How to Apply for a Thai Non-Immigrant B Visa in KL, Malaysia

Applying for a Thai Non-B visa in KL is now fully online through the e-Visa portal. Here is how the process works, what it costs, and how long the wait really takes.

If you live in Thailand and currently hold a long-term visa such as a Non-Immigrant O visa for marriage, volunteering, O, OA, or OX for retirement, or ED visa for education, and you are planning to apply for a non-Immigrant B (Non-B) visa to work in Thailand then there is a good chance you will have to leave Thailand to apply for your new visa. 

In theory, you can do this in any country outside of Thailand, but some countries are easier because there is less paperwork, some are cheaper to visit, and some are just more fun.

Overall, Kuala Lumpur is a great choice for your Thai visa application for many reasons. 

Before you start: Thailand’s visa rules change often. Always confirm the current steps, fees, and documents on the official Thai e-Visa portal before you travel. Book a flexible or refundable flight and do not plan a tight return. Your approval now arrives by email, and the timing is hard to predict.

Why Choose KL for a Visa Run? 

Each country has slightly different paperwork requirements for visa applications.

Here are my main reasons for choosing KL to do my visa application:

• Less Paperwork: My first choice was Singapore as I have friends there and would be able to visit them and stay at their home, forgoing the need for a hotel. My HR and visa agent looked into it for me, but the conclusion was that there was a lot more paperwork involved for a Singapore application. 
• Fewer Applicants: I have previously been to Vientiane, Laos, to apply for an ED visa. I liked visiting the city but the situation is much more hectic and stressful. There were hundreds of applicants, the process took a long time, and I felt quite targeted by freelance agents who try to make money outside the embassy, charging people for paperwork checks and other services. 
• Smooth Process: The KL process is clear and easy to follow. Everything is now done through the online e-Visa portal, so there is no queuing at the embassy. You upload your documents, pay online, then wait for the approval email. 
• Great City: KL is only a 2-hour flight from Bangkok. The city is very safe, clean, very organised, Grab is super efficient there, and it’s just a fun place to visit. I love the Malaysian food, the super friendly people, not feeling like a tourist target for scams, and that everyone there speaks English. Malaysia, and KL in particular, is a joy. 
• Affordable: KL is also very affordable. I found hotels to be about half the price of Bangkok accommodation for the same quality. A grab ride 58 km from the airport to Sentral is 65 Ringgit (500 THB). There is also a great bus system; the Red Skybus to/from the airport is only 11 Ringgit (85 THB). Most Grab rides within a few km are 6 to 10 Ringgit. I never worried about being scammed by a driver. 
• Food: The price of food in KL is very similar to Bangkok. You can eat cheap delicious local meals for 10-20 Ringgit (80-160 THB). Or you can splurge on all the international cuisine you can dream of for a bit more than that.
• Good Transportation: The LRT, MRT, Monorail Lines & BRT Subway Lines​ are all integrated as one system called Rapid KL with “MyRapid” passes available at all train stations and major bus and light rail stops. You can even get a 1-3 day unlimited transport “MyCity Pass” for 55 Ringgit for 3 days. 

Steps Overview

Here is the timeline of events for changing your visa to legally work in Thailand.

The KL process used to take just two days in person. It is now fully online. You apply through the e-Visa portal once you are in Malaysia, then wait for your approval to arrive by email. The embassy lists around 7 working days, but a Non-B can take longer, so do not book a tight return flight. This timeline starts only after your employer has all your paperwork in order, and it does not include the work permit steps that come later. 

1. New company prepares paperwork for application
2. Agent cancels your current visa 
3. Fly out of Thailand before midnight the day of the cancellation 
4. Apply online through the Thai e-Visa portal once you are in Malaysia, uploading proof that you are there
5. Wait in KL for your approval email
6. Print the approved e-Visa and fly back to Thailand, where you are stamped in as a Non-B visa holder
7. Apply for a work permit at the Ministry of Labour

Please note that all of this advice only applies to people who are permitted to apply for a next-day visa. There is a list of 60+ countries including China, many African nations, South Asian, and Middle Eastern countries which can take up to 45 days for the application if you are not a long-term resident of Malaysia.

Now learn more details about this process and make sure you have great support from your employer to get you through it. 

Visa Process Estimated Costs

This is not a cheap process. It is best if you negotiate with your employer to have some of these costs covered by your new company in your work contract. 

Of course, you can make it cheaper by staying in a hostel, taking buses to and from airports, and only eating microwaved ramen while in KL, but we have provided a budget for someone who wants to have a smooth and pleasant trip and maybe even a bit of fun. 

• Cancellation of old visa: 2000 THB
• Return flights to Malaysia: 4000 THB
• Hotel while you wait for approval: 3500 THB and up, since you may need several nights while the visa is processed 
• Taxi or Grab fees to and from both airports: 2000 THB 
• Non-B visa fee: 2500 THB 
• Spending money in KL: 3000 THB 
• Medical Check Certificate for Work Permit: 500 THB 
• Work Permit application 2000 – 5000 THB
• Total: Up to 22,500 THB.  

Learn more: 

• Non-Immigrant Visas to Thailand: an In-Depth Guide
• An Expat’s Guide to Business and Work Visas in Thailand

Get Your Paperwork in Order 

If you are applying for a Non-Immigration B Visa for work along with a work permit for Thailand, then that means you have already secured a job and your company is supporting you in this application. 

Your HR person – or the agent your company hires to assist with the process – will help you navigate the very bureaucratic and tedious process of gathering all the correct paperwork for your application. 

It is imperative that a competent and experienced local Thai person is handling this. If there is even the tiniest mistake in your paperwork, then you are in trouble, you will be entering Thailand as a tourist and starting the process all over again. Get it right to avoid expensive mistakes. 

List of paperwork needed for the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur

Here is the most recent list of requirements at the time of writing. 

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Required Documents

• Completed visa application form (download from the website here) 
• Original passport with at least 6-months validity and 2 blank visa pages
• One copy of the passport photo page
• One recent passport-size photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm) with white or blue background
• A copy of your work permit in Thailand (if you previously had one) 
• Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour of Thailand or Form WP.32 (บต.32)
• Letter from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) (if applicable) 
• Job offer letter
• A copy of your company’s registration and business license with registered capital of at least THB 2 million
• A copy of your company’s list of shareholders
• A copy of latest balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (ภ.ง.ด.50 and ภ.พ.30)
• A copy of the company’s value-added tax (VAT) registration (ภ.พ. 20)

However, before you go there, you still should check the website of the Royal Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur for more info or email them to ask specific questions: [email protected] 

Other Information: 

• The fee for the Non-B visa is RM 320 (2,500 THB) for a single-entry visa. As of 2026, you need to pay this exact amount through the eVisa system.
• Even if you write multiple-entry on the form, they will only give you a single entry visa. You can apply for multiple entries in Thailand later. 
• The fee is exempt for nationals of Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Tunisia.
• This visa is valid for a single entry into Thailand and must be used within 90 days from the issuance date.
• Upon arrival, you will be granted an initial permit to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. 
• Within 90 days after entry into Thailand, you must obtain a work permit from the Department of Employment. Your employer should guide you through that process. 
• With the work permit, you can apply for an extension of stay up to 1-year with multiple entries from the immigration bureau. 
• Additional documents may be required as deemed necessary by the Royal Thai Embassy.
• If they reject the application, the fee is non-refundable. 
• You need the name, number, and address of a local guarantor in Thailand. It is recommended to take a copy of the ID card of the owner of your company and that person’s information for the application form.

Plan Together: Cancellation, Flight, and Online Application 

Now that your paperwork is all in order, you need to start the logistics planning. The timing here is super important, double and triple-check your timeline to make sure nothing is overlooked.

The following three things should be booked together. 

Canceling Your Existing Visa

First, ensure the day that your existing visa will be canceled. Everything hinges on this day. 

Your visa agent or HR from the company who provided your previous visa needs to go to immigration (Chaengwattana in Bangkok) to cancel your existing visa. 

You can hire your own agent, but they will need to work with someone. For example, if you are a Non-Imm O spouse, then your husband/wife’s HR person should help. If you are an ED visa holder, then your school’s student liaison should help. 

You can also do this yourself. You need to get specific paperwork from the immigration bureau.

But for about 2000 THB, we feel it’s worth it to pay someone to do this for you to avoid spending the whole day in a government building and navigating that process alone.

The visa holder does not need to be present at immigration for the cancellation.  

Note: After you cancel your visa, you need to leave Thailand that same night. If you need more time, you can pay THB1,900 and get an extension of stay immediately after you cancel the visa. It gives you 7 to 14 more days in Thailand.

Apply Online Through the e-Visa Portal

This is the big change. The embassy in KL no longer takes visa applications in person. You now apply online through Thailand’s official e-Visa portal. There is no appointment to book and no passport to drop off. 

You must be outside Thailand when you apply. The portal asks for your current location and makes you upload proof that you are in Malaysia. This can be your passport entry stamp or your boarding pass. If you apply from inside Thailand, they reject the application and the fee is not refunded. 

On the first page you pick your passport country, set your current location to Malaysia, and choose the Thai mission to apply at, which is the embassy in KL or the consulate in Penang. Then you set the visa type to Non-Immigrant, the purpose of visit to Employment, and the number of entries to single.

You pay the fee online through the portal. There is no cash counter anymore. The Non-B fee is RM 320 (about 2,500 THB) for a single entry.

Tip: Create your e-Visa account and build a draft application before you fly. You can save it and upload every document except the proof of location in advance. Then, the moment you land in KL, you just add your entry proof, submit, and pay. The Non-B has a few sub-types, so your exact document list can vary with your job. 

Watch out for public holidays, as they add days to your processing time. The embassy observes both the Thai and the Malaysian holiday calendars, so a long weekend on either side can slow down your approval. 

Book Your Flights 

Knowing that the old visa cancellation process can sometimes take all day, you have to book a flight out of Thailand for that same night. Get the latest flight possible since you can’t rely on the visa cancellation happening before 5pm. 

Note: It is a good idea to buy your return flight as sometimes airport immigration can ask for your flight ticket out of Malaysia. But you might want to book a refundable or flexible flight in case you need to delay your departure. 

Once they have canceled your old visa, you need to get your passport and run to the airport. You must leave Thailand before midnight on the day your visa is canceled. If not, you are technically overstaying, and you will meet issues at immigration at the airport and likely be asked to pay a 500 THB fine. 

No one wants overstays on their record which might affect your ability to stay in Thailand in the future. While it’s not the end of the world, it’s best to avoid this if possible. 

For your return flight, do not book a fixed date close to your application. You do not know exactly when the approval email will land, so a flexible or refundable ticket saves you money and stress if the wait runs long. 

Timeline Example: Cancel your old visa Monday and fly to KL Monday night. Apply online Tuesday, once you are in KL and can upload your proof of location. Then you wait for the approval email. It may arrive a few days later, or it may take longer for a Non-B. Fly back to Thailand once it lands. 

Because you cannot predict the exact approval day, keep your return ticket flexible and give yourself a few spare days in KL.  

Waiting for Your Approval

After you submit, there is no appointment, no queue, and no counter to visit. The embassy holds nothing of yours. You simply wait for the approval email.

Expats who have used the new online system say the timing is the unpredictable part. One teacher applying in 2026 was told by their school it would take three days, but was still waiting on day five with a return flight coming up. The school had filed the whole application online, and all they could do was sit in KL and wait.

Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur

• Address: 206, Jln Ampang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Phone: +60 3-2148 8222
• Website: kualalumpur.thaiembassy.org
• Map Link

How Long It Takes

The embassy in KL lists around 7 working days to process a visa. Nearby Thai missions often quote a longer 15 working days, so KL is still one of the faster options. Even so, a Non-B is heavier on paperwork than a tourist visa, so it can run longer than the headline number.

Most delays are on your side, not the embassy’s. A blurry document scan or a payment that has not cleared can hold up the review. Upload clean, clear scans, and check that your fee payment went through. Your application does not start counting until the payment clears.

When Your Visa Is Approved

When your visa is approved, you get an email with the e-Visa attached. Print it out. There is no sticker in your passport and nothing to collect in person.

You show the printed e-Visa to your airline and to Thai immigration when you fly back. They stamp you in on arrival as a Non-B visa holder. Keep a copy on your phone as a backup.

Note: Do not nip back to Thailand while you wait. You would have to re-enter on the printed e-Visa from outside Thailand, and immigration can question mismatched entry and exit stamps. It is cleaner to stay in KL until the email lands.

Once the email arrives, you are done with the visa part. Book your flight back to Thailand, or stay on and enjoy KL for a few more days. The work permit steps happen back in Thailand, with your employer’s help.

Top Tips for a KL Thai Visa Application Trip 

While we know this trip is strictly business, you can definitely use the opportunity to enjoy a few days in a different country. 

Use Grab 

The same Grab app you use in Thailand will work in KL. This is great news as it is the most common way to navigate the city. The airport train from KLIA to Sentral is 55 Ringgit and a private Grab car is 65 Ringgit. So it really is the preferred option for locals. 

Get a Decent Hotel 

You may be in KL for several days while you wait for your approval, so pick somewhere comfortable. There are some great bargain options in the area. 

A personal recommendation is MiCasa All Suite Hotel. This writer had a most wonderful stay there. They have a gorgeous pool, and the rooms are huge, luxurious, and come with a full kitchen.

It was only 1700 THB per night. It is a short walk to a mini-mall called The Linc which had good dining options and a supermarket. 

A Good Spot to Sit and Work

If you want to get out of your hotel while you wait for your approval, a good spot a short walk from the Thai Embassy is a supermarket called The Food Merchant at Pavilion Embassy. They have a small cafe inside the market and a selection of outdoor coffee shops and food stalls where you can sit, use the wifi, even charge devices. 

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Explore Kuala Lumpur 

Since you are there anyway, and your passport is safely with the Thai embassy, you might as well explore the wonderful city of KL and make the most of your trip to this great country. 

This writer strongly suggests eating unique and magical Malaysian roti. Something that is shockingly hard to find in neighboring Thailand. Nearby the Thai Embassy is the famous Valentine Roti where you can get the classic Roti Chenai for only 2 Ringgit, or the incredible Roti Murtabak Kambing which is stuffed full of tender stewed goat! 

You should also go on a hunt for street art, do some souvenir shopping at Petaling Market, or get your photo taken with the world’s tallest twin structures, the Petronas Twin Towers. 

Other Visas You Can Get in KL

The full list of the types of visa you can apply for is on the embassy website here. Those include tourism visas for a maximum of 60 days (if you require more than the 30 days you are given if you do not get a visa before entering Thailand), diplomatic and official visas, transit visas, and all of the non-immigrant visas (B, ED, M, O) for long-stay. 

Learn More: 

• Find Out All Available Options on Thailand Long-Term Visas
• Thailand LTR Visa Review: Requirements and How to Get It 

Now, on to You 

Applying for a non-immigrant B visa for Thailand in Kuala Lumpur has never been easier. By applying online and giving yourself enough time for the approval to come through, you can keep the process smooth and low-stress. 

The most important thing is that your new employer is supporting you fully, triple-checking all paperwork, and hopefully providing financial support as well.