Investment Visa – Uk Based

[pkrv]

If you are in Thailand on a non immigrant visa then according to the current regulations, you can apply at your local Thai Immigration Dept to Extend your Temporary Permission to Stay on the basis of investment, here are the regulations:

Rules in the Consideration of Alien Applications for Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand according to clause 2 of the order of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters no. 777/2551 dated on 25 November B.E.2551

Case

2.5 In the case of an investment:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

Basis for Consideration

A. In case of an investment of not less than 3 million baht

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) The alien entered Thailand before October 1, 2006 and has been continuously allowed to remain in the Kingdom of not less than 3 million baht.

(3) Proof of money transfer to Thailand of not less than 3 million baht

(4) Proof of investment to purchase a unit in a condominium from an agency or government agency concerned at a price of not less than 3 million baht

(5) Proof of investment in the form of a fixed deposit of not less than 3 million baht with a bank registered in Thailand with Thai shareholders comprising of more than 50% of its shareholders or;

(6) Proof of investment to purchase government or state enterprise bonds with a value of not less than 3 million baht

or

(7) Proof of combined investments as set out in clauses (4), (5), or (6) having a total value of not less than 3 million baht.

B. In case of an investment of not less than 10 million baht.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) Proof of money transfer to Thailand of not less than 10 million baht.

(3) Proof of investment to purchase or rent for a period not less than 3 years of unit in a condominium from an agency or government agency concerned at a price of not less than 10 million baht.

(4) Proof of investment in the form of a fixed deposit of not less than 10 million baht with a bank registered in Thailand with Thai shareholders comprising more than 50% of its shareholders.

(5) Proof of investment to purchase government or state enterprise bonds with a value of not less than 10 million baht

or

(6) Proof of combined investments as set out in clauses (3),(4) or (5) having a total value of not less than 10 million baht.

Thanks for all the help and support guys - This is a big step forward for us.

Do you know what we hit both the 3m THB and 10m THB requirements. We had already transferred well over 3m THB by the 02-Dec-2005 simply because we bought a freehold Farang quota condominium off the plan.

A preliminary introduction of ourselves and paperwork was dispatched to The Royal Thai Embassy London on Monday the 4th October

They should receive ALOT of paperwork today Tuesday.

So once again since no one has commented on an investment visa. I can only do my best.

We will let you know

PKRV.

[jazzbo]

While(st) wishing the best outcome for you and your partner, the 3M/10M baht figures are really only of interest to the Immigration Officer in Bangkok who would extend your Visa based upon the investment in your condominium ... All the Embassy in London can do is issue a non-IMM visa either 'B' or 'O' depending upon the Visa requested and the information you provided on the application form and any documents required to support such request.

[Mario2008]

The 3 million option is not available to you:

(2) The alien entered Thailand before October 1, 2006 and has been continuously allowed to remain in the Kingdom of not less than 3 million baht.

[pkrv]

The 3 million option is not available to you:

(2) The alien entered Thailand before October 1, 2006 and has been continuously allowed to remain in the Kingdom of not less than 3 million baht.

Yes I am considering if Boolean logic is at work. If the cases means AND or OR

The terms used are massivley contradictory

(7) Proof of combined investments as set out in clauses (4), (5), or (6) having a total value of not less than 3 million baht.

I don't really know I think they should be separated out. You meet one of the criteria. Otherwise I cannot see this working.

edit - BTW I see this as OR - but we will see - And yes I could demonstrate proof to purchase a condominium of over 3m THB I was paying installments.

Edited October 5, 2010 by pkrv

[Mario2008]

A. (3 million baht) is for persons who are grandfathered. For this you had to have entered Thailand before October 1, 2006 and have been living in Thailand since then based on investing 3 million baht.

[pkrv]

A. (3 million baht) is for persons who are grandfathered. For this you had to have entered Thailand before October 1, 2006 and have been living in Thailand since then based on investing 3 million baht.

Sorry - You have me at a disadvantage. I have seen the term grandfatherd before on Thaivisa but paid little attention.

The better armed I am the better chance we have of moving forward.

I see no need from the information posted to have grandfathered our existing 3m investment before 2006? We are farang/farang BTW.

[pkrv]

Ok,

I have a reponse from the Royal Thai Embassy London.

[email protected]

"Dear sir We are consular section who cannot be more specific on this than the immigration itself as the immigration is fully in charge of all. I do recommend you to visit their website at

www.immigration.go.th

or the number 021419889 or 02141900-10.

With kind regards"

Basically my request was based on.

Rules in the Consideration of Alien Applications for Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand according to clause 2 of the order of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters no. 777/2551 dated on 25 November B.E.2551

http://www.immigrati...777-2551_th.pdf

I have not dealt with this immigration department before - any experiences on investment visas guys.

policy777-2551_en.pdf

Edited October 20, 2010 by pkrv

[digitalchromakey]

Ok,

I have a reponse from the Royal Thai Embassy London.

[email protected]

"Dear sir We are consular section who cannot be more specific on this than the immigration itself as the immigration is fully in charge of all. I do recommend you to visit their website at

www.immigration.go.th

or the number 021419889 or 02141900-10.

With kind regards"

Basically my request was based on.

Rules in the Consideration of Alien Applications for Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand according to clause 2 of the order of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters no. 777/2551 dated on 25 November B.E.2551

http://www.immigrati...777-2551_th.pdf

I have not dealt with this immigration department before any experiences guys.

You have asked the Thai Embassy in London (a Thai consular section) about an immigration matter (always dealt with by Thai Immigration inside of Thailand).

They have quite correctly referred you to immigration in Bangkok.

The Issuing of entry visas (normally done by Thai consular sections outside of Thailand) and temporary extension of permission to stay (under 777/2551 - done only once you are already admitted to Thailand) are completely different matters, dealt with by different government departments.

You will have to deal with Thai Immigration inside of Thailand, if you want to pursue an extension of permission to stay based on investment.

This notwithstanding, it is much easier to apply for any extension of permission to stay inside of Thailand, if you have entered Thailand on a non immigrant visa - in your case most easily obtained from the Thai consulate in Hull UK.

[pkrv]

Ok,

I have a reponse from the Royal Thai Embassy London.

[email protected]

"Dear sir We are consular section who cannot be more specific on this than the immigration itself as the immigration is fully in charge of all. I do recommend you to visit their website at

www.immigration.go.th

or the number 021419889 or 02141900-10.

With kind regards"

Basically my request was based on.

Rules in the Consideration of Alien Applications for Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand according to clause 2 of the order of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters no. 777/2551 dated on 25 November B.E.2551

http://www.immigrati...777-2551_th.pdf

I have not dealt with this immigration department before any experiences guys.

You have asked the Thai Embassy in London (a Thai consular section) about an immigration matter (always dealt with by Thai Immigration inside of Thailand).

They have quite correctly referred you to immigration in Bangkok.

The Issuing of entry visas (normally done by Thai consular sections outside of Thailand) and temporary extension of permission to stay (under 777/2551 - done only once you are already admitted to Thailand) are completely different matters, dealt with by different government departments.

You will have to deal with Thai Immigration inside of Thailand, if you want to pursue an extension of permission to stay based on investment.

This notwithstanding, it is much easier to apply for any extension of permission to stay inside of Thailand, if you have entered Thailand on a non immigrant visa - in your case most easily obtained from the Thai consulate in Hull UK.

Thank you for your time in helpfull response - It does help - What happens with an initial request for an investment visa - Not an extension - I can't apply for one of these, I don't have one.

Edited October 20, 2010 by pkrv

[lopburi3]

There is no such visa. You apply from a non immigrant visa entry or convert from other entry to non immigrant. An extension of stay is not a visa (although even immigration may call it such at times). Immigration may grant the 10 million if they see fit but believe no more 3 million types are available unless grandfathered. You must present your case to Immigration.

A non immigrant B visa would be the normal visa issued to businessmen interested in investment.

[pkrv]

There is no such visa. You apply from a non immigrant visa entry or convert from other entry to non immigrant. An extension of stay is not a visa (although even immigration may call it such at times). Immigration may grant the 10 million if they see fit but believe no more 3 million types are available unless grandfathered. You must present your case to Immigration.

A non immigrant B visa would be the normal visa issued to businessmen interested in investment.

Yes I agree essentially I am on my own.

Very well - now cross coupling the Royal Thai Embassy London (who have a bumper pack of information on us, and formally know what we are attempting), and the Thai Immigration department - Will report back.

Edited October 20, 2010 by pkrv

[pkrv]

Something very interesting has happened – In British Empire parlance (that ought to annoy the colonials ) a Heavy Cruiser has just appeared off of my port side, and I have been signalled, I have an escort.

The Royal Thai Embassy London will directly connect me to the Thai Immigration authority by phone.

Now that to me looks like a good sign.

Let’s hope I don’t mess it up. But these are initial stages so here goes…

[jazzbo]

Without hopefully resorting to schadenfreude, this notion of bringing a 'Heavy Cruiser' to what is really filling out a TM7 form application at your local IMM Office reminds me of the case of Leona Helmsley (Wikipedia):

(Real Estate billionaire Leona) Helmsley's fate was sealed when a former housekeeper testified during the (tax evasion) trial that she had heard Helmsley say:

"We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes..."

[pkrv]

Hi jazzbo

Thats a retirement visa and not suitable for us. Even the title of this thread is Investment Visa - UK Based - I thought that was the clue

The Royal Thai Embassy London have confirmed that this is a unique request that is unknown to them but are attempting to help me. That I took as a good sign. I know I am not in for an easy ride here.

Critical to the request was informing them of this (kindly supplied by previous posters)

Rules in the Consideration of Alien Applications for Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand according to clause 2 of the order of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters no. 777/2551 dated on 25 November B.E.2551

edit - Ohh and we are squeeky clean - we have to be in our professions

policy777-2551_en.pdf

Edited October 22, 2010 by pkrv

[LivinLOS]

Something very interesting has happened – In British Empire parlance (that ought to annoy the colonials ) a Heavy Cruiser has just appeared off of my port side, and I have been signalled, I have an escort.

The Royal Thai Embassy London will directly connect me to the Thai Immigration authority by phone.

Now that to me looks like a good sign.

Let’s hope I don’t mess it up. But these are initial stages so here goes…

Why are you making this complex ??

Getting a 1 year visa in the uk is as easy as filling the form and licking the stamp.

Getting the extension within Thailand, I suspect is far harder than is worthwhile, just use retirement visa and a dependant visa if not old enough..

All this, heavy hitter, and consular assistance, will go right out the window when you walk through immigrations doors. Secondly your not going to claim the 3mil as it only applies retrospectively when its already been issued, you cant go back and hope to apply under 06 rules in 2010.. Thats not the way they work, they grandfather old rules and all new applicants do new rules. Sometimes they dont even grandfather them.

[LivinLOS]

Thats a retirement visa and not suitable for us.

Why not ?? Get 1 retirement visa then piggyback a spouse support visa off of it ??

edit - Ohh and we are squeeky clean - we have to be in our professions

So you keep saying.. No one was impressed the first time.

[pkrv]

Hmm....

A retirment type visa is of absolutly no use to us. Yes it is a fall back position for me - but that is it.

Don't forget here that if I can set a precident - That is good news for those who invest more than 10m THB in Thailand.

Have you this level of investment in Thailand? Would this be of use to you?

[LivinLOS]

I have many multiples of that level but am smart enough to not have it in Thailand (hows that condo market making out for ya a 14m investment a few years back probably under the 10m market price now).

Just recounting many years experience of Thai dealings.. all this 'sending huge info packs to irrelevant agencies' will be right out the window when you need to walk into immigration.. They are giving you a trivially easy way to do this, but you want to walk the hard road.. So will sign up to this thread and see how many weeks you waste pursuing this extension option, instead of taking the simple one on a plater and being out of there in a a day.

[jazzbo]

Kuhn Lopburi: There is no such Visa

... and as I have said before, it does not seem a problem to get for yourself an extension of Visa (a 'B' or 'O' or any visa) based upon your 10M baht investment; the problem is that you want 2 extensions of visas for unrelated persons based upon the same investment and your total investment is less than 20M baht ... One retirement extension for your self (age 50+) and a 777/2551 2.5 'Investment' extension for the less than age 50 partner would seem a relatively easy endeavor ... but hey! up to you.

BTW It doesn't matter what the condo is worth today; it is the original investment when purchased.

BTW2 As with Leona Helmsley above, it doesn't matter if all the big shots are on your side; it's the little people who will (in this case) sign the final Visa / Extension papers, and if you piss them off, you are still in trouble.

Edited October 22, 2010 by jazzbo

[pkrv]

I have many multiples of that level but am smart enough to not have it in Thailand (hows that condo market making out for ya a 14m investment a few years back probably under the 10m market price now).

Just recounting many years experience of Thai dealings.. all this 'sending huge info packs to irrelevant agencies' will be right out the window when you need to walk into immigration.. They are giving you a trivially easy way to do this, but you want to walk the hard road.. So will sign up to this thread and see how many weeks you waste pursuing this extension option, instead of taking the simple one on a plater and being out of there in a a day.

OK you don't have 10m THB invested in Thailand - well a 10m investment in Thailand is what this thread is about.

Actually the condo is now worth around 25m.

As I understand it - you do 90 day reporting on a retirement visa is that correct?

I am well aware that IF and it is a BIG IF we get an investment visa that the next question will be how do we renew it.

First things first though.

Edited October 22, 2010 by pkrv

[jazzbo]

There is an 'IB' Investment Visa but that is for BOI approved projects...which are under the auspices of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI)

[A_Traveller]

An object lesson in how to complicate something that on the surface [this is just an interweb forum] appears simple.

The position appears to be that the couple are not so defined under Thai law. Therefore forget that point and look at each individual.

Obtain a Non Im O for the purposes of retirement.

Obtain by providing sufficient proof for a Non Im O on the basis of investment of 10m THB in the Kingdom.

Finish.

Regards

[pkrv]

An object lesson in how to complicate something that on the surface [this is just an interweb forum] appears simple.

The position appears to be that the couple are not so defined under Thai law. Therefore forget that point and look at each individual.

Obtain a Non Im O for the purposes of retirement.

Obtain by providing sufficient proof for a Non Im O on the basis of investment of 10m THB in the Kingdom.

Finish.

Regards

Now that is an interesting tactic and you have understood the situation. I will add it to my arsenal

At this stage nobody knows what is truly going to happen - or at least do not contribute to Thaivisa / this forum.

edit - though 90 day reporting could be a bit tedious

Edited October 22, 2010 by pkrv

[jazzbo]

Obtain by providing sufficient proof for a Non Im O on the basis of investment of 10m THB in the Kingdom.

Actually the case would be: Obtain by providing sufficient proof for TWO Non IMM O's on the basis of THE SAME investment of 10m THB in the Kingdom FOR TWO NON RELATED PERSONS.

... and you are absolutely right on one thing: No one on this forum has any part in the decision which is solely at the discretion of the IMM Officer and maybe persons who would issue any Visa ex-Thailand ... all anyone (I believe) is trying to do herein is interpret the regulations based upon experience and without intervention of higher authorities who might be willing to override such persons at the grunt level who would normally be making these decisions and do so every day for the multitudes ...

Edited October 22, 2010 by jazzbo

[A_Traveller]

^ Hm No, on your first point, that is why I suggested looking at this as a matter of 2 individuals, 1 by virtue of investment, 1 by virtue of age. Hope that clarifies my thinking.

The other point I would make to the OP is that there's a lot to be said for maintaining a low profile, so simpler and quieter is, in my view preferable. It also avoids the risk of someone asking about any relationship with business people here. After all the rules are such that if the impression was formed that they had been providing advice whilst in Thailand on a visa waiver, they run the risk of being in trouble and seeing their application derailed. [No Work Permit, no Visa etc.]

Regards

Edited October 22, 2010 by A_Traveller

[jazzbo]

... though 90 day reporting could be a bit tedious ... No problem ... you can have the concierge handle it.

[pkrv]

I guess another way of looking at this is - is it the 14m demonstrably transferred (FET/FETF etc) which is of course less than 10m each for two people.

Or is it the current value of investment 25m, which would cover your concern of two people i.e. more than 10m each.

Something for me to ponder ...

edit ohh I can have this valuation independently verified by Bangkok Bank head office if necessary.

Edited October 22, 2010 by pkrv

[A_Traveller]

My recollection, which may be flawed, was that the original rules on this where a} the investment had to be either a condominium purchased directly from the contractor, or b} approved government securities. As far as I know an increase in value was not factored into any such calculation for visa purposes. Indeed I recall a conversation about this with an official where it was made abundantly clear that the investment to be applied for a visa application was solely the purchase funds, not the then current 'alleged' value.

This, to be fair is logical, the investment is the money deposited into the Kingdom, not the accrued interest or nominal asset value increase. Therefore I would suggest that, provided the original purchase was, direct, and for the sum greater than 10m THB as stipulated by contract and deed, there's enough 'equity' to provide for a single 10m 'Investment' visa, but not, I would suggest for two.

Regards

PS pkrv I've sent you a PM.

Edited October 22, 2010 by A_Traveller

[jazzbo]

The Police Order 777/2551 at 2.5 B3 clearly states that the 10 million baht investment must be evidenced as having been transferred from a foreign country ... however, as the English language is but silly putty in your hands, who the heck knows.

[Maestro]

...Don't forget here that if I can set a precident...

The annual extension based on a condo purchase of 10 million Baht was around for many years, then the investment amount was temporarily reduced to 3 million Baht, since November 2008 it is back to 10 million. In other words, it would be a bit late now to set a precedent; many extensions have already been approved on that basis.