Thai rules for foreigners, explained in plain English.
LegalSpa explains how company registration, visas, property ownership and insurance work in Thailand, so you know what to ask and what to bring before you meet a lawyer, landlord or immigration officer.
Everything here is general information, not legal advice. Read our disclaimer.
Browse topics
Company setup
Limited companies, the Foreign Business Act and what foreign ownership limits mean in practice.
Visas & work permits
Work, study and long-stay visas, plus the reporting duties that come with them.
Property
Condo ownership, residential leases and renting office space for a new company.
Insurance
Health cover required for some visas, how Thai policies are structured and social security.
Notes
Shorter notes on the practical rules that catch people out after they arrive.
Terms you will meet
- TM30
- The notice that tells Immigration where a foreigner is staying. The owner or person in charge of the home files it within 24 hours of the foreigner arriving.
- Non-B
- The Non-Immigrant B visa, the usual entry visa for people coming to work for a Thai employer, used alongside a work permit.
- DTV
- The Destination Thailand Visa, a five-year multiple-entry visa for remote workers and people on Thai courses or treatment.
- Foreign quota
- Foreigners together may own up to 49 percent of the floor area of the units in a registered condominium building.
- List 3
- The broad list in the Foreign Business Act that covers most service businesses a foreign-majority company might run.
LegalSpa is written by a small editorial team, not a law firm. We describe how the rules generally work and point to the official sources. For a decision about your own company, visa or property, speak to a licensed Thai lawyer. About LegalSpa.