Register a company with foreign shareholders in Thailand
A wrong structure on registration day is expensive to unwind, so we review the activity against the rules for foreign shareholders before any documents are prepared.
Zura Labs & Business Hub Co., Ltd.
A good fit when
- Foreign investors needing a Thai entity to sell, import or contract in Thailand
- Foreign companies setting up a subsidiary or office in Thailand
- Foreign shareholders who also need a visa and work permit
Not the right form when
- Activities reserved for Thai nationals with no licensing route
- Nominee structures where Thai shareholders do not truly invest — we do not take this work
How this registration actually runs
- 1
Review the activity against foreign shareholding rules
Define the real activities and check whether they fall under restricted lists. If they do, we consider licensing routes or adjusting the scope.
- 2
Design shareholding, capital and director authority
Set a split that matches both the law and the genuine commercial intent, with capital suited to the licences and work permits you will apply for.
- 3
Incorporate and complete tax registrations
Prepare the incorporation documents, file the registration, obtain the tax ID and register for VAT as the business requires.
- 4
Relevant licences, visas and work permits
Apply for activity-specific licences and prepare company documents for the business visa and work permit, which carry capital and Thai-staff conditions.
- 5
Monthly and annual compliance
Accounting, tax, social security, shareholder reporting and renewals of licences or work permits.
Documents to prepare
- Passports of foreign shareholders and directors
- Parent company documents, duly certified, when the shareholder is a foreign entity
- A detailed business description, to assess restrictions and licensing
- Registered address with consent documents
- Headcount and payroll plan if work permits are needed
Duties after registration
- File monthly tax and accounts, with documentation for cross-border transactions
- Maintain work permit and visa conditions such as capital and staff ratios
- Report changes of shareholders or directors completely
How much can foreign shareholders hold?
It depends on the activity and licensing: some allow full foreign ownership, some are capped, and some need a specific licence. We review your activity and confirm in writing before work begins.
Does registering a company grant a work permit automatically?
No. A work permit is a separate application with conditions on capital, job type and company documents. We plan the sequence from registration day so nothing has to be redone.
Can Thai nominees hold the shares?
No. Nominee arrangements where Thai shareholders do not genuinely invest carry legal risk. We do not take such work and will propose a lawful alternative instead.