If you are interested in Thai company registration and wish to own more than 50% of the shares, it is necessary to invest in a Foreign Business License. The foreign business license is not popular with foreign investors. According to the Thai authorities, approximately 80% of foreign companies that apply for this license receive it. However, it should be noted that since the introduction of the Foreign Business Act, few companies have bothered to take on an application. Why? Because it is known to be an extremely long and arduous process. However, if you find the ideal legal team, you can speed up your Thai company registration process AND possibly gain a foreign business license.

How Do You Obtain The License?

Gaining the license could make the Thai company registration process easier but getting it is no easy task unless you hire the services of a top notch legal team. For starters, you need to convince Thai authorities that your proposed business couldn’t be carried out competently by a company that is owned by a Thai majority, that the business does not pose a threat to national security or stability and that it is beneficial to the Thai economy.

If you think carefully, the difficulties of proving all of the above are glaringly obvious. The most blatant culprit is the first issue: How can you prove that a bar or restaurant business can’t be competently managed by a majority Thai owned company? Simple answer, you can’t!

The Process

Unlike the Thai company registration process, obtaining the license seems simple in theory. All you have to do is send your application to the Ministry of Commerce before you start up your business. The Foreign Business Committee reviews the application and must make a decision within 60 days. However, the application itself is very complex and could take months to figure out. Assuming you file under your foreign company’s name, you need to have corporate documents certified by the local foreign minister, the Thai embassy and a public notary. In most cases, you are better off beginning the Thai company registration process as a Thai company and allow that company to fill in the application.

Rejection Or Acceptance

If you application is rejected, the Foreign Business Committee will inform you in writing within 15 days of their decision. This letter will explain the reason(s) for your rejection. You can appeal within 30 days of receiving the written notice. If your application is accepted, it will be subject to certain conditions including the minimum capital requirement and number of foreign directors who can reside in the country. Under the license, your business needs initial capital of at least 3 million baht or 25% of the annual spending projection over a 3 year period with the larger figure taken into account.

Are the rules of foreign business license and Thai company registration getting you down? If so, simply contact a Thai legal team as they successfully bypass all this legal tape and get you started.