Moving to Thailand - What kind of visa?

[synthia]

Your title pretty much reflects a problem a lot of would-be expats experience. They decide they are moving somewhere and assume they have the right to do so, sometimes not even knowing that visas are requlired. They see lots for foreigners or immigrants, and assume that they came in under conditions that the poster would find acceptable or will have access to. That's seldom the case.

Immigration to the US is at an all-time high, partly because of high levels of illegal immigration, and because people sponsor close relatives for immigration. Those who want to work here assume everyone is on a work visa.

Once they start looking into it, they get discouraged, as well they should.

Think about this: Thailand is easy compared to most countries. A European can't just come to the US, cross into Canada when it's time to leave, get a new visa, then return to the US, ad infinitum. Yet that is possible in many countries in Asia and Latin America.

My other concern is that vacationing is not the same as living. And my advice would be to never invest in a country until you have been there at least a year.

[Karlos]

Am I being unduly stupid by thinking about permanent residence somewhere? Clearly a lot of people "have it" - but not officially.

Is Thailand still my best bet?

I can pretty much emmigrate to any country due to my skillset, but my family can't. Money is not the issue at all... I can bring a lot of that to the country... and self-support, not living off the country at all...

But I'm not sure whether Thailand is still the best bet!

Karl

PS. Loving your replies, THANK YOU!

[synthia]

No, you are not being stupid. You are checking out your options. Lots of people do the expat thing, but it is more difficult than most people expect, and that's before you arrive.

The big thing I think you have to get over is the idea that you don't want to renew visas or residency permits annually. Most places also require you spend a certain amount of time in the country each year, and that you show up in person for the renewal. There is a whole plan you execute for Mexico, to make sure the renewal, which must happen in the 30 days before your residency expires, occurs in a month you find convenient.

Malaysia may not require an annual renewal, but once again, and I think it is possible to open a business without local partners. However, that may not be possible on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program.

In many of the places that require annual renewal, it's simply never a problem and merely involves showing up with this year's bank or income statement and signing a couple of papers. Thailand is difficult because they have been changing the rules almost continuously for the past few years.

There is always risk involved in living and investing in a place where you are not a citizen, so you need to find a level of risk that you find acceptable.



Getting over the idea of a guaranteed renewal opens up more possibilities.

[greginthai]

For your parents, no problem, they can get a retirement visa. About you, my best advice is that you open a company with a minimum investment of 6 millions baht. A company in Thailand can hire a foreigner for every 2 millions baht invested so it ensures the visa for you, your sister and your wife but you will need to renew it every year.
You can own 100% of the business, there are some tricks to do that. Officially, you have 49% and 51% for the thai but in truth, the thais people lend you their names and sign a paper stating that it belongs to you so there is no risk, some companies arrange that and find the thai people for you. Your last solution is to subscribe in a Thai Language school for a year and renew it every year you can do that for 5 years.
Hope it helps.

[synthia]

As has been mentioned in other posts, the Thai government is cracking down on the 'nominee' arrangements. Among other things, the nominees must have access to the company bank accounts.

Besides, opening a business doesn't get the OP past the annual renewal, which was a problem.

[klikster]

Originally Posted by synthia

No, marrying a Thai doesn't give you automatic citizenship. I do think it would give you residency

All that marrying a Thai gets a foreigner is an easier 1 year visa. Foreign spouses still have to go try to go through the "permanent" residence process.

And even if a foreigner get a residency permit, they are still a foreigner and cannot own land.

[simonbuk]

So whats the 90 day visa you can get ? If you can only renew it 3 times a year what do people do ? Leave Thailand for a while and then come back after 3 months ?

[wildfk]

You can't own land or houses in Thailand - you can buy condos though.

[Cer]

Use a good lawyer and ask him the same as you did on this forum.
Isaan lawyers--Sunbelt u.o. you can deal with them in english language and they give sound advice.
You will not find detailed information,based on YOUR circumstances,on a public forum.

[wildfk]

Retirement visas (over 50) mean you don't haver to leave after 90 days - just sign on at immigration.
You can maybe set up a company/business and get a work permit.