Registered Capital Requirements for Foreign-Owned Companies in Thailand
What is the Minimum Registered Capital for Foreigners to Set Up a Company in Thailand?
If you are a foreign investor planning to set up a company in Thailand, one of the most common questions is:
“How much registered capital is required?”
Here’s what you need to know about registered capital requirements for foreign-owned companies in Thailand:
✅ 1. Minimum Registered Capital for a Foreign-Owned Company
- Generally, for a company with foreign shareholders holding more than 49% of shares, the minimum registered capital required is 2 million THB.
- This amount is per foreign employee if you plan to apply for a work permit and business visa (Non-B Visa) for foreign directors or staff.
👉 Example:
If you plan to employ two foreign staff, the recommended registered capital would be 4 million THB (2M THB x 2).
✅ 2. Higher Registered Capital for Certain Restricted Businesses (Under FBL)
- If your business falls under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act (FBA) and you plan to apply for a Foreign Business License (FBL) to own more than 49%,
➡️ The minimum registered capital is 3 million THB per business activity.
👉 Example:
If you conduct two restricted business activities, you should have 6 million THB in registered capital (3M THB x 2).
✅ 3. BOI-Promoted Companies
- Companies promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI) may have flexibility in registered capital, depending on the nature of the project.
- However, in practice, having a sufficient and reasonable capital amount aligned with your business scale is essential to gain BOI approval.
- BOI projects can also benefit from full foreign ownership and tax incentives, but the capital must align with the investment project proposal.
✅ 4. Paid-Up vs. Registered Capital
- Registered capital is the total amount of capital declared in company registration documents.
- Paid-up capital is the amount actually injected into the company bank account.
- For foreign-owned companies, it is recommended to have fully paid-up capital, especially when applying for work permits and licenses.
✅ 5. Why Sufficient Registered Capital is Important?
- Legal compliance with Thai business law and immigration.
- To support work permit and visa applications for foreign directors/employees.
- To show financial credibility and readiness to operate.
- Required for licensing processes such as Foreign Business License (FBL), BOI, and sector-specific permits.
🎯 Summary of Registered Capital Requirements for Foreigners in Thailand
| Purpose / Situation | Recommended Registered Capital |
|---|---|
| Foreign-owned company (general) | Minimum 2 million THB |
| Work permit (per foreign employee) | 2 million THB per foreigner |
| Restricted business under Foreign Business License (FBL) | 3 million THB per business activity |
| BOI-promoted company | As required by BOI project |
💼 How BRW Can Help You Set Up a Properly Capitalized Company in Thailand
At BRW – Boonrawee Co., Ltd., we provide expert consulting to:
- Advise on the appropriate amount of registered capital based on your business needs and goals.
- Structure your company for optimal ownership and compliance.
- Assist with company registration, work permit, and visa applications.
- Handle BOI and FBL applications for businesses requiring special permissions.
📞 Contact BRW today to ensure your business is set up with the right capital and structure for success in Thailand!
