notices and updates that explain these prohibited occupations Thailand (Ministry of Labour Thailand, n.d.). Lists can change. Always check the Ministry of Labour Thailand page before you hire or accept an offer (Ministry of Labour Thailand, n.d.).

Summary

Table 1: List of Jobs that foreigners cannot do in Thailand

List	Jobs that Foreigners cannot do
1	Laborer
2	Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery, except skilled work, specialized work, or farm supervision
3	Bricklaying, carpentry or other construction work
4	Wood carving
5	Driving motor vehicles or non-mechanized carriers, except piloting international aircraft
6	Shopfront sales
7	Auction work
8	Controlling, auditing or providing accounting services, except temporary internal audit
9	Cutting or polishing diamonds or precious stones
10	Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatment
11	Hand-loom weaving
12	Mat making or utensil making from reed, rattan, hemp, straw or bamboo pulp
13	Handmade mulberry paper (Saa paper)
14	Lacquerware work
15	Making Thai musical instruments
16	Nielloware work
17	Making gold, silver or plated ware
18	Stonework
19	Making Thai dolls
20	Legal services or litigation services
21	Clerical or secretarial work
22	Silk reeling and twisting by hand
23	Hand typesetting of Thai script
24	Peddling or street vending
25	Tour guiding or tour conducting
26	Hand-rolling cigarettes
27	Pottery and ceramic work
28	Dressmaking and garment crafting
29	Architectural professional practice including design, drafting, cost estimation, construction administration or advising
30	Making umbrellas from paper or cloth
31	Shoe making
32	Hat making
33	Brokerage or agency work, except brokerage or agency in international trade
34	Making mattresses or quilts
35	Making alms bowls
36	Making silk products by hand
37	Making Buddha images
38	Knife making
39	Civil engineering professional practice related to design and calculation, systemization, research, planning, testing, construction supervision or advising, except where special expertise is required

Table 2: List of Jobs that foreigners can do in Thailand

List	Category	Jobs that Foreigners can do
1	Corporate leadership	CEO, Country Manager, Director, General Manager
2	Finance leadership (internal)	CFO, Finance Director, FP&A Manager
3	Marketing and B2B sales	Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Lead, Key Account Manager
4	Technology and digital	Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, UX Designer
5	Engineering (non-civil design)	Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Process Engineer
6	Education	International-school Teacher, University Lecturer
7	Hospitality management	Hotel General Manager, F&B Director, Revenue Manager
8	Healthcare (licensed)	Physician, Medical Specialist in private hospitals
9	Aviation	Airline Pilot
10	Logistics and operations	Supply Chain Manager, Operations Manager
11	R&D in targeted industries	Robotics Engineer, Biotech Researcher, Smart electronics specialist

Visa types, entry permits, and who may work

Non Immigrant B visa Thailand is the standard route for business operations and employment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists required documents and states that applicants who wish to work must apply for this type of visa and secure the proper work authorization (MFA, 2025).

A separate MFA note explains the three year Business Visa for frequent travel. It allows multiple entries of up to 90 days per visit. It does not authorize employment by itself (MFA, n.d.).

Tourist visa status is different. A tourist visa often allows 60 days of stay in Thailand. Visa exemption entries can be 30 days for many nationalities. Tourist status does not allow applying for a work permit or doing work (MFA, 2024).

SMART Visa Thailand supports experts in science and technology in targeted sectors. It can grant up to four years of stay and an exemption from a separate work permit, if endorsed (BOI SMART Visa, 2025).

LTR Visa Thailand supports long-term residence for defined groups with work benefits, through BOI Thailand (BOI LTR, 2025; Royal Thai Consulate LA, 2025).

Work permit in Thailand, required documents and timelines

A work permit application runs through the Department of Employment Thailand. Company and personal papers are needed.

Typical required documents include passport, completed forms, photos, company registration papers, shareholder list, tax and social security filings, an employment contract, and a job description. Officers may request additional documents. Some embassy checklists even phrase this as “additionally documents” on notes (MFA, 2025; MFA Kuala Lumpur, 2025).

For Non Immigrant B, many embassies advise submitting at least 15 working days before travel and stress that entry permits depend on complete files. After the holder enters Thailand, they must obtain a work permit within the stated window, then extend stay as eligible (MFA Kuala Lumpur, 2025; MFA PDF notes).

Urgent cases have a narrow option. WP.10 urgent work allows urgent and necessary duties up to 15 days. Guidance is on the BOI One Start One Stop page. DOE references include WP.34 items that show what to file for the notification. This route is short term only (OSOS BOI, 2025; DOE WP.34).

How Hyperwork can help

At Hyperwork we help employers and candidates map roles to the legal framework and choose the right path. We work with leading Thai and international partners to confirm reserved occupation issues, prepare job descriptions, and coordinate compliant hiring. Speak with us if you need a quick review of a job scope against the list or an introduction to a licensed legal partner. Click the button below to connect with our team.

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