• Whatever your status, you need a visa in Thailand...

The visa system is very complex (See our Page “Visas” in the “General Information”) and requires the intervention of a lawyer. We give you the best advice on the type of visa you should choose and we help you in the preparation of your file.

I. TOURIST VISA

A tourist visa will be issued to applicants wishing to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes. You are not allowed to work or conduct business with a tourist visa.It is valid for 60 days and can be extended 30 days at the nearest Immigration office. 1. Required documents

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months- Visa application form completely filled out - One recent (4 x 6 cm.) front photograph of the applicant A fully-paid air ticket and/or a proof of solvability (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family) might be asked for by the Consulate.

2. Validity

60 days (two periods of 60 days each for a double entry), renewable for 30 days at the nearest Immigration office.

II. NON IMMIGRANT VISA

A foreigner applies for a non-immigrant visa when he/she wants to stay or work in Thailand. This visa has several categories:

diplomatic visa (D) is for those employed by an embassy,

a business visa (B)

or a mass media visa (M) are for accredited business or press representatives,

a dependent visa (O),

an expert visa (EX) are for those performing skilled or expert work,

an investor visa (IM) is for foreigners who set-up their companies under the Board Of Investment BOI

and a study/education visa (ED) is for teachers.

Official ( F). Performance of official duties (involving the Thai government).

Capital Investment ( IM ).

Investment (with concurrence of the ministries and departments concerned). BOI ( IB ).

Investment subject to the provision of the laws on investment promotion.

(ED). Educational study or observation.

( R ). Missionary work.

( RS). Scientific research or training, or study in an educational institution in the Kingdom.

( EX). Performance of skilled or expert work.

( S). Participation in an officially recognized sports event.

Others "O". Others, including dependents and retired persons.

INVESTOR VISAS. This is a new category of visa with issuance controlled by the Board of Investment. This visa can carry a residence permit for applicant and immediate family if a specified amount of capital is brought into Thailand for investment.Direct Investment:Applicable by aliens who bring into Thailand not less than Baht 10 million for investment in a new project which benefits the country's economy or a project subject to the approval and conditions set forth by the Committee for Granting Permanent Residence; or

Investment in Securities:Applicable to aliens who bring into Thailand money to buy special-type bonds prescribed by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand. Persons granted visas must not transfer or redeem the bonds for a period of 10 years.

• Investor Baht 8 million

• Spouse Baht 6 million

• Per minor, unmarried child Baht 2 million

Normally, a 90 days non-immigrant visa can be applied for from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your own country. However, if foreigners wish to stay in Thailand for one year, two options are available:

1. You (the foreigner) can submit an application for a non-immigrant visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand then sent to the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.

2. Companies in Thailand wishing to employ a foreigner must submit an application to the Immigration Bureau. When an alien applies for a non-immigrant visa "code B" , to stay in the country 90 days or less, and would like to apply for an extension or an alien applies for a non-immigrant visa "code B-A" , to stay over 90 days, he/she will need to submit the following:

1. Application Form T.M. 7 (for extension of an alien who enters the Kingdom for not more than 90 days).

2. A copy of the passport or substitute document.

3. One 4*6 cm. Photo.

4. 500 baht fee is required for an extension of 90 days or less.

5. A recommendation letter from the company showing the positions of the applicant as well as the position of all foreigners working in the company and for what reasons these aliens must be employed.

6. Work permit or the receipt showing the alien has applied for such a permit from the Ministry of labour and Social welfare.

7. The alien’s personal tax details including: balance, profit and loss, entity income tax, Vat recor 8. Certificate of entity registration, company registration certificate of limited company or commercial registration or VAT registration and list of partnerships.

9. Export companies must submit document of export transactions, i.e. bank or company transactions.

10. The officials reserve the right to require more documentation for further investigation to verify the company’s viability RETTIREMENT VISA Initially you must apply for a Non-Immigrant visa before you enter the country from a Thai Embassy abroad. Permission will be for 90 days. for the first permit (single entry) but you can apply for a multiple max one year stay in Thailand. Requirements:

1. Application form T.M.72. Copy of passport or substitute document. 3. One 4 x 6 cm photo. 4. 500 baht fee. 5. Proof of financial status or pension. 6. Letter from your embassy saying you wish to retire in Thailand For an applicant who is over 50 years old, proof of a sum of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank OR an income of not less than 65,000 baht per month must be presented - OR a combination of balance in the bank and a monthly income. Example: 400,000 Baht in the bank and 32,500 Baht coming in every month. 7. If the alien is ill, or has weak health and is sensitive to colder climates or has resided in Thailand for a long period, and is 50-59 years old, special circumstances may be given. The applicant must also submit medical certificates and proof that he/she lived in Thailand for a long time. For info: Tel: (02) 287-3905 or 287-3101-10 (ext 2259-61) or ask us. Pensioners arriving before Oct 1998 with unbroken records while living here only need 200,000 baht in a Thai Bank when they apply for an extension. A foreigner must show evidence that he/she has income amounting to at least 65,000 baht per month or a bank account amounting to at least of 800,000 baht in cash when initially applying for a one-year visa;

Note: The bank certification of deposit (of 800,000 baht) must show that the money came into the bank from another country. RETIREES & THEIR SPOUSES: Retirees who are married to a foreigner eg. Englishman married to say a Phillipino can apply for his "O" status non immigrant visa under the normal criteria of 800,000 baht or 65,000 baht coming in each month. However if he /she wants to include spouse on this Visa he/she must show evidence of marriage, e g marriage certificate.