Thailand unveils new visa rules, sparks mixed reactions

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand’s major overhaul of visas and entry rules has sparked a variety of reactions, ranging from joy and excitement to confusion and some resentment.

 

To clarify the new rules, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Naruchai Ninnad, addressed readers’ questions in the Bangkok Post’s Deeper Dive vodcast.

 

The standout change is the new five-year Destination Thailand visa (DTV), which allows stays of up to 180 days, extendable for up to one year. However, the visa is not for everyone and requires holders to fit into one of three categories.

 

The first category includes digital nomads or freelancers who receive their paycheques from outside Thailand, said Naruchai.

 

“You can have any type of work and you’re working remotely here in Thailand. Most importantly, the employer is not in Thailand. And your income has to come from outside Thailand. Evidence such as a payslip or a letter from the employer abroad is required.”

 

The second category covers individuals moving to Thailand for specific activities like Muay Thai training, cooking classes, medical treatment, and attending seminars and music festivals. Applicants need to provide evidence such as an appointment, a course receipt, or an event ticket, said Naruchai.

 

“It depends on the course. It may be two weeks or one month, it’s up to the applicant. Extensions beyond the initial 189 days require additional documentation.”

 

Category O spousal visa

 

The third category includes those with spouses or children in Thailand, requiring proof of relationship. This visa could serve as an alternative to the category O spousal visa but needs an extension every six months and necessitates leaving the country at least once per year.

 

The DTV does not require health insurance but mandates proof of at least 500,000 baht in assets, which can be held anywhere in the world. Naruchai emphasised that proof of income or assets is not enough to qualify. The applicant must be either a remote worker, undertaking an approved activity, or a spouse/dependent child.

 

Naruchai also clarified that the DTV cannot replace the one-year retirement visa unless the applicant fits another category. Addressing a complaint that the DTV is a cheaper alternative to the Elite visa.

 

“There are different benefits and privileges between the two visas. So you would have to choose what will particularly benefit you the most.”

 

In another significant change, the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry has increased from 57 to 93, including China and India. The entry stamp has been extended from 30 to 60 days, with a further 30-day extension available at an immigration office.

 

Naruchai explained that the immigration office does not have a specified number of entries per year.

 

“You can enter as many times as possible within a calendar year. Entrants must show access to at least 20,000 baht but are not required to present a return or onward ticket unless specifically asked by an immigration officer.”

 

Visa on arrival

 

The number of countries eligible for a visa on arrival has also risen, from 19 to 31, although this option is less attractive due to its cost of 2,000 baht and a validity of only 15 days. Naruchai clarified that the highest benefit will always be given by the immigration officer, citing the example of Chinese citizens who would receive a 60-day visa exemption instead of a visa on arrival.

 

The final new visa, introduced on July 15, is the Non-ED Plus visa for the 40,000 foreign students at Thai colleges and universities pursuing Bachelor’s degrees or higher. This visa allows them to stay for one year after graduation and take jobs in their field.

 

Naruchai mentioned that if you are here previously under the ED visa and you fulfil the requirements of the ED Plus, it will automatically upgrade into the ED Plus, meaning you will not need to have a re-entry permit.

 

Despite these changes, other visas and the contentious 90-day report remain in place. Although calls to extend the retirement visa to five years were not met, the health insurance requirement for this and the spousal visa has been reduced from 3 million baht to 400,000 baht.

 

Addressing concerns about foreign criminals, Naruchai assured that security measures are still in place.

 

“When people applied for a visa, we looked at the blocklist system. Now, we may not have that pre-screening for the 97 countries, but when they arrive in Thailand, they have to undergo security screening using the same database.”

 

Recent cases of foreign criminals in Thailand have highlighted issues with corrupt immigration officials. Nevertheless, stringent regulations and screenings aim to maintain security without overly burdening law-abiding expats.

 

For more details, the full interview and Thailand’s new visas episode of the Bangkok Post vodcast Deeper Dive can be found on Spotify or other podcast platforms, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Sarishti Arora

Picture courtesy of ET Travel world official website

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-08-05

 

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[Kerryd]

Soooo, unlimited 60 day "Visa Exemption Stamps" - which could be extended for 30 days at an Immigration office for 1900 baht. 
Giving you a 3 month stay for 1,900 baht. 

Then a border run to get a new 60 day stamp and another 1900 for an extension when that one is due.

So you will be able to stay for 12 months at a cost of 7,600 baht (4 extensions at 1,900 each) plus the cost of 4 border runs.

And for as many years (currently) as you like.

Until they suddenly change their minds and cut back on them the way they did with the 30 day Extensions 7 or 8 years ago.

Must be a lot of skint expats rolling on the bar floors laughing their butts off right now and ordering a bottle of the "good beer" for a change instead of their normal small glass of cheap draft.

And a lot of "digital nomad" (aka "begpackers") who will now be able to buy a skewer of BBQ chicken to go with their half order of rice once a day.
All they have to do is show a "slip" from their employer and show that they have basically just over $14,000 US in "assets" - somewhere in the world and they are good for a year.

They didn't clarify though. You get the 180 days, and then can extend it for another 180 days and then what, do a border run and get another 180 days ?
Because the Visa is good for 5 years. If it was only good for 1 year that would be a different story. But by making it a 5 year Visa, that implies you can keep getting "180 day" stamps each year and then extending the stay by an additional 180 days each time before having to do a "border run" again.

Sweet  deal.

But for the people who follow the rules and keep their money in the bank ? 

Not a bluddy thing.
 

[kickstart]

Can anyone remember back to 2006 ish ,we went for, at the time for a marriage extension, at the Bangkok IMO, was told "now you do not need 400k on deposit", I said really? wife had it spent in 15 seconds, build a new house, I said wait a year,

Following year same thing, no money needed on deposit, wife got her new house, following year 2008 financial crash went to IMO, first thing "where's your 400k" oh sugar from me.

I can see these new rules changing overnight, will the next new government keep it, or even the next new PM, the way this country's politics work it might not be so far away. I think. Do not hold your breath.

[MalcolmB]

I have to say the visa rules in Thailand are a big plus with many options. Something for everyone.

 

It is not a two way street though, a Thai who wants to visit the UK has to perform backflips through hoops to have a chance of maybe getting a visa after considerable expense and a pile of paperwork.

It is very racist.

[NativeBob]

ED Plus caused huge influx of students in <not to mentioned> University. six-feet tall europeans, chinese, whatever >>> none speaks thai, arrogant will attend something Humanitarian courses for years. 

Why can't they just make it "case-by-case" instead of "carpet rule"?

So sorry for Thai education system!

[stoner]

4 hours ago, Kerryd said:

ordering a bottle of the "good beer" for a change instead of their normal small glass of cheap draft.

 

hahahaha and the good ciggies too.....no LM daeng for me today somchai only the best.  

[PingRoundTheWorld]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

You can enter as many times as possible within a calendar year.

Well.. they did a 180 on that one... pun intended. I wonder if immigration officers at the airports are aware of this...

[bananafish]

12 hours ago, Kerryd said:

All they have to do is show a "slip" from their employer and show that they have basically just over $14,000 US in "assets" - somewhere in the world and they are good for a year.

They didn't clarify though. You get the 180 days, and then can extend it for another 180 days and then what, do a border run and get another 180 days ?
 

 

I know people who have already applied for the DTV. It's not so easy. They submitted all documents and they were requested to provide much more. Official tax documents and such. 

 

And yes, it's a 5-year visa, and you can come and go as you like for 5 years. Every time you enter, you get stamped for another 180 days. 

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, Kerryd said:

Must be a lot of skint expats rolling on the bar floors laughing their butts off right now and ordering a bottle of the "good beer" for a change instead of their normal small glass of cheap draft.

Cheap shot...

[Kiwiken]

8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I have to say the visa rules in Thailand are a big plus with many options. Something for everyone.

 

It is not a two way street though, a Thai who wants to visit the UK has to perform backflips through hoops to have a chance of maybe getting a visa after considerable expense and a pile of paperwork.

It is very racist.

Same for NZ

[JensenZ]

12 hours ago, Kerryd said:

So you will be able to stay for 12 months at a cost of 7,600 baht (4 extensions at 1,900 each) plus the cost of 4 border runs.

And for as many years (currently) as you like.

Until they suddenly change their minds and cut back on them the way they did with the 30 day Extensions 7 or 8 years ago.

Must be a lot of skint expats rolling on the bar floors laughing their butts off right now and ordering a bottle of the "good beer" for a change instead of their normal small glass of cheap draft.

Why would "skint expats" be happy about this change? 4 x visa runs are (at cheapest) 14,000 baht (if a Cambodia Visa is required on a border run), plus the 4 extensions for 7,900, for a total of 21,600 and many fun hours in a minivan. Most "skint expats" can get a yearly retirement extension for around 12,500. Sure, it will be good news for people under 50.

[Lopburikid]

20 minutes ago, Kiwiken said:

Same for NZ

Go in a dingy, they'll have a house, money and a new phone with-in a day!😜

[Sharp]

Every man and his dog will be landing in Thailand spending little but using infrastructure services to the max( Bad Mix)

[ChasingTheSun]

Are all the extending “digital nomads” and visa-runners gonna pay income tax in thailand on their foreign earnings if they stay a day over 6 months in Thailand?

 

Technically they would be Thailand residents for income tax purposes if they stay over 183 days in total in Thailand during a calendar year.

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Upnotover]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Category O spousal visa

 

The third category includes those with spouses or children in Thailand

It ought to be clarified that the 3rd category referred to is for spouses and children of DTV holders already in Thailand.  i.e. non-Thai spouses and children.

[Red Forever]

29 minutes ago, Lopburikid said:

Go in a dingy, they'll have a house, money and a new phone with-in a day!😜

Shoehorning xenophobia into the subject.

Classy!

[ryandb]

13 hours ago, Kerryd said:

And a lot of "digital nomad" (aka "begpackers") who will now be able to buy a skewer of BBQ chicken to go with their half order of rice once a day.

 

Go to a local co working spot, I think you might be confused on the income of the vast majority of actual digital nomads

[cncltd1973]

the unnecessary part is needing to have a reason to stay in Thailand. why must everyone fit into those 3 categories? so if someone is retired and aimless, he doesn't qualify? the only reason that should be required to stay in Thailand is to spend money, the rest is stupid bureaucracy again

[Old Croc]

52 minutes ago, Lopburikid said:

Go in a dingy, they'll have a house, money and a new phone with-in a day!😜

Even a dingy dinghy.

[PeachCH]

The retired falangs who put the 800,000 into a bank account, must be not too happy. 

The other category, "short cut one year visa with an agent" will have a smile on their 💋 😊

[cookie1974]

Dont worry,visa rules? Here today gone tomorrow they will change it next month the flip flop will continue

[ricklev]

I would be willing to bet 500,000 baht that immigration is not going to allow DTV holders who came here for a single medical procedure or short cooking class to reenter the country and get another 180 days for five years without some difficult and confusing documentation.  

 

Remember, Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who created these visas are two separate fiefdoms.  

[Karma80]

10 minutes ago, ryandb said:

Go to a local co working spot, I think you might be confused on the income of the vast majority of actual digital nomads

I agree there. The notion that every remote worker is some perpetually broke clickbait YouTuber is a complete stereotype. Many people I know are working remotely in Thailand on six-figure incomes. They use Thailand's territorial taxation and the very wide, more than vague enforcement, or lack thereof, to their advantage.

40 minutes ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Are all the extending “digital nomads” and visa-runners gonna pay income tax in thailand on their foreign earnings if they stay a day over 6 months in Thailand?

Which brings us to this. Probably not. There's no choke point such as an annual extension for enforcement. If you're on an annual visa, you could chuck in a requirement to show a tax return. The DTV has no such mechanism and near impossible to enforce in any way. You arrive in Thailand, you get stamped for 180 days. The guy at the immigration kiosk in the airport isn't the RD.

But perhaps that's the point. Thailand doesn't really care beyond lip service. Come and spend the money you're bringing in from overseas. Multiply by millions of visitors.

[AhFarangJa]

5 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I would be willing to bet 500,000 baht that immigration is not going to allow DTV holders who came here for a single medical procedure or short cooking class to reenter the country and get another 180 days for five years without some difficult and confusing documentation.  

 

Remember, Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who created these visas are two separate fiefdoms.  

Agreed Rick, First hand experience of different immigration fiefdoms. When lived in Hua Hin, money in the bank, six months statements, and the obligatory update on the day & bank letter. Moved back to near Surin, now money in the bank 12 months statements, even though the Government visa rules state 3 months before & 3 months after visa date. I will not hold my breath on these rules being changed in the near future, or even taken advantage of as being more complex, therefore more interpretations, equals more kickbacks because you "not haf correct paper". Flip flop Government will not disappoint I am sure.

[sikishrory]

If you're looking for the podcast I posted about it with timestamps in a thread a few days ago to make it easier for people to navigate.

 

 

[ronster]

So you can get a 180 day visa for going to a music festival ? 😳

[Pouatchee]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Entrants must show access to at least 20,000 baht

 

what is this?

how many times here have i read of people being sent off at immi for not having the funds on them? so now it is SHOW ACCESS to the funds but not cash in hand? So, I can just pull out my smart phone, access my credit card statement and show how much credit is left on the card?

[Chongalulu]

11 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I have to say the visa rules in Thailand are a big plus with many options. Something for everyone.

 

It is not a two way street though, a Thai who wants to visit the UK has to perform backflips through hoops to have a chance of maybe getting a visa after considerable expense and a pile of paperwork.

It is very racist.

A vacuous,unthinking play of the race card. Very many Western countries have different rules for various nationalities wishing to enter and for good reason. As developed countries they are very attractive for those from poorer countries to overstay,enter the black market for employment etc. ,thus a need to be discriminating and police those wishing to enter. Thailand has a reputation for its nationals doing just that. 

[Taboo2]

So, this is the Final, Final...right...I mean, no more "Flipping the Script"? 

 

Because, I wake up and there is always news on the Visa program....

 

So, this is the end,,,,

[sabai-dee-man]

1 hour ago, Karma80 said:

I agree there. The notion that every remote worker is some perpetually broke clickbait YouTuber is a complete stereotype. Many people I know are working remotely in Thailand on six-figure incomes. They use Thailand's territorial taxation and the very wide, more than vague enforcement, or lack thereof, to their advantage.

<snip>

But perhaps that's the point. Thailand doesn't really care beyond lip service. Come and spend the money you're bringing in from overseas. Multiply by millions of visitors.

 

Not quite on 6 figures, but yeah, that's been me for the last 15 years or so.