10 year visa for Thailand?
- Thread starter Rockitt
- Start date
kaptainrob
Administrator
Nowhere has it been said that existing visa rules are to be abolished. IMO, this is merely an additional visa, with few incentives for uptake, which can replace a 1 year retirement visa if it suits you. If not for the medical insurance requirement I think more over 50's would be interested. Application cost works out the same as annual extensions and 90 day reports remain so I can't see any value for me.Cuzzy;308085 said:
There's always the spouse/marriage visa which probably suits most BM's - less income/money on deposit req'd.
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Moo Uaon
Well-known member
nobody seems to know if it's additional or not yet...
Phuket Immigration in the dark over new 10-year visa - Phuket News - Thailand Forum
Phuket Immigration in the dark over new 10-year visa - Phuket News - Thailand Forum
C
Changone
Guest
^So typical Thailand, keep things unclear, see who arcs up then explain what you (of course) really meant to say all along.
Not so different with some of our tax changes. They don't really make sense until you read the associated "Explanatory memoranda". Then it's just a matter of smoothing over the "Unintended consequences"....
Not so different with some of our tax changes. They don't really make sense until you read the associated "Explanatory memoranda". Then it's just a matter of smoothing over the "Unintended consequences"....
Rockitt
Well-known member
Thailand Government Approves Visa Incentives for foreigners
This was released today. Makes things a bit clearer I think.
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This was released today. Makes things a bit clearer I think.
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Z
Zablive
Guest
Sorry but IMHO statements like " It is understood that the existing retirement visa will remain available, for those that are unable to meet the criteria of the enhanced ten-year-visa " issued by a real estate firm is hardly providing clarity.
There has been no official clarification since this proposal was floated.
There has been no official clarification since this proposal was floated.
Seeing this is a visa thread I may as well put this here....
From what I understand, the new 2 x 5 visa is in addition to other visas that are currently available. I'm not sure the visa makes a lot of sense, if the other visas and extensions remain in place, but atm, that appears to be the case. Like anything in Thailand, there is always a level of confusion when things change or are altered.
They did make changes to the visa waiver program tho, that are clear. You can now only enter Thailand twice in a a calendar year BY LAND on the visa waiver program. BUT instead of some countries being granted 30 days and others 15, ALL ELIGIBLE passport holders will get 30 days. The rules are unchanged for entering through airports.
Later in the year, I will be moving to Thailand to retire. I think the easiest way to do this, is enter on a Tourist Visa and convert to a Non Imm type visa in Thailand. Then apply for the retirement extension. I realise that I can be granted a Non Imm visa in Oz, but there is a bit of running around to be done.... police reports, medical clearance etc. From what I understand it far simpler to gain the visa in Thailand.
From what I understand, the new 2 x 5 visa is in addition to other visas that are currently available. I'm not sure the visa makes a lot of sense, if the other visas and extensions remain in place, but atm, that appears to be the case. Like anything in Thailand, there is always a level of confusion when things change or are altered.
They did make changes to the visa waiver program tho, that are clear. You can now only enter Thailand twice in a a calendar year BY LAND on the visa waiver program. BUT instead of some countries being granted 30 days and others 15, ALL ELIGIBLE passport holders will get 30 days. The rules are unchanged for entering through airports.
Later in the year, I will be moving to Thailand to retire. I think the easiest way to do this, is enter on a Tourist Visa and convert to a Non Imm type visa in Thailand. Then apply for the retirement extension. I realise that I can be granted a Non Imm visa in Oz, but there is a bit of running around to be done.... police reports, medical clearance etc. From what I understand it far simpler to gain the visa in Thailand.
Z
Zablive
Guest
Where will you be doing this Davo?
Not all Immi Offices will convert a TV to a one day Non O to a retirement extension but send you to BKK which requires a couple of trips.
Not all Immi Offices will convert a TV to a one day Non O to a retirement extension but send you to BKK which requires a couple of trips.
Yeah Baz, I think a trip to Bangers has to be done... But I am not sure if I have to make the trip or just my passport. I don't mind having to make a couple of trips to BKK if need be.Zablive;314092 said:
I am undecided about how to show the cash... 800K lump or 65K per month... haven't made my mind up about that yet. Either is doable, no problems...
I will be living in either Na Jomtien or Bang Saray, so Jomtien Immigration is the local office..
bacwaan
Well-known member
^ from my knowledge the 65K per month has to be a pension or payment from an outside source Dave....it can't be just you transfering it into your account here each month
I did the OA in AUS..it was easy to do...just applied online for the police report...my doctor gave me a letter on one of my routine visists and I showed money in my AUS bank rather than in a Thai one claiming that I had tried to open an account in Thailand but wasn't allowed...dropped it into the embassy in Sydney and was called the next day to say it was ready...best thing about the OA is that it gives you 2 years if worked well...you simply go out on the last few days of validity and come back in before it expires and they give you another year at the border...
I did the OA in AUS..it was easy to do...just applied online for the police report...my doctor gave me a letter on one of my routine visists and I showed money in my AUS bank rather than in a Thai one claiming that I had tried to open an account in Thailand but wasn't allowed...dropped it into the embassy in Sydney and was called the next day to say it was ready...best thing about the OA is that it gives you 2 years if worked well...you simply go out on the last few days of validity and come back in before it expires and they give you another year at the border...
Z
Zablive
Guest
If the 800K deposit it will need to be in a Thai bank for 2 months for 1st Extension (3 months for subsequent ones).
You will need a letter from that bank certifying you are the account holder and the current balance no later than the day before you apply for the Extension plus 3 months of certified bank passbook pages.
If the Income pathway they will require a Stat Dec from the Australian Embassy in BKK and the IO may need proof to back this up.
It needs to be outside income not just transfers.
AFAIK Jomtien office will convert your TV in the last 15 days and your Non O stamp to an Extension in the last 30 days.
So not a quick and easy process.
By contrast I recently flew into Perth, (after 6 years of Extensions) got a Dr's certificate at 8.50am, up to the courthouse JP to certify 3 sets of documents, and it was in the certified mail to Canberra by 11.15am (I had done the police report online.)
Received back in the WA bush 8 days later.
No contact with Immi (except for 90 day reports) for 2 years after a day trip to Singapore.
Up2U 555!
You will need a letter from that bank certifying you are the account holder and the current balance no later than the day before you apply for the Extension plus 3 months of certified bank passbook pages.
If the Income pathway they will require a Stat Dec from the Australian Embassy in BKK and the IO may need proof to back this up.
It needs to be outside income not just transfers.
AFAIK Jomtien office will convert your TV in the last 15 days and your Non O stamp to an Extension in the last 30 days.
So not a quick and easy process.
By contrast I recently flew into Perth, (after 6 years of Extensions) got a Dr's certificate at 8.50am, up to the courthouse JP to certify 3 sets of documents, and it was in the certified mail to Canberra by 11.15am (I had done the police report online.)
Received back in the WA bush 8 days later.
No contact with Immi (except for 90 day reports) for 2 years after a day trip to Singapore.
Up2U 555!
Z
Zablive
Guest
You forget that all IOs have their own 'rules"?Moo Uaon;314126 said:
AS for proving an income Stat Dec (I had to do this at Phuket Immi) OZ bank statements showing money going in, Thai bank statements showing money transferred from OZ and for good measure your annual pension statement(s).
Z
Zablive
Guest
Really?Moo Uaon;314222 said:
It sure looked like this was your point 555!
" Can't see why the local office wouldn't be able to do it.'[/QUOTE]
Stillearly
Well-known member
— The much awaited 10-year visa for foreign retirees is now available, the top commander of the immigration police said Wednesday. , though staff seem to be unaware of the announcement.
Lt. Gen. Natthathorn Prohsunthorn said the new visa will come in two installments of five years each. It can be issued for foreigners from 14 countries who meet set conditions, such as having three million baht in bank account.
“It is now effective,” Natthathorn said by phone. “Foreigners can apply for it at their provincial immigration offices. For Bangkok and neighboring provinces, it’s at Chaeng Wattana.”
Although the new retirement visa has been available since Friday, Natthathorn said he has not seen any applications come across his desk so far.
“I think the media should report this news. This is a much better story than the other incident,” the immigration police commander said, referring to complaints of long queues at Bangkok’s international airports.
A staff member at the Immigration Division I headquarters in Bangkok was unaware of the change and did not believe the 10-year visas were available. She referred a reporter to the immigration website.
No information about the new visa could readily be found on the site Wednesday.
Natthathorn said a memo was already sent out to staff at the Chaeng Wattana location, but some officials might not have read it. He advised potential applicants to push ahead with the application anyway.
“Maybe the reporter talked to someone who doesn’t know?” the police lieutenant general said. “Just go ahead and submit the application.”
The government announced the new visa plan in November, citing a policy to promote Thailand as a destination for medical services and retirement. Previously, retirees could only apply for visas that required annual renewal.
Nattathorn said applicants must come from one of 14 designated countries, must not have any pending criminal convictions or charges, and have at least 3 million baht in their bank account.
Lt. Gen. Natthathorn Prohsunthorn said the new visa will come in two installments of five years each. It can be issued for foreigners from 14 countries who meet set conditions, such as having three million baht in bank account.
“It is now effective,” Natthathorn said by phone. “Foreigners can apply for it at their provincial immigration offices. For Bangkok and neighboring provinces, it’s at Chaeng Wattana.”
Although the new retirement visa has been available since Friday, Natthathorn said he has not seen any applications come across his desk so far.
“I think the media should report this news. This is a much better story than the other incident,” the immigration police commander said, referring to complaints of long queues at Bangkok’s international airports.
A staff member at the Immigration Division I headquarters in Bangkok was unaware of the change and did not believe the 10-year visas were available. She referred a reporter to the immigration website.
No information about the new visa could readily be found on the site Wednesday.
Natthathorn said a memo was already sent out to staff at the Chaeng Wattana location, but some officials might not have read it. He advised potential applicants to push ahead with the application anyway.
“Maybe the reporter talked to someone who doesn’t know?” the police lieutenant general said. “Just go ahead and submit the application.”
The government announced the new visa plan in November, citing a policy to promote Thailand as a destination for medical services and retirement. Previously, retirees could only apply for visas that required annual renewal.
Nattathorn said applicants must come from one of 14 designated countries, must not have any pending criminal convictions or charges, and have at least 3 million baht in their bank account.
Rockitt
Well-known member
A quick question.
When you arrive at BKK you make your way to immigration with your arrival/departure form and passport and you are given the 30 day stamp.
What is the procedure if you have a current Thai visa, ie, retirement, marriage or Non Imm type visa. Do you still need to line up at immigration, do you still need to fill out the arrival/departure card. Is it simply a case of the immigration officer viewing your passport and visa and the letting you in?
When you arrive at BKK you make your way to immigration with your arrival/departure form and passport and you are given the 30 day stamp.
What is the procedure if you have a current Thai visa, ie, retirement, marriage or Non Imm type visa. Do you still need to line up at immigration, do you still need to fill out the arrival/departure card. Is it simply a case of the immigration officer viewing your passport and visa and the letting you in?