Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has announced key updates to the eligibility criteria for foreign employees applying for or renewing visas and work permits under BOI-promoted companies. These changes, outlined in BOI Announcement Por 8/2568, are aimed at aligning foreign employment standards with current economic conditions and reinforcing fair employment practices within BOI-supported businesses.
The BOI, the government agency responsible for promoting investment in Thailand, offers a range of incentives to approved companies, including simplified visa and work permit procedures. If your organisation employs expatriate staff and their work permits are issued digitally, it is likely that your company operates under BOI promotion.
The BOI will now require proof of income at the time of both application and renewal. The minimum monthly income thresholds for expatriate employees are as follows:
For manufacturing businesses with more than 100 employees, at least 70% of the total workforce must be Thai nationals. In contrast, manufacturing businesses with fewer than 100 employees, as well as service-based companies, are not subject to a mandatory Thai-to-foreign employee ratio.
For high-priority manufacturing projects, companies may request an exemption from the standard ratio requirement. In such cases, the organisation must provide a clear justification outlining the operational need, which will be reviewed and approved by the BOI committee on a case-by-case basis.
The updated requirements do not apply to:
The effective dates for the updated criteria are as follows:
The revised BOI criteria highlight Thailand’s commitment to transparent, equitable employment practices for foreign workers while continuing to attract skilled international talent. For global employers, this shift reinforces the importance of:
These developments align with broader regional trends across Asia toward standardised, transparent, and data-backed employment frameworks.
For further detailed guidance on payroll, employment law, and compliance in Thailand, visit our Thailand Global Insights guide on the activpayroll website. You can also explore broader regional updates and expertise in the APAC Global Expertise web section.
If you have any questions or would like tailored guidance on how these BOI updates may impact your organisation, please contact us.
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