Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can expats without residency or work visa return to Phuket if they own property there?

Sep 22, 2020
6 years ago
Linda ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can we get back into Phuket if we have a house there but no residency or work visa?
5,237
views
136
all likes
69
replies
36
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Currently, expats who own property in Phuket but do not possess a residency or work visa cannot return to Thailand. The entry restrictions are stringent, and only specific categories of individuals are allowed to enter. Discussions are ongoing about the potential introduction of a Special Tourist Visa (STV), which could impact future entry for those in such situations, but as of now, there are no clear options available.
JD ********
Translation "Work Visa" = B Visa or Extension of Stay based on that B visa + having a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor

OR... In some cases and O Visa for Marriage or Extension of Stay based on the O Visa + WP
Like
Reply
Jon ********
The first question is where are you now?
Like
Reply
Linda ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks Uthke
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
Just announced that the STV will have a 10,700 baht non-refundable application fee. That's before insurance, quarantine and flight. Looking better by the minute! 🤣
Like
Reply
Dave *********
Amazing Thailand
Like
Reply
Dave *********
Like
Reply
Luca **************
@Bobby *******
where did you read the news of
*****
baht?
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Luca *************
.
*****
is the application fee. That's before the visa fee!!
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Luca **************
@Bobby *******
it wasn't going to cost just 2000 baht?
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Luca *************
Scroll down to Point 7

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
*****
1.html?fbclid=IwAR1Yw9i3ICtDfKMRLOTlpoDlneepXYFI9em2TUgruG-Z_Paqx1wnVqcNVTU
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Jennifer ******
They're on another planet this mob. lol
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Jennifer *****
. Someone in the government thinks we're living in Monte Carlo! It's getting to the point where it's cheaper to go there!
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Linda ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wow seems like my question aroused a lot of hidden feelings. I would love to come to phuket but I don’t won’t to go in quarantine in a hotel when I have my own place is that possible?
Like
Reply
Patrick ************
Like
Reply
Dave *********
@Linda *****
no..not possible as yet
Like
Reply
Linda ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like
Reply
Reply to
Linda ******
Reply
Ekkehard *******
@Linda *****
No, it is not possible. Quarantine has to be in a selected hotel.
Like
Reply
Darren *******
Like
Reply
Reply to
Darren *******
Reply
Ya ********
You can. Special touris visa. Thai government just anouse this week.
Like
Reply
David ********
It’s a bygone era akin to Las Vegas looking to shed its image as a venue for cheap buffets and steak and eggs. The low budget cigarette smoking crowd looking for freebies and cheap lodging. But that’s been the business model funding poor Thais into a better way of life. Thailand’s stock in trade has always been convincing every Tom Dick and Harry that if they come the world is their oyster and love awaits. The dream is broken.
Like
Reply
Peter *********
No
Like
Reply
Brian ********
No
Like
Reply
Cameron ********
BOI.. Yes you can.. No Thai Directors or Shareholders required.. Look it up..
Like
Reply
Tod *********
that would be false :(
Like
Reply
Cameron ********
@Tod ********
do your homework.. That's what BOI is for!
Like
Reply
Tod *********
That would be FALSE again
@Cameron *******
so you're O for 2 :(

Just because these people "own" a home doesn't mean they qualify for a BOI Non-B visa in any way shape or form. I think you need to stick with what you know and it's NOT BOI visas :P
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Paul *******
Farangs can't own houses
Like
Reply
Durrant ********
@Paul ******
farangs can own houses but not the land get it right
Like
Reply
John *******
Like
Reply
M.J. *******
@Paul ******
wrong..research first,can buy condo. Have houses under company name..
Like
Reply
John *******
@M.J. ******
our land was in my wifes name and the house was in my name ...
Like
Reply
Canice ******
@John ******
if u buy house... the land put under wife name and house can put under your name right?
Like
Reply
John *******
@Canice *****
correct they can do it at the land office transfer
Like
Reply
Canice ******
@John ******
even is under bank loan?
Like
Reply
John *******
@Canice *****
couldn't tell you about that ....paid cash
Like
Reply
Canice ******
@John ******
ic.. ok so only fully paid u can apply from the sales agent land is wife house is yours right
Like
Reply
John *******
@Canice *****
yes , land my wifes name , house mine ...the bank will probabley want the mortgage in its name , but again , talk to your agent
Like
Reply
Canice ******
@John ******
thank you
Like
Reply
M.J. *******
Like
Reply
Reply to
M.J. *******
Reply
M.J. *******
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@M.J. ******
I know all this mate 😁
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Danny *******
Sure you can. You just can't own the land under it.
Like
Reply
Cameron ********
@Danny ******
you can if you have a boi investment company.. I own 100% of the shares and no Thai Directors.. Look it up.. My boi company is able to buy land.. Not a regular Thai company
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Danny ******
ok if U day so 😜🤪
Like
Reply
Wade ********
@Paul ******
the people above are correct.. you can own the house just not the land.... you can also own a condo or strada development... and BOI can own land...
@Cameron *******
"sort of" as you know, the land with the exception of 1 rai for a home is suppose to be for business purposes.
Like
Reply
Cameron ********
@WM *******
investment property under BOI.. Special Privileges approved by BOI.. Includes 4 year visa and work permit..
Like
Reply
Wade ********
@Cameron *******
yes I am fully aware... 4 years is rare though... 2 years more common... but the land is suppose to be for business purposes, can be for "future expansion" though.... or just do what I do and put it in my kids name!
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wade ********
Reply
David ********
Franco Cavegn
Like
Reply
Marguyvin **********
Negative.
Like
Reply
Wojciech ***********
Pay easy, charter flights and two weeks quarantine
Like
Reply
Panuchanat *******
I am sorry. Just I would like to know how can you have a house like rental??
Like
Reply
Andre *****************
Nope
Like
Reply
Magnar ********
No!
Like
Reply
Jan ***********************
Like
Reply
Louie *********
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
Unless you have either a job, a wife or a kid in Thailand, you're not on the starting blocks. I can't figure out why retirees with proven length of time in Thailand are not yet on the list.
Like
Reply
Dave *********
@Bobby *******
dont want us there ..mate
Like
Reply
David ********
@Bobby *******
It’s a bygone era akin to Las Vegas looking to shed its image as a venue for cheap buffet and steak and eggs. The low budget cigarette smoking crowd looking for freebies and cheap lodging. But that’s been the business model funding poor Thais into a better way of life. Thailand’s stock in trade has always been convincing every Tom dick and Harry that if they come the world is their oyster and love awaits.
Like
Reply
Ken ***********
William Davies #1 do you think admitting retirees with COVID testing before flight and 2 weeks of quarantine with testing would endanger Thailand #2 you suggest that those of us should have simply obtained residency. Do you realize that residency is difficult and mostly unobtainable. #3 not all retirees have Thai families..but we have our lives in Thailand with condos or rental properties and we certainly deserve to be placed in queue for returning before tourists
Like
Reply
Rick *******
@Bobby *******
, Thailand is wanting to cater to the Hiso crowd and seem to be ignoring all others. Very poor strategy IMO and Thailand is wilting on the vine. They need to change their approach on how to bring tourists back to Thailand and not be so picky.
Like
Reply
Phil *******
@Rick ******
You don't get it, do you?

They don't want to import hords of new cases that will be impossible to handle.

So they limit the numbers. At the beginning at least. They select tourists from safe countries that will bring a lot of money and follow the rules. Backpackers from USA or Europe don't fit in that. Maybe later.
Like
Reply
Rick *******
@Phil ******
, yeah I get that but to think that there are not any cases already there is delusional, they just aren't doing any testing. It appears from the daily report that they are only testing those on repatriation flights. Does that seem sufficient to you? I already know what dreams the Thais have and what they want for tourists, but that is unattainable.
Like
Reply
Phil *******
@Rick ******
Thailand did a great job contact tracing and isolating cases. Now we have no more local cases. Thailand tests seriously all people coming from abroad. Isolate and treat them. Who else should they test?

My friend works at Bangkok military hospital. No more cases there. They had over 100 at the pic
Like
Reply
Rick *******
Many countries have free voluntary testing and even drive through testing stations for the public. Have you seen any testing stations in Thailand? I haven't and that may be due to the fact that I live up country. The Thai people are not keen on voluntarily being tested for anything. There are also not many masks or social distancing in the country. I still think there are community cases in Thailand, they are just not being detected.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Rick *******
Reply
Paul ********
Sorry nope
Like
Reply
Daniel ************
not yet - sorry
Like
Reply
Apex ********************
Unfortunately no, and you're not alone. Unless you fall into the specific class of people currently permitted to enter Thailand, then it's still closed.
Like
Reply
Andrew *******
No
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
Not at this current time. There is some speculation about a Special Tourist Visa but that’s not available yet. It maybe in the near future but as to when no one knows.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.