Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Bang Khun Thian

About Golden Visa Law in Bang Khun Thian, Thailand

In Thailand, the term Golden Visa is not a formal legal category. People use it informally to describe long-stay and investment-based immigration options that offer multi-year residence privileges. In Bangkok districts such as Bang Khun Thian, the most relevant programs are the Long-Term Resident visa, the Thailand Privilege membership visa, Board of Investment and SMART Visa routes, and certain retirement and work categories. Immigration is governed by national law, so the rules are the same across Thailand, but your day-to-day compliance, address reporting, and document handling will happen where you live, including in Bang Khun Thian.

The Long-Term Resident visa is a 10-year visa aimed at wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals, and highly-skilled professionals. The Thailand Privilege membership visa is a paid membership administered by a state enterprise that grants long-duration stays and multiple entry benefits. SMART Visa and BOI routes support investors, executives, and highly skilled talent in targeted industries. Traditional non-immigrant categories such as business, retirement, and spouse visas remain available but do not operate as investment-residency programs. Buying property in Thailand does not by itself grant a visa or permanent residence.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Choosing the right path is not just about eligibility on paper. A lawyer can assess your goals, assets, tax exposure, and family needs to determine whether the Long-Term Resident visa, Thailand Privilege membership, SMART Visa, a BOI-sponsored work route, or a retirement or marriage category fits best.

Application packages often require police clearances, legalized and translated documents, financial proofs, and employer letters. A lawyer coordinates certified translations, legalization, and timing so that documents meet Thai requirements and do not expire mid-process.

If you live in Bang Khun Thian, you will still interact with national agencies for visa stamping, reporting, and work authorization. A lawyer can manage filings with the Immigration Bureau, the Board of Investment, and the Revenue Department, and can prepare landlords for TM30 address notifications and other local compliance steps.

If you plan to work or consult in Thailand, a lawyer helps you comply with the Alien Employment Management law, secure a digital work permit for LTR where applicable, or confirm whether SMART Visa categories fit your profile. Missteps can lead to fines, denial, or bans.

Lawyers are also valuable when you need to switch visa categories inside Thailand, add dependents, obtain re-entry permits, respond to document requests, appeal refusals, resolve overstays, or mitigate tax risks related to foreign income remittance.

Local Laws Overview

Core framework. Thai immigration is governed by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and related ministerial regulations. The Long-Term Resident visa is administered by the Board of Investment and the Immigration Bureau under specific program rules issued in 2022. SMART Visa and BOI investor routes operate under the Board of Investment Act B.E. 2520 and program guidelines.

Long-Term Resident visa basics. Up to 10 years validity issued in two five-year periods, multiple entry, eligibility in four categories. Typical requirements include minimum income, assets, or investment, clean criminal record, and health insurance or financial guarantees. LTR holders report to immigration once per year rather than every 90 days and certain categories can obtain a digital work permit. Highly-skilled professionals may access a 17 percent flat personal income tax on eligible employment income in targeted industries.

Thailand Privilege membership visa. A paid membership managed by a state enterprise connected to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Membership tiers offer multi-year stay privileges and multiple entry. This visa does not remove standard compliance such as 90-day reporting and does not itself grant permission to work.

SMART Visa. Available to investors, executives, startup founders, and talent in targeted sectors. SMART provides up to four years stay, work authorization without a separate work permit, and annual reporting instead of 90-day reporting. It requires endorsements from relevant agencies.

Work authorization. Working without proper authorization is unlawful under the Alien Employment Management decree. LTR digital work permits and SMART Visa work privileges are specific to the sponsoring employer or activity. Remote work for a foreign employer may still have Thai tax consequences and, in some cases, immigration scrutiny if it amounts to work in Thailand.

Property and investment. Foreigners can own condominium units subject to building quotas but generally cannot own land. Property purchase does not grant a visa or permanent residence. LTR investment criteria recognize certain investments such as Thai government bonds, qualifying foreign direct investment, and eligible property purchases, but the detail of what qualifies should be confirmed at application time.

Address and stay reporting. Landlords must file TM30 notifications of foreigner residence. Most visa holders must file TM47 90-day reports. LTR and SMART holders report annually. If you reside in Bang Khun Thian, coordinate with your landlord to ensure TM30 is filed after each arrival or address change. Failure to report can lead to fines and future application issues.

Re-entry and overstays. Many visas are multiple-entry or allow re-entry permits. Departing without re-entry permission when required cancels your stay permission. Overstaying can lead to fines and blacklisting periods. Keep your permission-to-stay end date and any reporting deadlines clearly tracked.

Tax residence and remittance. Thailand generally treats individuals who spend 180 days or more in a calendar year as tax residents. Taxation of foreign-sourced income depends on remittance and current Revenue Department policies. LTR and SMART incentives do not exempt all foreign income. Plan taxes carefully with a licensed Thai tax advisor before remitting foreign income to Thailand.

Local practicalities in Bang Khun Thian. District offices can issue a Yellow House Registration Book to eligible foreigners, which helps with banking and licensing but is not a visa. Immigration filings for Bangkok residents are handled by Immigration Division 1. BOI and LTR processing often routes through BOI service centers. Your lawyer can coordinate where to appear for biometrics, visa stamping, and reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Thailand have a Golden Visa

Thailand does not use the term Golden Visa in its laws. The closest options are the Long-Term Resident visa, Thailand Privilege membership visa, SMART Visa, and certain BOI routes. Each has different rules and benefits.

What is the Long-Term Resident visa and who qualifies

LTR is a 10-year visa for four groups. Wealthy global citizens with high assets and investment. Wealthy pensioners aged 50 plus with sufficient income and, in some cases, investment. Work-from-Thailand professionals employed by established foreign companies with specified income and experience. Highly-skilled professionals in targeted industries with specified income or credentials. Dependents include a spouse and children under 20, up to four persons.

What are the typical financial thresholds for LTR

Figures can change, but as a guide: wealthy global citizens generally show at least USD 1 million in assets, income of around USD 80,000 per year, and invest at least USD 500,000 in eligible Thai assets. Wealthy pensioners typically need income of around USD 80,000 per year, or lower income with a qualifying investment such as USD 250,000. Work-from-Thailand and highly-skilled categories generally require income of around USD 80,000 per year, or around USD 40,000 with advanced degrees or work in targeted sectors, plus experience and employer qualifications. Health insurance or financial guarantees are also required. Verify current thresholds before applying.

Does buying a condominium in Bang Khun Thian qualify me for a visa

Owning a condo does not automatically grant any visa or right to stay. Certain LTR categories allow qualifying investments in property to help meet investment thresholds, but you must still qualify independently under the program rules. Be cautious with claims that a property purchase alone provides residency.

How long can I stay and how often do I need to report to immigration

LTR grants up to 10 years of stay in two five-year periods and requires reporting once per year. SMART Visa holders report annually. Thailand Privilege and most other non-immigrant visas require 90-day reporting. All categories must keep their permission-to-stay date valid and obtain re-entry permission where applicable.

Can my spouse and children join me

LTR allows a spouse and children under 20 as dependents, up to four persons. SMART Visa has dependent provisions subject to its rules. Thailand Privilege allows adding family members through membership options. Marriage and education visas are separate routes that may fit certain families. Document legalization for marriage and birth certificates is often required.

Can I work or run a business on these visas

LTR highly-skilled professionals and some other LTR categories can obtain a digital work permit tied to the approved role or employer. SMART Visa holders are generally authorized to work in their endorsed sector without a separate work permit. Thailand Privilege membership does not grant work rights. Operating or advising a business without proper authorization can lead to penalties. Always confirm work eligibility before performing services in Thailand.

Do I need health insurance

LTR requires health insurance with specified minimum coverage or proof of sufficient funds or social security coverage where allowed. SMART Visa and some retirement categories require insurance. Thailand Privilege membership typically requires insurance for certain packages. The required coverage amounts and accepted insurers are subject to program rules.

How are taxes handled for LTR or remote workers

Tax is separate from immigration. Thai tax residence is generally based on 180 days presence in a year. Residents can be taxed on Thai income and, depending on remittance and current rules, on foreign-sourced income brought into Thailand. The LTR highly-skilled category may access a 17 percent flat tax on eligible employment income in targeted industries. Seek advice from a Thai tax professional before remitting foreign income or restructuring compensation.

What if my application is refused

You can usually reapply after addressing the reasons for refusal, such as missing documents, insufficient insurance, or unclear source of funds. A lawyer can prepare a stronger evidentiary package, obtain certified translations, and communicate with the reviewing authority. In some cases, a different visa route may be more suitable.

Additional Resources

Thailand Immigration Bureau for visa rules, reporting, and overstay enforcement.

Board of Investment and its Long-Term Resident visa unit for LTR eligibility and endorsements.

SMART Visa program office for talent and investor endorsements in targeted industries.

Thailand Privilege Card company for membership visa products and membership management.

One Start One Stop Investment Center for BOI and investment-related services in Bangkok.

Revenue Department for personal income tax and foreign income remittance guidance.

Bang Khun Thian District Office for yellow house registration book and local civil affairs.

Department of Employment and Ministry of Labour for work authorization matters.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective. Decide whether your goal is long-stay convenience, the right to work, investment in a targeted industry, or retirement. This determines whether LTR, SMART, Thailand Privilege, or another category fits.

Assess eligibility. Map your income, assets, investment plans, employer profile, and family situation against the criteria. Pay attention to health insurance, police clearance, and education or experience requirements.

Plan tax and structure. Before moving funds or signing contracts, review Thai tax residence rules, foreign income remittance, and any available incentives. Coordinate with a Thai tax advisor and your home country advisor.

Prepare documents. Gather passports, marriage and birth certificates, bank statements, proof of assets and investments, employer letters, and insurance. Arrange certified translations to Thai and legalization or apostille where required.

Coordinate local compliance in Bang Khun Thian. Ensure your landlord understands TM30 obligations. Keep copies of reporting receipts. Consider obtaining a Yellow House Registration Book if eligible to simplify banking and licensing.

Submit and follow through. Many LTR and SMART steps begin online with pre-approval, followed by in-person biometrics and visa stamping at designated offices in Bangkok. Track processing times and validity dates, and secure re-entry permission where needed.

Engage a lawyer. A Bangkok-based immigration lawyer familiar with LTR, SMART, and Thailand Privilege can streamline the process, avoid refusals, and coordinate with agencies. Ask for a timeline, document checklist, and a compliance calendar covering annual reports and renewals.

Keep rules under review. Program criteria, tax policies, and reporting rules can change. Reconfirm requirements before each renewal or major investment to remain fully compliant.