If you are planning to immigrate to Thailand from Canada, you must have a handful of information about the relocation process to prevent any problems. For this purpose, you are welcome to rely on our seasoned lawyers located at our law firm in Thailand. They will guide you through the whole process of relocation if you are interested to move to Thailand from Canada.
Moreover, you can also obtain details from our lawyers if you are interested in a Thai business visa.
Thai visa exemptions for Canadian nationals
Citizens of several nations and territories do not need to obtain a tourist visa to enter Thailand. Such citizens are permitted to enter Thailand and remain there for up to 30 days as long as they have a valid passport and verified return or onward travel plans.
Canadian nationals can also enjoy a Thai visa exemption if they want to move to Thailand from Canada for a short period. Canadian passport holders coming by air for tourism do not need to obtain a visa to enter Thailand for up to 30 days.
Travelers with Canadian passports coming by land or sea may enter Thailand for up to 15 days without a visa. They also need to have a current passport in fine shape (valid for at least six months, with blank visa pages), proof of confirmed air tickets testifying to a stay in Thailand of 30 days or fewer, no prior convictions in Thailand, and at least $200 per person or $400 per family. An extension of the stay will not be permitted in such a stay.
You can also get in touch with our lawyers in Thailand to know about any further regulations regarding this visa exemption. They can offer you comprehensive guidance about relocation.
Types of visas in Thailand
Please find below the different types of visas available in Thailand:
- Thai elite visa
Thailand elite visa is a long-term visa classified as a privilege entry visa that grants residency in this country as well as advantages for a period of 5 to 20 years, depending on the package selected, in return for a membership fee. The elite visa is a five-year renewable multiple-entry visa with a one-year extension period for each entrance. If you want to move to Thailand from Canada, on an elite visa, you are welcome to interact with our seasoned immigration lawyers. our Thai attorneys will provide you with comprehensive relocation guidance.
- Thai visas for non-immigrants
This is often a 90-day single-entry visa to Thailand. You can extend your stay by conducting a visa run to the border or a neighboring city/country, just like you do with a tourist visa. It is feasible to obtain a work permit and create a bank account. If you want to immigrate to Thailand from Canada on a non-immigrant visa you can rely on the legal services of our Thai lawyers. Their extensive knowledge in the field of immigration can help you get your visa without any extended delays.
- Thai visa for business
This visa is developed specifically for persons who want to lawfully do business in Thailand. You can receive a work permit and open a bank account, but you must still run a visa every 90 days. Being a businessman, you can move to Thailand from Canada on a business visa with the legal assistance of our attorneys.
- Thai non-immigrant visa for 1 year
This visa is usually a Thailand multiple entry visa that is good for a year. You are only permitted to remain for 90 days per entrance, which means you must travel to the border and get your visa stamped every 90 days (visa run).
Besides legal assistance in all these Thai visa types, you are also welcome to get in touch with our lawyers if you want to apply for citizenship in Thailand. Our knowledgeable lawyers will provide you with legal help regarding documentation and the thorough procedure of application.
Furthermore, if you need any guidance about available virtual office packages in Thailand, you can get in touch with our Thai lawyers. They can help you in selecting the virtual office which complies well with your business needs.
Qualification of Thai retirement visa for Canadian citizens
If you are planning to move to Thailand from Canada on a retirement visa, you can get detailed information from our lawyers regarding the criteria of this visa that an applicant is required to fulfill. However, you can also find below a general guide about Thai retirement visas:
- You must be at least 50 years old;
- You must be free of any criminal records and be able to go to Thailand.
Some financial requirements must be met:
- A THB 800,000 security deposit in a Thai bank account for two months prior to the visa application;
- A minimum monthly income or pension of THB 65,000 is required;
- As evidence of income, an affidavit from the foreigner’s embassy or consulate must be acquired;
- The whole amount of money in the Thai bank account and the yearly income is 800,000 THB.
If you need more information regarding the qualification of a Thai retirement visa for Canadian citizens, you are welcome to interact with skilled immigration lawyers in Thailand. They will guide you through the whole procedure if you want to move to Thailand from Canada on a retirement visa.
Our law firm in Thailand provides assistance to Canadian people in obtaining a retirement visa. You can expect the following advantages if you immigrate to Thailand from Canada on a retirement visa:
- Multiple entries to Thailand are available;
- For one calendar year, this visa is valid;
- The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed inside Thailand (the applicant must meet the requirements for the visa renewal);
- Opening a bank (savings) account in Thailand is possible;
- After renewals, you will be able to apply for a Permanent Residency.
So, to avail of these benefits, you can rely on our immigration attorneys in Thailand. They will provide you with detailed assistance to help you relocate to Thailand from Canada.
Documents required for entry into Thailand
If any individual is moving to Thailand from Canada, he/she must possess the following documents:
- Passport;
- Visa, if required;
- Flight Itinerary;
- Travel Insurance;
- Hotel Reservation;
- Vaccination history (if vaccinated);
- Test results for COVID-19 (if unvaccinated).
The entry screening to Thailand will be completed more quickly with the right documentation. So, it is important to get assistance from local lawyers. They can guide you about the updated regulations. Furthermore, if you have a company in Thailand and you want the trademark registration of your services, our lawyers can also help you in this matter. Just get in touch with our lawyers for their customized services.
Visa extension for Canadians in Thailand
As the name implies, anyone who plans to remain in Thailand past the expiration date of their visa must apply for a Thai Visa Extension. You might be granted an extension depending on the kind of Thailand visa you possess and the reason for your trip there:
- A brief extension, typically a 30-Day Thailand Visa Extension granted to those in possession of tourist visas;
- A long-term Thai visa extension, which might last anywhere between 90 days and a year, depending on why you wish to live there. Holders of non-immigrant visas can receive lengthy extensions;
- -A Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country will typically offer you a 90-day non-immigrant visa for Thailand.
You are welcome to ask our attorneys, they will thoroughly address all of your questions.
How can a Canadian extend a Thai visa?
You must submit an application for a Thailand visa extension to the Thai Immigration Department office that oversees the region of Thailand where you intend to reside.
When you make an application, you must fill out the “Application Form for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom – Form TM. 7,” which is available online or in the offices of the Immigration Department. You do not need to hassle much, our lawyers can take care of these matters for you.
You must be prepared to pay the cost of the Thai Visa Extension and have your supporting documentation on hand.
Having the right documentation can save you a lot of time. So, it is appropriate to ask our lawyers in Thailand about the list of required paperwork. You can apply for renewal about 30 days before your existing extension expires if you continue to meet the requirements for a Thai visa extension.
Regardless of the length of your extension, you must pay a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht each time you need to prolong your stay in Thailand.
After receiving the Thai Visa Extension, you must obtain a Re-Entry Permit, and then, 90 days after arriving, you must notify the immigration officials of your whereabouts. The services of our lawyers are at your disposal if you have more questions about a visa extension.
Travel restrictions in Thailand
The ideal time to immigrate to Thailand from Canada is now since travel is practically back to its pre-Covid state, for instance:
- Covid Insurance is not needed to be verified for Canadians;
- The entire required hotel quarantine has been lifted;
- Canadian visitors in Thailand are no longer required to get a Thailand Pass;
- Unvaccinated tourists are required to pass an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) test 72 hours before leaving for Thailand, including kids traveling with unvaccinated parents;
- Random inspections by airlines and Thai immigration will ensure that travelers adhere to the Covid prevention rules (vaccination certificate or Covid test);
- Masks are no longer required.
While entering Thailand, the TM6 arrival card has been temporarily removed, get more detailed insight with the help of our lawyers.
Foreign direct investment in Thailand
A recent boost in the figures for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand shows that the economic condition of this country is trusted and flourishing. Please find below the statistics of FDI in Thailand:
- Thailand received $13.19 billion in foreign direct investment in 2018, about 59.16 percent more from 2017;
- Thailand received $8.29 billion in foreign direct investment in 2017, 137.66 percent extra from 2016;
- Thailand received $3.49 billion in foreign direct investment in 2016, about 60.95 percent lesser than in 2015.
You are welcome to contact our law firm in Thailand for any kind of legal assistance. Our knowledgeable lawyers can assist you in the whole process if you want to move to Thailand from Canada.
In addition to relocation services, you are also welcome to interact with our lawyers if you want to apply for residency in Thailand.