Answered8 years ago

What are the advantages of switching from a Non-B visa to an investment visa in Thailand?

Investment Visa Non-B Visa Visa Comparison Work Permit Thailand Immigration BOI

Pui *****

asked Mar 23, 2019

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Regarding the investment visa: I understand the 10 million baht requirement in a fixed deposit or government bonds required for the visa, but if someone is the director of a company and has a work permit and a Non-B multiple entry visa sticker (obtained from a consulate in their own country), is there any advantage to switching to the investment visa vs a Non-B? My understanding is that either the Non-B or the investment visa will both allow you to retain the work permit. Assuming maintaining the 10 million baht requirement is not an issue, would it be less hassle to switch to an investment visa than having to renew the Non-B in your home country every year? Does the investment visa hold other benefits that make it preferable to a Non-B, if someone is not married and doesn't have family members they'd like to have hitch along to their investment visa? 

I know the BOI website is where you go to enquire about investment visas but I am more interested in any insight on whether there is a reason to get one if one already qualifies for a Non-B.

Answer summary

The discussion revolves around the advantages and challenges related to switching from a Non-B visa (for work) to an investment visa, given the requirement of a 10 million baht investment. Participants mention that while both visas allow for a work permit, the investment visa may offer less hassle in renewal compared to applying for a Non-B visa annually from one's home country. However, there are concerns about restrictions on professions under the investment visa, and alternatives such as the Elite visa are noted, but deemed unsuitable for work.

14 repliesnewest first

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Robert *******

I would say just visit the Immigration Office, ask the hand out for the 1 year Extension of Stay based on working in Thailand. Get the documents together and apply. Less hassle than fly back to your home country to apply for a new visa on yearly basis.

8 years ago

Ron ******************

The non imm b seems simple but its not you need stacks of paperwork every year and you need an wp also (more paperwork). There also has been a clamp down on company owners to make certain the 4 Thai employees (minimum per wp) are real employees. The BOI initially maybe more complex but after that you will have less paperwork each year. For certain investments there are tax breaks etc. Have good look at both and take the route thats to your liking.

8 years ago

Pui *****

@Robert ******

OK, thanks for answering.

8 years ago

Robert *******

No, this is because we send people with these questions to the BOI. They organize these kind of visa, have their own office in Bangkok with Immigration and Labor Office present. They do a one stop service.

8 years ago

Pui *****

@Robert ******

Oh wow, I wasn't aware of that. I will certainly look into that. But would there be a reason to go for the investment visa otherwise, if I meet the financial requirements? It doesn't seem like there's much first hand experience with this visa from anyone.

8 years ago

Robert *******

The multiple re-entry permit is one stamp and you can leave and come back during your 1 year of Extension of Stay as much as you like.

8 years ago

Pui *****

Yeah but doesn't that require I get a re-entry permit every time I leave the country? That would be impractical for me as, like many foreign business owners, I come in and out of Thailand frequently to monitor my business so often stay only a couple of week at a time, so my passport will fill up from reentry permits very quickly. If I already have the 10MB in a fixed deposit for years now in Thailand and have no intention of using it soon, I was just thinking I could avoid the hassle of getting that Non-B every year if I would already qualify for the investment visa but I wasn't sure if there are other considerations for one versus the other.

8 years ago

Ron *******

With the investment route, you are restricted to working in limited professions and it needs to be done through the BOI

8 years ago

Pui *****

That's what seems unclear, since the BOI website keeps talking about promoting various industries. I wasn't sure if it is limited to certain industries even if you meet the financial requirements.

8 years ago

Dominic *****

Not having to leave every 90 days?

8 years ago

Ellie *******

Not the answer, just wondering. So please delete if not relevant, admins/mods.

Comparing with only non-b multiple from your own country doesn't make sense to me... assuming circumstance, getting extension based on working inside country doesn't seem to be that difficult. Or getting one near by consulate not from own country seems easier as well.

8 years ago

Ahmet *********

instead of narrow range investment choices, woukdnt be better to get 20year elite visa by 1MB. Then you will have 9MB free to invest in any other country or investment

8 years ago