Thailand will give Russians a visa for 10 years: conditions revealed

The stricter Europe is towards Russians, the kinder Asia is. Every day, another country in the region promises entry concessions to citizens of the Russian Federation. Some have already moved on to business, but Thailand has gone the farthest, since September 1, offering Russians a visa for 10 years at once. We got acquainted with the prospects that Southeast Asia is preparing for our tourists.

Myanmar (ex-Burma) introduced a visa-free regime for Russians from July 1, while for a trial period – until June 30, 2023. “Visa-free” allows trips with both tourist and business visits for a period of 1 month.

After 30 days, tourists who wish to stay in the country longer will have to apply for a visa, but those who arrive on business can extend the visa-free regime in agreement with the host country (business partners in Myanmar). You can enter the country without a visa through the international airports of Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. In the very near future, Myanmar and Russia will be connected by direct flights – both sides promise this. Also, negotiations are underway at the government level on the introduction of the Russian payment system in Myanmar.

Without a visa, Russians can also visit Vietnam, having only a Russian passport with a validity period of at least six months. Without a visa, you can stay for a month on the island of Phu Quoc and 15 days in other parts of the country. After this period, you need to get an electronic visa – everything is online, you do not need to visit the consular departments.

From March 15 this year, India restored the validity of all long-term visas issued to Russians before the pandemic, and also resumed the issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens, including long-term and multiple-entry visas for a year and for 5 years. Both India and neighboring Sri Lanka are considering the recognition of the Russian payment system, while the latter, at the level of its authorities, has promised to connect to it this year. At the same time, there are already direct flights from the Russian Federation to India, and you can get to Sri Lanka through the neighboring Maldives until they resume.

But Thailand outdid everyone by offering the Russians a visa for a decade at once.

– This is called a long-term resident visa, – they explain in a Russian travel agency working with Thailand. – Thus, Tai wants to attract Russians with a stable income to spend their money in Siam.

– Do tourists need a visa?

– From October 1 of this year until March 31 of the next, we are given an indulgence – 45 days without a visa at all. Those who plan to stay in Thailand longer need to apply for a tourist visa, they give it immediately for two months with the possibility of extending for another 30 days.

– Is it difficult to get a long-term resident visa?

– Technically not difficult, just apply online. The price of a 10-year visa with multiple entries is 50,000 baht per person, which is about $1,400. But you need assets worth $1 million, as well as work – in Thailand itself or remotely, but with a stable income. Or a good pension and an investment in the Thai economy, or, in other words, the purchase of real estate.

– Oh, well, this is for millionaires …

– So it seems. In fact, “assets” are the same real estate, only in Russia, because you can rent it out. And if you open a portal for the purchase and sale of Russian real estate, you will see how many dollar millionaires we have in both capitals, simply because apartments and country houses are very expensive.

We look at what is said on the website of the Thai embassy. First of all, it says that the kingdom will welcome not only wealthy Russians, but also those who want to work in Thailand itself – in tourism or in one of the many multinational companies that have offices in Thai cities.

Those who want to do business in Thailand are also welcome, they are entitled to benefits, both tax and social, such as skip-the-line service at Thai airports and a free digital work permit in Thailand. At the same time, Russian applicants for a ten-year visa who are already working in Thailand can obtain it without leaving the country. For the first time, a visa is given for 5 years and, if there are no violations on the part of the Russian “long-term resident”, then it is extended for another five years.

But the requirements for the “new Russian Thai” are listed at the very end, after the oriental pompous assurances of true Thai hospitality: assets of at least $ 1 million, personal income of at least $ 80,000 per year for the last two years, investments in an amount of at least US$500,000 in Thai government bonds or real estate in Thailand, at least US$50,000 in health insurance or social security benefits guaranteeing treatment in Thailand, or a deposit of at least US$100,000.