9 Best Places To Visit In Colombia
Colombia is one of the most exciting countries in South America. Whether you're visiting Colombia for a holiday or considering it a second residence,...
Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles”. The Thai people are friendly, polite, and welcoming of foreigners. Because of the cheap cost of living, delicious food, and rich cultural traditions, Thailand is a popular destination for both vacationers and expats.
Thailand is a tropical country in South Eastern Asia, which has enjoyed strong economic growth over the last sixty years. You can grab a tuk-tuk or water taxi and explore the city of Bangkok. Visit a Buddhist temple or enjoy some delicious street food. Outside of Bangkok, travellers can appreciate Thailand’s rich natural beauty, like the Thi Lu Su waterfall or Ang Thong National Marine Park. Or simply relax and enjoy an inexpensive massage on the beach.
Krabi, Thailand.
While in the past, a lot of expats who lived in Thailand existed within a state of ‘perpetual tourism’, doing border runs every few months to extend their tourist visas, Thai authorities are increasingly cracking down on this behaviour. There are however a number of other ways to live in Thailand on a long-term basis.
The first thing to understand about Thai permanent residency is that there is an annual quota of 100 applicants per nationality, so the program is relatively restrictive. The application period is usually between October and December, and because of the quota system, you will want to get your application in as quickly as possible. The second thing you need to know is that only individuals who have held Thai non-immigrant visa status for three consecutive years may apply. This status is only granted for a year, so you must have three separate extensions. In addition, you must qualify under one of the following classes:
Even though permanent residency status is permanent, if you want to leave Thailand and re-enter, then you must apply for a re-entry permit. After ten years as a permanent resident, you can apply to become a Thai citizen through naturalization.
Related content: The Top Best Visas To Move To Panama
Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok, Thailand.
Another way to get residency in Thailand is by applying for a long-term residency visa. This program is coming into place in September of 2022 and is aimed at high-net-worth individuals, pensioners, skilled workers, and digital nomads who want to work remotely from Thailand.
The criteria for high-net-worth individuals is that they must have,
To participate as a pensioner, the requirements are
For digital nomads, you must have a
Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency
For highly skilled professionals, the requirements are either
No matter which grouping you apply under, you must have health insurance worth $50,000 or if you want to self-insure you need to deposit $100,000. There is also a processing fee of ฿50,000 which must be included with your application.
Golden Buddha Statue in Khao Noi Temple, Nan Province, Thailand.
The Thai Elite Visa is valid for a period of between five and twenty years, depending on what option you select, and allows you to stay in Thailand for as long as you want during that period. You can also come and go from the country as you please.
There are a number of different Thai Elite Visa options. The most basic option costs ฿ 600,000 and is valid for five years. On top of being able to come and go as you please, you also get some perks like airport pickup, access to the departure lounge, and the ability to skip the lines at immigration with the fast track lane. You also get access to an elite personal liaison who can assist you in getting a bank account and/or your driver's license.
There is also a family option, which costs ฿ 800,000, as well as an additional ฿ 300,000 for each extra family member (note that this person must be part of your immediate family). This is the same as the basic option except of course you can have multiple people on it.
There are also more expensive packages, that offer 10 and 20-year visas, as well as additional perks like free access to golf courses, medical checkups, spa packages, boxing classes, and more.
It is important to note that neither the long-term resident visa nor the Thai Elite visa are pathways to citizenship. These programs are simply for residency and do not count towards naturalization.
Related Content: Spain Golden Visa
If you want the best intel from the expat world, including profitable offshore opportunities, little-known tax-saving strategies, and hard-won insights on immigration, passports, and Plan-B residencies, all delivered to your inbox every single week, then join our daily correspondence, EMS Pulse™. Currently enjoyed by over 84,000 expats and expat-hopefuls worldwide. Fill in the form below to join our newsletter free:
Written by Mikkel Thorup
Mikkel Thorup is the world’s most sought-after expat consultant. He focuses on helping high-net-worth private clients to legally mitigate tax liabilities, obtain a second residency and citizenship, and assemble a portfolio of foreign investments including international real estate, timber plantations, agricultural land and other hard-money tangible assets. Mikkel is the Founder and CEO at Expat Money®, a private consulting firm started in 2017. He hosts the popular weekly podcast, the Expat Money Show, and wrote the definitive #1-Best Selling book Expat Secrets - How To Pay Zero Taxes, Live Overseas And Make Giant Piles Of Money, and his second book: Expats Guide On Moving To Mexico.
Colombia is one of the most exciting countries in South America. Whether you're visiting Colombia for a holiday or considering it a second residence,...
Imagine a country where the food is delicious, the culture is rich, and you can find an exciting blend of Europe and Asia all in one place. That’s...
Trump’s “America First” slogan has been taken to the extreme under the guise of protecting the U.S. dollar and American hegemony. Now, Trump, known...