What is BCG (Bangkok Coworking Group) and how does it compare to IGLU?

BCG is a smaller Phuket-based umbrella company operation primarily serving freelancers who need a Non-B work permit with physical office presence in Phuket. Unlike IGLU's Bangkok HQ, BCG has local Phuket roots. Their fees are comparable (5-8%), but IGLU has stronger client support, more sophisticated payroll systems, and better infrastructure for higher-income earners.

Do I need an umbrella company if I have an LTR Visa in Phuket?

Not necessarily. The LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident Visa) allows Work-from-Thailand Professionals to work remotely for overseas employers without a Thai work permit. If your clients are all foreign companies and you have no Thai-source income, an LTR Visa makes IGLU unnecessary. However, if you want to invoice Thai companies or have a formal Thai employment structure, an umbrella company arrangement still helps.

Can I use IGLU or BCG as a base while living in Rawai or Bang Tao?

Yes. Both IGLU and BCG operate as registered employers with physical office addresses in Thailand. You can live anywhere in Phuket — Rawai, Bang Tao, Chalong — while using their registered address for your work permit. You'll need to meet physical presence requirements for your Non-B visa extension (typically prove you were working, not just travelling).

What happens if I earn above 1.8 million THB/year through an umbrella company?

Your umbrella company (IGLU, BCG) handles VAT registration and compliance if your income through them crosses the 1.8 million THB threshold. This is handled automatically as part of their employer-of-record service — one key advantage over setting up your own company, where you'd need to manage VAT registration yourself.

IGLU vs BCG: Best Freelancer Setup Options in Phuket 2026

Q: What is IGLU and how does it work in Thailand?

IGLU (iglu.co) is a Bangkok-headquartered employer-of-record (EOR) and umbrella company that allows freelancers and remote workers to get a Thai work permit without forming their own company. You become an employee of IGLU, they handle your work permit, visa (Non-B or LTR), payroll, social security, and tax filings. You invoice your clients through IGLU and receive a salary minus their service fee, typically 5-7% of income.

Q: How much does IGLU cost for a Phuket-based freelancer?

IGLU's service fee is approximately 5-7% of your monthly salary processed through them. On a salary of 150,000 THB/month, that's 7,500-10,500 THB. Additionally, IGLU handles work permit costs (approximately 3,000 THB), Non-B visa extension costs, and social security contributions. Total first-year cost including setup: approximately 120,000-180,000 THB.

Q: Are there other umbrella company options in Phuket besides IGLU and BCG?

Yes. Other options include Acumen (acumenconsulting.co.th), Mazars EOR service, and several smaller local setups. For purely remote workers with foreign clients, the LTR Visa route avoids needing an umbrella company entirely. Some Phuket expats also use Thai company formation through BOI or standard Thai Limited Company instead of umbrella services.

Last updated: March 2026

One of the most common questions I get from people planning to freelance in Phuket is: "Do I need a company, or can I just use IGLU?" The honest answer is it depends on what you're doing, who your clients are, and how long you're staying.

Working legally as a freelancer in Thailand requires either your own registered company (Thai Limited Company, BOI setup, or similar), an employer-of-record arrangement through an umbrella company, or a visa that explicitly permits work-from-Thailand without a work permit — specifically the LTR Visa for qualifying remote workers. The two most well-known umbrella company options for Phuket-based freelancers are IGLU and BCG (Bangkok Coworking Group), and they serve somewhat different markets.

Quick Facts: Freelancer Setup Options in Phuket 2026

IGLU: Bangkok HQ, employer-of-record service, 5–7% fee, handles Non-B visa + work permit
BCG: Phuket-based umbrella service, 5–8% fee, smaller and more locally-rooted
LTR Visa (Work-from-Thailand): No work permit needed for overseas employer income — see our DTV/LTR guide
Umbrella company fee on 150,000 THB/month income: ~7,500–12,000 THB/month
Thai company formation alternative: 15,000–40,000 THB one-time + ongoing accounting fees
Work permits in Phuket processed at Phuket Immigration, Phuket Town

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Understanding the Freelancer Visa Problem in Thailand

Thailand has no standalone "freelance visa." Your options for working legally as a freelancer in Phuket are:

Non-B Visa + Work Permit — requires a registered employer or your own company
LTR Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional) — for remote workers employed by or contracted to a foreign company; no Thai work permit required
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) — 180-day multiple-entry, technically for "remote working" but no formal work permit; see our DTV guide for Phuket
Own Thai Company — you employ yourself, requiring minimum registered capital, accounting, and compliance
Umbrella Company (IGLU, BCG) — you become an employee of the umbrella company, they handle visa and work permit admin

For most freelancers earning from international clients who plan to stay in Phuket long-term, the decision usually comes down to: LTR Visa (if eligible), IGLU/BCG umbrella, or own Thai company. This guide focuses on the umbrella company comparison.

IGLU: How It Works

IGLU (iglu.co) is Thailand's largest employer-of-record service specifically targeting freelancers, remote workers, and digital nomads. Their main value proposition: you can work legally in Thailand with a proper Non-B visa and work permit without forming your own Thai company.

How the IGLU Model Works

You invoice your overseas clients as normal. Your clients pay IGLU directly (or you route payment through IGLU). IGLU pays you a monthly salary, deducting their service fee (5–7%), withholding tax (PND 1), and Social Security contributions. IGLU handles your work permit at an Immigration office and processes your Non-B visa extension.

IGLU Costs (2026)

Monthly service fee: 5–7% of processed income (sliding scale, lower at higher income)
Setup fee: approximately 20,000–30,000 THB first year (includes work permit application)
Work permit renewal: approximately 8,000–12,000 THB/year
Non-B visa extension: approximately 1,900 THB + agent fee ~3,000 THB

IGLU Pros

Established, reputable company with large client base (1,000+ members across Thailand)
Strong English-language support and documentation
Handles all tax filings — you don't need a separate accountant for Thai taxes
Can process work permits in Phuket (via Phuket Immigration office)
Good for higher earners — percentage fee caps out at competitive rate for income above 200,000 THB/month

IGLU Cons

Monthly fee adds up — 5–7% on 100,000 THB/month is 5,000–7,000 THB every month, indefinitely
Bangkok-centric support (Phuket processing takes longer than Bangkok)
Your clients must be comfortable paying IGLU as an intermediary, or you must route funds through them
No equity build — unlike owning your own Thai company

BCG: Phuket-Based Umbrella Option

BCG (Bangkok Coworking Group) operates a similar umbrella company service but with stronger roots in Phuket specifically. Several of BCG's affiliated offices are in Bang Tao and Phuket Town, and their client base skews toward Phuket-based freelancers rather than Bangkok-based remote workers.

BCG Costs (2026)

Monthly service fee: 5–8% of processed income
Setup fee: approximately 15,000–25,000 THB
Work permit support: included in setup

BCG Pros

Local Phuket presence — easier to meet in person, faster local processing
Smaller operation means more personal service for some clients
Strong community ties — often runs networking events for Phuket freelancers
Flexible on billing structures for some clients

BCG Cons

Smaller operation means fewer resources if problems arise
Less documentation and online resources than IGLU
Less established track record for high-income earners or complex structures

Head-to-Head Comparison: IGLU vs BCG

Factor	IGLU	BCG
Company size	Large (Thailand's biggest EOR for freelancers)	Smaller boutique
Monthly fee	5–7%	5–8%
Setup cost	20,000–30,000 THB	15,000–25,000 THB
Phuket presence	Remote processing	Local Phuket offices
English support	Excellent	Good
Tax handling	Full (PND 1, SSF, annual)	Full
Work permit processing	Bangkok primary, Phuket possible	Phuket primary
Best for	Higher earners, international clients, complex setups	Phuket-based freelancers wanting local service

The LTR Visa Alternative — When You Don't Need Either

Before paying umbrella company fees every month, check whether you qualify for the LTR Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional). If you do, you can work in Phuket for any number of overseas clients and employers without a Thai work permit at all — making IGLU and BCG unnecessary.

LTR Work-from-Thailand Professional requirements (2026):

Must be employed by (or contracted to) an overseas company for at least 3 years
Personal income of at least USD 80,000/year (or equivalent) in the past 2 years
Health insurance with minimum USD 50,000 coverage (Thai health insurers qualify) — see our Phuket health insurance guide
No income from Thai-source clients

If you meet these criteria, the LTR Visa costs 50,000 THB for 10 years — which compares very favourably to 5–7% umbrella fees every month for a decade.

💡 Insider Tip

The LTR Visa 17% flat income tax rate is one of the most underused benefits available to high-earning remote workers in Phuket. If you're earning above ~200,000 THB/month and your clients are all overseas, the LTR Visa almost certainly beats an umbrella company arrangement on both cost and simplicity.

Decision Guide: Which Setup Is Right for You?

Which Freelancer Setup Is Best for Your Phuket Situation?

All clients are overseas, income > USD 80k/year, employed 3+ years: → LTR Visa — skip umbrella companies entirely

All clients are overseas, income < USD 80k/year, planning to stay 1–3 years: → DTV Visa for shorter stays, or IGLU/BCG for longer-term legal work setup

Mix of Thai and overseas clients, want to build a Phuket business: → Own Thai Limited Company — gives most flexibility but most admin

Prefer local Phuket support, straightforward freelance income: → BCG — better for in-person service and community

Higher income, want a reputable large provider, mostly remote: → IGLU — stronger infrastructure for higher earners

Just arrived, short-term testing Phuket as a base: → DTV Visa first, upgrade once you've decided to stay longer

Don't Forget Health Insurance — It's Required for LTR Visa

LTR Visa applicants need a minimum USD 50,000 health insurance policy. International health insurers operating in Phuket — Cigna, Pacific Cross, AXA — all qualify. Get a free comparison quote.

Compare Health Insurance for Phuket →

Other Umbrella Company Options in Phuket

IGLU and BCG aren't the only options. Other umbrella and EOR providers operating in the Phuket/Thailand market include:

Acumen (acumenconsulting.co.th) — established HR/EOR firm with Phuket clients, good for mid-size freelancers
Mazars Thailand EOR — premium tier, better for very high earners or complex international structures
Sunbelt Asia — can set up your own Thai company quickly; an alternative to umbrella companies if you want ownership
Siam Legal International — visa and work permit specialists often used as an alternative to umbrella setups

Not Sure Which Setup Is Right for Your Phuket Situation?

Visa type, work permit approach, accounting setup — there are a lot of variables. Our team helps Phuket freelancers figure out the optimal legal structure. First question is free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is IGLU and how does it work in Thailand?

IGLU is a Bangkok-headquartered employer-of-record service that allows freelancers and remote workers to get a Thai work permit without forming their own company. You become an IGLU employee, they handle your Non-B visa, work permit, payroll, SSF, and tax filings. Fee: typically 5–7% of processed income.

How does BCG compare to IGLU?

BCG is a smaller Phuket-based umbrella company operation with local office presence. Their fees are comparable (5–8%) but IGLU has stronger client support and infrastructure for higher-income earners. BCG is better for Phuket freelancers who want local, in-person service.

How much does IGLU cost for a Phuket-based freelancer?

IGLU's fee is approximately 5–7% of monthly salary processed through them. On 150,000 THB/month income that's 7,500–10,500 THB. First year total including setup and work permit: approximately 120,000–180,000 THB. Annual ongoing: roughly 100,000–130,000 THB.

Do I need an umbrella company if I have an LTR Visa?

Not necessarily. The LTR Visa Work-from-Thailand Professional category allows you to work remotely for overseas employers without a Thai work permit. If all your clients are foreign companies and you have no Thai-source income, an LTR Visa makes umbrella companies unnecessary.

Can I use IGLU or BCG while living in Rawai or Bang Tao?

Yes. Both operate as registered Thai employers with physical office addresses. You can live anywhere in Phuket while using their registered address for your work permit. You'll need to meet physical presence requirements for Non-B visa extensions.

Are there other umbrella company options in Phuket besides IGLU and BCG?

Yes — Acumen, Mazars EOR service, and several smaller local setups. For purely remote workers with foreign clients, the LTR Visa route avoids needing an umbrella company entirely. Some expats form their own Thai Limited Company instead.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, including to health insurance providers. Phuket Expat Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you. This guide reflects our research as of May 2026. IGLU and BCG services and fees may change — verify current pricing directly before committing.