The following bullets sound HUGE warning bells to me:
Restructuring and reducing the number of Non-Immigrant visa categories from 17 to 7, starting in September 2024.
Adjusting the criteria and conditions for the Long Stay visa for elderly people who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand, starting in September 2024.
Reducing the health insurance requirement for Non-Immigrant visa (O-A) from 3,000,000 baht to pre-COVID-19 levels: 40,000 baht for outpatients and 400,000 baht for inpatients
• Adjusting the criteria and conditions for the Long Stay visa for elderly people who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand, starting in September 2024.
Besides the many questions that still remain regarding the new tax rules for our income, now we will also have to start thinking/worrying about this……
I fear the reduction of Non-Immigration Visas will see O and OA merged, making health insurance mandatory for all. The only relief is the amount of cover required has been significantly redued.
"Boosting the economy" means hunting for more money from foreigners so "easing" is the wrong word as these changes are likely to increase costs/difficulty for those wanting to live here.
Edit: retirees are here permanently anyway, so there are no financial incentives to give them longer or make it easier.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
This is from the Thai Enquirer about the "easing" bits for tourists and students ...
The cabinet has approved, in principle, visa measures to stimulate tourism, including a 60-day visa exemption, a new "Destination Thailand" visa, permission for foreign university students who studied in Thailand to stay for a year after graduation, and changes in regulations for long-stay visas for retirees, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after the meeting.
[Update] The details, according to government spokesperson Chai Watcharong, include:
- Increase the number of visa-free countries from 57 to 93, including Albania, China, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Laos, Jamaica, Romania, Sri Lanka, Panama, Mexico, Morocco, Uzbekistan, etc.
- Extend the period of visa-free stays from 30 days to 60 days.
- Expand the list of countries eligible for visa arrivals from 19 to 31.
- Extend the period of stay for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, Muay Thai students, Thai food students, etc., from 60 days to 180 days.
- Extend the period of stay for foreign university students to one year after graduation, allowing them to work in professions not restricted to Thais only.
These measures are expected to come into effect in June.
Other measures set to take effect in September include:
- Doubling the number of locations offering e-visa services from 47 embassies and consulates-general to 94.
Chai stated that the estimated cost of the measures, in terms of lost visa fee collections, is approximately 12.3 billion baht per year. However, it is anticipated that there will be a substantial increase in tourist receipts, ranging from 800 billion baht to one trillion baht.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
"The validity of so-called "digital nomad" visas for self-employed, remote workers will be extended to five years, from 60 days presently, with each stay limited to 180 days."
It shouldn't really be called a "digital nomad" visa as that is something separate that requires earnings of $80K per year, health insurance, years of experience, and being employed by a multi-million dollar company.
As usual not enough info anywhere yet on income/financial requirements, tax liabilities, 180 days stay per year or back to back? I doubt immigration will have a clue yet for months either.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
^I'm pretty sure that they're talking about 180 days a year but I'm starting to think that my retirement is going to be half in Thailand and half in Europe so if it's tax free and easy to get, it might be a useful solution.
Thinking likewise, 6 months per year in Thailand will suit me when all this tax bullshit kicks in, and annual visa renewals here become a massive headache with the additional paperwork. The new nomad visa also looks way easier to get/renew than a marriage visa!
A lot of countries in Southern and Eastern Europe are also offering digital nomad visas for "semi retirement" purposes ... interesting times ahead.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
It is good to see most people are seeing nothing but positives coming out of this announcement.
I must admit, 95% of it looks really positive. However, forever the pessimist, I worry about the reduction of the non-Immigrant visa classes from 17 to 7 and any adverse effect this might have on retirees. A typical Government announcement (not just Thailand) - the minister makes the high level announcement and leaves it to his minions (Civil Servants) to work out the detail several months later.
buksida wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 9:08 am
Thinking likewise, 6 months per year in Thailand will suit me when all this tax bullshit kicks in, and annual visa renewals here become a massive headache with the additional paperwork. The new nomad visa also looks way easier to get/renew than a marriage visa!
A lot of countries in Southern and Eastern Europe are also offering digital nomad visas for "semi retirement" purposes ... interesting times ahead.
Also, in some European countries you don't become liable for income tax if you spend less than 183 days in the country, so 180 days in Thailand, 180 in Europe and a few days in transit sees you potentially living tax free.
