To motivate more foreigners to stay in Thailand, Thai authorities is in the process of revising the regulation for easing foreigner to temporarily longer stay in Thailand as follows ;

1. Alien who bring in currency into Thailand for more than 3 million baht will be granted temporary certificate of residence for one year

   On the 30th September B.E. 2541 (A.D. 1998), the Office of Immigration Bureau has issued its announcement to facilitate foreigners who bring in foreign currencies amounting to three million baht to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for the period of one year at the time.  This 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 three million baht 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 three million baht.
3. Prior to entering the country, applicants must have an appropriate kind of visa from a Thai Consulate abroad.
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 fail to inform the Office of Immigration Bureau in advance of the change of their investment activities.

 

2. Foreign retired persons whose age are over 55 years old and bring in foreign currencies into Thailand for more than 800,000 baht may apply for non-immigrant visas for the period of one year stay in Thailand .

   On 8th September 1998 the Cabinet has passed its resolution granting the authorities concerned to facilitate the issuance of visas to foreigners aged 55 years old or above wishing to take retreat in the Kingdom at least for the period of one year.
   To set standard of the operating procedure on the issuance of this category of visa, the Consulate missions will pay attention to comply with the following conditions and procedure.
   2.1 Qualification of an applicant

   • A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above.
   • Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522  (A.D 1979)
   • Having in possession of money amounting not less than 800,000 Baht or monthly income of 65,000 Baht or saving and annual income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.   The said amount must eventually be transferred to any bank in Thailand.

   2.2 Required documents for visa application

   • Three visa application forms completely filled out (Must be certified by Notary Public).
   • Three passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.
   • Photocopy of the applicant's travel document with validity not less than 18 months.
   • Financial documents (copy) as stated in 2.1.
   • Additional application form
   • Medical certificate (Signed and stamp by your doctor)

   2.3 Channels to submit visa application Applicants can submit their applications both at the Thai consular missions abroad and at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.

   2.4 Procedure for consideration and issuance of visa

   2.4.1 Consular missions aboard

   • Once the application form together with required documents submitted, the Consular officials are required to examine such documents to see that they are in good order and completed as stated in 2.2, then they must  be mailed through the pouch to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok.
   • The Consular mission will be notified to issue visa to the individual applicant when the Office of the Immigration Bureau has given approval.
   • The Consular official must request for financial certifications that the applicant has already complied with financial obligations stated in 2.1. before granting the visa.

   2.4.2 The Office of the Immigration Bureau (Address: Section 1, Sub-Division 1, Immigration 1, Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120.   Tel. (662) 287-4948 (direct line) or (662) 287-3101-10 ext. 2236)

     The following applicants may apply for the type of visa in the country:

   • Applicants undergoing Health Rehabilitation Program in hospitals or Health Centers.   These organizations will apply on behalf of the individual applicant.
   • Applicants who are spouses/parents/children of applicants above.
   • Applicants to whom the agencies or organizations approved by the Office of the Immigration Bureau have applied for visa on their behalf.  The above mentioned applicants must have qualifications stated in 2.1.

   2.5 Duration of stay and extension
   Permission to stay in the Kingdom will be granted for one year upon arrival in the Kingdom.   Upon expiry date of such period, extension for one year at a time will be granted to this group of people as long as they meet the requirements as earlier stated.