Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Bueng Kum

About Golden Visa Law in Bueng Kum, Thailand

In Thailand, the term golden visa is commonly used to describe long-stay or investment-friendly visas that grant extended residence and other conveniences to foreign nationals. While there is no visa officially called Golden Visa, Thailand offers several long-stay options that function similarly. The primary pathways are the Long-Term Resident Visa known as LTR, the Thailand Privilege program previously known as Thailand Elite, and the SMART Visa for targeted industries. These visas are governed by national law and administered centrally, but residents of Bueng Kum rely on the Bangkok Immigration Division 1 for applications and reporting.

The LTR visa offers up to 10 years of residence for eligible wealthy individuals, retirees, professionals working remotely for overseas employers, and highly skilled professionals, plus their dependents. It includes conveniences such as multiple-entry permission, reduced reporting frequency, and access to a digital work permit for eligible categories. The Thailand Privilege program is a membership-based long-stay option that provides a renewable multiple-entry visa in exchange for a membership fee and lifestyle benefits. The SMART Visa is tailored for investors, executives, startups, and talent in targeted industries and can grant up to 4 years of stay without a separate work permit for certain categories.

Bueng Kum is a district of Bangkok. Immigration services for Bueng Kum residents are handled by Immigration Bureau Division 1 in Bangkok, including 90-day or annual reporting and in-country visa issuance or extensions. Most filings and endorsements for LTR and SMART Visa are coordinated through national agencies and specialized one-stop centers in Bangkok.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Determining eligibility across Thailand’s long-stay options can be complex. A lawyer can evaluate your profile and recommend the most suitable route among LTR, Thailand Privilege, SMART, retirement, or business visas, and can explain the practical differences such as work authorization, tax outcomes, and family coverage.

Investment and documentation standards are detailed. LTR categories require proof of assets, income, insurance, and in some cases substantial investments in government bonds, Thai property, or fixed deposits. A lawyer can prepare and verify evidence, organize certified translations, legalization, and notarization, and coordinate with agencies to reduce refusals and delays.

If your plan involves purchasing a condominium in Bangkok or elsewhere, counsel can conduct due diligence on title, building foreign quota compliance, and developer credentials, as well as guide you on inward remittance documentation required for foreign buyers. Where company involvement or employment is expected, a lawyer can set up compliant corporate structures, secure digital work permits for LTR holders, and address Foreign Business Act and labor law rules.

Tax planning is critical for long-stay residents. Thailand’s personal income tax, rules on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand, and the 17 percent flat tax available to certain LTR highly skilled professionals can materially affect costs. Legal and tax advisors can help map salary, dividends, property rentals, and capital gains, and coordinate double tax treaty relief where applicable.

For families, counsel can manage dependent applications, school documentation, and long-term planning toward permanent residence or eventual citizenship if that is a goal. If a case becomes urgent due to expiry or overstay risk, a lawyer can triage deadlines, secure lawful bridges, and represent you before immigration authorities.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration framework: Thailand’s Immigration Act and subsequent regulations govern entry, stay, and extensions. The LTR visa is implemented under regulations administered by the Board of Investment and related agencies, with qualification endorsement typically occurring before visa issuance. SMART Visa categories are administered with certification from agencies responsible for targeted industries. Thailand Privilege is operated by a state enterprise that grants membership leading to a long-stay visa but not work rights.

LTR highlights: The LTR provides up to 10 years of residence, generally issued as an initial permission of up to 5 years with a further renewal to reach 10 years total. Core categories include Wealthy Global Citizens with minimum net assets and Thai investments, Wealthy Pensioners age 50 plus with income thresholds and potential investment, Work-From-Thailand Professionals employed by overseas companies meeting revenue criteria, Highly Skilled Professionals in targeted sectors with qualifications and experience, and Dependents who are spouses and minor children subject to limits. Eligible LTR holders can obtain a digital work permit when they work in Thailand. LTR holders report to immigration annually rather than every 90 days.

Thailand Privilege overview: This is a fee-based membership that confers a renewable multiple-entry long-stay visa for periods between 5 and 20 years depending on the package. It does not allow employment. Members often receive expedited services and concierge assistance. It does not directly lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

SMART Visa overview: Categories cover investors, executives, talent, startups, and dependents in targeted industries. Validity can be up to 4 years for some categories and can replace a separate work permit for qualified holders. Certification by the relevant authority is required before issuance.

Property and investment rules relevant to visas: Foreigners may own condominium units subject to the foreign ownership quota of the building. Foreigners generally cannot own land in Thailand, with limited exceptions or long-term leases. For LTR categories that require investment, qualifying assets can include Thai government bonds, condominiums, or fixed deposits, subject to official criteria and documentary proof of inbound funds. Proper inward remittance documentation from a Thai bank is important when purchasing property.

Tax considerations: Thai tax residents are generally subject to personal income tax on Thai-sourced income and, under current policy, certain foreign-sourced income when remitted to Thailand. LTR highly skilled professionals placed with qualified Thai entities may access a 17 percent flat personal income tax on employment income. Rental income from Thai property, capital gains on certain disposals, and withholding taxes may apply. Professional tax advice is recommended to coordinate reporting periods, foreign tax credits, and treaty relief.

Compliance and reporting: Most non-LTR visa holders must report their address every 90 days of continuous stay. LTR holders report annually. Overstay can result in daily fines and bans. Employers must comply with labor and social security rules. Some services for LTR and SMART are available through one-stop centers in Bangkok. Residents of Bueng Kum typically visit Immigration Bureau Division 1 at the Government Complex in Chaeng Watthana for in-country services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a true golden visa in Thailand

Thailand does not label any program Golden Visa, but the Long-Term Resident Visa, the Thailand Privilege membership visa, and the SMART Visa serve similar purposes by offering extended residence and specific benefits. The best fit depends on whether you intend to work, your investment plans, and your family situation.

What are the main differences between LTR and Thailand Privilege

LTR is a residence class tied to eligibility criteria such as net assets, income, professional background, or targeted industry participation, and it can include work rights through a digital work permit. Thailand Privilege is a membership with fees that provides a long-stay visa and lifestyle perks but no work authorization. LTR involves qualification endorsement, while Thailand Privilege is an application to the state enterprise that operates the program.

Can I qualify by buying property alone

Simply buying a condominium does not automatically grant a visa. However, certain LTR categories allow Thai property investment to count toward the required investment thresholds when combined with other criteria such as income and net assets. A lawyer can verify whether your planned purchase qualifies and how funds must be remitted and documented.

Can I work in Thailand on these visas

LTR holders in eligible categories can obtain a digital work permit and work for Thai or overseas employers subject to category conditions. SMART Visa holders in certain categories can work without a separate work permit. Thailand Privilege members cannot work in Thailand on that visa class. Working without authorization can result in penalties for both the individual and the employer.

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

LTR can provide up to 10 years of residence, typically in two periods. LTR holders report their address annually. Many other visa classes require 90-day reporting. Thailand Privilege visas are long-stay multiple-entry visas that still require reporting. Always keep track of permission to stay and re-entry rules to avoid overstay.

Does LTR lead to permanent residence or citizenship

LTR and Thailand Privilege do not automatically lead to permanent residence or citizenship. Thailand has separate permanent residence quotas and criteria, and citizenship requires a separate naturalization process. Long-term visa history can support a future application, but it is not a guaranteed pathway. A lawyer can assess long-range options if permanent settlement is a goal.

What are the income and investment thresholds for LTR

LTR thresholds vary by category and include minimum annual income, net assets, and qualifying Thai investments such as government bonds, condominiums, or fixed deposits. For example, wealthy categories involve minimum net assets and significant investment, while professional categories emphasize income, employer qualifications, and experience. Because rules are detailed and subject to updates, obtain current thresholds from an advisor before committing funds.

What taxes will I face as a long-stay resident

Thailand taxes residents on Thai-sourced income and may tax foreign-sourced income when remitted to Thailand under current policy. Progressive personal income tax rates apply, and some LTR highly skilled professionals may access a 17 percent flat rate on employment income from qualified Thai entities. Property owners may face land and building taxes, transfer fees, stamp duty, or specific business tax on certain disposals. Coordinate with a tax professional to plan remittances and filings.

Where do Bueng Kum residents handle immigration matters

Residents of Bueng Kum district use Bangkok’s Immigration Bureau Division 1, located at the Government Complex in Chaeng Watthana, for in-country services such as reporting, visa issuance after endorsement, and extensions. Some LTR and SMART processes are handled at a one-stop service center in central Bangkok. Your lawyer can schedule and accompany you for appointments.

How long does the LTR process take and what documents are needed

LTR qualification endorsement typically takes several weeks after submission of complete documentation. After endorsement, visa issuance can be arranged either abroad at a Thai embassy or in Thailand, followed by a digital work permit if applicable. Expect identity documents, income and asset proof, investment evidence, health insurance or financial alternatives, employer letters, experience records, and certified translations and legalizations where needed. Timelines depend on completeness and agency workload.

Additional Resources

Immigration Bureau of Thailand handles entry, stay, reporting, and in-country visa issuance for Bangkok including Bueng Kum. Division 1 at Chaeng Watthana is the primary office for local residents.

The Board of Investment and its LTR qualification unit review and endorse LTR applications before visa issuance. A one-stop service center in Bangkok can process LTR visas and digital work permits after endorsement.

Thailand Privilege Card Company administers the membership-based long-stay program previously called Thailand Elite. It provides details on membership packages, fees, and benefits.

Relevant agencies for supporting steps include the Department of Consular Affairs for legalization, the Department of Business Development for company registrations, the Revenue Department for tax administration, and the Land Department for property transfers and registration.

Local government bodies in Bangkok such as the Bueng Kum District Office handle civil registrations that may be relevant for families, housing notifications, and certain certifications related to residence.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals, including whether you plan to work, invest, retire, bring dependents, or purchase property in Bangkok. This will narrow the choice between LTR categories, SMART Visa, Thailand Privilege, or alternative visas such as retirement or business options.

Gather core documents early. These typically include a valid passport, civil status records for dependents, income and asset statements, investment evidence, employer letters, professional credentials, and health insurance. Anticipate the need for certified translations into Thai and legalization or notarization of foreign documents.

Consult a Bangkok-based immigration lawyer familiar with LTR, SMART, and Thailand Privilege. Ask for a written eligibility assessment, a step-by-step plan with expected timelines and fees, and a list of documents to prepare. If you plan to buy property, request a combined immigration and property due diligence plan so your purchase aligns with visa requirements.

Sequence your filings. For LTR, secure qualification endorsement first, then arrange visa issuance and a digital work permit if you will work. For Thailand Privilege, complete membership approval then obtain the visa. For SMART Visa, secure certification from the relevant industry authority then apply for the visa.

Plan for compliance after arrival. Set calendar reminders for annual or 90-day reports, visa renewal windows, and work permit conditions. Coordinate tax planning at the start of your first tax year in Thailand, especially if you will remit foreign income. Keep copies of all filings and approvals, and inform your lawyer before changing employers, addresses, or investment structures.

Important notice: This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration and tax rules change and individual facts matter. Always obtain personalized advice before applying or investing.