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Thailand Online Business License Portal: What It Covers
The Online Business License (OBL) portal at biz.go.th consolidates ~100 business-license applications across multiple ministries into a single-window service. This guide explains scope and how foreigners use it.
TL;DR
The Online Business License (OBL) portal at biz.go.th is Thailand's single-window business-licence platform jointly operated by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) and partner ministries. Around 100 different licences across DBD, MOPH (FDA), Customs, Labour, and others are accessible via the portal. Foreign-invested entities can apply once a Thai-incorporated entity (and tax ID) is in place.
Covered Licences (Indicative)
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Business registration | Limited company, partnership, sole proprietor |
| FDA-Thai | Food, drug, cosmetic, medical device, food supplement |
| Labour | Work permit (WP.3), foreign-worker quota |
| Customs | Import / export licences, paperless customs |
| Sector-specific | Restaurant, hotel, travel agent, beauty |
How to Use
- Register account at biz.go.th with Thai national ID (or corporate cert-based login).
- Select licence type.
- Upload required documents per checklist.
- Pay government fees online.
- Track status; download issued licence.
Foreigner Notes
- Foreign individuals need a Thai tax-ID or be the authorised director of a Thai company.
- Documents in English commonly need certified Thai translation.
- Some licences still require in-person follow-up (FDA inspections, fire safety).
Common Mistakes
- Starting on biz.go.th before company registration is finalised at DBD.
- Skipping the FBL (Foreign Business Licence) step where applicable.
- Mixing personal and corporate logins.
FAQs
1. Can I do FDA without the portal?
Paper / in-person remains an option for FDA but the portal is faster.
What You Can Do Online
Thailand has steadily digitised business licensing. The Department of Business Development (DBD) offers e-Registration for incorporating a company and filing changes, and the government's single-window BizPortal aggregates a range of permits and registrations so a new business can apply for several licences in one place rather than agency by agency. Typical items handled online or partly online include company registration, VAT/tax registration with the Revenue Department, and social security registration — with the portal routing each application to the responsible agency.
Where Paper Still Matters
Coverage is not universal. Sector-specific and higher-risk licences — for example certain FDA product registrations, or activities under specialised regulators — may still require paper filing or in-person steps, and some applications need a Thai national or authorised representative and a digital certificate to submit. The portal speeds up the common company-formation and tax-registration path, but businesses in regulated sectors should confirm the specific licence route rather than assume everything is online. Keep the digital certificate/credentials secure, as they authorise binding filings.
2. Do I still need a company seal or physical documents?
Many filings are now electronic, but certain documents (for example notarised or witnessed items, and some sector applications) may still be required in hard copy — check the specific agency's current requirement before filing.
Related Reading
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Anglo Siam Legal provides experienced legal services across Thailand for both Thai nationals and foreigners.
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