Best Business Visa Lawyers in Bang Khun Thian

About Business Visa Law in Bang Khun Thian, Thailand

A Business Visa in Thailand is typically the Non-Immigrant B visa, used by foreign nationals who plan to work, manage, or conduct business activities in the country. Bang Khun Thian is a district in Bangkok, so local applicants and companies follow national immigration and labor rules, with applications processed at Bangkok immigration and labor offices. A Non-Immigrant B visa alone does not authorize work. To legally perform work in Thailand you need both a valid Non-Immigrant B visa or permitted status and a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour. Some applicants may qualify for special categories such as the SMART Visa or Board of Investment supported routes, which have different requirements and benefits.

Most people secure a Non-Immigrant B visa from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad using company sponsorship documents. After entering Thailand, they apply for a work permit and then extend their stay for up to one year based on employment. Ongoing compliance includes 90-day address reporting, re-entry permits if traveling, and employer tax and social security filings.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Thai business immigration rules are document intensive and time sensitive. A lawyer or licensed immigration professional can help you choose the correct path, avoid refusals, and coordinate between immigration and labor authorities. Common situations where legal help is valuable include first-time company sponsorship for a foreign hire in Bang Khun Thian, founders setting up a Thai company to sponsor themselves, change of employer or job title that triggers new work permit and visa steps, converting from another status inside Thailand when timing is tight, BOI or SMART Visa eligibility analysis for tech, manufacturing, or startup roles, short-term urgent work notifications for technicians or specialists, handling dependents for school enrollment and local registrations, responding to compliance checks or notices about TM30 address reporting and 90-day reporting, and solving gaps in company eligibility such as capital, Thai staff counts, or tax filings.

Local Laws Overview

Visa category and purpose. The standard route is Non-Immigrant B for employment, business meetings, or company management. Work requires a work permit. Certain specialized applicants may use the SMART Visa, which can remove the work permit requirement and allow longer stays, if they meet strict criteria in targeted industries.

Work permit requirement. The Department of Employment issues work permits. A Non-Immigrant B visa alone does not authorize work. Employers and employees are both responsible for compliance. Working without a permit can lead to fines and other penalties for both the foreigner and the company.

Company eligibility. For a typical non-BOI company to sponsor a foreign employee, authorities commonly expect adequate paid-up capital, a minimum number of Thai employees, active operations, and regular tax and social security filings. Exact thresholds and evidence can vary by case. BOI-promoted companies follow BOI rules and can use a streamlined one-stop process.

Restricted occupations. Thai law reserves some occupations for Thai nationals. Foreigners cannot work in certain roles such as many forms of manual labor, some service roles, and legal services that require Thai licensing. Always verify whether your job description is permitted.

Document legalization. Foreign academic or corporate documents used for a visa or work permit often need translation into Thai and legalization or authentication before submission.

90-day reporting and TM30. If you stay in Thailand long term you must report your current address to immigration every 90 days. Landlords or property owners must file a TM30 notification of your stay. Missing reports can cause fines and affect future applications.

Re-entry permits. If you hold an extension of stay based on employment and leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your extension will be canceled on departure. Obtain a single or multiple re-entry permit before traveling.

Bangkok jurisdiction. Applicants living or working in Bang Khun Thian will typically process immigration matters at Immigration Bureau offices serving Bangkok and labor matters at Bangkok area employment offices. Processing locations and queues can change, so verify before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Business Visa and a work permit in Thailand

The Non-Immigrant B visa is your immigration status allowing you to enter and remain in Thailand for business or employment purposes. The work permit is a separate authorization from the Ministry of Labour that allows you to perform work. Most employment requires both.

Can I attend meetings in Bang Khun Thian without a work permit

Short, unpaid business meetings are sometimes allowed for visitors, but if you are performing work or providing services you generally need a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit. When in doubt, use the correct visa and permit to avoid penalties.

Can I convert to a Non-Immigrant B inside Thailand

In some cases yes, you can apply to change status in-country if you qualify and your timing and documents align. Approval is discretionary. Many applicants still obtain the initial Non-Immigrant B from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.

How long does the process take

A typical sequence is pre-approval and document gathering, embassy visa processing, arrival, work permit issuance, and one-year extension of stay. Timelines vary, but many cases take several weeks from start to finish. Complex or new-company cases can take longer.

What company documents are usually required to sponsor me

Common items include company registration certificates, shareholder list, VAT registration if applicable, recent corporate tax and withholding filings, social security records, financial statements, organization chart, and an employment contract. Requirements vary by office and case.

Do salary thresholds apply

Thailand uses minimum salary benchmarks for foreign employees that can vary by nationality and job type. Your employer should align payroll and tax withholding accordingly. A lawyer can confirm the current thresholds for your situation.

Can my family come with me

Spouses and children can often obtain Non-Immigrant O dependent visas based on your status. They may study in Thailand. To work, a spouse typically needs their own Non-Immigrant B and work permit unless covered by a category that permits work.

What if I change employers

You must obtain a new work permit tied to the new employer and update your visa extension accordingly. You cannot legally work for a different employer under an old work permit. Plan the transition to avoid gaps in status.

What is 90-day reporting and TM30

Every 90 days of continuous stay, you must report your current address to immigration. Separately, your landlord or property owner must file a TM30 notification when you first stay at a Thai address or when you change addresses. Non-compliance can result in fines.

What is the SMART Visa and is it better than a Non-Immigrant B

The SMART Visa is for highly skilled professionals, investors, executives, and startup founders in targeted industries. It can offer up to four years of stay and remove the work permit requirement. Eligibility is strict. If you do not meet SMART criteria, the standard Non-Immigrant B plus work permit route is typical.

Additional Resources

Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country for initial visa applications and guidance on required documents.

Immigration Bureau in Bangkok for extensions of stay, 90-day reporting, re-entry permits, and address notifications.

Ministry of Labour and Department of Employment for work permit applications and urgent work notifications.

Thailand Board of Investment for BOI-promoted companies and the one-stop visa and work permit service for eligible businesses.

Revenue Department for employer tax registration and ongoing filings that support visa extensions.

Social Security Office for employee registration and monthly contributions required for most sponsoring employers.

Department of Business Development for company registration and corporate filings used in sponsor documentation.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration district offices for general local registrations and certificates that may support applications.

Next Steps

Clarify your purpose. Decide whether you will be employed by an existing company in Bang Khun Thian, start your own Thai company, or qualify for a special category such as SMART or BOI sponsored employment.

Map your timeline. If you are outside Thailand, plan for embassy processing times. If you are inside Thailand, confirm whether a change of status is possible before your current permission to stay expires.

Gather documents. Prepare your passport, resume, degree certificates, professional licenses, and reference letters. Ask the employer to assemble company registration papers, tax filings, and social security records. Arrange translations and legalization where needed.

Consult a lawyer. A local practitioner familiar with Bangkok procedures can review eligibility, draft compliant job descriptions, confirm salary benchmarks, and coordinate the work permit and visa extension steps to avoid gaps.

File in sequence. Secure any pre-approvals for the work permit, obtain the Non-Immigrant B visa, enter Thailand, apply for the work permit, and then apply for the extension of stay based on employment. Obtain a re-entry permit before any travel.

Stay compliant. Mark calendar reminders for 90-day reporting, renewals, and corporate filings. Keep TM30 and address details updated. If you change employer, role, or address, seek advice before making the change to protect your status.

Important note. This guide provides general information only. Immigration and labor rules can change and individual cases vary. Always confirm current requirements with qualified counsel or the competent Thai authorities before taking action.