Extension of Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for Long Stay Visa Holders (10-Year Visa)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Background<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Cabinet has approved in principle the extension of the stay period<\/span><\/strong> in the Kingdom of Thailand for the Long Stay Visa<\/span><\/strong> group from 1 year to 10 years, specifically for 14 countries as proposed by the Ministry of Public Health on November 22, 2017. The Ministry of Interior has issued a notification regarding the special permission for certain foreigners to reside in the Kingdom for long-term stays as per the Cabinet resolution dated November 22, 2016, published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 134, Special Section 157, on June 12, 2017, which took effect on August 11, 2017.

Objective<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>

To promote the government’s policy on health tourism and facilitate visa processing for long-stay tourists.

Visa Application Criteria<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Foreigners<\/span><\/strong> (primary visa holders, spouses, and children under 20 years of age) will receive a long-stay visa categorized as Multiple Entry with the code Non – 0-X, valid for 5 years, and can apply for an extension for another 5 years, totaling 10 years.

1)<\/strong> <\/span>Must be at least 50 years old.

2)<\/strong> <\/span>Must hold a passport or equivalent travel document from one of the following countries:

(1)<\/strong><\/span> Japan

(2)<\/span><\/strong> Australia

(3)<\/span><\/strong> Denmark

(4)<\/span><\/strong> Finland

(5)<\/span><\/strong> France

(6)<\/span><\/strong> Germany

(7)<\/span><\/strong> Italy

(8)<\/span><\/strong> Netherlands

(9)<\/span><\/strong> Norway

(10)<\/span><\/strong> Sweden

(11)<\/span><\/strong> Switzerland

(12)<\/span><\/strong> United Kingdom

(13)<\/span><\/strong> Canada

(14)<\/span><\/strong> United States

3)<\/strong> <\/span>Must have a fixed deposit in a Thai commercial bank located in Thailand as follows:

(1)<\/span><\/strong> A deposit equivalent to at least 3 million Thai Baht, or

(2)<\/span><\/strong> A deposit of at least 1.8 million Thai Baht and an annual income of no less than 1.2 million Thai Baht, with a requirement to maintain a deposit of at least 3 million Baht within one year and keep at least 1.5 million Baht in the account for expenses such as medical care, purchasing a condominium/vehicle, and education of children in the Kingdom only.

4)<\/strong> <\/span>Must provide documents or certificates of good conduct or a criminal record certificate.

5)<\/strong> <\/span>Must have a health insurance policy from a Thai provider covering the entire duration of stay in the Kingdom, with coverage of at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient care and at least 400,000 Baht for inpatient care. More information on insurance can be found at www.longstay.tgia.org<\/a>.

How to Apply for a Visa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

1. For Visa Application Abroad<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Foreigners holding passports or equivalent travel documents from the 14 countries must apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country of permanent residence.

2. For Visa Application in Thailand<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Foreigners holding passports or equivalent travel documents from the 14 countries who are already in the Kingdom under other types of visas and wish to apply for a long-stay visa (Non-0-X) must submit an application as specified in the regulations at the Immigration Bureau.

Benefits<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

1)<\/span><\/strong> Legal spouses from the 14 countries can accompany the primary visa holder to reside in the Kingdom by submitting documents and meeting the same qualifications as the primary applicant.

2)<\/span> <\/strong>Legitimate children can also accompany the primary visa holder to reside in the Kingdom, receiving the same visa type as the primary applicant.

3)<\/span><\/strong> Can volunteer to assist government agencies and charitable organizations under the provisions of the law regarding foreign workers.

Obligations While Residing in the Kingdom of Thailand<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

1)<\/span> <\/strong>Foreigners residing in the Kingdom for 90 days must report their residence to the Immigration Bureau at designated points and do so every 90 days thereafter.

2)<\/span><\/strong> Foreigners residing in the Kingdom for 1 year and every year thereafter must report to the Immigration Bureau for qualification checks as per the Ministry of Interior's announcement.

Relevant Agencies<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

1) Ministry of Interior<\/strong><\/p>

2) Ministry of Foreign Affairs<\/strong><\/p>

3) Ministry of Public Health<\/strong><\/p>

4) Immigration Bureau<\/strong><\/p>

Contact Information for the Ministry of Public Health<\/strong><\/p>

Agency: Department of Health Service Support

Location: Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province

Phone: +66 (0) 2193 7000 ext. 18400 – 18404 (during business hours)

Call Center: +66 (0) 2193 7999 (24 hours)

Website: www.thailandmedicalhub.net

Email: [email protected]

Procedure for Long Stay Visa Application (Non-O-X)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

1.<\/span> <\/strong>Foreigners holding passports or equivalent travel documents from the 14 countries must apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country of permanent residence, preparing documents and qualifications as specified in the Ministry of Interior's announcement.

2.<\/span><\/strong> The Thai Embassy/Consulate will review the applicant's qualifications and the completeness of the documents and notify the results.

3.<\/span> <\/strong>Foreigners (primary visa holders, spouses, and children under 20 years of age) will receive a temporary long-stay visa (Non – 0-X) valid for 5 years with multiple entries.

4.<\/span><\/strong> Upon entering Thailand, immigration officials will allow the foreigner to stay in the Kingdom for up to 5 years as per the visa validity.

5.<\/span> <\/strong>After 90 days of residence in the Kingdom, the foreigner must report their residence to the Immigration Bureau at designated points and do so every 90 days thereafter.

6.<\/span> <\/strong>After 1 year of residence and every year thereafter, the foreigner must report to the Immigration Bureau for qualification checks as per the Ministry of Interior's announcement.

6.1<\/span><\/strong> Can continue to stay in the Kingdom.

6.2<\/span><\/strong> The following cases will result in the termination of the temporary stay permit:

(a) Non-compliance with the criteria and conditions.

(b) Lack of health insurance.

(c) Working without permission.

(d) Behavior deemed a threat to public safety or national security.

If the authorities find that the qualifications are not met, the temporary stay permit will be revoked, and the foreigner must return to their home country immediately.

Documents Required for Application<\/strong>

1. Financial Documents<\/span><\/strong>

(a) Bank deposit account statement with contact information for the bank, a copy of the passbook, and bank statement showing a fixed deposit of at least 3 million Baht in a Thai commercial bank located in Thailand, or

(b) Bank deposit account statement with contact information for the bank, a copy of the passbook, and bank statement showing a fixed deposit of at least 1.8 million Baht in a Thai commercial bank located in Thailand, along with documents showing an annual income of at least 1.2 million Baht.

2. Good Conduct Certificate<\/span><\/strong> or a criminal record certificate from the country of nationality, and if the foreigner has permanent residence in another country, a certificate from that country is also required.

3. Insurance Evidence<\/span><\/strong> as per the Ministry of Interior's announcement regarding the special permission for certain foreigners to reside in the Kingdom for long-term stays.

Health insurance must comply with the requirements set by the relevant authorities, with coverage of at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient care and at least 400,000 Baht for inpatient care.

4. Medical Certificate<\/span><\/strong> from the country of application stating that the applicant does not have prohibited diseases as per the Ministry of Interior's regulations.

5. For Spouses<\/span><\/strong> provide marriage certificate and submit documents as per points 1-4 separately.

6. For Children<\/span> provide birth certificate/adoption certificate (for legitimate children) and documents as per point 3 (insurance policy).

Benefits During Stay in Thailand (for primary visa holders only)<\/span><\/strong>

(a) Can volunteer under the provisions of the law regarding foreign workers.

(b) Can purchase vehicles under the provisions of the law regarding automobiles.

(c) For purchasing a condominium, follow the provisions of the law regarding condominiums.

Procedure for Extension of Stay in the Kingdom<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>

When a foreigner has resided in the Kingdom for 5 years, the following actions must be taken:

1.1)<\/span> <\/strong>Desire to extend stay for another 5 years.

1.1.1)<\/span> <\/strong>Submit an application for extension as specified in the regulations at least 15 days before the visa expires at the Immigration Bureau, preparing documents as specified in the Ministry of Interior's announcement.

1.1.2)<\/span> <\/strong>The Immigration Bureau will review qualifications, document accuracy/completeness, and proceed with the relevant steps, then notify the results.

1.1.3)<\/span> <\/strong>Foreigners must pay a fee of 10,000 Baht per person.

1.1.4)<\/span> <\/strong>Immigration officials will stamp the extension permit for temporary residence for up to 5 years and allow re-entry into the Kingdom under multiple entries for the foreigner (primary visa holder, spouse, and children under 20 years of age).

1.1.5)<\/span> <\/strong>Foreigners must report their residence every 90 days as per point 7 and report for qualification checks every year as per point 10 of the Ministry of Interior's announcement.

1.1.6)<\/span> <\/strong>After 5 years of residence in the Kingdom, the foreigner must return to their home country.

(1.2)<\/span> <\/strong>Do not wish to extend stay.

1.2.1)<\/span> <\/strong>Return to home country.

1.3)<\/strong> <\/span>Do not wish to extend stay under the long-term category but wish to apply for another type of stay.

1.3.1)<\/span> <\/strong>Contact immigration officials in the area where the foreigner resides to proceed with the process specified by the Immigration Bureau at least 15 days before the visa expires.