Expat Guide · Central Thailand
Living in Bangkok as an Expat — Visa & Immigration Guide
Thailand's business, embassy and immigration hub — and the most paperwork-heavy city to live in.
Short answer
Most Bangkok expats live on a Non-B with a work permit, a DTV for remote work, an LTR for high income, or a marriage/retirement extension. All immigration business runs through Immigration Division 1 at Chaeng Watthana, with 90-day reporting available online and a TM30 address notification required from your landlord.
Bangkok gives you the fullest expat infrastructure in Thailand: every embassy, international hospitals, the widest choice of international schools, and immigration officers who see every visa category daily. The trade-off is bureaucracy volume — the city's immigration office serves millions of foreigners, so preparation matters more here than anywhere else.
Bangkok at a glance
| Best-fit visas | Non-B + work permit, DTV, LTR, Non-O marriage, Non-O retirement |
|---|---|
| Immigration office | Division 1, Chaeng Watthana (Laksi) |
| 90-day reporting | Online portal, in person, by post, or via agent |
| TM30 | Required — filed by landlord/condo office/hotel |
| Typical expat areas | Sukhumvit (Asok–Ekkamai), Sathorn, Ari, Ratchada, Rama 9 |
| Healthcare | Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BNH and many JCI-accredited hospitals |
Your immigration office
Immigration Division 1 — Chaeng Watthana Government Complex
Laksi, northern Bangkok (Building B)
Handles extensions of stay, re-entry permits, 90-day reporting and residence certificates for people registered at a Bangkok address. Queue tickets are issued early; many services also work online or by post.
Always confirm the current address, opening hours and document list on the official Thai Immigration Bureau site (immigration.go.th) before travelling to an office.
Choosing your visa in Bangkok
If a Thai company employs you, they sponsor a Non-Immigrant B and a work permit, and your extension is tied to that employment. Remote workers with foreign clients increasingly use the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which allows long stays without Thai employment. High earners and skilled professionals should compare the LTR visa, which bundles a 10-year framework with a digital work permit and simplified reporting. Married to a Thai national or aged 50+? The in-country Non-O route with an annual extension is usually cheaper than any agent package.
Reporting duties you cannot skip
Two obligations catch new Bangkok expats out. First, the TM30: the person you rent from must notify immigration of your address, and re-notify after certain trips. Second, 90-day reporting: if you stay 90 consecutive days or more, you report your address — online is fastest, but keep the printed receipt slip, because you will be asked for it at your next extension.
Cost of living reality check
Bangkok spans a huge price range. A modern one-bedroom near a BTS station in central Sukhumvit costs several times the rent of an equivalent unit two stations past the interchange, and international schooling is the single largest budget item for families. Public transport, street food and domestic help are inexpensive; imported groceries, alcohol and cars are not. Build your budget around rent plus schooling first — those two decide whether Bangkok is affordable for you.
Who Bangkok suits best
- ✓Employees of Thai or regional companies needing a work permit
- ✓Remote workers who want fast flights, coworking and reliable internet
- ✓Families needing international schools and top-tier hospitals
- ✓Anyone who values one-stop access to embassies and government offices
Which visa fits your Bangkok plan?
Run the free 60-second visa calculator, or ask the AI consultant directly.
FAQ — Bangkok expats
Where do I do 90-day reporting in Bangkok?
At the Immigration Division 1 office at Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, or online through the Immigration Bureau's 90-day reporting portal. Reports can be filed from 15 days before to 7 days after the due date.
Is Bangkok the easiest place to extend a visa?
It is the most experienced office and handles every visa category, but it is also the busiest. Arrive early, bring complete document sets and expect a queue-ticket system.
Do I need a TM30 in Bangkok?
Yes. Your landlord, condo juristic office or hotel must file the TM30 address notification. Bangkok immigration frequently asks for the TM30 receipt when you extend a visa or file a 90-day report.
Which visa do most Bangkok expats use?
Business/work (Non-B with a work permit) dominates, followed by the DTV for remote workers, the LTR for high-income professionals, and marriage or retirement extensions.
Can I open a Thai bank account in Bangkok?
Usually yes with a long-stay visa, a certificate of residence and a Thai address; requirements vary by branch, and some branches ask for a work permit or an agent introduction.
Related guides
- DTV — 5-year remote worker visa
- Retirement visa (age 50+)
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
- Thai driving licence for foreigners
Informational only. Not legal advice. Rules, fees and office practice differ between provinces and change often — verify with official Thai authorities before acting.