Investment Visa

[BillKay]

I am 36 year old male from Australia.I want to return and live in Thailand.It seems now with the changes to visa requirements it will make it almost impossible and more expensive to settle in Thailand.There is also a greater risk to buy a business as I can not stay there long term.

Can anybody assist with any other alternatives I could investigate.Your help would be appreciated.

Billy from Australia

[paperwerks]

For those under 50 with the cash, THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET AN INVESTMENT VISA! You have until Septmeber 30 to apply. Once you submit the application they will give you a 30 day under consideration extension. Then in 30 days you get the other 11 months.

I know all about this as I just did it 4 months ago with attorney Khun New at sunbelt. It's easy to do. First open and account at Krueng Thai bank and wire money. Then get a letter from the bank and forex certificate (easy also) This could be completed next week if you start monday AM!

You can apply yourself at Suan Plu. The application looked straightforward. However, if you slip up on some detail you might not have time to fix it by 9/30. So, just pay sunbelt the 7000 baht to help with the details and have their lawyer personally go with you to Suan Plu would be my advise. (Now is not the time to be trying to save a few baht doing things yourself imho)

Then you will have a 1 year renewable visa for life (as the current rules say) and can relax. For me, I also like having a savings account that I can not readily touch.

I think you need a non im visa currently to submit the application but heard that this can be changed if you are on a tourist visa in one day at Suan Plu.

The investment visa option is still available to those that want it. The thing is that you only have 14 days to get the money into Thai and then go to Suan Plu. Anyone that wants to do this is free to PM me with questions.

[Colonel_Mustard]

I am 36 year old male from Australia.I want to return and live in Thailand.It seems now with the changes to visa requirements it will make it almost impossible and more expensive to settle in Thailand.There is also a greater risk to buy a business as I can not stay there long term.

Can anybody assist with any other alternatives I could investigate.Your help would be appreciated.

Billy from Australia

I'm not sure if you want to work or not but you could get a job and work permit which would give you the necessary visa. Alternatively you could set up or buy a business which would also entitle you to a work permit and visa.

[jbaldwin]

I did try to get an investment visa at Pattaya immigration. Had 3 million baht in fixed deposit as required. However, I was told that I could only apply in the last 30 days of my current stay, which in my case was after 4 October. I was also told that I could not apply on a 30 day stamp. The only suggestion they could give was to come after 1 October and see what the new rules were.

[Huckenfell]

I am 36 year old male from Australia.I want to return and live in Thailand.It seems now with the changes to visa requirements it will make it almost impossible and more expensive to settle in Thailand.There is also a greater risk to buy a business as I can not stay there long term.

Can anybody assist with any other alternatives I could investigate.Your help would be appreciated.

Billy from Australia

Think you ought to go with Sunbelt, seeing as how you have already got contact there Billy.

Bite the bullet and pay the Bht7000 (its not much really) Only dont stuff around at this stage.

Dave QLD.

[Sunbelt Asia]

I did try to get an investment visa at Pattaya immigration. Had 3 million baht in fixed deposit as required. However, I was told that I could only apply in the last 30 days of my current stay, which in my case was after 4 October. I was also told that I could not apply on a 30 day stamp. The only suggestion they could give was to come after 1 October and see what the new rules were.

Even though we have a Pattaya office. would suggest coming to our BKK office as Bangkok Immigration can be more understanding. You don’t get the visa; we will not charge you the professional fee.

after 1 October and see what the new rules were

Handwriting is on the wall!

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

02-642-0213

[Dazzler]

For Sunbelt (I think!)

Hi,

I already have a Work Permit valid until next July, but am considering getting an investment visa so that if I leave my job I don't have to leave the country.

I purchased a condo last month, so I can show over 3 million coming in from overseas for it.

Can I have both at the same time?

Could I apply for the investment visa now to start next year, as no more applications are taken after Oct 1st.

How much does the visa cost?

Thanks

[cyborgx]

I just called Krung Thai Bank, and they told me that fixed deposits without a work permit get 0% interest!

Was just about to transfer the monet tonight, but that's ridiculous if true!

A Visa for "INVESTMENT" that returns no interest? What kind of INVESTMENT is that! Surely we must get interest on our Investment?

[cyborgx]

Whew! Just spojke to them again, and they said apparently 0% is for 3 or 6 months fixed deposits, but 12 months get 4.75%

Who they think would make a fixed deposit of 6 months at 0% is beyond me ....

As an aside, does anyone know if this investment is taxable or not?

They said that they withold 15% of the interest at the Bank, but it may be reclaimable.

I did hear from my broker that Goverment Bonds were being considered for becoming Tax Free, but that was a while ago, and I have no confirmation one way or the other. Trying to buy goverment bonds was a nightmare, and have still not managed to buy any yet. Has anyone on this forum bought any?

Edited September 18, 2006 by cyborgx

[BillKay]

For those under 50 with the cash, THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET AN INVESTMENT VISA! You have until Septmeber 30 to apply. Once you submit the application they will give you a 30 day under consideration extension. Then in 30 days you get the other 11 months.

I know all about this as I just did it 4 months ago with attorney Khun New at sunbelt. It's easy to do. First open and account at Krueng Thai bank and wire money. Then get a letter from the bank and forex certificate (easy also) This could be completed next week if you start monday AM!

You can apply yourself at Suan Plu. The application looked straightforward. However, if you slip up on some detail you might not have time to fix it by 9/30. So, just pay sunbelt the 7000 baht to help with the details and have their lawyer personally go with you to Suan Plu would be my advise. (Now is not the time to be trying to save a few baht doing things yourself imho)

Then you will have a 1 year renewable visa for life (as the current rules say) and can relax. For me, I also like having a savings account that I can not readily touch.

I think you need a non im visa currently to submit the application but heard that this can be changed if you are on a tourist visa in one day at Suan Plu.

The investment visa option is still available to those that want it. The thing is that you only have 14 days to get the money into Thai and then go to Suan Plu. Anyone that wants to do this is free to PM me with questions.

[Pattaya46]

Question for Sunbelt Asia:

If one make (quickly now) such a 3 Mbahts investment,

he can yet get the precious nom-Imm O IB visa for long stay in thailand.

Is-it possible to use later this money (several months ? years ?)

to build a "at least 3Mbahts new condo from a developer"

and continue to get the investment IB visa ?

Thanks

Pattaya46

[cyborgx]

Question for Sunbelt Asia:

If one make (quickly now) such a 3 Mbahts investment,

he can yet get the precious nom-Imm O IB visa for long stay in thailand.

Is-it possible to use later this money (several months ? years ?)

to build a "at least 3Mbahts new condo from a developer"

and continue to get the investment IB visa ?

Thanks

Pattaya46

I would say yes, but that is only my opinion. You would lose most of the interest on the Fixed deposit if you withdraw early.

Think it would be down to the immigration officer's imterpretation of the rules at that time (which we are pretty sure are all up for change anyway).

FYI I opened my fixed deposit account with KTB today (easy) and having funds shipped now. If I get time, I might post my experiences here, but don't envisage too many problems at SuanPlu.

[Firefan]

Before the stop of the investment visa that was certainly possible.

Meanwhile as these visa extensions are being "grandfathered" i would be very hesitant to change the base of the ORIGINAL visa application and would certainly ask emmigration (with my lawyer) for permission BEFORE taking any further steps. Cheers!

[Dazzler]

For Sunbelt (I think!)

Hi,

I already have a Work Permit valid until next July, but am considering getting an investment visa so that if I leave my job I don't have to leave the country.

I purchased a condo last month, so I can show over 3 million coming in from overseas for it.

Can I have both at the same time?

Could I apply for the investment visa now to start next year, as no more applications are taken after Oct 1st.

How much does the visa cost?

Thanks

[Sunbelt Asia]

already have a Work Permit valid until next July, but am considering getting an investment visa so that if I leave my job I don't have to leave the country.

I purchased a condo last month, so I can show over 3 million coming in from overseas for it.

Can I have both at the same time?

You can have a work permit and a extension of stay based on investment.

However, you cannot have a extension of stay baed on business and a extension of stay based on investment at the same time.

Could I apply for the investment visa now to start next year, as no more applications are taken after Oct 1st.

Sorry, no

How much does the visa cost?

1,900 Baht and 6,500 Baht for our professional fee.

Question for Sunbelt Asia:

If one make (quickly now) such a 3 Mbahts investment,

he can yet get the precious nom-Imm O IB visa for long stay in thailand.

Is-it possible to use later this money (several months ? years ?)

The same as now , you need to get approval before you change the investment.

to build a "at least 3Mbahts new condo from a developer"

and continue to get the investment IB visa ?

I would say the odds favor for it to be allowed but you certainly would need to ask permission first.

If they said "no' you can stop the investment visa and buy it anyway.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com