Investment Visa with 10 MTHB fixed deposit - Experience?

[art81]

Hi all,

 

A bit of background. I have a work permit in Thailand and Non-B through the BOI but my work is coming to an end. I would like to remain in Thailand so I have been looking into getting an investment visa by depositing 10 MTHB into a Thai bank account and obtain a visa this way, and get my wife an spouse visa similar to the one she currently has under my Non-B.

 

Few questions:

 

• Has anyone done this process and can you recommend an agent that can help with making sure we get through the process and paperwork correctly?
• Can my Non-B be changed to the required Non-O without leaving the country to apply and change the type of visa? I imagine my company would have to cancel the work permit first, then I would have to leave the country and enter again with a tourist visa. Same for my wife and kid?

 

Thank you all for your valuable responses.

 

R

[BritTim]

I assume you are under age 50. If not, see if you qualify for the superior LTR-WP (Long Term Resident Wealthy Pensioner) visa instead.

 

Changing from a permission to stay based on working (it is not a visa, Non B or otherwise) to a permission to stay based on investment is possible. The permission to stay based on working is cancelled at BOI with the effective date of termination a couple of weeks in the future (coordinate with the employer to ensure this). You then apply for a new extension of stay at ChaengWattana immigration.

 

I am unfamiliar with agents assisting investment extensions. Maybe, your contacts at BOI have suggestions. If all else fails, Siam Legal is almost certainly one (horribly expensive) option.

[art81]

Thank you very much for your response. I am in my early 40s so this seems to be one of the best options, we will try to speak with few agents and will post whatever I find out. Ideally we would like to do the process without having to leave the country.