Good News for Foreigners Wanting to Reside in Thailand: a 50% Discount!

BANGKOK -- Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanaderek said Tuesday the Cabinet has approved a new Interior Ministry regulations reducing long term visa fees from 100,000 to 50,000 baht. The Long-Term Resident visa (LTR visa) is valid for 10 years. The new rate and further details will become effective 90 days after the new regulations is published on the Royal Gazette.

#WhatsHappeningInThailand #Thailand #KE

Has been discussed elsewhere.

What is it worth combined with the other high requirements like money (3 million Baht).

Publicity stunt.

 

I have an OA with the required health insurance and it would cost me more to obtain this LTR.  On the surface it sounds good but “devil is in the details”.  Many will find this out when they look deeper into it.  

 

Here are the specific requirements for the “Wealthy/Retired category”

 

Groups 1 & 2: Wealthy Foreigners and Retirees

• Must purchase a health insurance policy which covers medical expenses of no less than US$50,000 for at least 10 months starting from the date of the application OR provide a social security certificate covering medical expenses in Thailand OR provide proof of at least US$100,000 held in a Thai or foreign bank account for at least 12 months prior to the application date.
• Must have evidence of an average income of at least US$80,000 for at least 12 months prior to the application date.

Edited May 12, 20224 yr by sqwakvfr

I'd wait for the details to be published before getting excited about those new visas. I've seen quite a few interpretations of requirements that look way too optimistic in my opinion.

 

The Thai authorities unfortunately have a tendency to complicate things (or to sour the deal) by dreaming up unworkable procedures or nonsensical (secondary) requirements.

More complex  bonkers unrealistic ideas.  Can you imagine  the chaos if these clowns had to take part in military action to defend  their country?

If you marry an Indonesian girl you get a 25 year visa with no strings attached.

 

And if you divorce after 10 years you can stay for life.

Edited May 12, 20224 yr by Adumbration

Here's the not so fine print, from another news-blip.   Why would anyone who fits these, even consider living in Thailand:

 

2 hours ago, Adumbration said:

If you marry an Indonesian girl you get a 25 year visa with no strings attached.

 

And if you divorce after 10 years you can stay for life.

Thailand isn't part of Indonesia though. Every country in the world has different rules on who is and isn't welcome to stay. 

14 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

More complex  bonkers unrealistic ideas.  Can you imagine  the chaos if these clowns had to take part in military action to defend  their country?

Fortunately it wouldn’t be Immigration in the trenches.

The more you read the details the more stupid it gets.  How does a Farang get to own $500,000 worth of property with no security of residence?

I am getting the impression that someone is making big money from health insurance, hence the sudden insistence  for everyone to have health insurance

12 hours ago, Capella said:

Thailand isn't part of Indonesia though. Every country in the world has different rules on who is and isn't welcome to stay. 

Agrre, but most countries have rules that make sense!

12 hours ago, Capella said:

Thailand isn't part of Indonesia though. Every country in the world has different rules on who is and isn't welcome to stay. 

Correct , yet they are both members of ASEAN .

15 hours ago, Adumbration said:

If you marry an Indonesian girl you get a 25 year visa with no strings attached.

 

And if you divorce after 10 years you can stay for life.

But there are precious few Indonesian girls here... not sure in all my years I ever met even one!

A ridiculously low number of wealthy individuals have any interest in retiring, or living here. Let's face it. The most appealing aspect of living here, is the affordability, for most of us. Wealthy folks have better options. The nunskulls cannot see through their own fog of hubris, to be able to comprehend that Thailand is NOT the center of the known universe, and far greater sacrifices would need to be made, to attract any of these people. 

Edited May 13, 20224 yr by spidermike007

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A ridiculously low number of wealthy individuals have any interest in retiring, or living here. Let's face it. The most appealing aspect of living here, is the affordability, for most of us. Wealthy folks have better options. The nunskulls cannot see through their own fog of hubris, to be able to comprehend that Thailand is NOT the center of the known universe, and far greater sacrifices would need to be made, to attract any of these people. 

I don't think there is anything Thailand could do to attract wealthy foreigners.

They don't need cheap women and housing.

I've been to some amazing beaches ....... none of them were in Thailand.

I've visited many historical sites/ruins ....... they weren't here either.

Food and wine ....... better in many other countries.

Safety, ease of entry at airports ...... just no.

Edited May 13, 20224 yr by BritManToo

Old news but now its in the Gazette big deal.

...in the Royal Gazzette.

1 hour ago, itsari said:

Correct , yet they are both members of ASEAN .

ASEAN is a trading bloc. Not a common travel area like the EU. One day, perhaps, but I very much doubt it.

1 hour ago, DezLez said:

Agrre, but most countries have rules that make sense!

Try getting your other half into places like Australia, the UK or the US - tons of money and paperwork involved.

1 minute ago, Capella said:

ASEAN is a trading bloc. Not a common travel area like the EU. One day, perhaps, but I very much doubt it.

My same thoughts 

20 minutes ago, Capella said:

Try getting your other half into places like Australia, the UK or the US - tons of money and paperwork involved.

Just a footnote. I have had no difficulty with twice gaining US Tourist Visas for my ex-girlfriend. Experiences do vary.

16 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

More complex  bonkers unrealistic ideas.  Can you imagine  the chaos if these clowns had to take part in military action to defend  their country?

Would they defend the country or just a particular institution?

9 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Just a footnote. I have had no difficulty with twice gaining US Tourist Visas for my ex-girlfriend. Experiences do vary.

try getting a "Residents Visa" for your partner into Australia and not a "Tourist Visa". There is a big difference between "Tourist Visa" and "Resident Visa" in every country. This thread is about "Residency" not visiting "Tourists"

30 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Just a footnote. I have had no difficulty with twice gaining US Tourist Visas for my ex-girlfriend. Experiences do vary.

We're talking about residency, not tourism.

18 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

On the surface it sounds good but “devil is in the details”.  Many will find this out when they look deeper into it.

Like 90 day reports and annual "reports" similar to requirements for Elite Visa holders.

curious to know the tax regime these people will incur. 

Good luck to apply the standard progressive tax regime for those salaries.

Who wanna see at least the 20% of their salary in taxes in a country which give you back nothing, or better. which gives you back double prices ????

If they do a little flat tax , they can attract people. 

15 hours ago, Capella said:

Thailand isn't part of Indonesia though. Every country in the world has different rules on who is and isn't welcome to stay. 

I think the point is that other countries in the region have policies that are far less xenophobic and far less complicated than all the ridiculous schemes they are constantly inventing in Thailand.

18 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

I have an OA with the required health insurance and it would cost me more to obtain this LTR.  On the surface it sounds good but “devil is in the details”.  Many will find this out when they look deeper into it.  

 

Here are the specific requirements for the “Wealthy/Retired category”

 

Groups 1 & 2: Wealthy Foreigners and Retirees

• Must purchase a health insurance policy which covers medical expenses of no less than US$50,000 for at least 10 months starting from the date of the application OR provide a social security certificate covering medical expenses in Thailand OR provide proof of at least US$100,000 held in a Thai or foreign bank account for at least 12 months prior to the application date.
• Must have evidence of an average income of at least US$80,000 for at least 12 months prior to the application date.

As the Tagline says "Wealthy ... category". If you don't have the money then the "Wealthy/Retired category" LTR visa is not for you. 

 

 

 

How does getting)  ripped off considered good news! ????

52 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

try getting a "Residents Visa" for your partner into Australia and not a "Tourist Visa". There is a big difference between "Tourist Visa" and "Resident Visa" in every country. This thread is about "Residency" not visiting "Tourists"

Adumbration wrote about getting residence permit in countries when you are 'married' to a citizen of this country.

In all civilized countries the foreign spouse will get resident permit in this case as it is a human right for married couples to live together.