Foreigners Setting Up a Company in Thailand: Shareholding, FBL, BOI and Work Visas
Foreigners can form a limited company in Thailand, but many activities listed under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) require Thai majority ownership, a Foreign Business Licence (FBL) or BOI promotion. Using Thai nominee shareholders is illegal. Choose the structure that fits the business first, then plan the directors' visas and work permits, which depend on paid-up capital and Thai headcount under the authorities' criteria.
We do not publish company service prices. Ask our team for a case-specific quotation; official fees remain those announced by the authority on the filing date.
Three main routes
The choice depends on the activity, investment and shareholders' nationality. Some nationalities have treaty rights, such as the Thai–US Treaty of Amity.
- Genuinely Thai-majority company, for activities not needing an FBL
- Foreign company with an FBL or certificate
- BOI-promoted company with ownership and expert-hiring privileges
Link to visas and work permits
Foreign directors working in the company need a Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit, assessed on paid-up capital, Thai employees and tax filings. BOI companies use the BOI channel. Design capital and hiring from day one.
Accounting, tax and lawyer work is handled by THAILAW (thailaw-accounting.co.th), our affiliated firm. Global Visa Service handles visas, work permits, translation and document certification, so you have one point of contact with the right specialist on each part.
How we work, step by step
- Describe the business. Activity, customers and shareholders.
- Choose the structure. Thai company, FBL or BOI, with the affiliated legal team.
- Register the company. Handled by THAILAW at the Department of Business Development.
- Visa and work permit. Global Visa Service handles the directors' Non-B and work permit.
- Monthly accounting. Kept up by the affiliated accounting team so permits renew each year.
Questions we are asked most
Can a Thai hold 51% on my behalf?
Nominee shareholding is illegal and can affect visas and work permits. Choose a lawful structure from the start.
Does Global Visa register companies itself?
Company registration and corporate legal work are done by THAILAW, our affiliate. We coordinate and handle visas and work permits.
Do you publish prices or guarantee the outcome?
No. We quote after looking at your documents and situation, and every decision is made by the Thai authority concerned. We will tell you plainly when we think a plan is weak.
Accounting, tax and lawyer work: THAILAW, our affiliated firm.
Official sources
Reviewed 9 October 2026. These links are starting points; the receiving authority decides the current case-specific requirements.
Other business and legal guides
Request a quotation from our visa team
We review your situation and documents first. Decisions are made by the relevant embassy, immigration office or receiving authority, not by our team.