IMPACT – HIGH

The Board of Investment has issued the process for a BOI-registered company to make a special request to bring foreign national employees to Thailand regardless of whether or not they already hold a work permit/permission to work (BOI Pre-Visa Approval). The process can take up to 20 working days.

The following documents are required for this process:

  • Letter from the company citing the necessity to bring the foreign national employee to work for the company in Thailand. The letter must also include the following information:
    • Reason for bringing foreign national employee to work in Thailand.
    • Loss or negative impact on company if it does not bring the foreign national employee to work in Thailand. If the contingent loss or value thereof can be demonstrated, this should be provided as well.
    • What stage of BOI project the company is operating in.
    • The specific expertise of the foreign national employee that the company requires.
    • Intended Thailand arrival date/flight information (if applicable).
  • Copy of passport. If the foreign national employee already has a visa under the BOI privilege, copy of the most updated BOI visa must be provided.
  • Copy of work permit (if applicable).
  • Copy of Pre-Visa Approval (if applicable).
  • Copies of evidence and/or contracts showing the loss or negative impact on the company would experience if the foreign employee was no permitted to enter Thailand. This may be requested by the officers after the submission, as they deem necessary.

Additional information: Restrictions on international commercial flights to Thailand have been extended until June 30. Foreign national employees are still required to obtain the following before entering Thailand: a completed and signed “Declaration Form” obtained from the Thai Embassy/Consulate; a “Fit to Fly” Health Certificate issued within 72 hours before departure; a copy of their Health Insurance Policy with at least US$100,000 coverage for COVID-19 in Thailand. Upon arrival in Thailand, foreign nationals must go into 14-day quarantine in a government-designated Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) at their own expense and comply with all health regulations under Thailand’s Emergency Decree.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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