Legal Services & Resources 

The issue of Immigration and the need for work authorization in Thailand does not only pertain to taking jobs away from Thai people, but also relates to national sovereignty which Thais take seriously.

Since October of 2025, a one-year long-stay visa is possible for foreigners who purchase or rent condos or real estate at a certain price, but as things could change, getting into this scheme early is a good idea.

The long-stay visas for those who purchase or rent real estate at a certain price are causing concern to locals with regard to foreigners who could stay in Thailand for extended periods without any particular reason.

Long-stay visas based on condo purchase or rental prices are causing concern as foreigners could buy or rent multiple units and then rent them on short-term which is in violation of the restricted occupations.

The long-stay visas which can be given upon purchase or rental of condos of a certain value, do not confer "Permanent Residence" but merely provide possibility of residing in Thailand on a one-year which is renewed annually.

Companies that are set up purely as a front to own property for a foreigner is against the law in Thailand but in some circumstances, whereby a married couple are involved for instance, a home could be owned by a company.

For those who are entering Thailand, most especially when using visas such as B Visas or O Visas, it is recommended that one's passport is open to the visa page so as to avoid being wrongly stamped in to the country.

Thai Immigration is taking the issue of foreigners trying to live in Thailand in an inappropriate visa status quite seriously, and crackdowns are resulting in many foreigners being turned away.

Thai Immigration is increasing scrutiny on those who are seemingly using visa exempt to live in Thailand, especially focusing on those who have used more than 2 visa runs without returning to their home country.

Thai Immigration is cracking down on those trying to stay in Thailand using the wrong visa status whereby Immigration officers are watching out for visa run patterns to detect any offenders.