3 Year Multiple Entry Visas To Be Introduced

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I agree Lop

[cutter007]

At least we have it a lot easier than a Thai wanting to visit our countries for a holiday or protracted stay with their falang husbands.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I definitly don't agree with this statement, I have got a number of my employees visas for the USA, all they brought in was a letter from me (company letter), some bank account information, and a house registration.

The interview only lasted 5 minutes.

They all walked out with 10 year multiple entry visas for the grand price of 4000 baht.

I run a legitimate business in Thailand and when I went in to get the 1 year extension, I had to bring in so many documents that the stack of papers was 6 cm thick. Then they denied my application because of one small error on one document.

In Thailand as far as visas go, we are all treated like tattoo riden, bar girls trying to get Western visas.

Three year visa will help, but for me I will never try and get an extension for the 90 days.

On principal I would rather fly some where for the weekend, spending my tourist dollars in another SE Asian country, and not paying the re-entry permit to immigration.

[Fah Dee]

Excellent news for those who travel frequently to Thailand.

Personally I dnt have any business there except visit some friends and enjoy the sights and sounds of Bangkok and it''s neighbouring cities.

Great news and a great topic again George.

Greetings from Abu Dhabi.

[Pui]

My Non-B Expired 6 months ago. It was issued in England.

Since I go to China every 2 - 3 weeks for business I haven’t bother going all the way to England just for a visa.

It’s having to go out of the country every month though. It would be nice sometimes if I didn't have to.

So this is very good news for me.

Work permits for small businesses like mine are difficult to get.

The Thai authorities seem to only be interested in large companies which is a shame.

I can't think why people in this discussion are saying things like it’s up to corrupt officials? It’s not because the visas are not even issued in Thailand. They are standard as long as your paper work is in order and are genuinely visiting Thailand for business. Applying for a Non-B in your own country is a very straightforward process.

[rexall]

Great news that George.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, definitely an improvement, if it is actually implemented. No need to poo-poo on a benefit, however it seems to me that--depending upon whether you have transport and how convenient you are to a border crossing--the 90 day visa run is a much bigger pain in the ass than an annual trip to a friendly consulate abroad.

Annually, it costs 4,000-5,000 bahtski for your Lao or Cambodia visas. I would be just as happy to pay that same amount to Thailand to avoid making those dumb visa runs if they would only provide a legal way to do it. And I am sure that the aggregate revenue to the Thai treasury would be considerable.

Never mind. Too logical!

Aloha,

Rex

Edited June 3, 2005 by rexall

[jaapfries]

Good news, a step in the right direction. I heard a rumour that they were going to issue 5 year non-imm visas, maybe this is what I heard about.

I think that they are getting understaffed at immigration and a way they could solve this and make more money is to issue longer non-imm visas to those who have extended their non-imm visas for a few years, ie retirees and those married to Thais.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah; right-on: "They're making more money ? ? ? ?" 1 year = Bt. 5K; 3 years = Bt. 10.K I am no economist, but I figure they're making less money; in fact they're making "roughly" Bt. 5K less money. You could apply for Finance Minister at that new European Union Government any time pal . . . . . . . .

[Estrada]

3 year multiple entry visas to be introduced

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- The Ministry of Foregin Affairs will soon introduce a 3 year multiple entry Non-Immigrant Visa. The validity of visas for business purposes will be extended to three years to attract investors to Thailand.

Deputy Government Spokeman Danuporn Poonakun, told the Bangkok Post that the new multiple-entry non immigrant type B (business visa) would be valid for three years.

He said the new visa is part of a goverment attempt to attract foreign investors to

operate businesses or work in Thailand. The current multiple- entry business visa is valid for one year and cost the equivalent of 5,000 baht.

A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will take a few months before the

ministry have finalised the legislation for the new three-year multiple entry business visa, which will cost double the one year fee, or around 10,000 baht

Thai Immigration will grant a 90 days stay in the Kingdom on each entry, and an extended stay could be granted for work permit holders and others up to one year at the time, according to the ministry.

The Thai embassies and consulates abroad will continue to issue the one year visa's as well as the new three year visa.

--thaivisa.com 2005-06-03

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To add to this and also reply to some of the negative comments given by other posters:

1. The three year visa is in fact cheaper since each time of application for a

renewal here loses me 3 days at B15,000/day in Consultancy fees, plus taxi

fares, photographs, photocopies, etc.

2. I have been based in Thailand for 11 years, but for the last 4 years have been

carrying out Consultancy overseas, Bpai Glap, Bpai Glap, Mahk Mahk. The one

year Visa has been a real hassle since I need to come back at a time that is not convenient. This can cost some B40,000 in air fares. Therefore last year, I let my Visa lapse. As you may be aware, if you are married you must have a three year unbroken Visa period prior to application for Resident status, so I would have to start from scratch again. The new three year Multiple entry Visa makes a lot of sense and I will be one of the first to apply.

3. It is possible to get the Visa issued in Bangkok if they like you .

4. I have never been asked for under table money to facilitate a Visa renewal, members who say this may have been using "Visa Experts [Touts]" who may say that undertable money is required, but in fact the money is going in their own pockets.

5. Contrary to most of the stories about how difficult it is for a Thai Woman to get a Visa, my wife has never had a problem. She has been to UK [two years], Romania [three times], Cambodia, and Malaysia [ 5 times]. The Embassies have been very helpful to her on all occasions and has even been invited to the Romanian Independance day Celebrations, and a dinner given by the Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia.

6. I see newly married Farangs at Thai Immigration, being interviewed by immigration officials in front of me. They can quite easily see that the love of their life is a bar girl out to get all their money, a house and car and then dump them, and in some cases murder them and claim the pension. Therefore I would suppose that they view giving a one year visa to a Farang who is going to be milked of all his money, as aiding and abetting a crime.

7. Even with the 30 million passengers a year coming through Don Muang every year, a Thai Immigration officer came rushing over to process my entry stamp last week. "How's your family, no one year Visa now?". If you treat Thais with respect and speak the language, they are wonderful people. If you treat them like a Farang they will not respect you and give you lots of hassle.

8. The only nonsense that needs to be addressed is the 90 day reporting, which is a right pain and total waste of time. Why do we need to report where we are staying every 90 days when we have our own house here? You can say it is to monitor terrorist's movements, but they can nip down to Pattani, set off a bomb, and back many times within the 90 days and still be in Bangkok on the 90th day.

9. Although it is a three year visa, you still need a work permit to do business here with a few exceptions.

10. A close friend has had a clothing manufacturing business here for 15 years. He has never bothered with a one year visa, as he travels to Hongkong, Korea and Germany at least once a month on business. He has two Thai children by his Thai partner, although they are not married. The Thai immigration never give him hassles and indeed fall over backwards to help him. They have waved overstay fees and have even told him they will give him 3 month entry Visas if he shows the Birth Certificate of his sons.

[North]

At least we have it a lot easier than a Thai wanting to visit our countries for a holiday or protracted stay with their falang husbands.

Not sure how you figure that. To a western country it is a one time process for life - you don't have to depend on non immigrant visa/extension each year. Different yes - easier overall; I would not agree.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don´t agree with you on this one, Lopburi, I only know about Denmark, and it is not at all easy to get a visa for a visit to Denmark, not to mention a visa to live here.

Example 1: If I want a visa to Thailand, I can send all paperwork and passport by registered mail to the embassy and get the visa.

If my wife in Isaan wants to visit me in Denmark, she will have to apply in person at the embassy in BKK. Then go back home and wait 1-3 months. If she can get a visa, she will have to go to the embassy again to show, that she has a ticket to Denmark. I once did overlook that circus at the embassy, and generally the applicants was treated like sh#t !

Example 2: If a thai wants to live in Denmark, she will first apply like in no. 1

But to that you can add a long list of demands to the applicant and the danish citizen, like, giving a bank guarantee for the amount of approx. 345.000 baht running for 7 years. The applicant can have the visa for 1 or 2 years (depending on the mood of the officer in charge that day)

First after 7 years you can have an unlimited permit to stay.

I am not at all proud of the way, we treat foreigners in Denmark, it seems to me we are not treating them better than Thailand does.

North

[kenkannif]

At least we have it a lot easier than a Thai wanting to visit our countries for a holiday or protracted stay with their falang husbands.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I definitly don't agree with this statement, I have got a number of my employees visas for the USA, all they brought in was a letter from me (company letter), some bank account information, and a house registration.

The interview only lasted 5 minutes.

They all walked out with 10 year multiple entry visas for the grand price of 4000 baht.

I run a legitimate business in Thailand and when I went in to get the 1 year extension, I had to bring in so many documents that the stack of papers was 6 cm thick. Then they denied my application because of one small error on one document.

In Thailand as far as visas go, we are all treated like tattoo riden, bar girls trying to get Western visas.

Three year visa will help, but for me I will never try and get an extension for the 90 days.

On principal I would rather fly some where for the weekend, spending my tourist dollars in another SE Asian country, and not paying the re-entry permit to immigration.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please edit that quote out (or rather my name) as I did NOT post that! Thanks!

[amal2029]

The VISA stuff is no more torturous than other countries I have lived in.

As long as you're on the up and up, and have a valid business / reason to be here, there's no reason to worry. For those Expats whose company pays the fees, this is awesome....

Rob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can I say I am one of the lucky guys.....

[lopburi3]

Estrada,2005-06-03 14:32:39

To add to this and also reply to some of the negative comments given by other posters:

1.  The three year visa is in fact cheaper since each time of application for a       

    renewal here loses me 3 days at B15,000/day in Consultancy fees, plus taxi

    fares, photographs, photocopies, etc.

2.  I have been based in Thailand for 11 years, but for the last 4 years have been

    carrying out Consultancy overseas, Bpai Glap, Bpai Glap, Mahk Mahk. The one

    year Visa has been a real hassle since I need to come back at a time that is not convenient. This can cost some B40,000 in air fares. Therefore last year, I let my Visa lapse. As you may be aware, if you are married you must have a three year unbroken Visa period prior to application for Resident status, so I would have to start from scratch again. The new three year Multiple entry Visa makes a lot of sense and I will be one of the first to apply.

3.  It is possible to get the Visa issued in Bangkok if they like you .

4.  I have never been asked for under table money to facilitate a Visa renewal, members who say this may have been using "Visa Experts [Touts]" who may say that undertable money is required, but in fact the money is going in their own pockets.

5.  Contrary to most of the stories about how difficult it is for a Thai Woman to get a Visa, my wife has never had a problem. She has been to UK [two years], Romania [three times], Cambodia, and Malaysia [ 5 times]. The Embassies have been very helpful to her on all occasions and has even been invited to the Romanian Independance day Celebrations, and a dinner given by the Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia.

6.  I see newly married Farangs at Thai Immigration, being interviewed by immigration officials in front of me. They can quite easily see that the love of their life is  a bar girl out to get all their money, a house and car and then dump them, and in some cases murder them and claim the pension. Therefore I would suppose that they view giving a one year visa to a Farang who is going to be milked of all his money, as aiding and abetting a crime.

7.  Even with the 30 million passengers a year coming through Don Muang every year, a Thai Immigration officer came rushing over to process my entry stamp last week. "How's your family, no one year Visa now?". If you treat Thais with respect and speak the language, they are wonderful people. If you treat them like a Farang they will not respect you and give you lots of hassle.

8.  The only nonsense that needs to be addressed is the 90 day reporting, which is a right pain and total waste of time. Why do we need to report where we are staying every 90 days when we have our own house here? You can say it is to monitor terrorist's movements, but they can nip down to Pattani, set off a bomb, and back many times within the 90 days and still be in Bangkok on the 90th day.

9.  Although it is a three year visa, you still need a work permit to do business here with a few exceptions.

10. A close friend has had a clothing manufacturing business here for 15 years. He has never bothered with a one year visa, as he travels to Hongkong, Korea and Germany at least once a month on business. He has two Thai children by his Thai partner, although they are not married. The Thai immigration never give him hassles and indeed fall over backwards to help him. They have waved overstay fees and have even told him they will give him 3 month entry Visas if he shows the Birth Certificate of his sons.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. For your special situation - for most the extension of stay is and will remain better and cheaper.

2. Multi entry visa has never counted toward PR requirements of living in Thailand for 3 years in the past - only extension of stay seems to have been accepted.

3. Only if you currently have a visa and need a change AFAIK. Not for routine issue of visa.

4. Then again they may have been asked. It seems some offices have not been as clean as others but agree the "had to pay" may also be used to pad a bill.

5. Other than the UK you did not exactly list problem countries and being the wife of an expat does make it a wee bit easier to enter the UK than the young lady without family/resource that problem mainly concerns.

6. And you say this post is to counter negativity?

7. If you treat anyone with respect you can expect to receive the same. Nothing Thai or farang about it.

8. Agree 90 day reporting should not be required in its present form. Although would not object to web based system of some kind.

9. It is a multi entry visa and you will need a new work permit every 90 days if you work here on it - it is designed for travelers not for those that work here.

10. He has reason and immigration understands it.

Edited June 3, 2005 by lopburi3

[opalhort]

Related topic - Chiangmai Labour Office now have a tatty photocopy of an official looking announcement under the glass at the work permit desk announcing that the paperwork to apply for the work permit costs 100 Baht (+ application fee).

Anyone else being made to "buy" the application form for a work permit - i.e. offices other than Chiangmai?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This has been the practice at our local (Rachaburana, BKK) Labour office for the past two years. application fee + 100.-B and the additional 100.- are shown in the receipt! So I'm sure it is an offical regulation.

opalhort

[mnoorsapl]

Great News !!!

Thanks George

[simcity]

thank George great news !!

i ring by the way my thai cousulat this afternoom , and he said it will take bit of time to get eveything settle ..

[bkk_mike]

At least we have it a lot easier than a Thai wanting to visit our countries for a holiday or protracted stay with their falang husbands.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure how you figure that. To a western country it is a one time process for life - you don't have to depend on non immigrant visa/extension each year. Different yes - easier overall; I would not agree.

I don´t agree with you on this one, Lopburi, I only know about Denmark, and it is not at all easy to get a visa for a visit to Denmark, not to mention a visa to live here.

Example 1: If I want a visa to Thailand, I can send all paperwork and passport by registered mail to the embassy and get the visa.

If my wife in Isaan wants to visit me in Denmark, she will have to apply in person at the embassy in BKK. Then go back home and wait 1-3 months. If she can get a visa, she will have to go to the embassy again to show, that she has a ticket to Denmark. I once did overlook that circus at the embassy, and generally the applicants was treated like sh#t !

Example 2: If a thai wants to live in Denmark, she will first apply like in no. 1

But to that you can add a long list of demands to the applicant and the danish citizen, like, giving a bank guarantee for the amount of approx. 345.000 baht running for 7 years. The applicant can have the visa for 1 or 2 years (depending on the mood of the officer in charge that day)

First after 7 years you can have an unlimited permit to stay.

I am not at all proud of the way, we treat foreigners in Denmark, it seems to me we are not treating them better than Thailand does. annoyed.gif

North smile.gif

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We all know it's easier to get a Thai visa, than for a Thai to get a visa for a western country.

I think what lopburi is trying to say is that living in Thailand once you have a visa is a lot more hassle than in most other countries.

I.e. it's a lot harder to get into other countries, but once there things are a LOT easier.

I don't know about once your wife gets into Denmark, but I know that once mine arrived on her settlement visa in the UK, she was automatically allowed to work. (no work permit requirement). The only time we had to report our address was a year later (now it would have been 2 years) when applying for permanent residence (ILR in the UK), for which there is no language requirement.

After getting ILR, so long as you never stay out of the UK for two complete years, you can continue to enter and exit, at will, without even applying for a visa. No re-entry permits, nothing... (and if you are staying in the UK, you can apply for a UK passport after 3 years, for which there is a language requirement, but even that is only recently).

Compare that to Thailand - getting a visa into Thailand is easier and cheaper. But then it has to be because the costs of staying are significantly higher. 90 day reporting, re-entry permits, yearly trips to immigration. If you travel a lot anyway, it's a LOT less hassle to get multi-entry visas than to get re-entry permits and go through the yearly immigration interview. I don't want to even think about the process for permanent residence if you want to start on that route. (I thought the UK was bad, but only because I didn't know any better at the time - but it only took 8 hours for my wife to get her ILR, and 7½ of those were sitting waiting for our number to be called in Croydon).

As for visit visas, Denmark may be a special case, but my wife has Schengen, Oz and US visit visas in her passport. None of them required more than applying and supporting paperwork to show she had sufficient funds for the trip (i.e. id card, house book and bank statements, the same sort of paperwork you need to open an Easy Buy account at The Mall). The US had a brief interview, but for Oz and France (for the Schengen) - she didn't even have to go to the embassy. (I think the interview is because the US issued a 10 year multi-entry visa - the others only issued single-trip visas).

Edited June 3, 2005 by bkk_mike

[ralph]

They should also think about making the retirement visa three years. This would be a lot less stress on the individual and on the immigration system. I think it would cost the Thai Immigration less to operate per_year. Yes it should cost more to the individual, say around tripple the cost on a one year visa.

[pedro01]

How many times has the government tried to introduce these new Visas, which sound just great in theory. In real life it is always up to the tyrants at the Immigration, and they have no reason whatsoever to grant somebody a better visa as long as they don't gain anything from it themselves.

Good ideas, like this 3-yr visa thing, are always ruined by corruption, always.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The " tyrants at Immigration " don't issue 'em at all. That's done by the tyrants at Thai Embassies and Consulate's abroad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I get mine in Thailand - yearly visa each year & never have to leave. 3 yearly visas will save a bit of hassle - but I get a lawyer to sort it all out anyway....

[lopburi3]

How many times has the government tried to introduce these new Visas, which sound just great in theory. In real life it is always up to the tyrants at the Immigration, and they have no reason whatsoever to grant somebody a better visa as long as they don't gain anything from it themselves.

Good ideas, like this 3-yr visa thing, are always ruined by corruption, always.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The " tyrants at Immigration " don't issue 'em at all. That's done by the tyrants at Thai Embassies and Consulate's abroad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I get mine in Thailand - yearly visa each year & never have to leave. 3 yearly visas will save a bit of hassle - but I get a lawyer to sort it all out anyway....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You receive extensions of stay at Immigration.

[dereklev]

At least we have it a lot easier than a Thai wanting to visit our countries for a holiday or protracted stay with their falang husbands.

I definitly don't agree with this statement, I have got a number of my employees visas for the USA, all they brought in was a letter from me (company letter), some bank account information, and a house registration.

The interview only lasted 5 minutes.

They all walked out with 10 year multiple entry visas for the grand price of 4000 baht.

I run a legitimate business in Thailand and when I went in to get the 1 year extension, I had to bring in so many documents that the stack of papers was 6 cm thick. Then they denied my application because of one small error on one document.

In Thailand as far as visas go, we are all treated like tattoo riden, bar girls trying to get Western visas.

Three year visa will help, but for me I will never try and get an extension for the 90 days.

On principal I would rather fly some where for the weekend, spending my tourist dollars in another SE Asian country, and not paying the re-entry permit to immigration.

That is absolute cr*p!!!

My tattoo riden BG was treated very respectfully!!!

I have never had a problem extending my Non-Imm O visa and I am always treated with respect and corteousy by the Immigration department.

[FrancieL]

To the person who considers employees at Thai Embassies and Consulates-General around the world as "tyrants" - I take great exception to this! I have been issuing visas for Thailand from the Honourary Royal Thai Consulate-General in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for over 6 years now, and I am NOT a tyrant! As long as the applicants provide me with the proper documentation, I will issue the visas we are allowed to issue. I doubt very much that the 3-year Non-Immigrant visa will be required for most of our applicants here in Calgary, as most Non-Immigrant applicants only require a Single Entry for work, study or volunteering. I do my best to follow our mandate - to issue visas to Thailand, do Certifications and translations and to assist any Thai National who requires assistance (unlike the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok - they seem to function on the mandate of "how much will it take to p--- off any applicants!).

The rules for visa issuance change from country to country so it is very difficult sometimes to convince an applicant that, here in Canada, we are only allowed to issue certain types of visas - the ability to issue OA Retirement visas has been taken away from us - you can only get this now at the Embassy in Ottawa.

My main point in adding to this string is to inform your readers that not all the Consulates-General are "tyrants"; having said that, however, working in a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General does not automatically make one either a tyrant or an angel - it depends entirely on the person themselves, and they would be one or the other, no matter where they worked.

With kind regards,

Francie Lorren

PA to the Consul-General

Royal Thai Consulate-General, Calgary

[simcity]

staffs at the French Paris Thai embassy was not amiable , i saw them taken a non refund money from a guy and did not want to give him back anything when it was refuse ! ( paid for 2*2 month visa but only get 1*2 months visa ) .

Staff at the French embassy in Bangkok are not good too , very rude !

Australian just bit better .

USA they think people have to crawl and they have so much power !

Humanity in embassies no way , for my experience .

only consulate has show me a good approach .. same difference between a private run post office and a government one !

if this people has businesses they will be bankrupt in no time !

[bino]

3 year multiple entry visas to be introduced

He said the new visa is part of a goverment attempt to attract foreign investors to

operate businesses or work in Thailand. The current multiple- entry business visa is valid for one year and cost the equivalent of 5,000 baht.

how come i got 23 months non-immigrant business visa when i applied for the first time??....

Someone made a mistake.

Definately a typo!!! its a mistake that rarely happens... usually its always a mistake against, and never in favour...

Is it possible that your passport only had 23 more months of validity? Visas won't be issued for a longer period than the travel document is valid.

(unlike the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok - they seem to function on the mandate of "how much will it take to p--- off any applicants!).

You got that right!

My main point in adding to this string is to inform your readers that not all the Consulates-General are "tyrants"; having said that, however, working in a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General does not automatically make one either a tyrant or an angel - it depends entirely on the person themselves, and they would be one or the other, no matter where they worked.

You are right here also, but not 100%. It is true that it does not "automatically" happen. It is a cultivated attitude that comes with the allocation and use of "authority", not just in embassies / consulates, but any other authority. (Thai Police, for example) You contradict yourself and prove the point by commenting and making an example of the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok above as you do.

This applies to the Diplomatic Services of all countries. I've travelled extensively and would say that friendly and helpful embassies / consulates are the exception, not the norm. I'm sure TV members from worldwide would agree with this.

Don't take this personally- if you are as you say, then you are one of the exceptions. It is easy to believe, as even though I grew up on the west coast, I was born in Calgary at the Grace Hospital and my grandparents still live there in the SW. Calgary is one of the friendliest and best cities in the world.

[PeaceBlondie]

Yes, I heard that Calgary has beautiful summers, too - all week of it.

It's informative to realize that consulate and embassy staff people read this forum.

[spencerdharmagrafix]

3 year multiple entry visas to be introduced

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- The Ministry of Foregin Affairs will soon introduce a 3 year multiple entry Non-Immigrant Visa. The validity of visas for business purposes will be extended to three years to attract investors to Thailand.

Deputy Government Spokeman Danuporn Poonakun, told the Bangkok Post that the new multiple-entry non immigrant type B (business visa) would be valid for three years.

He said the new visa is part of a goverment attempt to attract foreign investors to

operate businesses or work in Thailand. The current multiple- entry business visa is valid for one year and cost the equivalent of 5,000 baht.

A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will take a few months before the

ministry have finalised the legislation for the new three-year multiple entry business visa, which will cost double the one year fee, or around 10,000 baht

Thai Immigration will grant a 90 days stay in the Kingdom on each entry, and an extended stay could be granted for work permit holders and others up to one year at the time, according to the ministry.

The Thai embassies and consulates abroad will continue to issue the one year visa's as well as the new three year visa.

--thaivisa.com 2005-06-03

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would be nice if they would issue some kind of visa that lets you stay longer than 90 days...the reson being that in order to register legally an abode in Thailand (long tabian Baan), you need to stay longer than 90 days..if you are longer than 90 days in the country, then you can register, and this would qualify one for the eventual right to Permanent residence, or even changing of Nationality.In fact, it is the only way to get Thai Nationality. I'm sure the They know this though, and that this law has been confected with this idea in mind (to prevent outsiders from moving in).I personally find this a little mean, as They don't seem to mind us bringing our money, that can stay as long as it wants!but once that money has become the property of some living or legal entity in Thailand, and we have no more left, then we have to go.In our countries over the ocean, it might be harder to get in (those of us with Thai wives know this very well), but once you are in and have done something for the country, then staying is no problem.Maybe i'm wrong, i hope so.

[lopburi3]

3 year multiple entry visas to be introduced

--thaivisa.com 2005-06-03

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would be nice if they would issue some kind of visa that lets you stay longer than 90 days...the reson being that in order to register legally an abode in Thailand (long tabian Baan), you need to stay longer than 90 days..if you are longer than 90 days in the country, then you can register, and this would qualify one for the eventual right to Permanent residence, or even changing of Nationality.In fact, it is the only way to get Thai Nationality. I'm sure the They know this though, and that this law has been confected with this idea in mind (to prevent outsiders from moving in).I personally find this a little mean, as They don't seem to mind us bringing our money, that can stay as long as it wants!but once that money has become the property of some living or legal entity in Thailand, and we have no more left, then we have to go.In our countries over the ocean, it might be harder to get in (those of us with Thai wives know this very well), but once you are in and have done something for the country, then staying is no problem.Maybe i'm wrong, i hope so.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is no need for a new visa to stay longer than 90 days. You do that now with an extension of stay which you receive from immigration inside Thailand. For some this shoe does not fit but for most it is the answer.

[Kulkas]

I am a single Canadian male aged 42 wishing to settle in Thailand permanently. Until reading this post I had concluded that for me the best route was the Non-immigrant investment visa obtained through 3 million baht investment (eg. Condo purchase)

Is this 3 year multiple entry visa now a reality? If so, why would I want to go the 3 million baht condo route? Ie. with no upfront investment, I can get a visa of three years duration vs a one year visa. Or am I missing something here?

[lopburi3]

You seem to be missing several things. One is that this is/will be for business only and as such is likely to be very selective as to who it is issued. Second is that this is a visa (you come and go - you do not stay). Third this would not provide the required residence requirements for PR application if this is in your long term plans.

[paulfr]

They should also think about making the retirement visa three years.  This would be a lot less stress on the individual and on the immigration system.  I think it would cost the Thai Immigration less to operate per_year.  Yes it should cost more to the individual, say around tripple the cost on a one year visa.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes Yes Yes Great Idea

Like the Driver's License .... after one year you can apply for and get a 5 yr license. Why not the same (only 3 yrs at a time) for the Retirement Extension.

Three cheers !!

[Kulkas]

Lopburi...as you've probably gathered, I'm new here and have a lot to learn about the various visa types and the best route toward permanent residency.

Starting with your third point: Am I correct in understanding that one of the key qualifications for PR consideration is three years stay in Thailand on consecutive non-immigrant visas? From this standpoint, I dont understand why the three year visa would not satisfy this particular requirement; as it would allow one to stay in the country for 3 years as long as the 90 day reporting requirements were met.

Second point: Although a visa allows one to come and go, does it not also allow one to simply stay put?...again assuming the appropriate 90 ay reporting requirements are met.

First point: On this point I believe I am clearly stuck...as I do not plan to work or have a business, I would not be eligible for this visa anyway.

So I guess the only option for me is the 3 million investment in a Condominium.

But this still only gets me a one year non-immigrant investment visa right? Three years of these strung together would qualify me to apply for PR?

Not trying to challenge anyone's knowledge here...but am seriously trying to figure out the best route toward PR in Thailand

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

Lopburi...as you've probably gathered, I'm new here and have a lot to learn about the various visa types and the best route toward permanent residency. 

Starting with your third point: Am I correct in understanding that one of the key qualifications for PR consideration is three years stay in Thailand on consecutive non-immigrant visas?  From this standpoint, I dont understand why the three year visa would not satisfy this particular requirement; as it would allow one to stay in the country for 3 years as long as the 90 day reporting requirements were met.

Second point:  Although a visa allows one to come and go, does it not also allow one to simply stay put?...again assuming the appropriate 90 ay reporting requirements are met.

First point:  On this point I believe I am clearly stuck...as I do not plan to work or have a business, I would not be eligible for this visa anyway. 

So I guess the only option for me is the 3 million investment in a Condominium. 

But this still only gets me a one year non-immigrant investment visa right?  Three years of these strung together would qualify me to apply for PR?

Not trying to challenge anyone's knowledge here...but am seriously trying to figure out the best route toward PR in Thailand

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. A visa only allows up to a 90 day stay. You must then leave the country - you may come right back but you must leave and that is not continuious stay. You must be here on extension of stay for three years to apply for PR.

2. No. As above a visa allows a set stay (tourist 60 day - non immigrant 90 day).

3. The 3 million is renewable so that could be used after 3 times to apply for PR but PR is not automatic by any means and without employment/business/tax payments is probably not going to be in the cards (but who knows in the future).

4. What you have read about "reporting to immigration" is every 90 days those on extension of stay have to report there current address it they have not traveled outside the country. It is not a visa option.