Foreign property owners now allowed to return to Thailand

[rooster59]

Foreign property owners now allowed to return to Thailand

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Foreigners who own property in Thailand have been added to the group of non-Thais who are now able to apply to return to the country.

 

But before you get too excited, be warned there are a whole host of eye opening requirements that need to be met as part of the application process.

 

The requirements are listed on the website of the Royal Thai Embassy in London and the information provided here is based on someone applying from the UK.

 

Firstly, property owners need to be able to provide documentation that shows they do indeed own a property, this could be in the form of a house registration book or proof of purchase documentation. 

 

Next, (and this is the first of the eye opening requirements) they need to be able to provide a copy of a bank statement that shows a balance of at least 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank account.

 

They also need to show a bank statement from a UK or Irish bank account that has a balance of 500,000 baht for the past 6 months.

 

They then need to meet all the other requirements necessary for any non-Thai returning to Thailand currently such as, Certificate of Entry, declaration form, quarantine booking, Fit to Fly Certificate, COVID-19 negative test result and an insurance policy which covers COVID-19 and up to 100,000 USD.

 

Once all of the requirements have been met, the foreign property owner then needs to apply for a Non-B visa to enter Thailand. 

 

While the addition of foreign property owners gives hope to some foreigners to be able return to Thailand, it may do little to help what is arguably one the biggest groups of foreigners stranded outside the kingdom - expat retirees.

 

Earlier this week, Thaivisa heard from one expat who despite living in Thailand on a retirement extension for the last 9 years, is not able to return and remains stranded in the UK.

 

Since publishing the story, Thaivisa has been inundated from people in a similar position. 

 

The full list of requirements for foreign property owners to enter Thailand can be found below:

 

For non-Thai who own property in Thailand

 

While Thailand still puts in place travel restriction, foreigners who own property in Thailand can apply for non-B visa and the Certificate of Entry to go to Thailand.  

 

Required documents : 

 

• Your passport copy 
• Copy of property ownership document in Thailand, or proof of purchase of property and relevant documents
• Copy of bank statements of a Thai bank account with deposit at least 3 million baht (approx. £77,000), or Thai government bonds at least 3 million baht
• Copy of bank statement of a UK/Irish bank account with deposit at least 500,000 baht (approx. £12,800) for the past 6 months
• Declaration form
• A copy of flight confirmation
• A copy of ASQ booking confirmation

 

Please see our visa page for more detail at https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas

 

What you need to present at airlines check-in counter and upon arrival in Thailand:

 

• The Certificate of Entry 
• Declaration form 
• Fit to Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure – this is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly (must be separate from COVID test)
• COVID-19 test result, with a laboratory output indicating that COVID -19 is not detected (COVID test must be by RT-PCR method), issued within 72 hours before departure
• Copy of your insurance policy which covers COVID-19 and no less than 100,000 USD
• Copy of your confirmed booking at an ASQ hotel
• T.8 form 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-10-10

 

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[Pottinger]

Farookin' ridiculous! Three million Baht earning 0.1% in a Thai bank plus another half million doing nothing in your home country - just how anxious do they think people are?

Expect a lot more condos to come up for sale.

[madmen]

So punters drop eg 5 to 15 million baht on a home and now need to show 3 million to use it

 

Sounds fair 

[Don Mega]

Glad I live here cause I don't have a UK or irish bank account.

[Surelynot]

OMG.....this doesn't apply to the Chinese as well...... does it?.......It can't do, they are flooding back into my condo at the moment.

[PST]

None of the Non B's listed on the Embassy website mentions Foreign house owners, so why do they need to apply for a NON B visa to enter Thailand?

[Surelynot]

Let's face it...this is just another step on the road to clearing out foreigners (apart from their brothers and sisters in China).......It is all part of going down the (silk) road to become the next North Korea.

[Susco]

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Next, (and this is the first of the eye opening requirements) they need to be able to provide a copy of a bank statement that shows a balance of at least 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank account.

 

They also need to show a bank statement from a UK or Irish bank account that has a balance of 500,000 baht for the past 6 months.

 

 

Best evidence ever that Thailand Covid is only about money, and not about infections

[Airalee]

Only a complete financial illiterate would put 3 million baht into a Thai bank when the deposit protection drops to ONE million baht next year.  

[Raymonddiaz]

7 minutes ago, PST said:

None of the Non B's listed on the Embassy website mentions Foreign house owners, so why do they need to apply for a NON B visa to enter Thailand?

Non B is for people who intend to work in Thailand. What’s really going on???? More confusions.....

[finnsk]

The country needs money, they take where they can see options.

 

I think this option will be a quiet death, with only a very few applicants, like the stv.

 

The country must begin to think at forreigners as friendly people, not stupid milky cows.

 

 

[Brunolem]

First they destroy their tourism industry by creating, then suspending for no clear reason, a new 9 month tourist visa.

 

(Note that the Chinese who were ready to embark on the first flight to Thailand, cancelled at the last minute, may not be reimbursed for their fully prepaid voyage).

 

Now they are up to destroying their real estate industry by telling foreign buyers that their investments in Thailand's condos don't matter...what really matter is the cash they deposit in Thai banks.

 

What's next?

[ezzra]

Is there no end to the length that this government will go to be even more ridiculous and difficult to torment people that loves being in this country and that the Covid thing it's not heir fault?...

[soi3eddie]

Apart from the very wealthy (likely chinese business owners) this will be all but impossible for any other home owner. Most of us retiree expat home (condo) owners could not fulfill these lengthy and onerous requirements. Just another deliberately hair brained announcement to make it sound like Thai government are doing something to re-open the country when in reality their intention is the opposite. They want to keep the country closed to all but their wealthy friends in near Asia.

[NorthernRyland]

Seriously 3 million baht? This is no way to treat people who own condos. I wish sometimes we could do this <deleted> to the Thais that live in our countries. Maybe they would learn something in the process.

[2 is 1]

 Hmm... if i have condo in Thailand , i can get back!

I only need to:

-get my condo papers (dam it those in Thailand)

-Move little money to Thai bank (3 million bth)

-Move almost 14k € my using account(wait half year)

-Get covid test

-Get fit to fly 

-get insurance for 100k $

-book sheap ASQ hotel(stuck there 14-15 days)

-book flight (?)

Not much, then im back and live happily ever after! 

Tam sabai

 

 

[steelepulse]

Utter madness!  Good luck luring anyone back on these terms.

[teacherclaire]

Next, (and this is the first of the eye opening requirements) they need to be able to provide a copy of a bank statement that shows a balance of at least 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank account.

 

They also need to show a bank statement from a UK or Irish bank account that has a balance of 500,000 baht for the past 6 months.

 

Is it enough to have a Yorkshire Terrier? 

[Surelynot]

15 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

First they destroy their tourism industry by creating, then suspending for no clear reason, a new 9 month tourist visa.

 

(Note that the Chinese who were ready to embark on the first flight to Thailand, cancelled at the last minute, may not be reimbursed for their fully prepaid voyage).

 

Now they are up to destroying their real estate industry by telling foreign buyers that their investments in Thailand's condos don't matter...what really matter is the cash they deposit in Thai banks.

 

What's next?

Razor wire and No Go zones?

[losername]

Is this policy, or lack of it, aimed at keeping Covid 19 out or bringing money in?  I have not seen anything that suggests that rich people cannot be infected by Covid.  Only in Thailand can thinking be so muddled.  These are two entirely separate Issues.

[Kadilo]

Just another nail in the coffin and an attempt at screwing foreigners which will fall flat on its face like the rest. 
 

In addition will drive anyone of sane mind who may be contemplating investing in a country that clearly does not want to attract foreigners. 

[Nout]

38 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

OMG.....this doesn't apply to the Chinese as well...... does it?.......It can't do, they are flooding back into my condo at the moment.

Where? The rules as outlined here are for all foreigners. I live in Pattaya and have seen new Chinese arrivals

[Nout]

Why to rent not buy.

[JusticeGB]

So people who are financial nit wits leaving huge amounts of money in bank accounts earning no money coming from a country with high covid19 rates are more welcome in Thailand than people who have retirement Visas but spend money in Thailand with the smaller Thai businesses. 

[jollyhangmon]

 

... 555, excellent ... now look at the requirements for 'new' single-entry touristvisa (basically like for their 9-month 'special' TV) ... 500k in account for half a year etc. ... 

 

Designed more like to keep folks out it appears ...

 

 

[Eibot]

Can you imagine pumping a lot of your savings into buying a house in Thailand, only to be asked to have an additional 3.5 million to step foot in it. For what? What has this to do with Covid19?

 

Who are these idiots making these rules?

[Forza2002]

Xenophobia is rife in Thailand at the moment. The Thai Elite doing everything in their powers to reduce the number of Farang, Guilo's coming to Thailand...  

[pkrv]

Money in a Thai bank is nothing to do with Covid-19 - arrivals would already need to have gotten the "bargain" Thai insurance firm policies already surely? This is a money grab pure and simple designed to exploit those of us who have already invested in Thailand.

 

This laughable government hasn't got the first clue on how to deal with Covid-19, it's citizens, or it's guests. Pathetic.

[meechai]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Next, (and this is the first of the eye opening requirements) they need to be able to provide a copy of a bank statement that shows a balance of at least 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank account.

 

They also need to show a bank statement from a UK or Irish bank account that has a balance of 500,000 baht for the past 6 months.

Man-O-Man  I would be upset if I wanted to/needed to go back now...Because this smells like their holding your real estate hostage

 

The fact that #1 requirement is to prove you own it is fine...After that there should be no further requirements

You own real property (most likely a condo) & you want to return to it. If you have a proper visa etc then that should be it.

What is the reasoning for this further blackmailing of owners?

 

I think it has finally dawned on them that when this fiasco is over & it eventually will be over

Many that were trapped out will be back to sell condos & empty bank account of the previously required 800k baht

 

I know many always say foreigners mean nothing in the bigger picture of Thailand but I think this slide will be felt

 

So again I ask....What is the reasoning for this further blackmailing of owners?

 

 

 

[Ganesh108]

The message is clear:

 

Never ever invest in property in Thailand. NEVER. You'll get screwed over one way or the other.

 

The stupidity of the people in power is mind-blowing. Other countries in Southeast Asia must be rubbing their hands with glee.