Non-o Visa For 3 Mln Baht

[porn ping]

Hello Dr P and all:

My lawyer says there is a new rule/law that allows retired foreigners UNDER 50 to get a Non-O if they can show THB3 mln in the bank. we (wife and I) actually got a visa like this (Non-O, 3 months, even though neither of us is Thai) in Stockholm back in Nov by showing the consul our account back in Sweden (which had more than enough dough in it). now, back in Thailand, wanting to extend the 3 month Non-O to 12 months, i consulted with my lawyer. she advised us that, because I am alreay in the Kingdom, we must now bring that 3 mln to thailand and deposit in a Thai bank; then get a certificate from bank; then go to immigration with that. do you know anything about this phenomenon/law/clause/procedure? do the lawyer-supplied facts check out? do i REALLY have to bring the dough to Thailand?

Thanks and most truly yours

Porn Ping

[lopburi3]

I would talk with officials at Suan Plau directly, before you take any action, as this is a special investment type program and only deposits at selected banks or for selected purposes may be eligible and they seem to be the people running this program now. Yes, the money will have to be here in Thailand and probably remain in deposit.

[ZOVOX]

I would talk with officials at Suan Plau directly, before you take any action, as this is a special investment type program and only deposits at selected banks or for selected purposes may be eligible and they seem to be the people running this program now.  Yes, the money will have to be here in Thailand and probably remain in deposit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lopburi, I've never heard about these special investment programs - do you have anymore details ? Would you be able to apply for one-year extensions on them ?

[lopburi3]

I would talk with officials at Suan Plau directly, before you take any action, as this is a special investment type program and only deposits at selected banks or for selected purposes may be eligible and they seem to be the people running this program now.  Yes, the money will have to be here in Thailand and probably remain in deposit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lopburi, I've never heard about these special investment programs - do you have anymore details ? Would you be able to apply for one-year extensions on them ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should be able to find some information here as a few have posted about them. It has been around for about 6 years but was not used for awhile but now immigration seems to be running it again if posts here are to be believed. But I would not go forward without talking with Suan Plau personally. The old program allowed yearly stays based on a deposit or investment here and would fit the bill for those with funds but not of retirement age.

[Ajarn]

I was told about this directly from Chiang Mai Immigration.." If you have 3 million baht in a Thai bank, no problem for a one year visa"

Tried it, but they rewrote my application for a 90 day visa without telling me. Much confussion ensued 90 days later....I complained and insisted I wanted a one year from the 3 mill, not a 90 day for my crappy health. I was forced to pay 1900 again for 30 day 'under consideration'... Yes, I thought I was under consideration for the one year. No, that wasn't what I learned 30 days later...

Some months later, I tried again in Chiang Mai. I was told it might be refused by BKK.. When asked for an example of a reason for my refusal..."Mai Rue..." The were only willing to do the health thing for ninety days (now on a 30 day stamp for 3 more trips and which required another specialized med cert and another trip to the doctor, etc. ######ers.

I'll be 50 in two weeks, and (hopefully!!) no sweat for my retirement visa...

In Summary, go to Bkk Immigration only, is my advice, based on experience with this question.

[RDN]

I was told about this directly from Chiang Mai Immigration.." If you have 3 million baht in a Thai bank, no problem for a one year visa"

Tried it, but they rewrote my application for a 90 day visa without telling me. Much confusion ensued 90 days later....I complained and insisted I wanted a one year from the 3 mill, not a 90 day for my crappy health. I was forced to pay 1900 again for 30 day 'under consideration'... Yes, I thought I was under consideration for the one year. No, that wasn't what I learned 30 days later... 

Some months later, I tried again in Chiang Mai. I was told it might be refused by BKK.. When asked for an example of a reason for my refusal..."Mai Rue..." The were only willing to do the health thing for ninety days (now on a 30 day stamp for 3 more trips and which required another specialized med cert and another trip to the doctor, etc. ######ers.

I'll be 50 in two weeks, and (hopefully!!) no sweat for my retirement visa...

In Summary, go to Bkk Immigration only, is my advice, based on experience with this question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got this a few years ago:

It spells out what you must do to get approval for a one year stay for investment purposes - either 3 million in a bank, or buy a condominium, bonds or other investments approved by the Immigration Bureau.

This is the route I was going to go, until I found out they'd reduced the age limit for retirement to 50.

[andyadam]

This sounds like an "investment visa", if I am not mistaken, just having the cash in the bank won't cut much Ice!

But this is Thailand, the rules change, depends who you talk to at immigration!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I was told about this directly from Chiang Mai Immigration.." If you have 3 million baht in a Thai bank, no problem for a one year visa"

Tried it, but they rewrote my application for a 90 day visa without telling me. Much confusion ensued 90 days later....I complained and insisted I wanted a one year from the 3 mill, not a 90 day for my crappy health. I was forced to pay 1900 again for 30 day 'under consideration'... Yes, I thought I was under consideration for the one year. No, that wasn't what I learned 30 days later...  <_<

Some months later, I tried again in Chiang Mai. I was told it might be refused by BKK.. When asked for an example of a reason for my refusal..."Mai Rue..." The were only willing to do the health thing for ninety days (now on a 30 day stamp for 3 more trips and which required another specialized med cert and another trip to the doctor, etc. ######ers.

I'll be 50 in two weeks, and (hopefully!!) no sweat for my retirement visa...

In Summary, go to Bkk Immigration only, is my advice, based on experience with this question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got this a few years ago:

It spells out what you must do to get approval for a one year stay for investment purposes - either 3 million in a bank, or buy a condominium, bonds or other investments approved by the Immigration Bureau.

This is the route I was going to go, until I found out they'd reduced the age limit for retirement to 50.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe that the funds have to be in a government bank in Thailand or one has to purchase a new condo for 3 million or more

[monty]

For this visa you need to have 3 million Baht in a government bank (e.g. Krung Thai Bank), invest in government bonds or buy a condo first hand (meaning directly from the original project developer).

Or any combination thereof.

New condo registered with Land and House department at 2.600.000 Baht plus 400.000 Baht in a fixed account at Krung Thai will perfectly make do.

Inform yourself at Suan Phlu for details, I only know that people who got this visa a couple of years ago and had it extended yearly still get their extensions approved!

[RDN]

I believe that the funds have to be in a government bank in Thailand....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For this visa you need to have 3 million Baht in a government bank (e.g. Krung Thai Bank)....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The ones listed in the document are:

Krung Thai Bank

Government Savings Bank

Bank for Agriculture and Agriculture Cooperatives

Rattanasin Bank

Bangkok Metropolitan Bank

Siam City Bank

Government Housing Bank

[jbaldwin]

I understood that the minimum for an investment visa was 10 million baht. Has the level been reduced. Last year a purchased a Condo from the developer for 2.6 million but a had to buy using a company because of the 49% maximum for foreign ownership. I assume that this is no good. I also have 1.6 million baht in a Thai bank

[mbkudu]

I understood that the minimum for an investment visa was 10 million baht.  Has the level been reduced.  Last year a purchased a Condo from the developer for 2.6 million but a had to buy using a company because of the 49% maximum for foreign ownership.  I assume that this is no good.  I also have 1.6 million baht in a Thai bank

Foreigners can have 100% ownership of condominium units; I hope you know this. Or are you saying that the ratio in the building of foreign ownership had been exceeded? Edited January 17, 2005 by mbkudu

[RDN]

I understood that the minimum for an investment visa was 10 million baht.  Has the level been reduced.  Last year a purchased a Condo from the developer for 2.6 million but a had to buy using a company because of the 49% maximum for foreign ownership.  I assume that this is no good.  I also have 1.6 million baht in a Thai bank

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In this document, the 10 million baht investment is number 1 on the list, the 3 million baht investment is number 3, the visa for retirement purposes is number 4:

What this document says is:

For number 1, you need form TM9, 10 million in a bank and what you get if you are successful is a resident's visa. If you are successful you must pay 50,000 baht for each resident's certificate.

For number 3, you need form TM7, 3 million in a bank, buy a condo, bonds or other stuff as said before.

For number 4, you need 3 visa application forms, 800,000 in a bank, etc,etc, and you must be aged 50 or more (not 55 as shown). What you get is an O-A visa.

But you should try to get an updated form - the one I've shown here is about 4 years old and the rules here change from time to time.