Expats angry at huge concessions in latest Thai visa announcements

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

Now is not the time to come off a retirement or marriage extension as changes have been indicated for September. You want to be on it in the hope of being grandfathered against any stricter requirements. Grandfathering required CONTINUOUS extensions, break that and you are a new applicant for Grandfathering criteria.

Spot on buddy. I haven't heard about these changes that you refer to, but non the less, I only have show that I have an income of 40k p/m, do a moderate amount of paperwork and pay 1,900 THB and and that's me good for another year. 

 

My only other obligation is to keep up with my 90 days reports which take me no more than 5 mins each time. I would even dream of changing anything.

[Maitdjai]

43 minutes ago, bdenner said:

I understand where you're coming from, living in retirement for over 20 years, and commend you for your efforts putting this post together, obviously English is not your first language.

 

A pox on the "ba ba bor bor" (idiots) who think you are confused!

Oh, another "English" lecturer sharpening his profile.

[NoDisplayName]

Sounds nice, but........

 

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial stability with a minimum bank balance of 500,000 THB and pay the required visa fee upfront.

 

Still have to show 500K in a Thai bank.  Does this have to be maintained at a certain level throughout life of the visa, and must proof be provided for extensions?  Shirley, not at border bounces.

 

Proof of employment with a registered company is mandatory and verifiable, ensuring eligibility for digital nomads and remote workers with appropriate documentation.

 

The list of registered companies has not yet been provided, nor do we know what "appropriate documentation" will be needed.

[transam]

9 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

Why would you be silly not to take advantage of it?

I visit the Immigration office once a year with my lawyer at an appointed time and leave about 10 to 15 minutes later with the retirement extension legally in my passport.

The 90 day reporting takes about 15 minutes a year out of my life.

I don’t think that’s too complicated.

With your lawyer, did you do something wrong.........

[fresher]

"the 60 days visa-exempt can evidently be extended at local immigration for 30 days"

Not so, I believe. 

This is what the Thai Embassy in London is saying:-

 

"Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme

 

UK ordinary passport holders can travel to Thailand without visa for no longer than 60 days (maximum 2 times/year).

 

All UK travel documents (Refugee/Emergency) must apply for the visa before traveling to Thailand.

        - Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of planned travel (confirmed air, train, bus, or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 60 days of the arrival date. Otherwise, a visa must be obtained before entering Thailand."

[transam]

1 minute ago, fresher said:

"the 60 days visa-exempt can evidently be extended at local immigration for 30 days"

Not so, I believe. 

This is what the Thai Embassy in London is saying:-

 

"Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme

 

UK ordinary passport holders can travel to Thailand without visa for no longer than 60 days (maximum 2 times/year).

 

All UK travel documents (Refugee/Emergency) must apply for the visa before traveling to Thailand.

        - Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of planned travel (confirmed air, train, bus, or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 60 days of the arrival date. Otherwise, a visa must be obtained before entering Thailand."

I thought the 2 times a year had been scrapped...............😉

[racket]

20 minutes ago, Maitdjai said:

The Elite Visa "was", until now (?) a considerable option for people under 50 years old, or people who don't care too much about money. The "benefits" and amenities are marginal, nearly ridiculous compared to the price. The Elite visa (like you mentioned) qualifies for nothing!

Except spending your money in the country, and an extension for a rip-off payment again.

So, those who want to be "Elite", pay the price for it.

 

The new DTV is half-cooked, and still, nobody knows exactly about the small print and what "adjustments" will follow for sure.

Some IOs confirm the endless bouncing cycle. Not only a wet dream of all those MacBook owners, boosting the economy from the beach on KPG.

Other IOs actually, don't even stamp in the 60 days on arrival. TiT.

 

The old shopping rule, to read the tags, and the manual briefly, before buying, comes into play. 

 

The calculated 6670 Bah/month for 16 years (quite long), is only reasonable at first glance.

With an EOS for retirement, for example, you come to a monthly amount of 2.53 (TWO!) Baht, for the same time.

This is a bargain! 

The shorter the time, the bigger the difference.

On top, the 800k Baht in your bank account, or whatever the amount will be in the future, is still your money!

Not diminished in the coffers of the visa "hub".

 

 

 

There are millions of individuals around the world who don’t qualify for retirement but have money in the bank. Therefore, a long-term visa option should be available for these individuals. For instance, many professionals and entrepreneurs accumulate significant savings but do not meet the age requirement for retirement visas. While one might argue that the 800k THB in the bank is still ‘your money,’ it essentially becomes a deposit fund you can’t touch as long as you are in Thailand, making it inaccessible for other investments or emergencies. The Elite visa, however, has no such requirements, offering greater financial flexibility. Additionally, retirement visas are only available to those over 50 years old, excluding younger expatriates who might want to live in Thailand long-term. Considering that the Thailand Elite Visa program offers residency options ranging from 5 to 20 years with benefits such as expedited immigration services and exclusive privileges, it makes perfect sense for those planning to stay more than 10 years to choose this option.

[stuarty]

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

A Non-Immigrant visa allows you to open bank accounts, obtain a driving licence and other privileges that the 60 day stamps and DTV don't support.

 

Also, you don't qualify for the DTV, because you are a retiree, and that is not a category that it supports.

But you could be a retiree who wants a DTV for cooking classes or medical treatment for 5 years

[Reddavy]

Expats moaning again 🙈 Will they never learn it’s the normal holiday tourists who spend more money than the bitter expats sitting all day in beach bars with their 2 changs. 🤷🏼

[wasabi]

I'm very happy with my 20 year Elite Visa which my wife and I have had for 5 years. The upfront cost was high, but in that time the visa has already paid for itself by allowing us to live in Thailand continuously hassle free. I  figured out how to do my 90 day reporting online, and with at least one international trip a year I never have to deal with immigration. It's always possible something better will come along, but the ease of living here has been priceless and I don't care.

[stuarty]

4 hours ago, CLW said:

The DTV is not a five year visa. You can stay a maximum of 360 days (180 + extension 180) within those five years in Thailand. If you are planning to stay long term here, it'll give you a mere 72 days per year, the other time you need to spend outside of Thailand. 

 

This is a guesswork. Show us where you have seen that.....

It says on the website that each (multiple) entry will be given 180 days....

 

Edited July 20 by stuarty

[sletraveler]

4 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

Stop whining. If you don't like it then don't renew your visa and go with the 60 or 180 days. 

 

I'm on a retirement visa and it's not so expensive that it's worth the hassle of constantly renewing and going on border runs.

 

One thing, though, is that by doing this, they will increase the number of undesirables here, which they said they were trying to reduce.

 

If it's that easy to stay here, many more criminals will take advantage of the new rules. Not that criminals follow the rules anyway.

 

There are so many cheap charlies here, they'd rather go through a bunch of trouble than pay a few thousand baht for something.

Stop whining.  You should look in the mirror when saying it.  

[Mike Teavee]

22 minutes ago, fresher said:

"the 60 days visa-exempt can evidently be extended at local immigration for 30 days"

Not so, I believe. 

This is what the Thai Embassy in London is saying:-

 

"Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme

 

UK ordinary passport holders can travel to Thailand without visa for no longer than 60 days (maximum 2 times/year).

 

All UK travel documents (Refugee/Emergency) must apply for the visa before traveling to Thailand.

        - Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of planned travel (confirmed air, train, bus, or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 60 days of the arrival date. Otherwise, a visa must be obtained before entering Thailand."

That's not saying that you can't extend it, it's just saying you should have an outbound flight within the 60 days just like it used to say you that you should have an outbound flight within 30 days before this change. 

 

[anrcaccount]

37 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Sounds nice, but........

 

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial stability with a minimum bank balance of 500,000 THB and pay the required visa fee upfront.

 

Still have to show 500K in a Thai bank.  Does this have to be maintained at a certain level throughout life of the visa, and must proof be provided for extensions?  Shirley, not at border bounces.

 

Proof of employment with a registered company is mandatory and verifiable, ensuring eligibility for digital nomads and remote workers with appropriate documentation.

 

The list of registered companies has not yet been provided, nor do we know what "appropriate documentation" will be needed.

 

500K THB equivalent is only required at time of application. It can be in a foreign account, or a Thai bank.

 

For extensions ( if required, alternatively just exit / re enter withing the 180 day stay to get another 180 days)  it is unclear whether any financial prof is required, currently it says nothing about that. 

 

Employment is not required under the "soft power" purpose provisions, only for the "workcation" ones. 

[Presnock]

6 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

 

The 10,000THB payment is one time only, that gives you a 5 year visa with border runs every 180 days? Or you have to pay 10,000THB every entry?

 

If it is a one time fee of 10,000THB, and all you need to do is do a border bounce twice a year, it sounds like a much better deal than keeping 800,000THB locked in a Thai bank account etc.

accordng to some of the users of this forum when talking with immigration say the io said 1900 baht extensions only as many times as user wants in the 5-year period

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

Thank you, I don't want to hear any more rubbish.

Here’s a list of the important Thailand DTV visa facts:

• Visa Duration: 5-years
• Visa Type: Multiple entry
• Length of Stay per Entry: 180 days
• Extendable: Yes, once per year
• Obtainable From: A Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or online through Thailand’s official e-visa website
• Minimum Age for Primary Visa Holder: 20 years old
• Option to Include Family: Yes

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

That's if you stay in Thailand no more than the included 180 days.  If you extend........................you've become a tax resident.

Here’s a list of the important Thailand DTV visa facts:

• Visa Duration: 5-years
• Visa Type: Multiple entry
• Length of Stay per Entry: 180 days
• Extendable: Yes, once per year
• Obtainable From: A Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or online through Thailand’s official e-visa website
• Minimum Age for Primary Visa Holder: 20 years old
• Option to Include Family: Yes

[Mike Teavee]

Just now, newbee2022 said:

Here’s a list of the important Thailand DTV visa facts:

• Visa Duration: 5-years
• Visa Type: Multiple entry
• Length of Stay per Entry: 180 days
• Extendable: Yes, once per year
• Obtainable From: A Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or online through Thailand’s official e-visa website
• Minimum Age for Primary Visa Holder: 20 years old
• Option to Include Family: Yes

Where does it say DTV Holders are exempt from paying tax on their remitted income? 

 

[stuarty]

3 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Here’s a list of the important Thailand DTV visa facts:

• Visa Duration: 5-years
• Visa Type: Multiple entry
• Length of Stay per Entry: 180 days
• Extendable: Yes, once per year
• Obtainable From: A Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or online through Thailand’s official e-visa website
• Minimum Age for Primary Visa Holder: 20 years old
• Option to Include Family: Yes

So basically if using extensions (cost not confirmed yet but either B10,000 or B1,900 prolly). You only have to leave every 360 days then return?

Edited July 20 by stuarty

[UWEB]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

No. That's not right.

With DTV you are to leave after 180 days (or one day before). Entering again another 180 days start. Same procedure for 5 years.

However, with a retirement visa 365 days) you will be taxed.

Also: retirement visa is available inside and outside of Thailand.

DTV is only outside of Thailand available.

Seems to be you simple don't understand how to become a Tax Resident. Regardless how many times you are coming and going to/from Thailand, if you stay more than 180 days in a Calendar Year in Thailand you are Tax Resident.

[Yellowtail]

Just now, Mike Teavee said:

Where does it say DTV Holders are exempt from paying tax on their remitted income? 

 

Page six, paragraph seven in the Thai version.

[jonclark]

36 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Expats moaning again 🙈 Will they never learn it’s the normal holiday tourists who spend more money than the bitter expats sitting all day in beach bars with their 2 changs. 🤷🏼

I think you have an erronous view of all  expats here. I have NEVER drank Chang beer. 

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

No. That's not right.

With DTV you are to leave after 180 days (or one day before). Entering again another 180 days start. Same procedure for 5 years.

However, with a retirement visa 365 days) you will be taxed.

Also: retirement visa is available inside and outside of Thailand.

DTV is only outside of Thailand available.

I am unsure of your math but 179 plus 179 in ONE CALENDAR year means one is a tax resident! or do you mean 179 then wait 6 months enter again stay 179 days leave and then wait again 180 days enter again...juast asking and if they go to a world wide income taxation what will you do? again just wondering.  Have a good one

[retarius]

I'm not sure why ex-pats would be angry about a relaxation of the immigration laws and new visas. It offers new opportunities for those of us that wish to leave the place for 186 days a year. I've been here almost 20 years and a fed up with I/O when renewing my visa and the stupid 90 day reports.  

I'm enthusiastic about the change and will not be renewing my Non-O next year. 

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

then you don't know what you're talking about because you suggest that the type of visa determines residency for tax purposes. it does not 

residency according to the Thai revenue department is 180 days in Thailand  during a calenday year.  If you exit and turn around in a couple of days, you are over that limit of being a tax -resident"

[transam]

41 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Expats moaning again 🙈 Will they never learn it’s the normal holiday tourists who spend more money than the bitter expats sitting all day in beach bars with their 2 changs. 🤷🏼

So what, and reads like you are stuck in Scunthorpe........

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, mokwit said:

Now is not the time to come off a retirement or marriage extension as changes have been indicated for September. You want to be on it in the hope of being grandfathered against any stricter requirements. Grandfathering required CONTINUOUS extensions, break that and you are a new applicant for Grandfathering criteria.

 

Was thinking the same thing. They're going to get people to ungrandfather themselves.

[cedel]

5 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

A Non-Immigrant visa allows you to open bank accounts, obtain a driving licence and other privileges that the 60 day stamps and DTV don't support.

 

Also, you don't qualify for the DTV, because you are a retiree, and that is not a category that it supports.

yes but if stay in Thailand more than 180 days per year, you will have to bother and pay a lawyer or accountant to file a thai resident tax report, and risking to be taxed 2 times, with a lot of paperwork also in your home country... 

[fresher]

51 minutes ago, transam said:

I thought the 2 times a year had been scrapped...............😉

Many people seem to be assuming this or have been told this. But nobody can have obtained a 30 day extension to a 60 day stamp yet. And this is Thailand. And the Thai Embassy clearly says you need a return ticket for 60 days or less to get a 60 day stamp. So will all Immigration offices be consistent and deal with this the same?

[Maestro]

5 hours ago, mokwit said:

If you don't extend DTV in country and just do border runs for a new 180 you would never under current enforcement have to do a TM30* or TM47 whilst living here for 5 years. So, those of us on extensions have to deal with "retentive" address confirmations via TM30 and 90 day reports, while the DTV people fly under the radar and Immigration may not know where they are.

 

Where in the official announcement of the DTV does it say that the legal requirement to notify the arrival of foreigners at a hotel or private place is waived for foreigners who  arrived with a DTV?