Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Thawi Watthana

About Dependent Visa Law in Thawi Watthana, Thailand

A dependent visa in Thailand allows eligible family members to live in the country based on the principal visa holder’s status. In practice, most dependents enter or remain in Thailand under the Non-Immigrant O category, which is commonly used for spouses and minor children of foreigners who hold their own long-stay status such as Non-Immigrant B for work, Non-Immigrant O-A for retirement, education visas, or other approved categories. Certain special schemes, such as the Long-Term Resident visa, also permit qualified dependents to join the main applicant under scheme-specific rules.

Thawi Watthana is a district in Bangkok. While you live or work in Thawi Watthana, immigration applications and renewals are handled centrally by Bangkok Immigration Division 1 at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. This is where you would typically submit extensions of stay, 90-day address reports, and re-entry permits, unless your case is handled by a special one-stop center for investment or LTR cases.

Key ideas for dependent status include proving the family relationship, showing the principal’s lawful status and remaining permission to stay, and meeting any financial and documentary requirements that apply to the specific category. Extensions are usually granted to match or not exceed the principal’s permitted stay and are subject to the discretion of immigration officers under the Immigration Act and related orders.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Dependent applications often look straightforward but can be complex in practice. You may need a lawyer if you must translate and legalize foreign documents such as marriage certificates or birth certificates, if the sponsor’s visa type or work status is unusual, or if a change of visa category is needed inside Thailand rather than applying from abroad. A lawyer can also help if your family situation involves stepchildren, adoption, sole custody, guardianship, name changes, or previous divorces. These situations require precise documentation, correct legalization procedures, and careful explanation to immigration officers.

People also seek legal help when switching from a tourist visa to a dependent visa inside Thailand, when aligning a dependent’s stay with a sponsor’s upcoming renewal, when addressing previous overstays or late TM30 address notifications, or when planning travel and needing re-entry permits. A local lawyer familiar with Bangkok Immigration Division 1 procedures can help schedule, prepare, and attend with you, which reduces the chance of delays and refusals.

Local Laws Overview

Thai immigration is governed principally by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and implementing orders issued by the Immigration Bureau. In Bangkok, most dependent matters are processed by Immigration Division 1 at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. For investment or special schemes such as LTR, certain steps may be handled at designated one-stop centers in Bangkok.

For most family cases, the dependent will enter on or convert to a Non-Immigrant O category tied to the sponsor. Children must generally be minors and unmarried. Spouses must show a legally valid marriage certificate. Documents issued abroad typically must be translated into Thai and legalized through the proper channels. The Immigration Bureau can require proof of the sponsor’s lawful stay, employment or income, address registration, and confirmation that the dependent has adequate financial support.

Common compliance points include 90-day address reporting for each foreign family member, TM30 address notification by the landlord or house master when you move or re-enter Thailand, and obtaining a re-entry permit before travel if you want to preserve your permitted stay. Overstays lead to fines and can trigger bans, and a dependent’s permission to stay normally cannot exceed the sponsor’s permission. Standard fees often apply, such as a fee for a one-year extension of stay and fees for single or multiple re-entry permits. Practices and fees can change, so you should confirm the latest requirements before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who counts as a dependent for Thai immigration purposes

Typically, a lawful spouse and unmarried minor children of the principal visa holder qualify. Minor usually means under 20 years old, but officers apply regulations case by case. Proof of the relationship must be original, legalized, and translated into Thai if issued abroad.

What visa type is used for dependents

Most dependents use Non-Immigrant O status tied to the sponsor’s visa and permission to stay. For certain special programs like Long-Term Resident visas, dependents are admitted under the program’s rules and processing channels. The correct route depends on the sponsor’s status and where you apply.

Can an unmarried partner qualify as a dependent

Thailand generally requires a legally registered marriage to qualify a partner as a dependent. Unregistered partnerships, common-law marriages, or fiances are not usually accepted for dependent status. If eligible, marriage can be registered in Thailand or abroad, followed by proper legalization of the certificate.

What are the main documents required

You will usually need the sponsor’s passport and current permission to stay, the dependent’s passport, marriage or birth certificates proving the family relationship, legalized and Thai-translated documents if issued abroad, house registration or lease and landlord TM30 compliance, photos, and any financial or employment proof requested by the officer. Exact lists can vary by category and office practice.

Are there financial requirements for dependents

Financial evidence is commonly requested to prove support and to confirm the sponsor’s genuine status, especially when the sponsor holds a work visa or retirement status. The exact amounts and acceptable forms of proof can vary by category and officer, so it is best to verify current practice at Bangkok Immigration Division 1 or consult a lawyer.

How long is the dependent stay granted

Initial entry is often 90 days, followed by an extension up to one year at a time, not exceeding the sponsor’s permitted stay. Renewals are typically annual if all conditions remain satisfied. For special schemes, validity and renewal follow that program’s rules.

Can a dependent work in Thailand

A dependent under a Non-Immigrant O category is not automatically permitted to work. To work, the person normally needs to obtain the proper visa category for employment and a work permit, or in special programs meet that program’s rules. Working without authorization can lead to penalties and visa issues.

Can I convert from a tourist visa to a dependent visa inside Thailand

In many cases, yes, you can apply for a change of visa category inside Thailand if you meet the requirements, have the legalized family documents, and the sponsor has appropriate status and remaining permission to stay. Approval is discretionary and you should allow time for processing and possible follow-up requests.

What happens if the sponsor loses status or changes jobs

A dependent’s permission to stay is tied to the sponsor. If the sponsor’s stay ends or is curtailed, the dependent’s status is affected. If the sponsor changes employers or visa category, timely updates and new documentation may be required to keep the dependent compliant. Coordinate renewals well in advance to avoid gaps.

Do I need a re-entry permit and 90-day reporting

If you leave Thailand during a permitted stay and want to keep it valid, you must obtain a re-entry permit before departure. Each foreign family member must file 90-day address reports while residing in Thailand. Failure to comply can result in fines or disruption to your status.

Additional Resources

Bangkok Immigration Division 1 at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road handles most Bangkok applications, including extensions of stay, re-entry permits, and 90-day reporting. For special schemes such as LTR or BOI-sponsored cases, services are available at designated one-stop centers in Bangkok. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs handles legalization of foreign documents and translations. The Thawi Watthana District Office can assist with civil registration matters such as Thai marriage registration, name changes, or certificates that may be relevant to your case. For legal support, the Lawyers Council of Thailand and local legal aid organizations in Bangkok can provide guidance or referrals.

Next Steps

First, identify the sponsor’s visa category and timeline because the dependent’s stay cannot extend beyond the sponsor’s permission. Second, gather civil status documents such as marriage and birth certificates. If they were issued outside Thailand, arrange certified translations into Thai and complete legalization through the proper consular or Ministry of Foreign Affairs channels. Third, prepare evidence of the sponsor’s lawful status, employment or retirement status as applicable, proof of address, and compliance with TM30. Fourth, decide whether to apply from abroad at a Thai embassy or consulate or to change category inside Thailand at Bangkok Immigration Division 1. Fifth, make copies of everything and organize your file for an in-person submission. Sixth, after approval, calendar your 90-day reports and renewals, and obtain re-entry permits before any travel.

If you face tight deadlines, prior overstays, complex family histories, or document inconsistencies, consult a Bangkok-based immigration lawyer who regularly handles dependent cases at Chaeng Watthana. A local lawyer can clarify current officer practices, prepare affidavits and explanations, accompany you to appointments, and help safeguard your family’s timeline and legal status in Thailand.