Short answer: foreign artists, touring crews and production specialists who come to Thailand for a show, festival or event lasting up to 15 days can work legally with an Urgent Work Permit (also called a Temporary Work Permit). It is a notification of necessary or urgent work under Section 61 of the Royal Ordinance on the Management of Foreign Workers’ Employment B.E. 2560 (2017), filed with Thailand’s Department of Employment and confirmed by Form WP.36 (บต.36). Nothing has to be obtained before arrival: each person enters Thailand on any visa or visa exemption, sends a photo of their entry stamp, and the permit is issued within one full working day.
Key facts at a glance
- Official name
- Notification of work that is necessary, urgent or ad hoc Section 61
- Confirmation document
- Form WP.36 (บต.36) Receipt confirmation of the notification
- Filed on
- Form BT.34 (บต.34) With the Department of Employment
- Who files
- A Thai employer or its authorised representative
- Maximum duration
- 15 days
- Processing time
- One full working day
- Visa needed in advance
- No special work visa Entry on any visa or visa exemption
- When filing can start
- Only after the person is physically in Thailand
- Who it suits
- Artists, musicians, DJs, comedians, touring crew, technicians, production specialists
- Role on the permit
- Stated individually for each person E.g. vocalist, guitar technician, lighting operator
Who needs an Urgent Work Permit
In Thailand, performing on stage or doing technical work at an event is work, even if it lasts one evening and even if the person is paid abroad. Working without permission exposes both the foreign worker and the organiser to penalties and can lead to deportation.
The Urgent Work Permit is designed for short, time-bound jobs. For the live entertainment industry it typically covers:
Artists, bands and DJs
Headline and supporting artists, bands and DJs.
Comedians and hosts
Stand-up comedians and hosts.
The artist's own team
Tour manager, backline and guitar technicians, monitor and FOH engineers, lighting and video operators, stage managers.
Production specialists
Specialists who install, operate or dismantle show-specific equipment alongside local crews.
The same route applies to artists and crew. The difference is only the role written on each person’s WP.36.
Legal basis
The permit is based on Section 61 of the Royal Ordinance on the Management of Foreign Workers’ Employment B.E. 2560 (2017).
The notification is filed on Form BT.34. The Department of Employment issues a receipt confirmation on Form WP.36 (บต.36). This confirmation is the document the person carries while working.
Since late 2025 the Department of Employment also accepts these notifications through its online e-Work Permit system (eworkpermit.doe.go.th).
Step-by-step process
Ten steps in three phases. The first phase happens before anyone flies; the filing itself can only start at the border.
Phase 1
Before arrival
The promoter and the Thai company prepare everything in advance.
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Agreement with a Thai company
The filing is made by a Thai employer. For touring productions this is usually a local partner company that signs a short cooperation agreement with the promoter and acts as the local management partner for the visiting team.
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Participant list
The promoter sends the full list of participants: full name exactly as in the passport, passport number, nationality and role in the team. Arrival dates help plan the filing.
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Nationality check
The local partner checks that every nationality on the list can enter Thailand under visa exemption, or flags who needs a visa.
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Passport copies
The first (photo) page of each passport.
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Document preparation
The Thai company prepares an employment contract for each person and the filing pack. Most of the paperwork is done locally, without the artists' involvement.
Phase 2
Arrival day
Entry, stamp photo and filing — all on the same day.
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Arrival in Thailand
Each person enters on any visa or visa exemption and completes the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before travelling.
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The trigger
Entry-stamp photo
Right after crossing the border, each person takes a clear photo or scan of the passport page with the Thai entry stamp and sends it to the local partner. The filing can only be submitted after this photo is received.
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Filing
The notification is filed with the Department of Employment the same day.
Phase 3
After filing
One full working day to the permit.
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Permit issued
The WP.36 is issued after one full working day, with the person's role stated on it.
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Work
The person works only in the stated role and within the 15-day validity.
Documents checklist
01
From the promoter or organiser
Before arrival
- Company details for the cooperation agreement: full registered name, registered address, registration number, name and title of the signatory.
- Participant table: full name as in passport, passport number, nationality, role in the team, arrival date.
02
From each participant
Before and right after arrival
- First (photo) page of the passport — before arrival.
- Clear photo or scan of the passport page with the Thai entry stamp — right after arrival.
03
Prepared by the Thai company
Done locally
- Employment contract for each person.
- Form BT.34 notification and supporting company documents.
Timeline example: a Saturday show
Team lands and sends entry-stamp photos. Filing the same day.
WP.36 permits issued.
Everyone works in the role stated on their permit.
Still within the 15-day validity.
Common mistakes
Arriving on show day
The permit cannot be filed before the person is in Thailand, and it takes a working day to issue.
Forgetting the entry-stamp photo
Without it the filing cannot be submitted.
Names that do not match the passport
Use the name exactly as printed in the passport.
Crew left off the list
Technicians and tour staff need permits too, not only the artists.
Working outside the stated role or dates
The permit covers the role and period written on it.
Starting too late
The agreement, list and passport pages should be ready well before arrival.
How SROAST helps
SROAST Entertainment handles Urgent Work Permits for touring artists and production teams across Thailand, working through our Thai partner company. We check nationalities, prepare all employment contracts and filing documents, file on arrival day and deliver the WP.36 permits, so the team can focus on the show. A dedicated case manager runs each case from the first email to the permits in hand.
Frequently asked
01Do artists need a special visa to perform in Thailand for one show?
No special work visa is needed for an Urgent Work Permit. Entry can be under any visa or under visa exemption. What is required is the work permission itself, the WP.36.02Can the permit be obtained before arrival?
No. The process can only start once the person is physically in Thailand and has an entry stamp.03How long does it take?
One full working day after filing, provided all documents are in order.04How long is it valid?
Up to 15 days. Under rules published in 2018 it can be extended in some cases, but extensions must be requested before it expires.05Do the artists need to visit a government office?
The filing is handled by the Thai company. The participants need to be in Thailand and send their entry-stamp photos.06Does the same process apply to the crew?
Yes. Artists and crew use the same route; only the role on the WP.36 differs.07Is TDAC the same as a visa?
No. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a free online arrival form that all foreign visitors complete within 72 hours before arrival. It does not replace a visa or a work permit.
Citations
- 01LawRoyal Ordinance Concerning the Management of Foreign Workers' Employment B.E. 2560 (ILO NATLEX) ↗
- 02PressUrgent Work Permit applications via e-Work Permit — PKF Thailand ↗
- 03PressAuthorities issue rules on extending urgent work permits — BAL ↗
- 04PressOn the temporary work permits in Thailand — Herrera & Partners ↗
- 05RefThailand Digital Arrival Card — Wikipedia ↗