Special Investment Visa.

[Thomas Stevenson]

I wish to obtain a single entry Non Immigrant B class visa (60 days) with an option to extend for a further 30 days on the grounds that I have invested over 3 million baht in a new building development.

I am 35 years old and hail from Blighty-United Kingdom.

The documents that I have are as follows:

1. I bought 5 units in the development and therefore have 5 Tabien Baans.

2. I have 5 Chenods, Title documents to the property. (Indicating that I am the first purchaser). A rule I understand that I need to satisfy. You have to be the first purchaser to the said property direct from the developer. I believe to stimulate new investment in Thailand.

3. I have two 'Tor Tor 3' forms indicating that I transferred the funds in from outside of Thailand in excess of three million baht for the sole purpose of a condominium purchase.

4. I have one Sale/Purchase contract from also indicating the purchase was in excess of 3 million baht.

5. Are there any other documents other than my passport and photographs as well as the requisite fees that I will need to complete this process?

6. Would I be correct in that this falls under the caterory of 'B' class visa and not an 'O'?

6. I wish to do this in Penang as I am currently on a 30 day permit to enter. Has anyone been there lately do this? Were they helpful? Would your advice be to obtain a tourist visa instead and complete the rest of the process in Thailand.

Thank you Thomas.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I wish to obtain  a single entry Non Immigrant B class visa (60 days) with an option to extend for a further 30 days on the grounds that I have invested over 3 million baht in a new building development.

I am 35 years old and hail from Blighty-United Kingdom. 

The documents that I have are as follows:

1. I bought 5 units in the development and therefore have 5 Tabien Baans.

2. I have 5 Chenods, Title documents to the property. (Indicating that I am the first purchaser). A rule I understand that I need to satisfy. You have to be the first purchaser to the said property direct from the developer. I believe to stimulate new investment in Thailand.

3. I have two 'Tor Tor 3' forms indicating that I transferred the funds in from outside of Thailand in excess of three million baht for the sole purpose of a condominium purchase.

4. I have one Sale/Purchase contract from also indicating the purchase was in excess of  3 million baht.

5. Are there any other documents other than my passport and photographs as well as the requisite fees that I will need to complete this process?

6. Would I be correct in that this falls under the caterory of 'B' class visa and not an 'O'?

6. I wish to do this in Penang as I am currently on a 30 day permit to enter. Has anyone been there lately do this? Were they helpful? Would your advice be to obtain a tourist visa instead and complete the rest of the process in Thailand.

Thank you Thomas.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is a B you need Thomas and it is good for a 90 day stay. Take copies of all that documentary evidence and Penang should look after you without a problem for a single entry visa. Best of luck.

[lopburi3]

We have always advised checking with immigration prior to doing this so not sure if you will qualify or not. The old regulation was as quoted below - not the word "a" in reference to condo.

Special one year visa for applicants who invest 3 Million Baht.

With Three Million Baht Investment

You Can Stay Longer in Thailand

On 30 September 1998, the office of Immigration Bureau issued its announcement to facilitate foreigners who bring in foreign currencies amounting to 3 million Baht to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for the period of one year at the time.  The announcement is aimed at promoting the government's policy to attract foreign investors to enter the Kingdom.

How to qualify for this type of visa?

1. The applicant must have evidence showing that 3 million Baht (approximately US$71,000) has been transferred in his/her name to any bank in Thailand

2. The Transfer of money in  1. must have the following objectives:

    *

      fixed deposit in any government bank.

    *

      purchase of government bonds or state enterprise bonds.

    *

      purchase of a condominium from the owner of a condominium project which is registered with the  Land Department.

    *

      other investments which the Office of Immigration Bureau considers beneficial to the country.  Applicants who are advised to invest in one of the said investment can also invest their capital in one or other objectives but the total amount of investment should not be less than 3 million Baht.

3. Prior to entering the country, applicants must have an appropriate kind of visa from a Thai Consulate abroad (non-immigrant visa).

4. Office of Immigration Bureau reserves the right to terminate the duration to stay in the Kingdom of the foreign investors in the program if they fall to inform the Office of Immigration Bureau in advance of the change of their investment activities.

Source: Royal Thai Consulate Chicago

Edited January 4, 2005 by lopburi3

[astral]

I hope these are condos?

[Thomas Stevenson]

Thank you Dr. Pong

Lopuri3. Yes I have checked with Bangkok Immigration and they seem to think I have the correct documents. They said if I do not get a Non Immigrant B that I should get a Tourist visa and they will do the conversion.

Astral, yes they are condo's.

I would welcome any other opinions and I will write a report when I return so I too may be able to return something to this forum, whether the visa is issued or not.

Thank you once again Thomas.

[lopburi3]

Thank you Dr. Pong

Lopuri3. Yes I have checked with Bangkok Immigration and they seem to think I have the correct documents. They said if I do not get a Non Immigrant B that I should get a Tourist visa and they will do the conversion.

Astral, yes they are condo's.

I would welcome any other opinions and I will write a report when I return so I too may be able to return something to this forum, whether the visa is issued or not.

Thank you once again Thomas.     

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's good news. Do follow-up as we have very little information on this program and even less in the way of personal accounts.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Go for it Thomas and let us all know how it turns out.

[LivinLOS]

I am also in the process of doing this.. I have some time left on my current visa so am not in a hurry but want to chime in..

I have been to a friendly office and checked with them repeatedly what they want.. They have been explicit and certain that all I need to do is come along showing 3 mil in my Thai bank account and 2x passport photos..

I asked did I need to buy condo or buy bonds or have it in a specialist bank account.. could I use the money as I saw fit etc..

They have confirmed again and again that all they want is to see the 3 mil.. No import from outside Thailand.. No Tor Tor 3.. No bonds or condo purchase.. Yes I can use the money and if I show theres 3 mil balance next year they will extend it !!

I worried if it went to another office who may knock me back (after bringing in and changing the currency to baht) but they assure me they issue the visa direct out of that office and it takes only a short period for them to do it..

Sounds too good to be true and I suspect it is.. Will report when I go through with it if this works.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I am also in the process of doing this.. I have some time left on my current visa so am not in a hurry but want to chime in..

I have been to a friendly office and checked with them repeatedly what they want.. They have been explicit and certain that all I need to do is come along showing 3 mil in my Thai bank account and 2x passport photos..

I asked did I need to buy condo or buy bonds or have it in a specialist bank account.. could I use the money as I saw fit etc..

They have confirmed again and again that all they want is to see the 3 mil.. No import from outside Thailand.. No Tor Tor 3.. No bonds or condo purchase.. Yes I can use the money and if I show theres 3 mil balance next year they will extend it !!

I worried if it went to another office who may knock me back (after bringing in and changing the currency to baht) but they assure me they issue the visa direct out of that office and it takes only a short period for them to do it..

Sounds too good to be true and I suspect it is.. Will report when I go through with it if this works.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whyever wouldn't you continue dealing with one ' office ' at each renewal ?

[LivinLOS]

I dont understand your comment Dr P...

I am intending on dealing with one office and only one office.. I am merely trying to point out that this rule / law / provision seems to be badly understood with some places saying there is no such thing and others stating not only it exists but (what I understand to be) the import or moneys and 'investment' of moneys is not required..

I am concerned as I have no intention of buying a condo (I am a nocturnal noisy person.. I am better in detached homes without close neighbours) though I could well purchase land.. I would not buy Thai bonds either.. I am concerned that after bringing in and converting 3 mil worth of assets I could find out that the small sattalite office I deal with is not the final say in the matter (though they claim to be).. I dont wish to sell investments and convert 3 mil worth of them into baht to get turned down !!

People might want to check what thier office says as it seems very office to office, even more than usual.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I dont understand your comment Dr P...

I am intending on dealing with one office and only one office.. I am merely trying to point out that this rule / law / provision seems to be badly understood with some places saying there is no such thing and others stating not only it exists but (what I understand to be) the import or moneys and 'investment' of moneys is not required..

I am concerned as I have no intention of buying a condo (I am a nocturnal noisy person.. I am better in detached homes without close neighbours) though I could well purchase land.. I would not buy Thai bonds either.. I am concerned that after bringing in and converting 3 mil worth of assets I could find out that the small sattalite office I deal with is not the final say in the matter (though they claim to be).. I dont wish to sell investments and convert 3 mil worth of them into baht to get turned down !!

People might want to check what thier office says as it seems very office to office, even more than usual.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Varying interpretations are a feature of Thai bureacracy.

[LivinLOS]

Yes agreed.. However as its a new law that even this time last year many offices stated was no longer applicable and seems to have been on and off the cards, this one especially may be open to interpretation..

If you have ruled this one out due to the purchase or investment issues, it seems worth asking your local office..

[astral]

Whyever wouldn't you continue dealing with one ' office ' at each renewal ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought there was a special office for dealing with this situation?

A "One Stop Shop" when it was announced a few years back,

or has that fallen by the wayside?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Whyever wouldn't you continue dealing with one ' office ' at each renewal ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought there was a special office for dealing with this situation?

A "One Stop Shop" when it was announced a few years back,

or has that fallen by the wayside?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The one stop isn't what it once was ( or what it was intended to be ) and for those out of BKK it'd be a pain to have to travel there.