New 10 Year Visa for Foreign Retirees

A 10-year visa for foreign retirees is now available for Thailand. Lt. Gen. Natthathorn Prohsunthorn said the new visa will come in two installments of five years each.

It will be available to foreigners from 14 countries who meet conditions such as having three million baht in their bank account.

“It is now effective,” Natthathorn said by phone. “Foreigners can apply for it at their provincial immigration offices. For Bangkok and neighboring provinces, it’s at Chaeng Wattana.”

Although the new retirement has been available since the 12th of August Natthathorn said he has not seen any applications for it so far.

He says that the media should report this news as it is very positive compared to other news such as long queues at airports!

A staff member at the Immigration Division in headquarters in Bangkok was unaware of the change however and did not think that 10-year visas were available. She referred a reporter to the immigration website.

They could find no information about the new visa could readily be found on the site Wednesday. Phanganist also cannot find any solid information...

‘Natthathorn said a memo was already sent out to staff at the Chaeng Wattana location, but some officials might not have read it. He advised potential applicants to push ahead with the application anyway’.

“Maybe the reporter talked to someone who doesn’t know?” the police lieutenant general said. “Just go ahead and submit the application.”

The government announced the new visa plan in November last year as they wish to promote Thailand as a destination for medical services and retirement. Previously, retirees could only apply for visas that required annual renewal each year.

Nattathorn said applicants must come from one of 14 designated countries, must not have any pending criminal convictions or charges, and have at least 3 million baht in their bank account.

News Source; khaosodenglish.com