BOI Work Permit Requirements in Thailand: What Changed in 2025
Updated: Jul 6
Thailand's Board of Investment updated its visa and work permit framework in June 2025, introducing stricter employment ratios, minimum salary thresholds, and new eligibility conditions for foreign staff in BOI-promoted companies. The changes, issued under Announcement No. Por. 8/2568, are already in effect for new projects and apply to all existing BOI companies from January 2026. If your company holds a BOI promotion or is planning to apply for one, here is what you need to know.
Why BOI Work Permits Matter
One of the main reasons international companies seek BOI promotion is the simplified work permit process. Under standard Thai regulations, a company must employ four Thai nationals for every foreign work permit it holds. BOI-promoted companies benefit from more flexible rules and faster processing. The 2025 update refines those benefits with new conditions attached.
What Changed: The Key Points
Employment ratio for manufacturing companies
For manufacturing companies employing more than 100 people, at least 70% of total staff must now be Thai nationals. This is a stricter requirement than before and requires advance workforce planning. Importantly, the 70% ratio rule does not apply to service-sector companies, businesses with fewer than 100 employees, short-term positions of less than six months, or manufacturing projects individually approved by the BOI as strategically important. Most of KLAY's typical clients, including regional headquarters, professional services operations, and trading companies, fall under the service-sector exemption and are not affected by this specific rule.
Minimum salary thresholds by position level
The new framework sets clear minimum monthly salary requirements for foreign employees in BOI-promoted companies, depending on their role:
Executive level (CEO, CFO, Managing Director and equivalent): minimum THB 150,000 per month. Age and experience requirements are waived for CEO, MD, and Chairman positions.
Management level (Manager, Assistant Manager): minimum THB 75,000 per month, reduced to THB 50,000 for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree or higher with at least five years of direct experience.
Operational and technical roles (including Engineers and IT Specialists): minimum THB 50,000 to THB 75,000 per month, depending on the role and whether the candidate's background is directly related to the position.
Positions approved for stays of less than six months are exempt from the minimum salary requirements.
Approval periods
Standard visa and work permit approvals for foreign employees in BOI-promoted companies are issued for a maximum of two years. Extended durations of up to four years apply to R&D, international headquarters, and targeted technology development roles. Companies in BPO and international BPO categories receive approvals of up to one year.
Extension conditions
Renewals are not automatic. The BOI will assess whether the company is expanding its operations, whether it complies with the applicable employment ratio, and whether income and employment can be verified through the standard Thai payroll tax forms (PND 1 or PND 1 Kor). Renewals will only be approved for roles that remain consistent with the company's approved business scope.
What Companies Should Do Now
BOI-promoted companies with existing foreign staff should review their current employment structure against the new thresholds before the January 2026 effective date for existing projects. Companies applying for BOI promotion in 2025 or later need to design their staffing and compensation structure to comply from day one.
The practical checklist is straightforward: confirm that each foreign employee's salary meets the threshold for their level, ensure the employment ratio is within the applicable limits, and verify that all payroll documentation is in order for renewal submissions.
KLAY supports international companies with visa and work permit applications in Thailand, working with experienced local specialists to manage the process efficiently. Whether you are setting up a new BOI-promoted entity or reviewing compliance for an existing team, we coordinate the necessary steps from a single point of contact. Get in touch to discuss your situation.
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