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Is the “Buy a Condo, Get a Visa” Deal Legally Valid in 2026?

 If you have been browsing real estate ads for Bangkok or Phuket lately, you have likely seen the flashy banners: “Buy a Condo, Get a Free Visa!” or “Instant Residency with Property Purchase!”

It sounds like the perfect deal. You get a luxury asset in a tropical paradise, and in return, the Thai government rolls out the red carpet with a long-term visa. But as we move into 2026, the gap between marketing slogans and legal reality is widening.



Is it a scam? Not necessarily.

Is it as simple as the brochure claims? Absolutely not.

At Sukhothai Inter Law, we have reviewed hundreds of these contracts. Today, we are going to pull back the curtain on the “Buy Condo, Get Visa” phenomenon. We will explain what is legally valid, what is a marketing gimmick, and the specific pitfalls you must avoid to keep your investment—and your visa—safe.

The Three Legal Paths (and One Myth)

To understand if these deals are valid, you must understand that Thailand does not have a single “Golden Visa” like Portugal or Greece used to. Instead, there are three distinct legal mechanisms that developers use to deliver on this promise.

1. The “Elite Visa” Bundle (Most Common)

When a developer offers a visa with a 5-Million Baht condo, they are usually not getting you an investment visa.

  • How it works: The developer takes a portion of your purchase price (e.g., 900,000 THB) and buys a Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa membership in your name.

  • Is it legal? Yes.

  • The Catch: The visa is not tied to the title deed. You are essentially pre-paying for a visa membership that is bundled into your mortgage or cash payment. If you sell the condo later, you usually keep the visa, but you have paid a premium for the property.

2. The 10 Million Baht Investment Visa (The Official Route)

This is the only “true” property-based visa under the Immigration Act.

  • The Law: If you invest 10 Million Thai Baht (approx. $290,000 USD) in a new-build condominium, you qualify for a renewable one-year “Non-Immigrant IB” visa.

  • Is it legal? Yes, strictly regulated.

  • The Catch: You cannot buy second-hand units (resales). You must buy directly from a developer, and you must prove the funds came from abroad.

3. The LTR Visa (The 2026 Powerhouse)

For wealthy retirees or global citizens, the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is the new gold standard.

  • The Law: If you are over 50 (Wealthy Pensioner track), investing $250,000 USD (approx. 8.5 Million THB) in Thai property can be part of your qualification.

  • Is it legal? Yes, managed by the Board of Investment (BOI).

  • The Catch: You also need to prove passive income (pension/dividends) of $40,000 – $80,000 USD per year. The property alone is not enough.

4. The “3 Million Baht” Visa Myth

Stop us if you’ve heard this one: “Just buy any condo for 3 Million Baht and stay forever.”

  • Is it legal? No.

  • There is no law in 2026 that grants a visa for a simple 3M THB investment. If an agent tells you this, they are likely confusing it with the “Retirement Visa” (which requires 800k THB in the bank, not property) or they are misleading you.

The “Foreign Quota” Trap

Even if the visa deal is legitimate, the property purchase might not be.

Under the Thailand Condominium Act, foreigners can only own 49% of the saleable area of a condo building. The other 51% must be owned by Thais.

If you buy a unit in a building where the “Foreign Quota” is full, the developer might ask you to:

  1. Buy under a Leasehold agreement (you don’t own the unit; you rent it for 30 years).

  2. Set up a Thai Company to buy the unit (this is a legal grey area and carries risks).

The Risk: If you don’t own the unit Freehold in your own name, you cannot use it for the 10M Investment Visa or the LTR Visa application. Immigration requires your name on the Title Deed (Chanote).

The “Source of Funds” Requirement

This is the most common reason visa applications are rejected in 2026.

To qualify for the buy condo get visa thailand legal status (under the 10M or LTR tracks), you must prove the money came from outside Thailand.

You must obtain a Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form (formerly Tor Tor 3) from the receiving Thai bank.

  • Mistake: Transferring money to your Thai friend’s account first, then paying the developer. (No FET form = No Visa).

  • Mistake: Paying in Cash/Baht inside Thailand. (No FET form = No Visa).

How to Protect Your Investment

If you are eyeing a property with a visa perk, do not sign the reservation agreement until you have checked these three things:

  1. Check the “Visa Type”: Is it an Investment Visa (tied to the property) or an Elite Visa (a paid membership)? Ask for this in writing.

  2. Check the Quota: Are you buying Freehold (Foreign Quota) or Leasehold? Only Freehold works for investment visas.

  3. Check the Developer: Are they financially stable? If the project is never finished, your visa “deal” disappears with your deposit.

Conclusion: Is it Worth It?

Buying a condo to get a visa is a valid strategy in 2026, but only if you navigate the legalities correctly. The Elite Visa bundles offer convenience, while the 10M Investment Visa offers a direct legal link between your asset and your residency.

Don’t let a glossy brochure be your only legal advice. Your residency is too important to gamble on a marketing slogan.

Ready to verify your property deal?

At Sukhothai Inter Law, we act as your shield. We verify the title deed, check the foreign quota, and ensure your money transfer qualifies you for the visa you deserve.

👉 Apply for Your Property Investor Visa Assessment Here:

Click to Start Your Application

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Sukhothai Inter Law

We are here to protect your interests in Thailand.

📍 Koh Samui Office: 119/2 Moo 1, T.Bophut, A. Koh Samui, Surathani, 84320

📍 Bangkok Office: 17 Chan 35, Chan Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120

📍 Pattaya Office: 33/35 Moo 11, Soi Kohpai, (Soi 6 Theprasit) T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung, Chonburi, 20150

📞 Phone: +662 212 6866-7

📠 Fax: +662 213 3124

📧 Email: info@sukhothaiinterlaw.com

💬 Whatsapp: +66846764436

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