Visa options for relocation to Thailand

[rareowl]

My wife and I (Korean and American respectively) are trying to relocate to Thailand from Hong Kong.  We own a company in Hong Kong which only rarely requires our physical presence.  It seems like there are potentially lots of options to achieve this and I'm trying to sort out which route to take:

 

1. Investment visa - this would potentially work but it seems as if there's a catch-22 because before I can apply I need to already hold non-immigrant visa for which "you must visit Thailand at least once and have previously invested".  What does that mean?  What do I have to do in practice to get this visa?

 

2. LTR visa - I see lots of news about this visa and it sounds great, but I haven't been able to find concrete details about the requirements and process on embassy web sites or elsewhere.  

 

3. Thai Elite - I'm confused by all the variations and options.  Can someone bottom-line this for me - what would it cost for my wife and I to get 5 year elite visas if we do it in the most efficient way?
 

We aren't old enough to qualify for the retirement visa.  

 

Thanks

[verticalift]

The only legitimate “legal” visas are those issued through a Thai Embassy overseas, or by Immigration inside Thailand. 
 

Log onto the Thai Embassy web-site in HK and you’ll see the various visas available and the requirements that you will have to meet.

 

For what it’s worth, over the past 24yrs I’ve been living in Phuket on various different visas including two 3yr Non-Immigrant Business Visas (No longer available) several 1yr O-A Visas. I’m presently on a 10yr O-X Retirement Visa issued in Oct 2019 just before Covid hit. 
 

if you require assistance, contact a reputable international law firm in BKK to assist. 

Edited May 28, 2022 by verticalift

[ubonjoe]

1. A non-b visa and extension of stay based upon investment applied for at immigration requires a 10 million baht investment. The 10 millions baht can be in a fixed term bank account, government bonds, a condo purchase or all 3 combined.

Your wife could get a non-o visa for being a member of your family and a one year extension.

2. The LTR visa has not been finalized yet.

3. Thai Elite offers a family membership that might be good for you. See: https://www.thailandelite.com/#/