This chapter guides you through the labyrinth that is the Thai visa and work permit system. While the complications of staying legal in Thailand can appear daunting, by following some simple advice and taking action promptly, the visa and work permit system should not cause you too much trouble. But, beware! Thai law changes frequently and can be interpreted differently in each immigration office, so get some good legal advice for anything other than routine tasks.

• Transit Visa
• 30 Day Tourist Visa
• 60 Day Tourist Visa
• One Year Business Visa
• Three Year Business Visa (New!)
• Dependent Visa
• Other Non-Immigrant Visa Types
• Thai Permanent Residency
• Work Permits In Thailand
• Re-Entry Permits
• Immigration Offices
• Immigration Checkpoints
• Thai Regional Embassies And Consulates
• Overstaying Your Visa
• Translation Services

The embassies and consulates listed below will process applications for all types of visa. Note that many foreign nationals have in the past used the 60 Day Tourist Visa with extension to remain in Thailand for long periods. While it is still possible to leave the country every three months to obtain a new 60 Day Tourist Visa, some of the consulates in the area are cracking down on this practice, believing - with some justification - that people with continuous tourist visas are circumventing the normal requirements and are working illegally. The Thai Consulate in Hong Kong is notorious for refusing repeat 60 Day Visas and some difficulties have been reported with the consulates in Penang and Vientiane. The Thai Consulate in Manila does not seem to care. Recent reports indicate that the Thai Consulate in Penang have stopped issuing non-immigrant visas, but this may be a temporary measure. The regional embassies are generally much stricter than those farther afield in their interpretation of the rules governing non-immigrant visa applications. Make sure that your documents are in order before making an application at any of these embassies or consulates. It may be wise to check with them before you travel to make sure that you can obtain your visa..........