Americans, Chinese snap up Thai 'talent visas,' official says

[webfact]

Thailand's newly introduced high-skilled worker visa program has drawn more than 1,600 applicants so far. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)

 

Manufacturing hubs seek industrial upgrade amid supply-chain shift

 

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- More than 1,600 people have applied for Thailand's new high-skilled worker visa over the three months since its introduction, according to the chief of the country's investment promotion body, highlighting interest from around the world in the Southeast Asian country's initiative, which is meant to boost the economy.

 

Thailand introduced the new visa, called the Long-Term Resident visa, in September as part of its strategy to lure talent from across the world. It allows holders to stay in the country for 10 years and grants them a preferential personal income tax rate. The application period began Sept. 1.

 

"Since the launch on Sept. 1, up until the present, over 1,600 applicants have submitted applications," said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of Thailand's Board of Investment, in a group interview this week in Tokyo.

 

Americans were the largest group by nationality, followed by Chinese, British and Germans, he said.

 

Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Americans-Chinese-snap-up-Thai-talent-visas-official-says

 

-- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2022-12-06

 

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[ikke1959]

applied... but how many were granted???

[mikebell]

I have all the talent necessary as the author of a Thai-centric trilogy but I thought the 10 year visa also came with a many-million price tag?

[Srikcir]

23 minutes ago, mikebell said:

I have all the talent necessary as the author of a Thai-centric trilogy but I thought the 10 year visa also came with a many-million price tag?

50,000 baht 

https://visa.boi.go.th

 

[DaveInSukhumvit]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

applied... but how many were granted???

I have not seen a BOI LTR count.  Best guess is a few hundred.  As a new program, it rolled out with fits and restarts.  I know 2 two people with "wealthy pensioner" status from the first day or two.  A more recent applicant has had a difficult time getting the system to work and phone calls answered.  They seem very busy with something - not sure what.

[mikebell]

6 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

50,000 baht 

https://visa.boi.go.th

 

Thank you.  I'll stick with my 1,800 baht Extension of Stay.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

applied... but how many were granted???

Or how many applicants like myself were currently on annually extended visas (ie., non O-A, non O) and switched to the LTR that provided many extra advantages vs. newly attracted foreigners?

It would seem that only the latter would result in a net economic gain for Thailand. 

 

Just to clarify, the LTR Visa has four categories for foreigners of which two are related to working in Thailand (Work-from-Thailand professionals & Highly skilled professionals). 

* https://tatnews.org/2202/09/thailand/introduces-new-10-year-long-term-resident-visa-for-foreigners/

 

 

[Srikcir]

26 minutes ago, DaveInSukhumvit said:

I have not seen a BOI LTR count.  Best guess is a few hundred.  As a new program, it rolled out with fits and restarts.  I know 2 two people with "wealthy pensioner" status from the first day or two.  A more recent applicant has had a difficult time getting the system to work and phone calls answered.  They seem very busy with something - not sure what.

My experience:

• Only two phone numbers to call and always connected to one with a BOI person.
• Received by email a needed correction to my application.
• Operating system for online application is Windows with Edge browser. I was using Firefox and had problems with application drop-down menus and filling in data boxes. Called BOI and advised to switched to Edge and no problem. 
• I redacted some of the required foreign government-issued documentation that had highly confidential information (ie., foreign social security number,  bank account number, personal signature) that could be used in identity theft.  BOI does not allow any redactions. I resubmitted accordingly.
• On some documents I hand-wrote on a foreign government a clarification. BOI does not allow any  extaneous markings. I resubmitted accordingly.

Remember that the LTR Visa is being sponsored by BOI but the visa itself is processed by Immigration. Fortunately both are located on the same floor at the same address convenient to MRT. And a BOI employee will escort the qualified applicant through various Immigration statiobs for processing. There is also a dedicated Immigration window for LTR visa holders.

[redwood1]

Anyone remember the 10 year O-X visa........When it was first rolled out the word was they were flooded with applications......( I wonder if the visa PR staff included many John Doe applications).....

 

And over time eventually the real numbers started to come out, about how pitifully few O-X visas had been granted or even applied for.....

Edited December 6, 2022 by redwood1

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Anyone remember the 10 year O-X visa........When it was first rolled out the word was they were flooded with applications......( I wonder if the visa PR staff included many John Doe applications).....

 

And over time eventually the real numbers started to come out, about how pitifully few O-X visas had been granted or even applied for.....

Plus a couple of posters who got the O-X visas have recently been on here seeking info on how to rid themselves of it !

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thank you.  I'll stick with my 1,800 baht Extension of Stay.

Which after 10 years along with a ME re-entry permit will cost you more money. You must not be able to qualify or are afraid it will go pear-shaped.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thank you.  I'll stick with my 1,800 baht Extension of Stay.

+1

[JayClay]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Which after 10 years along with a ME re-entry permit will cost you more money. 

That's assuming you want to leave Thailand more than twice every year, which is a pretty big assumption.

 

Plus there's the fact that the 50,000bt is upfront as opposed to visa renewal costs on an annual basis and re-entry permits as and when required.

[PoorSucker]

I was surprised that I got 1.5 year WP and extension of stay from the EEC office in Chonburi. 

[emanphoto]

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thank you.  I'll stick with my 1,800 baht Extension of Stay.

Exactly.
10yrs = 18000 vs 50000

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

applied... but how many were granted???

Both of them.

[ThailandRyan]

3 hours ago, emanphoto said:

Exactly.
10yrs = 18000 vs 50000

 

By staying in Thailand sure, but for those of us that travel.....different story really and no money needed to sit in the bank here either.

[MJCM]

9 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thank you.  I'll stick with my 1,800 baht Extension of Stay.

It's 1900 THB nowadays

[Barnet1900]

13 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

applied... but how many were granted???

1600 applications. Pathetic. What talents do they have?

 

Yet again, this idea that people from all over the world are desperate to live here. They really are brainwashed. If someone is that talented why would they give it up back home to live in Thailand?

 

Nice friendly welcome from immigration. Hospitals willing to help if you get sick and deemed unfit to share your talent.

 

Do me a favour. If they do any research they'll see how welcome they are here.

 

They just told qualified teachers who qualified after 2020 to do a Thai educational test. When?

 

24 and 25 December. That's how they treat talented people who are here to make a beneficial difference.

[mikebell]

14 hours ago, MJCM said:

It's 1900 THB nowadays

Damn - Inflation!

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Damn - Inflation!

Paid 10k yesterday, as I am talentless it is another retirement extension for me. I will not be doing the immigration tap dance!