Date: August 12, 2026

Can my family come with me on my business visa?

Yes. The spouse and dependent children of a foreigner holding a Non-Immigrant B (Business) visa can apply for dependent visas to live in Thailand. However, dependent visas only allow family members to reside in Thailand. Anyone who wishes to work must obtain their own visa and work authorisation.

What We See In Practice

I've been offered a job in Thailand. Can my wife and children move here with me?

WHAT CLIENTS ASK US

Usually, yes. Many foreign professionals relocate to Thailand with their families, but there is often confusion about what dependent visas actually allow. While your spouse and children can usually live in Thailand with you, they do not automatically receive the right to work simply because you hold a business visa.

If you hold a valid Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit, your legal spouse and dependent children can apply for Non-Immigrant O dependent visas. The application requires documents proving the family relationship, together with evidence of your employment and immigration status in Thailand. Depending on where the application is made, additional documents may also be required.

A dependent visa is designed to let your family live with you in Thailand, not to give them the same rights as the main visa holder. If your spouse later wants to accept a job, run a business, or carry out any activity that requires a work permit, they will usually need to change to the appropriate visa and obtain their own work authorisation. This is worth planning for in advance, especially if both partners expect to work after relocating to Thailand.

Author: Vincent Birot

Vincent Birot is a French-trained international business lawyer based in Bangkok. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business Law from La Sorbonne and an LL.M in International Commercial Law from the University of Exeter (UK), and has passed the Paris Bar examination. He is the Founder of Belaws, a one-stop platform for legal and corporate matters, facilitating access to trusted legal and business professionals who deliver compliant, practical solutions aligned with local laws and on-the-ground realities. He has advised foreign investors for over 10 years on corporate structuring, BOI promotion, cross-border tax, and regulatory compliance in Thailand. He previously served as Vice President of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce and is a founding member of French Tech Bangkok.