BOI Investment Promotion
Application Services
We assist businesses with BOI investment promotion applications, from assessing project eligibility and preparing supporting documents to coordinating submissions and follow-up with the Board of Investment. The promotion certificate grants incentives such as a corporate income tax (CIT) exemption for 3–13 years for Group A activities and an import duty exemption on machinery. The BOI charges no fee for applying for investment promotion and considers applications within 40–90 business days, depending on the size of the investment.
Content reviewed by Surapa Jamjang, Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Last reviewed November 2026
Over 30 Years of Experience
More Than 700 Clients Served
Service fee starting at 150,000 baht
(excluding government fees)
Free pre-filing assessment of your
activity type and incentive group
Obtaining a promotion certificate depends on several factors at once: the activity type chosen, the investment and machinery, which must meet the conditions, and a clear presentation of the project to officials. Greenpro KSP handles BOI applications for both Thai companies and companies with foreign shareholders. We verify which activity type the business falls under and which incentive group it qualifies for, prepare the investment plan and project details, file the application through the e-Investment Promotion system, and prepare executives for the presentation, continuing through to accepting the resolution and requesting issuance of the promotion certificate.
What Incentives Does BOI Promotion Provide, and Which Businesses Can Apply?
The BOI grants promotion on a project basis, for both new projects and expansion projects. Applicants may be either Thai-owned companies or companies with foreign shareholders. The main condition is that the business must fall within the list of activity types announced by the Board of Investment. Each activity type is assigned to an incentive group from A1+ to B, which determines the number of years of tax exemption it receives.
Corporate Income Tax Exemptions by Activity Group
| Activity Group | Corporate Income Tax Exemption | Exemption Cap |
|---|---|---|
|
A1+ |
10–13 years |
No cap |
|
A1 |
8 years |
No cap |
|
A2 |
8 years |
Not exceeding the investment, at the proportion set by the BOI (excluding land cost and working capital) |
|
A3 |
5 years |
Not exceeding the investment, at the proportion set by the BOI (excluding land cost and working capital) |
|
A4 |
3 years |
Not exceeding the investment, at the proportion set by the BOI (excluding land cost and working capital) |
|
B |
No exemption |
– |
All groups, including Group B, receive import duty exemptions on machinery, items imported for research, and raw materials used to produce goods for export, as well as non-tax incentives. The tax exemption period is counted from the date on which the promoted activity first earns revenue, and dividends from the exempted activity need not be included in taxable income throughout that period.
A project may receive additional incentives if it invests in research and development or human resource development, or is located in a target area such as the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the Special Border Economic Zones, and the 20 provinces with low per capita income. Additional incentives by area or measure include, for example, a 50% reduction in corporate income tax, a deduction of 2 times the costs of transportation, electricity and water supply, or a deduction of facility installation costs of up to 25% of the investment.
Non-Tax Incentives
- Ownership of land for use in the promoted activity, with BOI permission
- Bringing in foreign skilled workers and experts to work in positions approved by the BOI
- Bringing in foreign nationals to study investment opportunities
- Remitting foreign currency abroad
- Foreigners may hold a majority or all of the shares in activities in List Two and List Three annexed to the Foreign Business Act
Activity Types Promoted by the BOI: 10 Categories
The list of activity types is divided into 10 categories, and the BOI revises the conditions for individual activity types from time to time, so the latest announcement for the activity type under which you will apply must be verified each time. Examples of activities in each category:
| Category | Example Activity Types |
|---|---|
|
1. Agriculture, food and biotechnology |
Animal feed production, cold storage and cold-chain transportation, biotechnology products |
|
2. Medical |
Pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, healthcare facilities |
|
3. Machinery and automotive |
Manufacturing of machinery and automation systems, automotive parts, electric vehicles |
|
4. Electrical appliances and electronics |
Electronic design, battery manufacturing, telecommunications equipment |
|
5. Metals and materials |
Steel and metal products, glass and ceramics, construction materials |
|
6. Chemicals and petrochemicals |
Chemical products, plastic products and packaging |
|
7. Public utilities |
Electricity generation, tap water production, sorting and processing of discarded materials |
|
8. Digital |
Software and digital platform development, Data Centre, Cloud Service |
|
9. Creative |
Product design, apparel, furniture, Thai film production |
|
10. High-value services |
International business centres, research and development, hotels, smart distribution centres |
Criteria the BOI Uses to Consider Projects
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
|
Minimum investment |
Not less than 1 million baht, excluding land cost and working capital. For knowledge-based activities, it is calculated from annual personnel salaries as set for each activity type. |
|
Measures for SMEs |
Minimum investment of 500,000 baht, Thai nationals holding not less than 51% of the shares, a debt-to-equity ratio not exceeding 4:1, and total company revenue not exceeding 500 million baht per year in the first 3 years. Tax exemption of up to 200% of the investment. |
|
Debt-to-registered-capital ratio |
Not exceeding 3:1 for new projects; expansion projects are considered case by case |
|
Value added |
Not less than 20% of revenue, except agriculture and food activities and electronics and parts activities, which require not less than 10% |
|
Production or service process |
Modern, and of sufficient substance, as approved by the Board |
|
Machinery |
Use new machinery. Used machinery from abroad must meet the conditions on machine age and have a machinery performance certificate. |
|
ISO standards |
Projects with an investment of 10 million baht or more must obtain ISO 9000, ISO 14000 or an equivalent standard within 2 years from the date operations commence. Otherwise, the tax exemption is reduced by 1 year. |
|
Environment |
Adequate measures to prevent impacts, and an environmental impact assessment report if the project is subject to one |
For example, software, digital platform or digital content development activities fall under Group A2 and receive an 8-year tax exemption. The minimum investment is calculated from the salaries of additional Thai IT personnel hired, which must be not less than 1.5 million baht per year. The exemption cap for each year is calculated from expenses actually incurred, such as the salaries of additional Thai IT personnel hired and training costs.
How Much Can Foreigners Hold, and When Is an FBC Required?
For activities in List One annexed to the Foreign Business Act, Thais must collectively hold not less than 51% of the registered capital. For activities in List Two and List Three, the BOI allows foreigners to hold a majority or all of the shares, unless another law specifically provides otherwise. In 2025, approximately 57% of applications for investment promotion were for wholly foreign-owned projects.
A promotion certificate alone is not sufficient for businesses in the Lists annexed to the Act. If foreigners hold 50% or more of the shares and the promoted activity is in List Two or List Three, the company must apply for a Foreign Business Certificate (FBC) before commencing that activity; the law requires the certificate to be issued within 30 days. In 2025, the Department of Business Development (DBD) issued FBCs to 527 companies holding BOI promotion certificates.
An FBC covers only the activities specified in the promotion certificate. If a foreign company will earn income from other businesses in the Lists annexed to the Act, it must apply separately for a Foreign Business Licence (FBL) for that business. If you are unsure which route to use, begin with Company Setup for Foreign Investors.
BOI Application Steps, Documents and Timeline
1.
Verify that the activity type, incentive group, investment, machinery and shareholding structure meet the conditions before filing
2.
File online through the e-Investment Promotion system with supporting documents
Timeframe set by the BOI: Filing date
3.
Executives explain the project details to BOI officials at the BOI office or via video conference
Timeframe set by the BOI: On the date set by the officials
4.
Investment not exceeding 200 million baht: 40 business days · not exceeding 2,000 million baht: 60 business days · over 2,000 million baht: 90 business days
Timeframe set by the BOI: From the date the documents are complete
5.
The BOI notifies the result of its consideration
Timeframe set by the BOI: Within 7 days from the date the meeting minutes are adopted
6.
Accept through the Promotion Certificate system
Timeframe set by the BOI: Within 1 month from the date the resolution notification letter is received; may be extended 3 times, 1 month each time
7.
Submit the certificate request form with company documents and evidence that investment funds were brought in from abroad (if there are foreign shareholders)
Timeframe set by the BOI: Within 6 months from the date the resolution is accepted
8.
The BOI issues the promotion certificate
Timeframe set by the BOI: Within 10 business days from receipt of complete documents
Documents for the Application
- Financial statements for the latest year (if any)
- Background and details of past business operations
- Product photos or catalogues
- Details of the production process or service process
- Details of the main machinery
- Details under the measure for which additional incentives are requested (if any)
- Other documents requested by officials through the e-Investment Promotion system
Documents for Issuance of the Promotion Certificate
- Promotion certificate request form and the form on utility and labour requirements (completed in the system)
- Company affidavit and list of shareholders, certified by the registrar within the past 1 year
- Memorandum of Association for the increase in registered capital (in case of a capital increase)
- Evidence of the transfer of foreign currency into Thailand for the investment (if there are foreign shareholders)
- Other evidence specified in the resolution notification letter
After Receiving the Promotion Certificate
The promotion certificate carries conditions that the company must continue to satisfy throughout the period in which it uses the incentives. The main tasks are as follows:
- Submit project progress reports through the e-Monitoring system every quarter, within 30 days from the end of the quarter, until permission to commence operations is granted
- Submit the annual operating results report every July
- Apply to commence operations for the full project within 36 months from the certificate issue date
- For every accounting period in which the tax exemption is used, apply to use the incentive through the BOI's e-Tax system, with the auditor's opinion, within 120 days from the end of the accounting period
BOI Application Service Fees and Government Fees
The BOI application service fee starts at 150,000 baht, excluding government fees. The total duration of the work is generally 4–6 months, depending on the size of the investment, which determines the BOI’s review period, and on the readiness of the project information. The actual price depends on the activity type and the size of the project.
Excluding government fees
| Government Fees | Rate | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
|
Applying for promotion from the BOI, from filing the application to receiving the certificate |
No fee |
– |
|
Applying for an FBC (only for companies in which foreigners hold 50% or more and whose activity is in List Two or List Three) |
22,000 baht (application fee 2,000 + certificate fee 20,000) |
Department of Business Development |
Case Example: A Software Development Company Seeking 100% Foreign Ownership
A software development company with foreign shareholders wished to allow foreigners to hold 100% of the shares and to obtain a corporate income tax exemption.
We verified that the business fell under an activity type promoted by the BOI, prepared the investment plan, filed the application through the e-Investment Promotion system, and prepared the executives for the project presentation to BOI officials.
The company received a BOI promotion certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions About BOI Applications
How many months does a BOI application take?
The BOI considers applications within 40, 60 or 90 business days, depending on the size of the investment, from the date the documents are complete. After receiving the resolution, you must accept it within 1 month and apply for issuance of the certificate within 6 months, and the BOI issues the certificate within 10 business days once the documents are complete. Greenpro KSP’s BOI application work generally takes 4–6 months in total.
How much does a BOI application cost?
The BOI does not charge a fee for applying for investment promotion. Greenpro KSP’s BOI application service fee starts at 150,000 baht. For a foreign company that must subsequently apply for an FBC, an additional fee of 22,000 baht is payable to the Department of Business Development.
Can small businesses or SMEs apply for BOI promotion, and what is the minimum investment?
Yes, if the business falls within an activity type promoted by the BOI. Generally, the investment must be not less than 1 million baht, excluding land cost and working capital. Under the measures for SMEs, the minimum investment is 500,000 baht, but Thai nationals must hold not less than 51% of the shares and total company revenue must not exceed 500 million baht per year in the first 3 years.
Once promoted by the BOI, how many years of corporate income tax exemption do you receive?
It depends on the group of the activity type. Group A1+ receives 10–13 years, Groups A1 and A2 receive 8 years, Group A3 receives 5 years and Group A4 receives 3 years, while Group B receives no corporate income tax exemption. The period is counted from the date on which the promoted activity first earns revenue, and for Groups A2–A4 the exemption may not exceed the cap based on the investment.
Once promoted by the BOI, can foreigners hold 100% of the shares?
Yes, except for activities in List One annexed to the Foreign Business Act and projects under the measures for SMEs, which require Thais to hold not less than 51% of the shares, as well as activities for which another law or the BOI sets a specific shareholding proportion. If the promoted activity is in List Two or List Three, a company in which foreigners hold 50% or more must apply for an FBC before commencing that activity.
Can we file a BOI application ourselves?
Yes. A company may file on its own through the e-Investment Promotion system at no fee. Engaging a consultant does not shorten the BOI’s review period, but it helps you select the appropriate activity type, prepare complete project details and documents from the first submission, and prepare executives before the presentation.
Can a company that is already operating apply for BOI promotion?
Yes, if it is a new project or an expansion project in a promoted activity type. Tax incentives apply only to income from the promoted project, and the company must therefore keep the revenue and expenses of that project in accounts separate from those of its existing business.
What reports are required after obtaining BOI promotion?
Before commencing operations, you must submit project progress reports through the e-Monitoring system every quarter, within 30 days from the end of the quarter, and an annual operating results report every July. After commencing operations, only the annual results report is required. If reports are not submitted on time, the BOI will suspend the incentives under the promotion certificate.
How does a BOI application differ from an FBL application?
A BOI application seeks investment promotion, which grants tax and other incentives according to the activity type, whereas an FBL is a licence that allows foreigners to operate a business in List Two or List Three and carries no tax incentives. If the activity qualifies for BOI promotion, a foreign company applies for an FBC after receiving the certificate, instead of applying for an FBL for the promoted activity.
Related Services
Services You May Need Next
BOI Post-Approval Compliance and Reporting Services
e-Monitoring reports · Tax incentive claims
Send Us Your Project Details for a Free Pre-Application Assessment
Please inform us of your type of product or service, the estimated investment, the project location, and the proportion of Thai and foreign shareholders. Our registration team will reply with the activity type under which the project is likely to fall, the incentive group it would receive, which documents you must prepare, and the estimated service fee.
Address: 43 Thai CC Tower, 11th Floor, Room 111, South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Phone: 094 864 9799
LINE Official Account: @greenproksp
E-mail: surapa@greenproksp.com