One of the key benefits of setting up a Representative Office in Thailand is that obtaining a work permit for a foreigner is not restricted to the standard ratio of 1 foreigner per 4 Thai employees under the work permit regulations for other kinds of business establishment. For a Representative Office, the ratio is 1 foreigner per 1 Thai employee.
Work permits for a Representative Office can be granted to up to five foreigners although it varies based on its characteristics and scope of activities in Thailand as follows:
- For providing advice in various fields related to goods distributed by the head office to the distributors or consumers, dissemination of information about new products and services of the head office or providing reports to the head office about local business development and activities, work permits will be granted to up to 2 foreigners.
- For purchasing goods or services in Thailand for the head office, or doing quality control and inspection for such goods and services for the head office, work permits will be granted to up to 5 foreigners.
- For sourcing of local goods or services in Thailand for the head office in amount of not less than THB 100,000,000 during the previous year, the Representative Office may be eligible to obtain even more than 5 work permits depending on the discretion of the governing officer who will handle each case.
Contact ThaiLawyers for setting up a Representative Office or getting a work permit in Thailand.