Business License Application

Business License Application in Thailand

A Thai foreign business license allows foreigners to conduct as well as manage businesses limited to foreign nationals under Thai law

• • Businesses prohibited to foreign citizens, except when there is some special exemption mentioned by a treaty or a law;

  • Businesses owned by foreign citizens, opened and activated before enactment of FBA

  • Businesses are similar to list 2, except that the FBL for foreigners who set up new companies in the country issued by the Director General and a Committee

How Thai Law Separates Foreigners?

• • Non-registered juristic person in Thailand

  • Registered juristic person in Thailand having the following characteristics;

  • Limited company, where almost 50% of the capital shares are held by the foreigner(s)

  • Limited partnership, where 50% of the capital is invested by the foreigner(s)

  • Limited partnership, where a foreigner is the managing partner/manager

Thai Foreign Business License Restrictions

Businesses Restricted to Foreign Investors

• • Newspaper publication, TV Station and Radio Broad casting

  • Trading and Auctioning of the Thai Antiques Land Trading

Businesses Permitted to Foreigners under Special Conditions

• • Production, repairing and selling of firearms and explosives

  • Domestic land and waterway or air transportation

  • Production, selling, aircrafts and military vehicles

  • Production of musical instruments of Thailand

  • Production of nielloware, lacquerware and silverware

  • Manufacturing sugar from sugarcane

  • Wood fabrication and utensil production

Businesses Not Yet Allowed to Foreigners as Thai Nationals are Unequipped for Competition

• • Production of LimeTour AgencyArchitecture Service Business

  • Production of PlywoodSelling Food or BeveragesEngineering Service Business

Thai FBL Terms & Conditions

The Applicant,

• • Must have attained the age of 20

  • Must not be a bankrupt

  • Must not be an incompetent

  • Have a residency or should be permitted to enter Thailand temporarily

  • Never had a revoked license under Notification No. 281

  • Never found guilty by the court or fined for an offence

  • Never have been imprisoned for debtor cheating and fraudulent acts

  • Never being bankrupt

How To Apply For Foreign Business License In Thailand

• • File an application with the Commercial Registration Department followed by review made by the Foreign Business Committee.

  • Criteria including nation’s safety, local employment and socio-economic development will be considered before approving a business license application.

  • Business license application approval is more likely when it is proved that the business will provide significant benefits while protecting and promoting Thai interests.

  • Usually, the application process for a Thailand foreign business license is complex and time consuming. It will take a minimum of four months to obtain the license.