Answered4 months ago
Can you get a long-term visa in Thailand by purchasing a condo?
Has anyone in this group received a long term visa based on a condo purchase?
Answer summary
Many members of the community discussed the possibility of obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand based on purchasing a condo. The consensus indicates that a minimum investment of approximately 3 million baht (around USD 100,000) is typically needed, and clarity around the process remains somewhat elusive. Various comments raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of such visa offers, the necessity of the property being part of the foreign quota, and associated costs. Additionally, some participants warned about the current unsold condo market and expressed skepticism about the overall value of this investment for securing a visa.
103 repliesnewest first
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Stephen ******
Sounds like a scam
Geert ********
Update. Today I went to the Thailand longstay visa company, and here are my updates, based on the info given:
Geert ********
Approximately 100 visas have already been granted
Geert ********
Most people enter on a tourist visa. The visa or visa exempt status must then have at least 15 days remaining validity, so that the first 90 days can be issued
Geert ********
Hope this helps whomever is looking for this visa
Geert ********
This is my preferred option as I will stay less than 180 days in Thailand to avoid possible taxation of incoming funds
Geert ********
The other possibility is to let my non o visa expiry on the end date not renew my non o and re enter on tourist visa
Geert ********
I was the first one to try to convert non o to non b based on investment as I already read this could only be done during the annual visa renewal period, this is 45 days prior to the non o visa expiry date
Tim *******
Yes you can use your condo. I did. But it has to be in your name. They go by the original sales price. So needs to be approx 250k usd or over 9m bahtish.
Oliver *******
Never buy, only rent!
Geert ********
It's actually the best property investment ceiling in Asia, compared with Philippines and Malaysia. The srrv allows you to convert 50k usd to property purchase but here is when Philippines corruption kicks in as you can only invest in new expensive condos which are 50pct more expensive than market prices you effectively lose 50pct of your investment thanks to this flawed system so it is not an option for me, and for Malaysia you need i believe 150k usd 50pct can go to property purchase you can't sell in 10 years so many horrific restrictions and my conclusion is that while this visa has its drawbacks in the great scheme it isn't that bad at all and definitely one of the the better options in all of Asia
David **********
Only a very small number of people have actually been able to do this.
Lee *************
They are saying that you can now but I’d be Leary of it. Have not seen anyone go through the process
Robert **************
OP@Lee ************
that’s why I originally asked
Motivate*********
Rent invest stock
Chris ********
Best way is to do it through an agency or law firm. They will be able to 100% advise and guarantee you
Geert ********
Chris McNair the other way around, the best is to go to thailand longstay visa website. Thailand longstay is a quasi government company similar to thai privilege visa, 100pct owned by ministry of tourism. If you use a lawyer, you can try one one is called aim bangkok, they just add their fees , I believe thb
*****
extra otherwise it's 6000 thb one time fee from 1 July instead of thb4000 currently yearly fee is thb*****
per applicant
Greg ***********
no, there is nothing such. That 3 million Baht developers on Phuket proposal is fake, it is connected to buying an Elite Privilege visa
Robert **************
OPBut you can always purchase more than one condo and combine their values under that one
Geert ********
Robert Scott Ruppe only one purchase is allowed per visa, you cannot combine 2 purchases
Robert ************
I tell you truth it's not worth the trouble with bureaucracy. It's easier in Cambodia or Vietnam.
Peter *********
For permanent residency maybe
Dca *****
Need a Thailand Longstay Membership and they can provide the necessary and required Certification for your local Thai Immigration Office based on a ฿3 Million Thai Baht condo purchase or montly rent of at least ฿85k Baht per month for condos
Thailand Longstay is a quasi State Enterprise, just like Thailand Privilege Card and majority ownership shares are held by yhe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), part of the Thailand Ministry of Tourism
Thailand Longstay has made several agreements with various condo developers throughout Thailand, not just condo developments in Phuket, that one can purchase a condo and Thailand Longstay Membership ( and/or pay membership fees) as part of the condo purchase package
it will NOT be a Non–IB 'Investment Visa’, but Non–B Visa
Thailand Longstay is a quasi State Enterprise, just like Thailand Privilege Card and majority ownership shares are held by yhe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), part of the Thailand Ministry of Tourism
Thailand Longstay has made several agreements with various condo developers throughout Thailand, not just condo developments in Phuket, that one can purchase a condo and Thailand Longstay Membership ( and/or pay membership fees) as part of the condo purchase package
it will NOT be a Non–IB 'Investment Visa’, but Non–B Visa
Geert ********
Dca Dca yes go to this website, pay the one time set up fee, and they will help you all the way, it's very cryptic at the moment. The other better website is from a law office called AIM bangkok .
Geert ********
Aimbangkok.com i believe. It's all very well explained there
Gamie *********
Don’t buy in Thailand , never as rent is cheap
Frankie *******
Minimum of $100k us dollars after the purchase of a condo n no off plan condos submit the title to apply for a visa
Rikki *********
Investment visas are available for condo purchases with a minimum of 3 million baht
David ********
Not
David ********
No I rented a house got retirement visa
Tor ******
Why would anyone want to buy property in a city that sinks into the ground while sea levels rise and that will experience progressively more suffering from unbearable heat waves? Doesnt sound like a good long term investment, particularly given the mismatch between purchase and rent prices…
Christoph **************
Tor Toiz If you negotiate your purchase price hard enough -which is not that difficult these days- you’d end up with a unit that could fetch ~6% rental yield. At least in my definition that’s proof that buying can still make sense - if you find the right unit in the right condo in the right neighbourhood at the right price. And obviously should be a condo that is popular with -wealthy- Thai buyers, otherwise difficult to resell.
Tor ******
Christoph J. Stoecker Yes, maybe. But risks remain.
Angelo ***********
Tor Toiz Because Chiang Mai is not affected by sea level rises?
Tor ******
Angelo Schneider Haha fair. I only think of Bkk, obviously. But still not sure if its a good idea.
Ling *****
It is redundant. No longer applies.
Paul ***************
Ling Gah Why?
Wayne *********
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Peter ************
The condos arnt even worth a quarter of tge price they asking 🤡🤡
Benjamin *********
This is only a legen
Ossie *********
There are 1, 000s of unsold condos in Bangkok that should ring ⏰ bells 🔔
Angelo ***********
Ossie Cassidy something aroud 50k unsold. Likely much more. Definitely roughly 200k EMPTY - regardless if sold or just not occupied.
Lelong ******
It was for 3 million Bath investment on Pattaya, Phuket...
Ossie *********
Used to be if you invest 40 million baht in government bonds you can but 1 Rai of land with clear ownership but that was a long time ago it’s most probably changed
Christoph **************
Ossie Cassidy What you describe still exists on paper but was “awarded” in reality only a handful of times. The 3m and 10m “investor” visas are real, though.
Teo ******
Yes . I got mine when I Barfine a girl for long term too.
idiots******
Just make sure the condo is really worth the price you are paying. Every time I look at the details of promotions here I realize it is full of gimmicks.
Tomas *******
AFAIK it’s only applicable for new condos
Victor *********
I need to obtain a non immigrant B visa for my return to Bangkok and can you help me with the proper requirements? Thank you
John **********
@Victor ********
find a job and your employer should provide the documentation required to obtain the visa. Not something you can do on your ownGeert ********
@John *********
well I'm trying to find this out I'm on non o and this visa is indeed a non b visa, I think thailand longstay can provide the necessary paperwork for us to obtain the necessary documents to obtain this visa abroad, the other possibility is to do the conversion from non o to non d during 1year extension renewal time. But I'm going to find out. I think the government operator will do the paperwork for us to obtain this visa but I'll find out more as time progressesGeert ********
@John *********
yes that's what the 3 million condo investment visa is all aboutJohn **********
@Geert *******
sounds like you are talking about a different type of Non-B visa based on investment not on work?David ********
Victor Ragucci not agency
Will ******
Is this 3m based on the sale price or valuation ? Huge difference
Christoph **************
Will Macc The agreed purchase price. Fun fact: After negotiating almost 40% discount on my latest apartment purchase, my paid price is actually lower than the government appraised value. Guess that’s a sign I haven’t overpaid… 😌
Will ******
Christoph J. Stoecker that’s nuts. I last bought over ten years ago
Paul ******************
Will Macc What you paid
Kool *******
Yes, but not in the manner you think, or heard. The actual investment visa type IB through the Board of Investment, the BOI, added approved condo purchases to the allowed investment, for part of, or all, of the bt10million minimum investment requirement, but that is the only ones.
Andreas ********
Kool Breez it is 3 Mio since last year!
Kool *******
Andreas Knautz That is a different type, and from what I've seen, only available in Phuket
Brad ********
Kool Breez 3 Million and has to be part of foreign quota and brought from a Thai or Thai company, subject to Tourism Board Approval and paid for by an overseas transfer. Can be under 50 and it must be completed if purchased off the plan.
Joseba ********
Yes, minimum purchase of 3M
Robert **************
OPJoseba McKlin I guess the biggest benefit is no requirement of 800k tied up in a Thai bank account
Robert **************
OPI’ve traveled to Thailand for over 30 years and have lived here for the last 3.
Graeme ******
Robert Scott Ruppe ust need to tie up 3m instead of 800k baht. Also no guarantee this is real or if the option with the builder exists or if does continues as its not part of the thai visa process. I wouldn't bank on relying on this if you want to stay in thailand
Geert ********
And you need a thai bank account to receive the funds, get the foreign exchange transaction form, and pay the sellers. Lawyers can also receive funds on your behalf. I believe siam legal offers this service, but it may be at ,5pct fee of all funds remitted, but yes, once you have the non b visa based on investment the illegal freeze that bangkok bank does with your 800k is over. The law only states that funds 800k must be available during the seasoning period, and the freeze and restictions by bkk bank are and remain illegal. My interpretation is that in time of life threatening stress, we can use these funds, freezes of 800k can only happen if requested by the client or if the bank suspects undocumented or criminal source funding, freezing by bkk of 800 on their own initiative as they are doing on a grand scale is a gigantic violation of law and the rules based order
Geert ********
Graeme Mort there is a law in Thailand that says that once you've been approved a visa with certain qualifications, you cannot lose your visa when the qualifications are raised. This happened in the past with retirement and investment visa, anyone who had 400k before or around 1995 when the minimum was raised from 400k to 800k is still grandfathered in. Similar case for investment visas, which in the early 2000s was raised from 3m to 10m today. Anyone who has a prior to 2003 investment visa is still grandfathered in on 3m instead of 10m. The risk is very high that the 3m investment ceiling will be raised to 6m 7m shortly because some locals don't like this visa and find the ceiling to low
Joseba ********
Yes, no bank account money required.. and can be processed within the country
Elisa **********
Yes LTR but needs 500k USD properties
Robert **************
OP@Elisa *********
wrong one. Not talking about LTR visaChristoph **************
Robert Scott Ruppe I used to have the 10m THB one for quite a long time. I thought it was replaced by the 3m version but still seems to be around. If you qualify, the 10m seems to be easier to get and is significantly cheaper than the 3m one. Biggest weakness is obviously that on the day you sell your property, the visa becomes invalid.
Geert ********
Christoph J. Stoecker the biggest drawback of the 10m visa i believe is that it must be purchased directly from a developer, -- secondary second hand properties are not allowed and basically you're screwed if you buy overly inflated all newly built units. With the recently introduced 3million option you can buy units on the secondary market, they must be bought from a thai individual or thai company, so you are offered more options and any condo anywhere in Thailand will qualify on freehold basis
Turquoise**********
I’ve looked on the Thai Embassy website but couldn’t find anything on this.
If anyone finds it, please send a link
If anyone finds it, please send a link
Bazaar******
TurquoiseAlpaca7287 Its a sales initiative by development companies..
Its not at all related to the Thailand immigration department and that's why you will never find any official information about..
Obviously the cost of the visa is built into the condo purchase price...
I would be keeping well away from these kinds of deals...
BUYER BEWARE
Its not at all related to the Thailand immigration department and that's why you will never find any official information about..
Obviously the cost of the visa is built into the condo purchase price...
I would be keeping well away from these kinds of deals...
BUYER BEWARE
Andrew ********
Expensive visa if you need to purchase an apartment that you will lose financially
Andre ***************
j
Robert **************
OPAndrew Wright I already bought a beach condo in Hua Hin a few years ago from an unexpected windfall. I currently have a non o retirement visa with extension. I just asked if anybody knew of anyone who tried getting this new type of visa
Ivan *******
Robert Scott Ruppe I have been offer a similar visa by a real estate agent, on purchase of an apartment (value 3.9 million baht). I have asked him further details, and still waiting for the details.
Jeff *************
Ivan Gomes that’s because he’s looking for a cheap agent to do it!
Stu ******
Robert Scott Ruppe I looked at it last week, your condo investment needs to be more than US$250,000 or 8,200,000 baht. That's a big condo.
Robert **************
OPWayne Roberts best response yet. Thank you
Stu ******
@Gregory *******
the man asked if his condo could be considered an investment to obtain a visa. My answer was directed to that question, not what loop hole or clever language could be used to pretend it is something else. Happy to find out he qualifies for something else because he has a holiday condo. There will be a stampede of buyers and the market will be restored.Stu ******
Deborah Hines Thai government. Search investment in Thailand to obtain a visa. $250,000 investment needed. Then I checked with Adam because I could not believe what I read. The 6th applicant is the relevant information.
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Robert **************
OPStu Bond that’s not the correct one. You are referring to the boi investment scheme
Gregory ********
No —thats LTR VISA—wealthy retiree🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Wayne *********
Stu Bond
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Deborah *******
Stu Bond where you get that number from?
Christoph **************
Yes.
Gary *******
No. The condo's market is weak at the moment ...heaps for sale but make sure you check out all the details and not just rely on the sales pltch.🤔
Graham ******
It has been around for years but put on the back burner but recently publicised by a real estate company in Phuket (coincidence?) so the answer will be no
Wolf ******
Take a visa who match your purposes.
Also take in consideration the costs to get each years an extension on this special visa...
Also take in consideration the costs to get each years an extension on this special visa...
Cris ******
This “visa” keeps being brought up and I have yet to see a single person actually issued it. So I would not bank on it.
Joseba ********
I’ve got it
Cris ******
Joseba McKlin Like the legit investment visa for a condo purchase? Or an LTR visa or something along those lines.
James **********
Cris Murl investment visas are available minimum 3 million baht for your condo the developers will sort out your visa for you for the 1st year then you need to renew costing 27,000b minimum some are over 35,000b , everything has a baht attached to here in the kingdom, foreigners are being taken advantage off for sure ,,,,,, want our money but don’t really want us here in the kingdom
Kevin *******
@James *********
find Thai wife a lot easierAngelo ***********
@James *********
This are agency prices, if one is so stupid to pay an agency for a visa where he fulfills all requirements for: that is business, and not a "the kingdom only wants our money".A visa extensin is 1900THB, not 30k THB. Does not matter which visa.
Cris ******
@James *********
definitely really starting to get this feeling latelyJames **********
Cris Murl it’s so messed up mate ,,, yes I understand the undesirables are not welcome 🙏 yet those of who respect the Thai culture help build the economy with our monies we spend but made to jump through hoops to live here ,,,, for me if your a respectful expats there’s needs to be rewards for our contributions, let say a retirement visa renew every year for 3 years we should then be gives a 5 year visa paying the same money for a 1 year x5 we just don’t feel as welcome as we have been previously it’s so so sad
Christoph **************
@James *********
This investor visa is 1 year renewable. Not the same as 10 year LTR. And at least previously it was about 3k per year, not 30k.
Ant ***********
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