Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Bueng Kum

About Dependent Visa Law in Bueng Kum, Thailand

A dependent visa in Thailand allows eligible family members to live in the country based on their relationship to a principal visa holder or a Thai national. In practice, dependents commonly enter and stay under the Non-Immigrant O category. Typical dependents include a legally married spouse and unmarried children under a certain age threshold, often under 20, though specific age limits and conditions can vary by the principal holder’s status and the issuing Thai embassy or consulate.

Bueng Kum is a district within Bangkok, so applications and extensions are generally handled by Immigration Division 1 at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, which serves Bangkok residents. The exact documents, fees, and procedures depend on the type of principal visa involved, such as Non-Immigrant B for employment, ED for education, O-A long-stay retirement, or the situation of being married to a Thai national. While initial visas are often issued by Thai embassies or consulates abroad, long-stay extensions of stay and ongoing compliance are managed inside Thailand by the Immigration Bureau.

Immigration rules are detailed and change from time to time. Applicants should prepare for document legalization and translation requirements, relationship verification, and proof that the family can be supported in Thailand. A local lawyer can help navigate these steps efficiently.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many families manage a dependent visa on their own, but legal assistance can be valuable in several situations. If you are unsure which visa pathway fits your family, a lawyer can assess eligibility and map out the best route. Where past overstays, late 90-day reports, or gaps in visa status exist, a lawyer can help mitigate risks and explain options. For couples with cross-border marriage documents, or where civil status documents are in a foreign language, a lawyer can coordinate certified translations and legalization with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Where the sponsor holds a work visa and work permit, counsel can help align immigration timing with the work permit process and guide you on One Stop Service eligibility if applicable. In cases involving custody, adoption, or guardianship of minor children, legal advice is especially important to gather the right evidence that the dependent is legally under your care. If an application has been refused or put under extended consideration, a lawyer can communicate with immigration, prepare additional evidence, and, if necessary, guide you through reconsideration or re-application. Businesses that employ expatriates often engage counsel to set up standard document packages for accompanying dependents and to maintain compliance calendars for renewals, re-entry permits, and 90-day reporting.

Local Laws Overview

Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and related regulations govern entry, stay, extensions, and departure. Key concepts for dependents in Bangkok include visa category, permission to stay, extensions, reporting, and re-entry. Most accompanying family members seek a Non-Immigrant O visa as a dependent, either issued abroad or converted inside Thailand if eligible. If the principal is employed, the principal’s valid Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit, together with proof of the family relationship, usually form the core of the dependent’s case. If the dependent is the spouse of a Thai national, the path is under the Non-Immigrant O category based on marriage, with financial evidence demonstrating the ability to support the household. For dependents associated with retirement long-stay categories, different evidence may apply, and health insurance requirements are sometimes relevant depending on the mission that issues the visa and the category involved.

Extensions of stay are typically processed at Immigration Division 1 for Bangkok residents. The common application form for an extension of temporary stay is TM.7. If your local address in Bueng Kum changes, the housemaster or landlord is required to report your stay using the TM.30 system. Foreigners staying longer than 90 consecutive days must report their address every 90 days using TM.47. When traveling abroad during an ongoing permission to stay, a re-entry permit is needed so that the permission to stay remains valid upon return. Re-entry permits are often applied for using TM.8. A change of visa type inside Thailand may involve TM.86 or TM.87, subject to eligibility.

Fees are subject to change, but as a general guide, an extension of stay fee is commonly 1,900 baht, a single re-entry permit is commonly 1,000 baht, and a multiple re-entry permit is commonly 3,800 baht. Processing at Chaeng Watthana can be same-day if the paperwork is complete, though cases may be put under consideration, which can add processing time. Keep original civil status documents and certified translations ready, and ensure all photocopies are signed. Because Bueng Kum falls under Bangkok jurisdiction, you will ordinarily interact with Immigration Division 1 rather than a provincial office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a dependent for Thai immigration purposes

Typically a legally married spouse and unmarried minor children of the principal visa holder or a Thai national qualify. Embassies and immigration offices may apply age limits to children and require proof of legal guardianship where applicable. Evidence of the relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates, is always required.

Which visa type is used for dependents

Most dependents apply under the Non-Immigrant O category. The exact basis, such as accompanying a Non-Immigrant B holder or being the spouse of a Thai national, determines the required documents and the extension criteria inside Thailand.

Can a dependent work in Thailand

No, a dependent permission to stay does not authorize employment. To work legally, the individual typically needs a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit. A change of visa category and updated work authorization must be arranged before starting any employment.

Where do Bueng Kum residents apply for extensions and reporting

Bangkok residents, including those in Bueng Kum, usually handle extensions, re-entry permits, and 90-day reporting at Immigration Division 1 located at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. Check current operating hours and any appointment requirements before visiting.

What documents are commonly required for a dependent visa or extension

Common items include the dependent’s passport, completed application forms, recent photographs, proof of relationship such as marriage or birth certificates, the sponsor’s passport and valid visa or extension, sponsor’s work permit and employment evidence if applicable, address evidence in Thailand, and legalized translations of foreign documents. Additional financial evidence may be requested depending on the basis of stay.

Do dependents need health insurance

Health insurance is not universally required for every dependent category, but some Thai embassies and certain long-stay categories expect to see insurance. It is strongly recommended for all foreign residents. Insurance requirements can vary by visa category and the issuing mission, so confirm before applying.

How long does processing take

If all documents are in order, Bangkok extensions can be processed the same day. Some cases are placed under consideration, which can add days or weeks. Initial visas issued by embassies or consulates abroad follow their own timelines, typically several business days to a few weeks.

What are the main compliance requirements after obtaining a dependent stay

Maintain a valid permission to stay, report your address every 90 days if you remain continuously in Thailand, ensure TM.30 address reporting is done by the housemaster or landlord, and obtain a re-entry permit before any travel outside Thailand during your current permission to stay. Keep passports and documentary evidence up to date and consistent.

Can a tourist visa be converted to a dependent Non-Immigrant O in Thailand

In some cases, yes, subject to eligibility, timing, and immigration discretion. A change of visa type inside Thailand involves additional forms and fees. It is best to plan ahead and consult a professional to avoid overstays or gaps in status.

What happens if my application is refused or delayed

Immigration may issue a notice requesting additional documents or place the case under consideration. If refused, you can address the reasons and re-apply when eligible. A lawyer can help evaluate the refusal, compile stronger evidence, and guide you on the best next step while maintaining lawful stay.

Additional Resources

Immigration Bureau, Division 1, Government Complex, Chaeng Watthana Road, Laksi, Bangkok. Handles Bangkok extensions of stay, 90-day reports, and re-entry permits.

Immigration Bureau Call Center 1178. Provides general guidance on immigration procedures and requirements.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Chaeng Watthana. Provides legalization of foreign documents and civil status documents used in visa applications.

Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour. Handles work permits for eligible foreign workers and can advise on the interaction between visas and work authorization for sponsors.

Bueng Kum District Office, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Useful for matters related to civil registration, house registration documents, and local administrative certifications that may support immigration filings.

One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits, which serves qualifying companies and BOI promoted entities. Where eligible, this can streamline processes for the principal holder and accompanying dependents.

Next Steps

Clarify your basis for a dependent stay. Identify whether you are accompanying a Non-Immigrant B holder, joining a Thai spouse, or following another principal category. The basis determines the document set and extension rules.

Collect core documents early. Secure original marriage and birth certificates, passports, proof of address in Bangkok, and, for sponsors, current visa, extension, and work permit if applicable. Arrange certified translations into Thai or English and ensure foreign documents are legalized by the relevant authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand if required.

Plan your timeline. Track visa validity, entry stamps, and reporting deadlines. Aim to file extensions at least 30 days before expiry. If conversion inside Thailand is needed, start sooner to avoid gaps in status.

Coordinate with immigration. For Bueng Kum residents, prepare to visit Immigration Division 1 at Chaeng Watthana for extensions, 90-day reporting, and re-entry permits. Check current office hours and whether an appointment or online queue is available.

Consider professional help. If your situation involves prior overstays, complex family status, foreign-language documents, or tight timing, consult a Bangkok-based immigration lawyer. Ask for a document checklist, fee quote, and a compliance calendar covering extensions, 90-day reports, and re-entry permits.

Keep copies and stay compliant. Photocopy every submitted page, sign copies where required, and store approval slips, receipts, and reporting stubs safely. Maintain valid health insurance and update your address reports after any move within Bangkok.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Because immigration policies and practices can change, verify current requirements with the Immigration Bureau or a qualified lawyer before you apply.