Working & Business
📅 Last updated: March 2026

Working in Phuket Legally

More expats than ever are working remotely from Phuket, running businesses here, or finding employment with local companies. The rules have changed significantly since the LTR visa launched in 2022. Here's the honest picture on work permits, legal remote work and setting up a business in Phuket.

4Main Work Routes
32Working Guides
3,000THB Work Permit fee
6 yrsPhuket Resident
Remote working in Phuket cafe
Your Work Route Options

How Expats Work Legally in Phuket

The honest breakdown of every legal route — whether you're a remote worker, employee, freelancer or business owner.

Best for Remote Workers

LTR Work-From-Thailand Visa

Long-Term Resident — remote workers category
Duration10-year visa
Income req.USD 80,000+/year
Work permit?Not required
Tax benefitFlat 17% rate
Cost~10,000 THB fee
Employed Workers

Non-B Visa + Work Permit

Business visa — required for employed expats
Duration1-year renewable
Sponsor req.Thai employer
Work permit?Required
Process time2–4 weeks
Permit fee~3,000 THB
Business Owners

Thai Company + Work Permit

Own a Thai limited company (max 49% foreign)
Company setup40K–100K THB
Min. capital2M THB typical
Thai employees4 Thai per expat
Work permit?Required
Annual cost~80K THB/year
High Earners

LTR Wealthy Pensioner / Professional

Passive income, retirement or skilled professional
Duration10-year visa
Income req.USD 40K–80K+/year
Work permit?Varies by category
Tax benefitFlat 17% rate
ViaBOI application
Teachers

Teaching English (TEFL)

Non-B visa via school employer sponsor
Salary30,000–50,000 THB/mo
RequirementsDegree + TEFL cert
Work permit?Yes — employer files
SchoolsBISP, Thai Gov schools
ContractUsually academic year
BOI Promoted

BOI Company / Smart Visa

Board of Investment promoted business
Foreign ownershipUp to 100%
Min. investment20M THB+
Tax holidays8 years CIT exempt
Work permit?Streamlined process
Best forTech, manufacturing
💡 Honest reality check

Many remote workers in Phuket operate on tourist visas and just work quietly online. Technically this is illegal — you need a work permit or LTR visa to be fully legal. Enforcement is rare for pure remote workers serving overseas clients, but the risk is real. The LTR Work-From-Thailand visa has made it much easier to become fully legal if you earn USD 80,000+/year. If you earn less, talk to a visa agent about your options.

In-Depth Guides

Working in Phuket — Complete Guides

Step-by-step walkthroughs for every route — from applying for a work permit to setting up a Thai company to getting the LTR visa.

LTR visa digital nomad Phuket
Featured Guide

The LTR Visa for Remote Workers — Complete 2026 Guide

Who qualifies, how to apply via the BOI, what documents you need and the real benefits of Thailand's best long-term option for remote professionals.

Read the guide →
Work permit Phuket
Work Permits

How to Get a Work Permit in Phuket — Step by Step

The exact process at the Phuket Employment Office — documents, fees and timeline.

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Setting up business Thailand
Business Setup

Starting a Business in Phuket — Legal Structure & Costs

Thai company vs BOI vs sole trader — which structure works for expats and what it costs to set up.

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Digital nomad coworking Phuket
Remote Work

Best Coworking Spaces in Phuket 2026

HUBBA, CAMP Coffee, Sandbox and more — coworking spots across Phuket Town, Rawai and Bang Tao.

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Tax Phuket expat
Tax

Tax for Expats Working in Phuket — What You Owe

Thai personal income tax rates, the new foreign income rules from 2024, and the LTR flat 17% benefit.

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Non-B visa Thailand
Non-B Visa

Non-B Visa for Phuket — Employment & Business Entry

How to apply, what your employer needs to do and the difference between a Non-B and a tourist visa.

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Teaching English Phuket
Teaching

Teaching English in Phuket — Salary, Schools & Reality

What TEFL teaching actually pays in Phuket, which schools hire foreigners and is it worth it in 2026.

Read guide →
Visa Agent — Phuket

Get Your Work Permit or LTR Visa Sorted

Trusted visa agents who handle Non-B applications, work permits and LTR applications for Phuket-based expats.

Speak to a visa agent →
Send Money

Transfer Your Salary to Thailand

Wise gives you the real exchange rate and low fees when moving your income into THB. Most expats save hundreds of USD per year vs bank transfers.

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Related Topics

Other Useful Guides

→ Visa options for Phuket

→ Banking for expats

→ Healthcare & insurance

→ Cost of living calculator

Frequently Asked

Working in Phuket — Your Questions Answered

Can I work remotely in Phuket without a work permit?+
Thailand's LTR Work-From-Thailand visa (launched 2022) allows qualifying remote workers to live in Thailand without a separate work permit, provided they work for overseas employers and earn USD 80,000+/year. Without an LTR visa, technically all work — even remote work for foreign clients — requires a work permit under Thai law. Enforcement on pure remote workers is rare but the legal exposure is real.
How do I get a work permit in Phuket?+
You need a Thai-registered employer to sponsor your application at the Phuket Provincial Employment Office on Phuket Road. You must already hold a Non-B (business) visa. Required documents include your employment contract, company registration documents, your passport photos and a medical certificate. The process takes 2–4 weeks. Fee is around 3,000 THB. Many expats use a visa agent (typically 10,000–20,000 THB) to handle the process.
What is the LTR Work-From-Thailand visa and who qualifies?+
The LTR WFT visa is a 10-year residence visa for remote workers earning at least USD 80,000/year from an overseas company they've worked with for 2+ years. Benefits include a flat 17% personal income tax rate and no work permit requirement. Application is through the Thailand BOI website. Approval takes 2–4 weeks once documents are in order.
Can foreigners own a business in Phuket?+
Foreigners can own up to 49% of a Thai limited company — a Thai national or Thai nationals must hold the remaining 51%. For certain BOI-promoted industries (tech, manufacturing), foreigners can own up to 100%. The Thai company requires at least 2 million THB registered capital, four Thai employees per foreign work permit holder, and annual accounting and filing. Setup costs 40,000–100,000 THB with a good Thai lawyer.
What are the best jobs for expats in Phuket?+
The most common paths: remote work in IT, consulting, finance or marketing for overseas companies (best lifestyle, highest income); running a tourism-related business (diving, tours, hospitality, property); employment with international schools or hospitals; and teaching English (accessible but low-paying at 30,000–50,000 THB/month). The construction and marine industries also employ skilled expats.

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