A foreign company can operate in Thailand without forming a new Thai company in two ways: a branch office, which may earn income but needs a Foreign Business Licence, or a representative office, which may not earn income and is limited to support activities for the head office. Both are filed with the Department of Business Development and require capital to be brought into Thailand.
How it works
- Choose branch, representative office or Thai company
- Prepare head-office documents, notarised and legalised
- Certified Thai translation
- File with the Department of Business Development
- Remit capital, register for tax and obtain the manager's work permit
FAQ
- Can a representative office issue tax invoices?
- No. It may not earn income; all expenses are funded by the head office.
- Must the branch manager be Thai?
- No. A foreign manager is fine with a Non-B visa and work permit.
- How long does it take?
- Around 2–4 months including legalisation abroad.
Service fees: please contact our staff for a quotation.