Can a foreigner own 100% of a BOI company?

Yes. For a promoted activity, BOI promotion lets you own the company outright, with no Thai majority shareholder and no nominee. This is the main reason foreign founders choose the BOI route.

Do I need a Thai partner or a nominee shareholder?

No. With BOI promotion you hold the shares yourself. Nominee shareholding, where a Thai holds shares on your behalf, is illegal in Thailand and carries real penalties, so we never recommend it.

What tax benefits does BOI promotion give?

Depending on the activity and category, a BOI company can get a corporate income tax exemption of up to 8 years, and up to 13 years for advanced or targeted activities, against Thailand’s standard 20% corporate rate. Some activities also get a further reduction after the holiday ends.

Does the tax holiday cover all my income?

No. It covers income from the promoted activity only. If you run an unpromoted business through the same company, that income is taxed normally.

What is the minimum capital for a BOI company?

Most projects require a minimum investment of THB1,000,000, excluding the cost of land and working capital, unless a specific activity sets a different figure. Your capital should also match the scale of what you are actually doing.

How long does BOI approval take?

It depends on the size of your investment, counted from when your documents are complete: up to 40 working days for projects worth up to THB200 million, up to 60 working days for THB200 million to THB2 billion, and up to 90 working days for larger projects.

What activities qualify for BOI promotion?

The BOI promotes hundreds of activities grouped into categories, spanning software and digital, manufacturing and export, agriculture and food, services, and regional headquarters, among others. The list changes with government policy, so the first step is checking your specific activity against the current categories.

Does BOI promotion help with work permits and visas?

Yes. Visas and work permits for a BOI company are handled through the BOI One Stop Service Center rather than the usual immigration queues, and promoted companies get a more generous foreign-staff allowance.

How many foreign staff can a BOI company hire?

A standard Thai company must keep four Thai employees for each foreign work permit. BOI promotion relaxes that ratio, so you can hire the specialists you need rather than the number a quota allows.

Can a BOI company own land?

Yes, a BOI company can own land for its promoted activity. That is a right a standard foreign-owned company normally does not have.

What is the Smart Visa or LTR visa?

They are long-stay visa options run through the BOI for qualifying investors and skilled professionals. The Smart Visa allows a stay of up to four years with a work-permit exemption, and the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa offers a longer-term option. Whether you qualify depends on your role and the activity.

BOI company or a regular Thai Limited company: which do I need?

If your activity qualifies and you want full foreign ownership with tax and staffing benefits, BOI is usually the stronger route. A regular Thai Limited company is simpler to form but caps foreign ownership at 49% for most activities. The right answer depends on what you do, which is what our free assessment checks.

What ongoing obligations does a BOI company have?

Promotion comes with conditions you must keep meeting, plus annual BOI reporting on top of normal company accounting and tax filing. Losing track of these is the quiet way companies lose their BOI status, which is why ongoing compliance matters as much as the setup.

How much does it cost to set up a BOI company?

There is no single official price. You budget for company registration, government fees, the professional fees of the firm handling your application, and ongoing accounting and BOI reporting. Firm fees vary widely, which is exactly why comparing them is worth doing before you commit.

What happens if my BOI application is rejected?

A thin or poorly matched application is the usual reason for rejection. A clean application for an activity that genuinely qualifies moves faster and stands a far better chance, which is why the feasibility step matters. If BOI is not the right fit, there are other structures, and we will tell you honestly.

Can I apply for BOI myself, or do I need a firm?

You can apply yourself, but the process, the capital and structure decisions, and the ongoing compliance are detailed and easy to get wrong. Most founders use a firm that has done it many times. BOI Connect matches you with a vetted one and stays your point of contact.

How does BOI Connect make money if the service is free to me?

We may receive a referral fee from the partner firm if you go on to work with them. It never adds to what you pay the firm, and it does not change our commitment to an honest assessment, including telling you when BOI is not right for you.

Is my BOI information kept confidential?

Yes. We only share the details you give us with the vetted firm we match you to, so they can help you. We handle your data under Thailand’s PDPA, as set out in our privacy policy.