One of the government’s policies is to stimulate the economy and investment by issuing measures to attract high-potential foreigners to come to Thailand, such as offering long-term stays. It encourages the private sector to play a role in developing services for foreigners who want to apply for a long-term resident (BOI) visa so that these foreigners will receive convenient, and efficient, and comprehensive services.
A private sector organization must have the following qualifications to become a certified agent for foreigners applying for a long-term resident (BOI) visa:
1. Be a juristic person with a paid-up capital of at least 5 million baht, or be a Thai-registered association or business organization;
2. The entity must have a purpose of representation:
• Providing brokerage services for visas and work permits for foreigners;
• Providing consulting services and advice on matters related to foreigners’ residence and work in Thailand.
3. Have a stable financial position, with no accumulated loss exceeding 50% of paid-up capital. A project feasibility study report must be submitted for newly registered juristic persons who do not yet have financial statements certified by a certified public accountant;
4. Have a business plan which must include at least the following:
• Management and operational plans to support the analysis and screening of requests, including documents and evidence submitted with foreigners’ applications, demonstrating the procedures and methods of operations, as well as the persons responsible for each step according to the Office’s criteria;
• Plans for attracting and disseminating relevant information to foreigners and interested parties;
• Service plans or various standard facilities to support foreigners’ applications for residence in Thailand or moving to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time, including service fee rates associated with submitting an application;
• Information system development plan in the form of a digital platform for future services;
• Other relevant development plans in the future (if any).
5. Have a network that is able to do business with multinational corporations or corporations from other countries;
6. Must have a system for managing the database of service users with information technology systems, as well as measures to keep the information technology system secure.