Visa Information
10 things you need to know before living in Thailand long-term
Living in Thailand has undoubtedly become an increasingly popular option for foreigners seeking a different lifestyle filled with beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural experience. Thailand and its blend of tradition and modernity offer a unique lifestyle for everyone, whether you are drawn to the...
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OPINION – Thai government making it hard to live and work in Thailand
This is a letter from a concerned expat who has been working, legally, in Thailand, for a number of years but says that now it’s getting nearby impossible for many law-abiding, tax-paying expats to obtain a new visa. Re-printed with permission. Hello, I wanted to talk about a major issue that’s happening in Thailand regarding …
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UPDATE: Thailand Pass Test & Go 3.0 opens for new registration TODAY
UPDATE (March 1): Thailand’s revamped Test & Go travel scheme under the Thailand Pass system is open for new registration from today! Apply now for no PCR test or hotel quarantine on Day 5. Keep reading for the full details on what’s new and why you should travel to the Land of Smiles… Note: People …
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March 1 changes to the Test & Go program have been officially approved
Changes to the Thailand Pass, which take effect on March 1, will allow travellers to arrive in Thailand with only one pre-paid day of accommodation and PCR test. The Day 5 PCR test and accommodation has been scrapped but you will still be required to do a self-ATK test on Day 5 and upload the …
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Foreigners willing to invest 30 million baht can now get a work permit with Elite Card
The Thailand Privilege Card company, which operates the Elite Card scheme, has launched a new programme aimed at wealthy foreigners in need of a work permit. For an investment of 30 million baht, the new Flexible Plus Programme will allow eligible (read, rich) foreigners to obtain a work permit. The move is aimed at attracting …
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Frenchman arrested for allegedly scamming expats in Pattaya out of millions of baht
A Frenchman is facing fraud charges for allegedly scamming expats in Pattaya out of millions of baht by claiming he had connections with several Thai authorities and promising help with obtaining visas, opening businesses, and buying motorbikes and cars. Reports say he scammed expats out of a total of 6.3 million baht. 58 year old …
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10-year visa to attract engineers and IT experts, boost technology development
The 10-year visa scheme for wealthy foreigners and highly-skilled professionals is expected to attract engineers and IT experts, potentially boosting technology development in Thailand as the country anticipates a shortage of digital workforce over the next few years. The long-stay visa scheme was approved in principle by the Thai Cabinet last month, targeting foreign investors, …
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Many foreigners caught unaware of stricter Covid-19 visa rules
Confusion and dismay are hitting long-staying foreign travellers in Thailand, as many were relieved to see the Covid-19 visa exemption extended, but missed the strict revisions in the fine print. While the decree was extended from the January 25 deadline at the last minute to March 25, the people who are allowed to take advantage …
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“Covid” visa extension: Key details from the latest order from immigration
A signed document from the Thai Immigration Bureau regarding the deadline for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension was leaked last night. While there has been no formal announcement, the document shows that the deadline to apply for the extension has been pushed from today to March 25. There are some key details included in the …
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“Covid-19” visa extension deadline tomorrow, no word from immigration
The deadline to apply for a 60-day “Covid-19” visa extension is tomorrow, although it is possible that the Thai Immigration Bureau could continue the scheme for another two months. The announcements in the past have often been last minute and sometimes made even after the deadline had passed. The 60-day extension was launched for foreigners …
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Red tape remains for foreign retirees in Thailand
This year, travel magazine International Living rated Thailand 11th most desirable country to retire in, out of 25. Despite this ranking, there are still regulations making it difficult for foreigners to stay here. Those with visas for one or more years are still required to report to immigration officials every 90 days. Foreigners with a …
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10-year visa gets approval of Cabinet, Ministries preparing rules
The Cabinet in Thailand just approved the creation of a 10-year visa for wealthy foreigners or digital nomads, the target demographic the government has focused on as the solution to the lack of tourism due to Covid-19. They have reckoned that a few high-quality (read: “big spending”) tourists could outweigh scores of the undesirable budget-conscious …
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Thailand approves plan to attract highly-skilled foreign workers, investors, wealthy retirees
Measures aimed at attracting wealthy long-stay foreigners to Thailand have been approved in principle by Cabinet. The government is targeting foreign investors, highly-skilled professionals and wealthy retirees in a bid to develop the Covid-battered economy. Long-term residence visas of up to 10 years are on offer, along with work permits for those who qualify, according …
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10-year long term visa scheme takes a step forward, measures approved by PM
Plans to roll out a 10-year long term visa scheme have made a step forward. Measures to attract wealthy foreigners and investors through the long term residency scheme were approved in principle by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at today’s Economic Situation Management Committee Meeting, according to Thai media. Four groups of foreigners are targeted for the …
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Cabinet okays new visa scheme allowing a 1 year stay for medical tourists
A new visa scheme approved, in principle, by the Thai Cabinet today will allow foreigners who are travelling to Thailand for medical treatment to stay in the Kingdom for up to a year. At the moment, many medical tourists stay in the country on 60-day tourist visas, which can be extended for another 30 days, …
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What is a Thailand Elite Visa? & Why Should You Apply For One?
If you have never heard of a Thailand Elite Visa, you might be wondering what one is? If you’ve heard of a Thailand elite visa, you may also wonder why you should get one instead of a conventional visa? The Thailand Elite Visa is attractive because it is a long-term visa that allows visitors to …
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UPDATE: Deadline for 60-day “Covid” visa extension being pushed to January 25
This article has been updated with information from a Thai Immigration document. The deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension is this Friday, but a document from Thai Immigration leaked on social media says the date has been pushed back to January 25. The order needs to be published in the Royal Gazette …
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Visa agent accused of pocketing 230,000 baht after promising visa extensions
A woman claiming to be a visa agent is being accused of promising visa extensions for 25 migrant workers, but pocketed hundreds of thousands of baht. The owner of a bedding supplies company in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok, filed a complaint with police saying she paid the agent to get visa extensions for …
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Government officials meet to discuss long-term visa options for foreigners
A government spokesman says the Thai PM has met with several members of his cabinet to discuss long-term residency options for foreigners. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is currently in talks with a number of ministries and relevant agencies as to how to attract more foreign investment to the kingdom. The Bangkok Post reports …
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Thailand Pass – 3 options to come back to Thailand right now
The Thailand Pass is now in force if you want to come back to Thailand, whether local or foreign traveller. There are now 3 main options that provide topics for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, from one of the 63 approved low-risk countries, or outside of that list. Even for fully vaccinated travellers its not quite …
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Thailand Pass – BKK on a Friday evening. Where was everyone? | VIDEO
Tim does his weekly jaunt to Phuket from BKK. Thailand is ‘open’ again with almost-quarantine-free travel to fully vaccinated travellers. But the government’s promised surge of tourists has had a slow start. Plenty of articles about the Thailand Pass – search ‘The Thaiger Thailand Pass’ for numerous articles and links if you want to return …
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Deputy PM plans to meet with foreign ambassadors to discuss 10-year visa
Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow says the government is anxious to promote new measures for attracting wealthy foreigners to Thailand. He says he will be arranging meetings with every foreign ambassador in order to promote a new long-stay visa programme aimed at highly-skilled professionals and wealthy investors. It’s hoped the new visa will help revive Thailand’s …
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Cabinet approves long-stay visa regulations as Thailand seeks more foreign investment
As Thailand prepares to re-open without quarantine to select vaccinated tourists, 2 draft regulations related to long-stay visas have been approved in principle. According to a Bangkok Post report, the long-stay visa programme aims to attract 300 billion baht in foreign investment as the government tries to kick-start the economy. Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul says the …
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So long, farewell to Thailand’s Certificate of Entry – November 1
But what will replace it? Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an update to procedures for arrival in the Kingdom, post November 1. The Ministry says that the unpopular Certificate of Entry, currently required for all international visitors, is set to be replaced by a new system they’re calling the Thailand Pass system. It …
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Phuket “Sandbox” to allow visitors from overseas to apply for “Visa on Arrival”
While there has not been an official announcement, travellers entering Thailand through the Phuket “Sandbox” might soon be able to apply for a “Visa on Arrival,” or VOA. A graphic was posted by Phuket officials on Facebook outlining the requirements for a “Visa on Arrival.” According to the post, travellers will need to have a …
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Thai Cabinet Committee officially extends Special Tourist Visa
While the idea of extending the Special Tourist Visa in Thailand was announced recently, yesterday the Thai Cabinet Committee officially approved the extension. The plan has been in place for one year already, and will now continue until at least September 30, 2022, and is aimed at attracting well fear foreign travellers to visit Thailand spend …
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Thailand’s Special Tourist Visa scheme extended until September 2022
The long-stay tourist visa has been extended for another year. The Special Tourist Visa scheme, or STV, was launched last year to draw in travellers from overseas in an effort to revive the crippled tourism industry. The visa allows a 90 day stay and can be extended twice, allowing a stay in Thailand of up …
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Labour Ministry confirms timeframe for registering undocumented migrant workers
The Thai government has issued a timeframe during which employers must register undocumented migrant workers, thereby allowing them to obtain work permits and work legally. According to a Bangkok Post report, the Labour Minister, Suchart Chomklin, says the measure applies to migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, and is being introduced to mitigate the …
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New deadline to apply for Covid visa extension confirmed as November 26
Thai immigration officials have confirmed that the deadline for a so-called Covid visa extension has been moved to November 26. The previous deadline was September 27. The new date means foreigners in the Kingdom can avail of permission to remain until early next year, at a cost of 1,900 baht. The Covid visa extension scheme …
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Cuts to import duty on alcohol, cigars, part of plan to entice wealthy foreigners
A reduction in import duty on cigars and alcohol looks to be in the works, as part of a government strategy to attract wealthy foreign residents and skilled professionals. According to a Bangkok Post report, the Customs Department is expected to slash duty by 50% for a 5 year period. The proposal is in line …
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Hungarian woman arrested in Koh Samui for 10-year overstay
A Hungarian woman was arrested in Koh Samui by Surat Thani Immigration Police for a visa overstay… of more than 4,000 days. The woman admitted to having travelled to Thailand in November of 2009 on a tourist visa and then stayed with her husband without ever bothering to apply for any visa or extension. The …
