For foreigners living or working in Hat Yai and Songkhla, and for Thai companies that employ them. Handled by lawyers, in English.
In Short
RPN Legal Office in Hat Yai, Songkhla handles work permits, Non-B employment visas, Thai marriage visas, retirement visas, 90-day reports and re-entry permits for foreigners and for companies that employ them. Our English-speaking lawyers assess your case free of charge and quote the fee before any work starts.
Visas and work permits look like paperwork, until something goes wrong: an overstay, working outside your permitted role, or an employer facing liability under the Foreigners' Working Management Emergency Decree B.E. 2560 (2017) and the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
We review your situation before anything is filed, tell you plainly whether it will work and where the gaps are, and quote our fee before we start. You deal with the same English-speaking team from the first message to the final stamp.
Which Visas and Permits Do We Handle?
Visa & Work Permit Services
Work PermitWork Permit
New work permit applications, renewals, amendments (position, workplace, employer) and cancellation when employment ends, filed with the local employment office.
Non-B & Employment VisaNon-B & Employment Visa
Visa conversion and extension of stay for employment. We check the employer company against the official criteria before filing so the application does not stall halfway.
Marriage VisaMarriage Visa
Extension of stay to live with a Thai spouse or family. We prepare relationship evidence and financial documents so everything is complete in one round.
Retirement VisaRetirement Visa
For foreigners aged 50 and over who want to stay long term. We check which financial and health-insurance conditions apply to your case.
90-Day Report & Re-entry90-Day Report & Re-entry
Handling your 90-day reports and re-entry permits before you travel abroad, so your existing visa does not lapse.
Employer ComplianceEmployer Compliance
For Thai companies hiring foreigners: audit of employee documents, a renewal calendar, and advice when authorities request an inspection.
How Does the Process Work?
Four Steps
01
Status Review
We look at your current visa, passport and documents, and tell you plainly which route is open and where the gaps are.
02
Document Checklist
You receive a checklist for your specific case, with our fee quoted before any work starts.
03
Review & Filing
We check completeness, arrange necessary translations and certifications, and file with the authorities in Songkhla.
04
Follow-up & Reminders
We follow up until a decision is issued and remind you before the next renewal or report is due.
When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Thai Visa?
Straightforward cases with complete documents can often be filed yourself, and we will tell you if yours is one of them. Talk to a lawyer first if:
You are changing employer, position or workplace while your work permit is still valid
A previous application was rejected, or you have overstayed before
Your employer is unsure whether the company meets the criteria to hire foreigners
Your visa is about to expire but you need to travel abroad
Your visa is tied to another legal matter, such as a divorce, termination or dispute with an employer
Because we are a law firm, if your visa issue turns into a legal case, such as a divorce from a Thai spouse or an employment dispute, the same team carries it forward. You do not have to explain your story twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visa & Work Permit FAQ
What is the difference between a visa and a work permit in Thailand?
A visa or extension of stay is your permission to be in Thailand, handled by the Immigration Bureau. A work permit is your permission to work, issued by the Department of Employment. If you work in Thailand you need both, and they must match each other.
I am Malaysian or Singaporean. Do I need a work permit to work in Hat Yai?
In principle, yes. Visa-exempt entry for tourism does not give anyone the right to work, whatever their nationality. Only certain activities specified by law are exempt, so have your role checked before you start.
I am changing employers. Can I keep my current work permit?
A work permit is tied to your employer, position and workplace. When you change employer, your work permit and your stay must be updated to match the new employer before you start. Starting first can count as working without permission.
What happens if I leave Thailand without a re-entry permit?
Your extension of stay ends when you leave. You would have to start a new visa application when you come back. If you plan to travel while your visa is valid, get a re-entry permit before every departure.
What is the 90-day report and where do I do it?
Foreigners staying in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days must notify immigration of their address every 90 days. It can be done at the local immigration office, and in some cases online. We can file it for you and remind you when the next one is due.
Can you help me get a work permit in Hat Yai or Songkhla?
Yes. We handle new work permits, renewals and amendments with the employment office in Songkhla, and coordinate the matching visa so your permission to stay and permission to work stay in sync.
Do I need a lawyer for a visa, or can an agent do it?
Simple renewals do not always need a lawyer. It matters when your case has a problem: a change of employer, a past overstay, a rejected application, or an employer that may not meet the criteria. We tell you honestly if your case is simple enough to do yourself.
Do I have to come to the office in person?
Consultation and document review can be done online. Some immigration steps require you to appear in person; we tell you in advance which days and accompany you.
Can you guarantee approval?
No one can. Approval is at the discretion of the officers. What we do is give you a realistic assessment up front and file a complete, correct application to minimise the risk of rejection.
How much does it cost?
Our fee depends on the type of application and how complex your case is. We quote a clear figure before starting. Government fees are separate and charged at cost.
I have overstayed or my visa is about to expire. What should I do?
Contact us before you go to immigration or leave the country. The right order of steps depends on your situation, and a wrong move can make it harder to return to Thailand.
