Many friends who visit Thailand fall in love with the country and consider purchasing property there. Some have asked if buying property in Thailand allows for immigration and obtaining permanent residency. Thailand is a non-immigration country; even if you purchase property, you cannot obtain citizenship, nor can you obtain permanent residency. However, Thailand is an open and inclusive nation that offers various visas for foreign nationals who love the country to stay for regular periods.
Retirement Visa
On November 22, 2016, Thailand officially implemented the "Thai Retirement Visa." It is renewable annually. Foreigners aged 50 or older who have approximately 160,000 RMB in a bank account or proof of equivalent income can apply for a retirement visa. Applicants must be at least 50 years old.
Tourist Visa
For younger friends under 50 who wish to escape the cold and smog by visiting Thailand every year, a tourist visa allows you to enjoy Thailand for an entire quarter.
Tourist visas can be easily obtained through Thai embassies or consulates abroad. (The easiest method is to entrust a travel agency to handle it.) Generally, a tourist visa allows for a legal stay of two months in Thailand. As the visa nears expiration, you can apply for a one-month extension at the immigration office. This means that after obtaining a tourist visa, you can stay in Thailand for up to three months, which is an entire quarter.
The disadvantage of this visa is that you can only stay for a maximum of three months at a time. If you wish to stay longer after three months, you must exit the country and apply for a new visa to return.
6-Month Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
For those who travel frequently between China and Thailand, a 6-month multiple-entry tourist visa is a good option.
Since November 13, 2015, Thailand has issued 6-month multiple-entry tourist visas to all foreign tourists. The visa is valid for 6 months, allows for a stay of up to 60 days per entry, and permits multiple entries within the six-month period. The fee is 5,000 Thai Baht, which is approximately 1,000 RMB.
The disadvantage is that you can only enter and exit freely within six months, with each stay not exceeding 2 months. Regardless of whether the visa has been used, you must apply for a new visa if you wish to return after the six months have passed.