Thai Permanent Residency – the ultimate guide
‘How do stay in Thailand forever?‘ is a question often asked by expats living in Thailand. Thai permanent residency is the answer to that question. This article will take a look at how you might be able to make Thai PR possible by demystifying a process, that in reality, isn’t as hard as people make it out to be.
Thai Permanent Residency – is it for you?
There are a couple situations where Thai permanent residency is going to be the preferred option for those wishing to stay in Thailand indefinitely. These include:
- You are not married to a Thai citizen, so having Thai permanent residency is a necessary step before being eligible to apply for Thai citizenship*;
- Your current country of citizenship does not allow you to hold dual citizenship. While Thailand and most western countries have no issues on holding dual citizenship (see this article here on Thailand stance ) there a number of countries which won’t let you keep your original citizenship if you naturalize as a Thai. As such, if you want to stay in Thailand permanently, then PR is the best status for you to have.
*If you are already married to a Thai citizen, you can check out our article here on how you can skip PR and go directly to citizenship.
What are the benefits of holding Permanent Residency?
- Peace of mind. Your stay in Thailand is permanent. Your Thai permanent residency does not expire – and only in very rare circumstances – can it be revoked. As such, if you need to take a break between jobs or retire, you can do so without having to find another visa class to let you stay in Thailand;
- No need to do annual extensions of stay, 90-day reporting, TM 30’s or other visa related requirements needed for those on non-immigrant visas;
- You can be registered on the blue house registration ‘Tabieen Baan’ alongside of other Thai nationals, which makes it much easier to deal with government offices, banks, etc.;
- Thai banks are generally happy to lend money to PR’s on the same basis as locals;
- You are no longer required to bring in funds from overseas to purchase a condominium in Thailand;
- You can apply for extensions of stay for your non-Thai family members;
- You are eligible to use the e-Passport automatic gates and Thai passport lanes at all airports and international borders; and
- After 5 years of holding PR you are eligible to apply for Thai citizenship.
Key requirements (hint…you need to be working!)
So, you’ve gotten this far, and you are still interested. Before we go any further, if you aren’t currently working in Thailand, then you probably aren’t eligible for Thai Permanent Residency. That rules out retiree’s, those here on educational visa’s or the Thai Elite visas. However if you are working, then read on…
While there are a number of different categories for applying for Thai PR most of the paths to PR require you to be working for a number of years before you apply.
The rules around PR applications are pretty straight forward, but at the very minimum you will need to be:
- A holder of work permit (and valid non-immigrant visa) for at least 3 consecutive years up to the date of application submission;
- Have been working in the current company for at least 1 year, up to the date of application submission;
- Earn a work based salary at least 80,000 baht per month for a period of at least 2 years, up to the date of application submission, or have been filing tax return for the amount of annual income of 100,000 baht per month for at least 2 consecutive years, up to the date of application submission.
- If married, then you can apply after 2 years of records showing 30,000 baht per month, tax returns and annual extensions of stay.
As said earlier, there are other categories you can apply under (including investment, supporting family, being a recognized expert in your field), the reality is these categories also require you to have consecutive back-to-back work permit and visa extensions and a minimum taxable income. Additionally – the paperwork requirements for these other categories will be higher, and as such most applicants for PR will take the path of least resistance, and apply for the simplest category – the one based on work.
Documents required to apply for Thai PR
We won’t bother outlining ALL the documentation needed for the application, as they are comprehensively outlined in this link (in Thai only) and in the announcement issued by immigration in October 2022 (in English here ). Needless to say, you will need to provide a range of documentation confirming your work, visa, tax and educational history, as well as other documents from your home country, such as criminal background checks.
When and where to apply for Thai PR?
Where to apply is easy – the immigration department handles applications, but like most things to do with PR and citizenship, Bangkok is the place to do it. The immigration office at Chaengwattana has a PR desk staffed year around and they are very helpful in advising potential applicants. This is a link to their website.
When to apply is the tricky bit. For applications to be accepted, the immigration department has to make an official announcement that applications are being accepted for that year – and this is largely at the discretion of the Thai Minister of Interior.
Up until the mid-2000’s, it was common practice for applications to be accepted for a good portion of the year. However, after that point, the window for applications changed to being mainly in December, and very often in the last two weeks of December. In some years, no applications were accepted at all, which caught out applicants who became eligible that year.
For 2022, the government has set the opening dates from the 17th of October 2022 till the 29th of December 2022. This doesn’t guarantee that the same will happen in subsequent years, but so long as the current Minister of Interior stays in place (Gen. Anupong Paochinda), then based on his track record since 2014, applications will be accepted and processed with some level of predictable regularity.
Which category to apply under? You’ll note in the application pack you have four categories to apply under:
- Investment
- Work
- Humanitarian/family
- Expert
Straight out of the gate – if you can, aim just to apply under the ‘Work’ category. In many ways this is the easiest of all categories to apply under and the documentation required the most straight forward. That category is all about the applicant, YOUR work history, YOUR income, YOUR education etc etc. Its largely uncomplicated.
For the most part – forget about applying under the ‘Investment’ or ‘Expert’ category. Why you may ask? Basically because both these categories contain the same basic documents needed under the ‘Work’ category, plus a huge array other documents which take the whole vetting process to another level. Administratively, it is incredibly frustrating for both the applicants, and the officials themselves. This is particularly true for the ‘Investment’ category.
The ‘Expert’ category can also pose some challenges. While technically it doesn’t require you to have a minimum income (presumably so academics working on low salaries at Thai universities can apply) we have been told immigration do want to informally see some proof of income above the proscribed thresholds you see for other categories.
The designation of ‘expert’ can also be a little contentious, and in some cases open to interpretation. At a minimum it requires a very senior ranking C-10 ranking Thai civil servant from a government department or State Owned Enterprise to write a letter attesting to your level of expertise, which isn’t easy to get. Informally too, immigration seem to have their own internal interpretations of what an ‘expert’ may be. So if you can, try and keep it simple.
For those who are working here with Thai families, you may find that despite your wanting to apply simply under the ‘work’ category, they will push you to apply under the ‘family’ category for Thai permanent residence. This has its pro’s and con’s.
The biggest ‘pro’ is that those with a Thai spouse will have the fee for applying halved. The biggest ‘con’ is that documentation about your spouse, their income and background will be needed. It also requires you to undertake DNA testing to prove your relationship with your children.
That said, anecdotally, we have heard that immigration seem to prefer family applicants as having a family shows that applicants have genuine roots here in Thailand.
The cost?
- There is a non-refundable application fee for 7,600 baht, when you formally submit your application.
- If successful, you’ll be required to pay 191,400 baht. However for those with a Thai spouse, or applicants under 20 who has a parent with Thai citizenship or PR, then the fee is 95,700 baht.
nb: now you know the fees, for those who are married to a Thai spouse, at this point you may want to reconsider PR and instead apply directly for citizenship which only costs 5,000 baht and can be done all year round.
Do I need a lawyer to help me with my Thai PR application?
This is a contentious issue, but our answer is an unequivocal ‘NO, NO, NO’. Someone who can act as an assistant, by all means, but beyond that, lawyers are a waste of time.
There are many reasons for this, which we outline in our article HERE. Ignore this advice at your own peril.
There are many who will disagree with this – ‘I am too busy’ is the common refrain.
Our answer to that is this: the fact is applying for Thai permanent residence (or citizenship, for that matter) involves quite a lot of personal involvement on the applicants behalf and face time with the officials anyway. There is no way around it, and it is a function of how the Thai civil service operates.
So I want to put in an application, what now?
Four words: Head down to immigration!
Four more words: And do it early.
We strongly recommend that before you apply, you go down to the PR desk at your immigration office and discuss your case with them. By ‘early’ we mean, going in June of the year you want to apply.
They are generally less busy that other immigration officials and by all accounts are very helpful in guiding applicants on putting in a successful application and organizing all the right documentation to support it – if they go well ahead of the formal application window.
We’ve received many reports of people leaving it till late December and being caught out on certain pieces of documentation being incomplete – and in recent years, the harried immigration officials have been ‘less than nice’ to those who have left their application to the last months.
Be warned however that these officials will be very hesitant to accept an application which they know will have little chance of being accepted by the consideration committee. If they think your application is premature, they may counsel you about perhaps holding off your application until a subsequent year.
The upside of this is that, for the most part, if an application is accepted, then you can feel confident, other things being equal, that so long as your bona-fides check out, then PR for you is a likely outcome.
The interview
A few months after your successful application being lodged, you’ll receive notice to attend a formal interview at immigration. The format is fairly standard year to year, and will consist of a panel of 7-10 officials from various related ministries, who will make recommendations to the Minister of Interior who ultimately signs off on each application.
source: DOPA
The format largely consists of semi-formal chit-chat (all in Thai) around your background and why you want to remain in Thailand. For anyone who has spent a few years in Thailand, this stage won’t be daunting. The whole process is as much a Thai language skill check as it is to let the officials take the opportunity to ask you about any lingering questions they may have about your application, though by this stage, there shouldn’t be many questions as the people at the PR desk are generally quite thorough in ensuring your application is self-explanatory.
The whole meeting will be filmed, and with any luck, will only take 5-10 minutes if they don’t have too many questions (which is generally a good sign that the paperwork speaks for itself!). Following that, you’ll need to wait for the formal approval from the minister.
The Ministry of Interior Black Hole
Once the application is accepted by immigration, and your interview has been completed, it will be sent off to the Ministry of Interior. At this point, like Thai citizenship applications, the approval process becomes more obscure, given that it is totally at the discretion of the minister of the day to sign Thai Permanent Residency approvals. In the mid 2000s till about 2013, approvals took years, sometimes up to 5 or 6 years. Since the coup however, the military government has been pretty good at making things happen. The backlog of PR and Citizenship approvals has been dealt with, and we know based on anecdotal evidence that approvals are coming through about 18-20 months following your first application. So long as the current minister remains in place, then we don’t expect this to change.
The one upside from the black hole…(and its a MASSIVE ONE)
Automatic six month extension stamp for applicants waiting for PR.
Despite the uncertainty which comes from not knowing when your application will finally be approved, there is one huge upside. While you wait, you will automatically be given an extension of stay every 6 months while you await the outcome of your PR application.
The picture on the left is an example of the 6 monthly extension, and while you are waiting for you PR to be approved, you will need to keep getting this extension of stay stamped in your passport every half year. Based on the current rate of approval, this shouldn’t be too long. However, even if the government or minister changes and they are less forthcoming in granting PR on a regular basis, your stay in Thailand won’t be affected until a decision is finally made.
So really, are they going to accept me?
The honest answer is probably ‘yes’, so long as you’ve done the things migrants normally do when they move to a new country – work in a decent job, contributed though paying taxes, and picked up enough of the language.
Unlike citizenship, there is no publicly available points system which you can check your skills and background against. Having said that, we do understand there is an internal points system that the immigration officials do use, which give preference to higher income/tax payments, time spend in Thailand and language skills.
If you are interested in understanding what the officials look for when you are applying for a permanent visa, you could do worse that checking out what they look for when applying for citizenship (see here). We stress though, only use this as a guide, as it isn’t the criteria immigration use to assess your PR eligibility.
Based on lots of anecdotal information however, you stand a pretty good chance of being accepted for PR if the following apply to you:
- Meet the basic income, tax and visa thresholds outlined above;
- Have a decent educational background and/or have a reasonable skill set;
- Speak, at a minimum, polite and passable Thai for the interviews with the immigration department and be able to explain your background and current situation with them;
- Have shown a reasonable commitment to Thailand in terms of work history, family or other activities;
- To be able to show that you genuinely intend to make Thailand your home.
I work for myself, do I have a chance?
If you are working as an employee for a mid-sized to larger company, Thai or foreign, your chances of gaining Thai PR will be pretty good.
However, we understand that many people work for themselves, via their own companies which are essentially small businesses. This need not be a hindrance.
We understand unofficially that immigration will consider self-employed applicants whose company’s have a paid up capital exceeding 2 million baht, though some reports say this is 5 million baht. It is also fair to say that they will be looking applicants who’s own companies are legitimately trading profitably, with a good track record over a number of years. Immigration officials will want to examine your company documents, and will see through (and reject) applicants who have set up a company simply to get the work permit, PR and citizenship.
If successful, what happens next?
Certificate of Residence for those with Thai permanent residency
The red alien registration book.
Once the Minister of Interior signs off on your Thai permanent residency application, immigration will invite you back where you will receive your approval letter. After paying your fee, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to obtain a blue ‘Certificate of Residence’ book. Once you have obtained this, you will be directed to your local police station where you’ll be given a red ‘Alien Registration’ book which only needs to be renewed every 5 years for a minimal fee at the police station. From then, you’ll be allowed to register on a Blue Tabieen Baan at your local district office.
Traveling with Thai Permanent Residency
One of the peculiar aspects of having Thai permanent residency is that while your permission to stay in Thailand never expires – this is only the case if you never leave the Kingdom.
To travel, you must apply for what is known as a 1 year ‘non-quota Immigrant’ re-entry visa. These come in single trip (1,900 baht) and multiple trip (3,800 baht) and is stamped into your passport. In addition, you’ll need to apply for a one year endorsement of your Residency Book (1,900 baht). Without these, your PR will lapse upon exit and there is absolutely no way to get it back again without going through the whole application process again. Similarly, if you stay outside of Thailand for more than 1 year (364 days to be precise) and arrive back after the expiry of your re-entry permit, you will not be allowed to enter Thailand as a PR, and your status is lost in this case as well.
While this isn’t ideal, it is the legacy of a law which was written in 1979. Most PR holders simply automatically renew the re-entry permit and residency book annually to take into account any potential travel and minimize any hassles.
Myths, Misunderstandings and Misconceptions
Myth: Thai Permanent Residency isn’t really ‘PR’ as you need to reapply for a visa each year.
Reality: Not true. Once granted PR, you never have to apply for another visa if you never leave the country again. A re-entry permit is all that is required so you can travel in and out of Thailand without losing your PR.
Myth: The limit of 100 successful applicants per nationality per year means that you’ll never be eligible.
Reality: While it is true that there is a cap of 100 applicants per year, the reality is that most nationalities will never have that number of applicants for PR. The only nationalities that we are aware of which may get close to hitting that number are Chinese and Indian applicants.
Myth: You need to be fluent in Thai, and a well-connected highflier.
Reality: Far from it. In the nicest possible way, many people who have PR are normal people you’d meet back home who have pretty normal jobs but who have decided that Thailand is going to be their home. The level of Thai needed to pass the PR interview is a basic conversational level of Thai. If you are confident in talking about yourself for 10 minutes to government officials, then you’ll be fine.
Hello, I have a questions about minimum salary requirements. Would I be eligible if I only work 6 months a year but in that time earn 160,000 baht a month? How about working one month a year and earning 960,000 baht in that 1 month? I also have a question about bonuses. What happens if my salary is only 50,000 baht a month but my employer pays me a 400,000 baht bonus for the year? I am trying to understand how I might be able to meet the work requirements without working for the entire year. Thank you.
On this one you’ll just need to be careful that whatever you report in tax matches what your employer declares to the tax office. In terms of one off payments I can’t see an issue, but I’d check with special branch (for citizenship) or immigration (for PR) to see if they are happy with those arrangements. Note you’ll have to be doing this for a Thai company with valid work permits etc.
Hi
I have Marriage visa 3 years did I need criminal report and finger stamp in thailand or in my country To apply for citizenship , Does this require ? Thank you
For citizenship? No, not needed, but special branch will run their own checks.
For PR, yes you’ll need a criminal background check from your home country that was issued within three months of applying.
TC
Hi, is it possible to obtain PR after 3 years on an Education visa like studying at language schools?
Hi Minh,
Unfortunately not, as the ED visa doesn’t qualify and you also need to have been working for the previous three years before applying, which isn’t allowed on an ED visa as far as I know.
TC
I have Thai Permanent Residency, and have just got a new passport. Do I need to go to immigration, and the local police station, with my new passport?
Thank you
Hi there – from memory there is nothing to do as it is the PR book which is important. The only thing is if you have a re-entry permit in your passport already – I would check with the PR desk at Chaeng Wattana if that needs to be transferred over to the new passport but from memory Thai immigration is happy if you travel with both old and new passports together if the visa/re-entry permit is in the old one.
Thank you!
I have the PR now but I’m confused as off how to maintain it. I know for the re-entry visa stamp in the blue book but I know nothing about the “endorsement of the residency book”. I have plenty of time for my re-entry stamp but both blue and red books will be one year old in 2 weeks from now, panic mode starting.
Hi David,
If you do not want to travel, you do not need to do anything.
If you want to travel, you needs to go to immigratioon to get an endorsement using forms TM22 and TM8. Flash your blue book at the counter and they will give you the right forms. You will also need your red book and passport.
They put an endorsement in your blue book and a non-quota immigrant visa in your passport. You don’t have to do multiple entry, single entry is cheaper (3800 vs 1,900). There is also a 1,900 charge for the endorsement.
The Red book is an odd one and police stations seem to manage this differently but in the main, you only have to take it to them for re-endorsement every 5 years. You do not need to take the red book with you overseas when you travel.
Hope this clears things up!
Hi, if we change visa from non-B to a Non-O support thai child (while keep working and have a work permit). did is restart the count from 0 years ? (sorry if is a double post, I was not sure the first was send if so you can delete this one)
Hi Sai
It shouldn’t reset the clock in particular if you have no gap between the changes but I would check with the PR desk to confirm that is the case and that you aren’t breaking any unwritten rules.
Hi! I have a non B and make 140k THB per month, my husband is on my visa as a Non O dependent. If I applied for residency, would my husband be able to apply with me? He does not work. Is that a possibility at all?
Hi there – the simple answer is ‘I don’t think so’. I think you have to qualify and be granted PR in your own right. Once you have it, you can subsequently apply for your husband under the humanitarian category, assuming you still meet the criteria (ie be working in Thailand, earning the required amount of money). Best thing is to ask the people at the PR desk at Chaeng Wattana however as to the exact requirements and steps in the processes.
Hi, really helpful guide!
I was wondering if I can apply:
– Work Permit + Non-B Visa since March 2019 (BOI company)
– Salary around 60k
– Married to Thai since 27 October 2022
Thank you!
You’d be eligible for PR – just, but its probably a bit late to get your application in for 2022.
Just as an FYI, being married to a Thai citizen allows you to skip PR with roughly the same qualifications. Its also cheaper and less cumbersome than the PR process. You need to be married three years if you don’t have kids, one year if you do have kids to take up this option.
Cheers
TC
Hello,
on the second page of the TM9 document they are asking for “holding identity card or certificate of alien registration no.”
Can you explain what they mean with this and where can I get that document?
I just can think of the Thai Pink card, which I don’t have. Currently I just have the digital work permit and Non-Immigration stamp in my passport
another question is about the document “Health certificate from a government hospital” They are having a link to the immigration website, and the sentence “Applying for a resident’s visa in Thailand”
under the download files I cannot find that specific document. Just TM9 itself and “APPLICCATION FORM RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE IN THAILAND” which states the reason “driving license” and “buy/sell” of a car/motorcycle – which doesn’t sound like the correct document.
Which is the specific document to download here? Or do I just verbally ask at a government hospital for such kind of a document?
The link for the health certificate is here: https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2.7ใบรับรองแพทย์-2565.pdf
It is the fifth link from the bottom of the screen: https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?page_id=1744
Hi Tony – this is mostly likely just going to be your passport number.
With this and your follow up question, I strongly recommend you go speak to the PR Desk.
Hello,
Lots of thanks for all that information.
Let’s explain my situation:
– stay in Thailand as “Freelancer” since 2008
– Master degree
– Work Permit since 2008 from my LTD Partnership with my Thai wife as managing director
– My company makes about 100,000 per month (into a company bank-book), and pays me a salary of 50,000/month for meanwhile 13 years
– Married since 2012
There is rumour I need 80,000/month, as immigration does not like family applications.
Right or wrong?
Thanks in advance
Ralf
For PR – family applications have pros and cons. Lower income threshold but more paperwork, and if you have kids, then DNA tests are involved. So the business route, which you need 80K for is sometimes preferred for those who don’t want the hassle of extra paperwork.
The issue will be, if anything, your own limited company. They’ll be looking for profitability and a 2MB paid up capital. This isn’t official but it’s what we’ve heard. But if you are thinking of applying you should go and ask now as the window is short and the is a lot of paperwork to gather in the meantime.
Can I ask however, why aren’t you considering citizenship? Being married to a Thai you can skip PR and with the same qualifications, apply for citizenship.
Thanks a lot again!
Thai citizenship: Well, I am 61 years old, and far from being fluent in the Thai language. Seems I will not gather enough points.
Profitability: I work as a freelance translator for 26 years now, meaning sales = income minus phone and electricity bill 🙂 (before tax, sure)
What do they mean with “paid up capital”? Sure we do not hold that load of cash, but a 3MB house (nearly paid off, just 2KB left)
I would prefer the family-lane, or I had to wait another 2 years with 80K income.
By the way, the “Documents required” do not mention the “Certificate of no criminal record from Thai police” anymore. Is this right?
Thanks again
Ralf
Hi Ralf,
So I was refering to company which employs you. It can be your own limited company or another company, but to be eligible for either PR or citizenship you must be working for a Thai company, with no breaks in your visas or work permits in the 3 years leading up to application.
Profitability and paid-up capital refer to the company structure, proportion of capital actually injected into the company and accounting of the company which employs you, not your own personal financial situation (the only personal financial threshold for you is simply your income and whether it is high enough).
For PR you’ll need a criminal clearance from your home country.
Hello!
I’m also planning to apply this year. I’ve been working for a Thai based company for the last 10 years and am married to a Thai citizen for 5 years which means I would apply under the humanitarian category. However, I recently left my job to take a break and look for new opportunities. The question is, do I really need a job at the time of application? I wasn’t able to find this requirement on the immigration website.
Thank you!
Hi Dennis,
So you need to be working at the time of application and for the three years leading up to it. There is no way around it. If you have already left your job then this has reset the 3 year clock as there can be no gap between work permits of old and new jobs. If that’s the case then you aren’t eligible to apply any more.
Note also that given you are married to a thai citizen you are eligible to skip PR and apply directly for citizenship. The criteria are very similar, but citizenship is much cheaper to apply for, can be applied for all year round and of course gives you more benefit that PR.
When you get back to the three year working mark you may want to consider citizenship instead.
You can read about it here.
https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-citizenship-for-foreigners-married-to-a-thai/
Hi,
thanks a lot for your reply. As citizenship is out of a question right now, I am thinking of getting a marriage visa. At the moment I have a non-immigrant visa. Can I apply for the marriage visa inside Thailand or do I need to leave the country for this?
Thank you!
Dennis
Hi Dennis, don’t really know about visas unfortunately so can’t help on that front.
Hello,
I plan to apply for Permanent Residence this year and also check the most points in the requirements (5+ years working under same company, salary, Thai language knowledge and other)
But I might move to another country (in APAC) next year. My question is, how are my chances to receive it, if I am not living in Thailand after the application (although at application time I check the most points)?
You’ll need to be in the same situation employment wise etc until your formal interview. Following that point you should look to applying for the the extendable 6 month visa available for PR applicants awaiting decision and visit Thailand every 6 months to extend that status.
This website is full of incredibly useful information that can be hard to find anywhere else. Well done and thank you.
My question is: if I was to apply for PR under the investment category, would I still be required to have 3 years of work permits and income.
If they are still required, then what’s the point of the investment category? Are there any benefits to going that route?
Thanks very much for the compliment.
So you’ve hit the nail on the head. Even by the investment route you still need the work permits etc.
My best guess is that it’s a legacy category which never really took off. So to my mind the business route is the easiest as it requires less paperwork etc.
Hi! I have been working in Thailand for 8 years with 3 companies. The recent company is just more than a year. I am wondering whether I can apply for the PR? Moreover, I also would like to ask if I get the PR, my wife (non Thai) is also can be the same status with me or she will be another case? Thank you very much.
If you’ve been with your latest company for more than a year than yes you should be fine. Your wife will be a seperate application, but speak to the PR desk on how you may sponsor her for PR at a later point.
Hi! I recently got married to my Thai partner and want to apply for a PR. But I don’t work for a Thai company or business. I’m a freelance consultant and I work alone with avg income of 50K baht per month. Do I have any chances of getting a PR? Do I first need to setup a Thai Company and pay taxes in Thailand? But even if I do this will they think that I just created a company with the intension to get the PR and reject me?
Hi there
So there is no way around the fact you need to be working and receiving income from a thai corporate entity. That it’s your own business is neither here nor there but authorities will likely want to see a reasonable level of paid up capital (2MB minimum) and that it’s a legitimate business with staff and clients.
Simply channeling passive earnings through a thai corporate vehicle will probably be picked up on.
Also note, that give you are married, you are eligible to skip PR and apply for citizenship with similar criteria.
Cheers
TC
Hello, does anyone know when you’ve been approved and done all as required afterwards for Thai PR, how long does one have to still be employed at hold a work permit before retiring?
It’s generally recommended that you hold your current work permit until PR is formally granted given that there is a (very small) possibility that someone higher up the consideration chain at the MOI asks for a review or additional documents.
Hope this helps.
TC
Hi, do you know if a foreign investor under the “Smart I” investor visa would be eligible to apply for PR after three consecutive years of living in the country? Also, are there restrictions on the type of company? For example, if you have an investment such as staked cryptocurrencies that generate a passive income in excess of the amount required and paid taxes on the funds remitted into Thailand would that suffice?
Hi Nathan
That’s the million dollar question as the first batch of smart visas will be reaching the three year stage now.
Honest answer is I really don’t know. But I suspect without an associated thai company and paying yourself a salary and income tax derived from that company you might be struggling.
Thanks for the quick reply; I appreciate the honesty.
Hi,
After the PR is approved, what will be next? Do you have to sing the National anthem or this is only required for citizenship? Thank you.
Hi – that’s only required for thai citizenship. So you are safe!
Cheers
TC
Hi, very helpful article, thank you very much. I have a question. Lets say all my documents are fine and accepted and we move to the interview. So if my Thai language is not that good and I do some struggle, but still can reply something how can it be treated? Also if lets say I didn’t go well with interview will they decline my application immediately or they still move it further and decision will be made later? And last question if my Thai is not very good, but on the time I do the interview I am studying it in language school, will they take it into consideration?
Hi Dmitry,
Its probably even more simpler than that. You’ll probably spend quite a bit of face time with the officers before you formally submit your application. There is a lot of informal checking and rechecking involved and they won’t accept an application until the paperwork is complete. During that process they will be measuring your Thai language skills, and will let you know if you are at a sufficient level or not.
Accepted applications have a very high chance of being approved, due to the simple fact they’ve been screened informally before submission.
Hi does anyone know what documents I need for change of address for PR ? I have just been to Phuket immigration who say I have to do this in BKK so I would like to be sure I take the correct documents with me.
Hi Robert,
So we also run a Thai Citizen Facebook Group with over 2000 members so people can ask questions there. I can’t give you the latest on this personally, but feel free to post there and ask our members as there are more than a few PR holders there.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2116997095087609/
Cheers
TC
Thanks I actually have got the answer from immigration,
1) register the new address at the Ampur so get placed on the house book for the new house
2) go to the local police station & ask them to update the address in the alien ID book (red book)
Great to hear!
I have questions on the requirements in applying PR as belows:
1. I working and live in Chonburi, do i really need to check immigration there or can go to ask PR desk in Bangkok?
2. The place i live in Chonburi is rent from my company. During application or after PR approved, i may not be able to register in bluehouse book. If so, should i need to buy a condo there for application?
3. For income and tax pay, do i really pay 100,000baht a year so that it’s good enough to apply or simply more than 80,000 baht per month income which is good enough?
4. For document translation to Thailand, should i find a Thai translator to do this.
Kindly advise.
Hi Ronald,
My understanding is all PR applications are being handled through Bangkok. You can check with the immigration people there, and maybe being a bigger than normal office they have the capacity, but last I heard people from the provinces needed to liase with Bangkok.
In terms of blue book, it doesn’t have to be your condo. You can ask a Thai friend if they will allow you to go onto their house book. Its pretty common for Thai’s to be registered on a house book but live somewhere else.
The tax and income thing work differently – it essentially provides two options from memory, its one or the other. For most, simply having an income of 80,000 baht per month and paying whatever tax is owed on that is sufficient. From memory, paying the 100,000 baht in tax is a possibility to qualify if your income in previous years did not meet the threshold.
As for translations, speak to the PR desk. They will require certain documents from your home country to be translated, so a registered translator will be needed. They will also most likely require you to have those translations certified at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, so a good translation company can do that too.
Hope this helps.
TC
Excellent article, thank you for taking the time to put it together.
I meet all the requirements to apply for PR, however the interview to check my Thai speaking skills obey her me…After working in Thailand for 7 years, I am ashamed to say that my Thai is not great however I am planning to start formal Thai lessons next month.
Could someone share some inside informations about the interview? What kind of questions did they ask you? Many thanks
Hello. Any updates or new tips for the 2022 PR Application?
Thanks
Hi Jeff
So cabinet has authorised applications to go ahead this year. Expect applications to formally open later in the year, but it’s a good time to go down and have a chat to them about getting your application ready. I don’t expect there to be much change, but if there is I’ll update the article.
Cheers
TC
Hi! I just got my Thai PR this year and I just wanted to say this article really summed the process up really well. I come back to this article often throughout the process just for anxiety relief. I do have one question regarding applying visas for my family members. Do my parents count as family members in this sense or does it only include children and spouse? Once again thanks for this insightful article.
Hi Ethan!
Congrats on the PR and glad the article has proved useful for you.
So children up to age 20 definitely count as dependents. You need to check with the PR desk but I do believe that parents – people you are financially responsible for – do count as dependents. However what the mechanics are, you will need to check with the immigration office.
Cheers and congrats again,
TC
Hi Ethan, many congratulations. How long did the process take? Any tips on the interview to check your Thai speaking skills? Thank you
Just a quick note about the PR desk at Immigration. I just returned from meeting with them to informally review my documents. I thought I was well prepared — I took copies of everything on the list of required documents. But I was not prepared for the meeting to be conducted only in Thai. When I tried to speak a little English, I was informed that I must speak Thai. I was also not prepared to answer detailed questions about my tax returns, again in Thai. Be fire forewarned.
I’m living in Thailand, Thai spouse, and am staying on a ‘marriage’ visa.
I received the visa in Sept 2021 (expiry Aug 2022) and used my Canadian employment records during the visa application process.
I officially retired from my Canadian job (I’m 65) on April 1, 2022 and an now living in my pension (I make sure to transfer 65,000 baht a month instead of the marriage requirement of 40,000 as that’s more reasonable an amount for my lifestyle and protects me in case of a change in marriage stays and I need to switch to retirement)
that said, the point is that I am not employed, just married, retired and drawing a pension.
I understand that if you’re on a retirement visa you are not allowed to work, and can not apply for PR status, but what about if you are in a ‘marriage’ visa and tried?
does that make any difference? will I be able to apply for PR status on my married status and retirement funds of 65,000B/MTH, or will I need to supply for a work permit and get a job (I believe I fall into one of the ‘expert’ categories, but I’m not really interested in going back to work at this point … maybe in a year or two I’ll start to feel like we working again, but for now of rather not?)
Hi David
Unfortunately it’s the case that for both PR or citizenship applications, those applying based of Thai marriage still need to have three years of work permits and tax returns from a thai employer to be eligible. Unfortunately there is just no way around it.
Sorry for the bad news!
TC
I have been working here since 2019 July under work permit.
If there is any chance to apply PR for long life .
As long as you meet the requirements for income and three years tax returns and work permits then should go speak to the folks at the PR desk at Chaengwattna
Hi,
Sorry another question.
During the interview with officers do the wife and child need to go also ?
(In ur pictures can see a family)
Same question during application did the wife and kid need to go also ?
Thanks
The interview is usually just with yourself unless you are applying as a family. Hope that helps.
Is there any possibility to be included in the applicants from last December and interview in this batch of applicants? I
Hi there – not sure if I understood you question.
But if you are asking if you can apply now and be included in last years batch, then you can’t.
Hi, thanks for all the information. I have 2 questions please.
– So if i apply and i have children with my thai wife i will need to do a DNA test right ? Do you know wich place is recognized by immigration/gouvernement and how much is cost ?
– i have been working with the same company for 4 consecutive years (on march 2023) but i meet agreement only from this year (married to thai 2 years ago + children) and i get the minimum of 30,000thb/month only since 2021 so it will be 2 years only on January 2023. my question is :
– do i have all requirements ? Or i will have only next year.
-if i have all requirements do you think is too early to apply ?
Because a download the documents on the immigration website is write the salary of 2020 + 2021 and the application was on end of 2021 but maybe they updated the documents without put a new date for the application.
Not sure all i write make sens lol thanks.
Hi there Sai,
– the DNA test is not always required, but if they do ask for it, they will give you a list of accredited government hospitals. I don’t have the list, but include the major ones from memory (chula, police hospital, siriraj). Unfortunately I do not know the costs.
– Income wise, you will need to prove two full years, so 2021 and 2022. Given you won’t have full proof until the end of 2022, then you will most likely have to wait till 2023. However do go and ask them, maybe they will let you apply at the end of 2022 but wait till you get your full tax return documents at the start of 2023.
– Overall I’d say you are getting close. One thing I’d mention however that if you are married you can actually skip PR and apply directly for Thai citizenship. The process is more straight forward in many ways and is alot cheaper. Here is our article on this:
https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-citizenship-application-process/
Thanks a lot for the information, yes I read that can go directly to the Thai citizenship but I quickly check the points and I don’t think I can have 50/100 yet I may need a couple of more years.
And another question
– If we are in the waiting to be approved (the 6 month stamp on passeport)
Can we leave the country with a re-entry permit ? Or we have to stay in Thailand until be approved ?
yep, with a valid re-entry permit you can come and go. With respect to the citizenship, it is worth perhaps going down to special branch and having a chat with them just to see how they might score you. I think many people underestimate their potential point score. Anyway, good luck with it all.
Hi TC,
I was wondering if you may have any insight on this — I currently have Thai PR but my re-entry permit expired in December of 2020. I was unable to go back to renew due to covid restrictions.
Do you have any insights on whether there is a timeframe announced for people like me who have expired re-entry permits during start of pandemic to be eligible to travel back to Thailand to get it renewed without having our PR revoked when entering?
I’m currently in the US and have tried to contact the embassy here — no response so far.
Thank you!
Hi there,
So at the start of Covid the Thai government granted a waiver for those with PR stuck overseas.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2054159/immigration-bureau-extends-re-entry-visas-for-foreigners-with-thai-residency
I haven’t seen any news to cancel this waiver and I know of people who entered Thailand at the second half of 2021 who landed with expired PR.
The process seems to be that when arriving in Thailand to let the immigration officer know that your PR expired when overseas due to covid and they will re-admit you as a full PR. However out of caution, I’d advise you to return to Thailand ASAP to do this as I don’t know when they will stop this rule. But given Thailand is not fully open since 1 May, I suspect it wont be too long.
Hello,
I have applied for Permanent Residence under “employment” category, and my application’s status is under consideration now. For the final approval it takes another 6-up months. I’d like to resign from my current company and move to “visa extension of temporary stay during resident consideration” (TM25 form). Could you please advise:
1. Am I eligible to get visa extension by TM25 form ?
2. If I get a new job, would I be required to apply for NON-B outside of Thailand or it can be done locally in immigration office ?
Thank you in advance.
Hi there Dmitry
Congrats on your PR application. To be honest I’m not great at advising on the ins and outs of visa issues. It’s probably best to consult the PR desk on this. Plenty of people in the past have transferred over to the 6 month PR extension but it’s always a bit of a grey area on whether you need to remain employed during the waiting period, so I’d chat to the PR people of the impact of quitting it changing jobs.
Hi,
I’m considering moving to Thailand, your article helped, but have a few questions.
Am a UK citizen and plan to work, on Non-Imm B so that’s fine: am a qualified chartered accountant with years of experience & working mid-management level.
My wife (non-Thai) Bangladeshi citizen who is now a British citizen (British passport holder) – is it possible for her to be in Thailand either on a 3 year work visa (teacher at an MOE approved school, since they are exempt from the minimum 80k baht monthly salary) or on a Education visa for 3 years (studying Thai, cooking, digital etc) & then apply for Permanent Residency?
Or can she be on a Non-Imm O visa for 3 years as my spouse (since I’ll be working and paying taxes) & she does not have to work for the duration of those 3 years before applying for Permanent Residency?
Finally, do you have to work if you get Permanent Residency?
Hi Jay,
Last question first. Once you gain PR there is no requirement to work. However on PR, very inconveniently, you do need a work permit if you want to work for a Thai company. Many continue to work however as they want to move onto citizenship, which requires holding PR for 5 years and working in the three years leading up to your citizenship application. Many also go no further than PR, but it does have its limitations particularly if you want to spend more than 364 consecutive days out of Thailand.
All applicants for PR need to be working on wither a non-B or non-O extension of stay for three years. Education visas don’t qualify. Theoretically, if she isn’t working your wife could piggy back off your PR application as a dependent, but I’m not clear on the process for that.
Hope this helps!
TC
Hello,
After getting a PR, I understand that working in Thailand will require a valid work permit.
My question is: In case of employment, is the visa coming along the PR allow you to be used with a work permit?
Hi there.
Yep, the permission you get to stay in Thailand indefinitely is totally compatible with getting a work permit. From an immigration perspective you no longer need permission to be in Thailand, but unfortunately the Labour department still requires permission to work.
But don’t worry, it is well recognized and you shouldn’t have a problem getting one so long as your employer meets all the requirements.
Cheers
TC
Thank you very much.
I have now all the necessary pro and con argument to convince my employer to help provide to my application some of the company confidential documents (such as the PND and others…)
Thanks for very helpful information. If my family members (wife, children) apply with me do they need to pay 195,000 each? Can they apply with me as dependent?
Hi Carl,
Yes I think that is the case.
TC
Thanks a lot for this article which successfully guided me through the process. I just got my PR approved last week (Feb 2022) ! I applied in December 2020
Tom, thanks for the feedback. This is awesome news! Hearty congrats.
Hello,
I previously lived and worked in Thailand for about five years, and moved to Australia in 2015 with a plan to retire to Thailand in around five six years time from now.
My Thai wife and I have been married for about 10 years, and she lives with me here in Australia, until we return. We have also just purchased some property in Hua Hin.
What is the best pathway to PR and citizenship in this situation?
Will I need to do the retirement or marriage visa for some years, and then apply for PR, and then Citizenship?
Thank you…
David
Hi there David.
So the bad news is that under current legislation there is no path for you. Both PR and citizenship require you to be legally working in thailand for three years in the immediate lead up to application earning a minimum of 40,000 baht per month and paying tax.
Given you will be retiring then that means you won’t qualify.
If you do decide to work here however, do know that because you are married you can skip PR and go straight to citizenship, so long as you have done the three years work and earning the correct amount at the time of application.
Hope this helps.
Hello. I have a Thai wife and would like to obtain Thai PR. However, I wish to start a business and pay taxes from my business income rather than work for a Thai company. What type of visa would be best to hold in order to receive the “work permit” for working in my own business?
Thank you,
Joe
Hi Joe
So we aren’t the visa experts per se, but working you would obviously need an extension of stay based on work which your company would sponsor. Now a couple of things to note:
– if you transition from being an employee of another company to your own, and if there is ANY gap in your work permit between the two jobs, the the three year clock effectively resets.
– not also that there is an unofficial minimum paid up capital that you need in your firm that the PR officals will want. I’ve mentioned this in our article
– also your company’s books will be needed for the application so it’s best if your company is making money etc etc.
Cheers
TC
I need a new PR booklet, as my current one is full.
This will be my 3rd book, I have had PR for 18 years.
Can I just go to Chaengwattana and apply or do I need to do multiple trips?
I live in Sattahip.
Hi Robin,
I’m not sure about this, but my assumption would be that unless the local immigration office can handle it, then Bangkok it will be.
In terms of multiple trips I don’t know the answer to that – sorry. My assumption would be ‘no’ but if you can try and call them before hand maybe they can give an update of the current requirements.
Apologies my answer hasn’t been as informative as you’d probably like. We also run a Thai citizenship facebook group. Please feel free to ask the question there. We have about 1800 members and quite a few have PR or have had it and are now citizens.
Regards
TC
Hi Robin,
As a follow up, I’d be remiss also not to point out that after 5 years of PR you are eligible to apply for citizenship. Here is our article on the topic if interested.
https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-citizenship-application-process/
Regards
TC
Dear Thai Citizenship Team,
First of all, I would like to thank you for this great website with notable and legit information.
Question 1:
I started my WP on the 14 October 2019 so from my understanding I am eligible to apply on the next opening window of 2022 ? (If it happens at the same date as 2020 and 2021, from November to December).
——-
Question 2: (If the Question 1 is a YES)
From my understanding I will need to justify 3 years of paid tax :
– PND90 from October 2019 to December 2019
– PND90 from January 2020 to December 2020
– PND90 from January 2021 to December 2021
– PND from January 2022 to December 2022 (at least)
The last PND90 will be available in 2023, meaning, it contradicts with my 1st question and I can only apply starting 2023 ?
Thank you very much for your help.
Hikerod
Hi there – I think your math works on this, a total of three years assuming you renew successfully at the end of October 2022. In terms of ourstanding documents, assuming immigration accept your application, they will most likely ask for you to also provide your full 2022 PND once it is available at the start of 2023 as part of finalising the application.
Hope this makes sense!
TC
Hi Thai Citizenship
I see from the above comments you may have answered most of what I need to know.
Just seeking some clarification under the humanitarian grounds for PR, it states either spouse can be nominated as the income tax earner which is my Thai wife as she is current a government officer in the DAO 21 years so far with another 15 years remaining. Can l not nominate my wife? I can speak,read and write Thai and meet all other requirements other than work. PS l do not wish to become a Thai citizen.
Thanks Anthony
Hi Anthony.
In the case of a humanitarian application then I think the wording basically implies that you and your wife should just turn up together. That she is technically supporting you on the income front doesn’t require a formal ‘nomination’ per se. It just essential means for the purpose of the application her income will be primarily considered.
For the humanitarian application – you say you don’t meet the work requirement. It will be interesting to see how you go as the general expectation is the husband is working as well (and the husbands work permit is required – see point 7).
https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/8.2เอกสารประกอบภาษาอังกฤษ-2564.pdf
Do let us know how you go. Not many people apply under this category as it tends to be more convoluted so there is always a lack of recent real world experiences on that category.
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Will let you know how l go in the future.
Kind regards
Anthony
Great article! Very insightful.
Have a question, not sure if can help.
Can you clarify what the extension of stay stamp means? is it a visa in its own right or it’s an accompaniment to a visa?
For example, let’s say I am on a Non B visa, submit PR application and get the extension of stay stamp. Given we don’t know how long the process takes, if doomsday scenario, I lose my job and no longer have Non B visa, can I stay just based on the extension stamp? Or the extension needs an accompanying visa? (Understand it would be best not to lose job yet just trying to understand scenarios!)
Thanks!
It isn’t a new visa per se, but just a special extension of stay only available to PR applicants.
Many people just stay on their current extension. But to answer your question, if you do lose your job you are eligible to switch over to the 6 monthly extension while you wait for your application to be approved.
Great article, thank you!
One question I have: After you have obtain PR successfully, is it possible to change citizenship and retain PR status? More specifically: If I’m a US passport-holder that renounces my citizenship in lieu of, for example, Ukrainian citizenship, will that affect my PR status? Can it be transferred to a new passport?
Since people renounce / acquire nationalities all the time, surely there must be a provision for retaining permanent residency in Thailand under these circumstances, but I can’t seem to find any info anywhere!
Thank you so much.
Hi Mark,
This is a question I don’t have an answer for – it will be something you’ll have to discuss with immigration about how you can do it.
Sorry I can’t be more clearer on this, I just don’t know what the regulations say about this.
Hello!
I am Thai and my husband is foreigner. I am doing my own shop doing small business in Thailand (employee is only me) , my husband doesn’t work for any company and doesn’t have Work Permit. He stays in Thai by Non-O visa. Is it anyway or is it possible to apply for PR? Please advise if there’s any source of information I can find for this case.
Thank you so much!
Hi there,
If married, your husband needs to be working for a Thai company for three years, paying tax and earning at least 40,000 baht per month (80,000 if not married).
You know given he is married to a Thai citizen he can skip PR and apply directly for citizenship?
The article above has links to Thai immigration as to the rules for PR.
Please check out our site also as it has detailed information on how to apply for citizenship (www.thaicitizenship.com).
Hi Thank you so much for your explanation!
Hello krub,
I’m a Thai national, and my wife (married in Thailand) is a foreigner, she doesn’t work, and I basically provide for the both of us and that’s not a lot (under 30,000 Baht).
Is my wife still able to have a 2nd passport being the Thai passport on top of her home country’s passport? And if yes, where can I find information regarding this, as I can only find information regarding PR, not much about Thai citizenship and especially regarding for a foreign woman married to a Thai husband.
In some cases, certain processes are much easier for women married to a Thai partner instead of what is more common (foreign man married to a Thai), for instance no need to show any amount in Baht, just zero is fine.
Thank you krub, sorry my bad English
Hi there
It very easy for your wife to apply for Thai citizenship via marriage to you. Please see our article on how to do this.
https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-citizenship-based-on-marriage-to-a-thai-husband/
ohhh thank you krub 🙏🏼
Do i need to learn Thai if apply for PR? I am married to Thai girl and working on WP.
Hi Mark,
As outlined at the start of this article, you can skip PR and go straight for citizenship if married to a Thai citizen. If you are only wanting PR however, then yes, some language skills would be needed, as outlined in this article.
Hi,
so after getting PR, no Non B work visa is needed but work permit of I continue working, am I right?
Hi Julia – that is correct. You’ll still need a WP if you intend to work for a Thai employer while on PR.
How about those working in BOI companies, are they eligible?
Hi there – People working for BOI companies are equally as eligible!
Hi
Thanks for an excellent article which I used to prepare by application. I have just completed the formal interview last week and await the result. One question – assuming it will be another 6-12 months before I receive the answer, what happens if I lose my job/work permit in the meantime? Does this change of status mean I am no longer eligible or do they only care about my situation when my application was submitted?
Hi Tom,
Glad you found the article useful! So when you say formal interview – so you mean the one with Special Branch or do you mean with the big meeting with the ministry of interior.
It is a bit of a grey area – as I say in the article – in the rare circumstance the ministry of interior find a discrepancy in your application it can be sent back and technically you are reapplying at that point so you’d want to be qualified.
So the advice is to try and stay employed at least until the final set of interviews at the MOI. Technically at the swearing in I understand they can ask for your documents again but it doesn’t seem to happen.
So the answer isn’t entirely clear cut but the simple answer is – as long as possible!
Hi , thanks for a great website!
I wanted to apply for PR in previous years but I had a break in my tax payments last year.
I have a Thai Son, 18.5 years. I am from the UK, his natural birth mother.
His Father and I never married but co-habited for many years up until recently when I bought land/house (in my Son’s name) and moved 15 minutes down the road. We are on good terms and I will reregister as living at my new house soon.
I work, have an minute income in Thailand now. I have an income from the UK also.
, even if trying to apply under the humanitarian category of having a Thai child, do I still need to have had 3 years consecutive tax payments of over 100,000 baht a month income? (my guardian visa is not an issue, only the tax).
many thanks 🙂
Hi there,
Thanks for your question.
So the thing to understand is that your income needs to be derived from a Thai employer and that you need to have had three years of non immigrant visas and work permits when working for this Thai employer. You’ll also need the requisite tax returns.
In the case of applying under the humanitarian category for looking after a Thai citizen child, the stated level of income is 30,000 baht per month (see section 3.3.3 of this following document HERE ).
You state that you have a guardian visa for your child which, according to my understanding wouldn’t allow you to have a work permit (forgive me if I’m wrong on this).
So from the sounds of it you may not have the right visa and work permit arrangement to kick off the PR process at this point.
Thanks for the info.
I was employed by a Thai company , the Father of our child was one of the Directors.
I have my Work Permits based on a Non O guardian visa.
The company was reregistered last year and I became a Director , Son’s Father a Director and our son a Shareholder. A tiny company so I am self-employed.
Because of the change in Company I had a break in wp and tax.
The visa extension is continuous for more than 6 years.
But the tax would have to restart ie from this year.
Humanitarian category: By the time I have 3 years continuous tax again our Son will be over 20 years old . So I’m reading the documents that I can apply still under humanitarian but our Son providing patronage to me with a 30,000+ income and tax returns of 2 years.
Am I correct?
And I will be paying tax too but not at a 100k
Or dissolve the company and our son pays tax and I apy purely under his patronage (I’m over 50 yrs).
Hi,
So any break between work permits essentially means the three year clock resets. You might want to have a chat with the PR people about your specific situation, but the break of more than a few weeks I suspect will mean that you are back to square one on that front.
As you say there is the option for your child over 20 to sponsor you as long as he earns 30,000 baht per month. I will put my hand up now and say I’m not familiar with this route but it does exist on paper.
Again i suggest speaking to the PR desk about this. One thing I will note is there is list of documents needed under the humanitarian category (see page 3 of this LINK.
It is in Thai only on their website but you’ll see point 7 of page 4 asked for the work permit of – I think – the applicant (it is really unclear on who’s work permit they want). You’ll need to ask the PR desk if this will be needed from you, and if so how far this needs to go back and if they will also want to see your income and tax details.
Yes, there are quite a few grey areas so I will check with the PR desk.
Many thanks for the information. Kind regards:)
Hi, kudos for this very well written and detailed post. I have one question though. Let’s say someone receives PR while being on Non-B visa working for some company here in Thailand. Naturally that person would have re-entry permit because of the Non-B visa. In that case does he still need apply for re-entry when he leaves the country? Or does the Non-B visa with re-entry permits stays valid alongside the PR? Thanks.
Hi Jawed,
So when you are granted PR you are given an ‘Non-Quota Immigrant visa’ (as opposed to a ‘non-immigrant visa’) which, if you never leave Thailand, allows you to stay for the rest of your life.
As such, the Non-B visa which you were previously on gets cancelled, as does all attached re-entry permits.
Being on the Non-Quota Immigrant Visa requires you to have a re-entry permit IF you wish to leave the country and re-enter with your PR rights. For PR holders, a re-entry permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
You don’t need to have a re-entry permit if you don’t plan on travelling, but many people, as a matter of course, get their multiple re-entry renewed each year so they can travel at short notice. A single re-entry costs 1900 baht, a multiple re-entry costs 3800 baht. A link to the immigration departments website HERE give a bit of an outline on what is needed.
Hope that clarifies things for you.
We have Thai Permanent Residency. Can we buy a Condo that is not freehold? Many thanks
Hi Margie
I’m a bit confused about the question as to what you mean by a condo that ‘is not freehold’.
As a PR you are still a foreigner so only eligible to purchase condos within the 49% foreigner quota in any building.
The one advantage you have as a PR is that you can get loans for property from a local Thai bank and the source of the funds for the condo dont have to be bought in from outside the country.
If you are talking about leasehold properties which are owned by a company, that is not my area of expertise but as a non-Thai, you won’t be able to purchase more than 49% of the Thai company which owns that particular condo.
I had read somewhere, a few years ago, that having a PR entitled you to some limited property purchasing rights.
Your clarification of only being able to buy condos within the 49% foreigner quota answers my question.
Many thanks for the reply.
Not a problem. The only two I know about are:
– loans from local banks/not having to bring in funds from offshore
– being allowed to be registered in the blue tabieen baan (normally only for Thais and PRs) instead of the yellow one for all other foreigners.
Hello – we are just about to finalise permanent residence. Any updates on the main article here particularly about the what’s next section. It seems we can follow the instructions given to obtain the certificate of residence blue book and then the red book.. ? We have been told so far the Blue Tabien Baan is only for citizens and not PR – any update? The one year endorsement of the residency book is done where? Thanks in case of any new insights.
Hi Karen, yes once your PR is approved you will be given detailed instructions by immigration on how to process the certificate of residence booklet and the red alien registration booklet from the police station. Once done with that you’ll be allowed to be entered onto a Blue Tabien Baan. I’m not sure who is telling you that PRs aren’t allowed on the blue tabieen baan, but it has always been the case that you are allowed on it so I wouldn’t stress.
In terms of the one year endorsement – I assume you are talking about the re-entry endorsement given by immigration? You only need to do that if you plan to travel. Technically, you are allowed to stay in Thailand forever once with PR, but due to a quirk in the system, this lapses immediately if you leave the country unless you have a valid re-entry permit.
Like normal re-entry permits, they are single or multiple but only valid for one year. They also take a couple of days to process and are only available at immigration offices, not at the airport. In normal times, given people often needed to travel at short notice, many PRs would get this endorsement updated annually as a matter of course so they could always leave Thailand when they needed to. However, if you have no plans to travel any time soon, you don’t need to get the re-entry permit.
The only regular endorsement is the 5 yearly one needed for your red residency book at the local police station.
Hope this clears things up.
Hi – great website and info source. A question re PR through Working/Business category. It is very clear the rules up to a PR application re 3 years visa / WP / taxes etc. Is there any requirement to stay working (WP and taxes) for a certain time frame AFTER the PR application date (or PR approval date)? For example in the Investment category, the 10M Baht investment must be maintained for 3 consecutive years since the approval of the PR. Wondering if “continuation” is a requirement in the case of Working/Business.
Thank you.
Hi there.
There isn’t any hard and fast rule that I’ve seen out there (that doesn’t mean there isn’t), but between your application going in, and the first interview a few months later where documents can be asked for again, I’d keep your status the same. Post this, I’d still recommend you maintain the status quo if at all possible, given subsequent examinations of documents may result in being asked for additional information etc (though there is a very small chance of happening).
People have changed jobs obviously, and there was a stretch in the early 2000’s where ministers were simply not signing off on PR applications for years. So while people were getting the regular 6 month extensions of stay which automatically come with an under consideration PR application, circumstances changed for many applicants including retirement and losing jobs, and based on (admittedly only) internet reports, they still received the PR eventually.
So sorry I can’t be any more helpful on this, it is definitely a grey area. On balance, after your in person interview I think it would be okay to let things lapse, but I’d err on the side of caution given the turnaround is only about 18 months at present.
ps. as an aside, I while the Investment category exists on paper, I don’t think anyone has successfully applied for it. At the end of the day, you still need work permits etc, so for most, going via the business route is much easier with alot less of a paperwork burden.
Hi, I’m currently a Thai Permanent Residence. What would happen to my permanent residence if I change my citizenship? I.e Change my citizenship from German to US.
Hi Dan,
Good question! I don’t really know the answer to that one, and probably would need to speak to the PR desk down at Chaengwattana. It sounds like you are implying that if you naturalised as a US citizen you’d lose your German citizenship? Am I understanding this correctly?
I’m in Thailand 20 yrs, working, business, kids and wife, I want a PR but about 7 yrs ago I got fined in court for Driving over legal limit.
This has stopped me from having a try previously.
I’d like to see how you think this would affect the PR application, as I obviously would like to go for full Citizenship one day
Hi Jony
Thanks for your message. I’m not going to profess any expertise here. You’ll need to go have a chat with the PR desk and explain your situation. I will note that in reference to taking up residence, section 44(1) of the immigration act states the following:
Section 44. No alien shall take up residency in the Kingdom, if it appears that such alien —
(1) was punished by imprisonment by a judgement of Thai court or lawful order or judgement of court in foreign country except for petty offence or offence committed through negligence, or offences exempted in the Ministerial Regulations.
Furthermore section 102 of the criminal code defines a petty offence as:
Section 102. Petty Offence
The petty offence is the offence which shall be punished by imprisonment not out of one month or fine not out of one thousand Baht, or both imprisonment and fine as aforesaid together.
So you really have to check with the PR people on where they set the bar on that one and hope that an DIY fine ordered by the court is considered ‘petty’.
Sorry i can’t be of more help.
Jony,
Just worth a follow up. If married to a Thai citizen, you know you are eligible to skip PR and go for citizenship. In which case, and I just checked, needing a criminal record document isn’t needed for the application. Having said that the NIA do background checks on you, a process which doesn’t have publicly available information, so we can’t comment on, but it might be worth you seeing with special branch of that court order is a disqualifying factor for citizenship.
One note for this article, they don’t require a criminal background check, they require a certificate of NO CRIMINAL RECORD. Any minor incident appearing on the report, even if dismissed or found not guilty is completely disqualifying. Their next step is try try to sell you on a citizenship scam. Don’t do it.
Thanks for the clarification ‘anonymous’. To be fair though, I can’t think of too many countries which will let you get PR or naturalise if you’ve got anything less than a clean sheet, so Thailand isn’t too different on this front. Not sure why you’d expect different.
As for getting citizenship being a ‘scam’, plenty of people get it in an entirely above board manner and this website was put together to show people how they could do just that.
Thanks for great website sharing useful information. Does “certificate of no criminal record” finger print check is also required for citizenship application for whom is married to Thai wife and having children? Thanks.
Hi Martin,
From memory – the answer to that is ‘yes’, but I would double check with special branch just to make sure.
Hi
Appreciate your information.
I try to apply this days for PR,
Base on my 2 mix Thai kids ( under 20)
Then again I’m divorced .
Already had all the documents / DNA
Work, tax .. completed .
I do use a lawyer to handle my request ,
But he informed that might need to pay
Extra money ( for a reason I’m not sure about)
Any advice regarding my situation?
Is my situation divorce with 2 Thai mix kids
Can be accepted ?
Thanks in advance
Your prompt reply will be appreciated
Hi Ray,
Thanks for your message. It needed to be approved manually before it was published.
I obviously can’t advocate you make these payments for legal and ethical reasons, and its one of the motivations why I put together this website so people didn’t have to rely in lawyers and agents.
People who do the applications themselves – mysteriously – don’t have requests for these special payments from their lawyers. Go figure. So without wanting to get myself into defamation territory, I’ll leave it to you to read between the lines and let you think of a couple of good lawyer jokes.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful – I wish I could. All I can say is that applications which stand up themselves, usually pass without issue.
Hi,
This is a really informative site, thank you. But I wasn’t able find the answer of what I was looking for and hope you can help.
I recently got the PR and have done the Alien Book, put name into the Tabian Baan book. After this do I need to go back to immigration to show them that I had done all the necessary steps?
Best regards
Hi Lynn,
Glad you have found the website. To be honest it doesn’t sound like there is anything else needed to be done, your new alien books basically are your ‘visa’ to stay here. Having said that if you are worried, when you head down to get your reentry permit for PR, it’s worth asking them if anything else needs to be rounded off, but as I said I doubt it.
Thanks for the informative article. I read another article from Bangkok Post which mentioned a foreigner granted a PR still require Working Visa for working. Do you have any idea about this.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1880535/thailand-long-term-residence-options-comparing-elite-status-and-permanent-residence
Thanks for advise.
Hi Lawrende.
Yes, that is indeed the case. Because immigration and the labour department are separate, there has never been a proper way of granting automatic work rights for PR holders. My understanding is that the work permits are a little easier to be granted, and the obvious upside to PR is that if you are in between jobs, your stay in Thailand is not tied to working.
It isn’t ideal, which is why most PR holders then jump to citizenship after they’ve held PR for 5 years, or skip PR all together if they are married to a Thai citizen as citizenship offers many more benefits and requires similar qualification to apply.
Hi, I am wondering if my kid who was born in Thailand can have a Thai citizenship? Both parents farang
Hi Ika,
IF born after 19 Feb 1992 the answer is unfortunately ‘no’, unless BOTH parents were permanent residents at the time of birth.
Hello, thanks a lot for this helpful information!
Could I ask you one question, I heard what at Immigration Changwattana they have a special PR Desk where I can get the support in order to prepare all my documents, could someone give me the direction how can I find it there?
Thank you.
R.
Hi Roman,
There is a desk there, and when you arrive at the immigration department, just tell them you are there to apply for PR and they will give you a queue number and direct you to the correct desk.
Hi there, very good article. I have PR status myself but get very confused about admission fees to musea, temples, national parks and other attractions. Sometimes they let me in at the Thai citizen rate, sometimes I need to pay the tourist price depending on the person at the ticket counter. Is there an official guideline as to which entrace fees apply to PR holders ?
Dear Johan,
Thanks for reading! I don’t profess to be an expert on this, but I think the hard and fast rule is that discounts are only for Thai citizens and I’ve never seen anything in reference to PR holders (or indeed other long termers here). Obviously over the years exceptions have been made, but they have always been variable in their application and in recent years they have become stricter in making no exceptions at government run locations, such as national parks.
If it is a private organization and business, again it is hit and miss when it comes to double pricing/two tier pricing. Some are enlightened and broaden their scope to those who can prove they are resident in Thailand, normally hotels and the like (usually via a Drivers License or non-immigrant visa), while others are the opposite and I think there is a website out there by Richard Barrow which outlines all of those places.
Hi,
Definitely the most in depth resource regarding the PR (even better than the immigration site). Thanks so much for this. The COVID situation is making me worry about my job situation and therefore I think that I should quickly apply for a PR in case I get laid off. I noticed that there’s about a 100k difference between getting the PR as a single and as a married person. I’m planning to get married next year. What happens if I apply as a single and then when it’s approved, I’m already married. Which amount do I pay? Any ideas? Also, I’m on a non-b visa renewed yearly currently. If I apply I understand that I’ll be getting a 180 day automatic visa. Is this concurrent with my non-b or will my non-b get cancelled?
Cheers,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Yes, the current situation has certainly made a lot of people look closely at how they can lock in their stay here in Thailand. In terms of your situation, it doesn’t hurt to ask, but I suspect if you applied as a single person you’ll be charged as such, even if your status changes.
In terms of your visa status, yes, you’ll switch over to the automatic 6 month PR in waiting extension.
Overall getting married helps you get on the express route to citizenship – after 3 years if you don’t have kids, 1 year if you do. Having said that, getting yourself PR at the moment is very prudent as it at least allows you to stay here without restriction, and as you say, you qualify right now.
Good luck with it all!
Thanks. I remember that previously you had a pdf checklist of the documents required. Don’t see it anymore. The immigration website lists the documents required in Thai but it’s not available in english. Could you upload that again? Thanks!
Hi Alex,
The links and announcements are here https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-permanent-residency/. For the moment, the current checklist is only available in Thai on immigration website (see the PDF here), but if you go down they have an English version at their offices (go figure!). Having said that, you should be able to use google translate to translate the Thai checklist for you. Sorry I don’t have it on me and I’ll try and upload it shortly.
Thanks again. I’m putting in my application tomorrow! It’s been a painful month of visiting various government offices (multiple times) and collecting the relevant documents but I’m glad it’s finally done! One thing I would suggest adding to your site is a warning regarding how difficult the process is if you decide to gather all the documents yourself instead of going through an agent.
Cheers man. You’ve been a great help!
Hi Alex,
Good luck tomorrow though I’m sure you’ve been to see the PR people a couple of times and know what is expected. In terms of the paperwork, thanks for sharing your experience. I think my main message is that for what they charge, agents provide no value to, what is, essentially a paper gathering exercise. Having said that, I’ve always said having a good assistant to do some of the more mundane running around is probably the best (and value for money!) option.
In any case, all the best and I’m sure you’ll be fine. Please let us know how it all goes.
Cheers
Hi
Can I ask which counter is the PR Counter please? For instance, M, N or another counter? The last time we went to Counter M in Cheangwattana immigration to ask, they all seem confused.
Or if anyone has used an agent to handle this successfully, can you recommend to me please?
Thank you very much for your help,
Peter
Hi Peter, normally there is a dedicated PR desk. I haven’t been there in a while so can’t answer you with certainty, but there will be one there. Maybe ask for the desk where you apply for ถิ่นที่อยู่ (Thin Thi You).
Thank your for making very helpful article.
If you could let me know about the educational certificate for PR, I appreciate you.
I graduated at US university and have an official transcript in English from them.
My question is that can I use that ENG transcript without translate into Thai?
And if it is necessary to be translated, which government official can do as the officially certified document?
By the way, JPN Embassy said it took about 2 months to get Non-criminal proof from country,
so this year I might not be able to submit all necessary docs in time. (Cry)
Best regards,
Hi there,
You’ll need to have a chat with the PR desk to ask what will be acceptable in your case. From memory they educational certificates have to endorsed by the embassy from the country of the university (in your case the US embassy in BKK) and then be translated into Thai and certified by the MFA.
In terms of certain things being delayed, I know from the past that the PR desk does allow some documents like the one you mentioned to be handed in after the official application given they understand these things take time. But again, please check with them on their level of flexibility.
Dear
Excellent articles on Thai PR
I have a question that may be a bit out of the usual run.
I am 88 years old and have held P.R. since 2001. I am due to have heart surgery soon and I believe that Chulalongkorn hospital will be most suitable. I had a small company which I closed in 2002 when I retired.
My question is whether or not I am entitled, having PR, to be treated at a government hospital under the Thai Healthcare system as distinct from as a private patient.
Hi John,
Thanks for your comments on the articles.
At one point, PRs were given access to the 30 baht health care system but I believe that is now no longer available to PR holders.
The closest thing to government health coverage people in your situation (PR or otherwise) will generally get is via social security system. In your case, this will only be available if you continued to make voluntary contributions to SS system after you stop working to maintain access to the government provided healthcare under the SS umbrella.
Otherwise, i think you’ll be reliant on being admitted as a private patient.
Hi. Does my PR give me access to free public health care/ public hospitals? I’ve been working ( self employed) in Thailand for over 30 years. Thanks
Hi Andrew,
It used to be the case from memory that PR’s were eligible for the 30 baht health scheme but I think that stopped a few years ago.
So the basic answer is ‘no’.
Most people in your situation (PR or otherwise) will generally rely on staying in the social security system via their SS payments over their working lifetime, and continue to make voluntary payments into the SS system after they stop working to maintain access to the government provided healthcare under the SS umbrella. The only way you can continue to make voluntary payments (432 baht per month) to your SS to retain health coverage is if you enrol within 6 months of stopping work. Otherwise you are ineligible to retain the coverage.
Hi
Thanks for you informative articles. I am married to a Thai. Police HQ told me i will be eligible to apply for Citizenship in 2022 as my salary was below the range. But immigration said i am eligible to apply for PR now.
I need idea from your experience should i go for PR now? Or wait to apply citizenship. I know PR has a huge fee. I am just worried if law changes in the future or change of government makes it delay. What is your thought about it? Thanks
Hi Nasif,
If you are married to a Thai then I’d go straight for citizenship. The requirements are similar but the fee is much cheaper (5000 baht). You can also apply for citizenship at any time of year.
The required salary for citizenship is 40,000 baht per month if you are married. Please check out our other articles on this website for a detailed explanation.
Thanks for your reply. For citizenship i am still not eligible and will have to wait 2 years more. Where’s i am now eligible to apply PR this year. My question was should i wait for 2 more years to apply citizenship or apply for PR now.
Just to let you know this year the letter came from BKK immigration it require 30,000 baht salary and 2 years of tax return for married to thai. So they reduced the range and years for PR now.
Thanks Nasif. I missed that it changed to 2 years, which is a good development.
If you were to apply for citizenship, surely you’d only need to wait one more year (2+1?) given its only three years of records you need.
In terms of risk – you can obviously apply now for the PR, pay the 7600 baht and you are in the system under consideration. That won’t stop you applying for citizenship at the appropriate time.
Hi,
Great article. Sorry, if you already answered my questions and I missed them. With PR:
1. Do i still need the foreigner work permit and pay for renew every year?
2. If yes, do i still need 4 thai staff for my work permit?
3. Are my legal jobs at work still restricted? Like can i touch money and be alone in the Office?
Thanks
Hi Steve,
Yes to all of the above unfortunately. It used to be that the issuance of work permits for PR needed less workers and could be issued for longer periods, but in recent years that has become less common. You’ll see in the article some of the benefits, but on balance, it is stepping stone to citizenship which of course comes with doing away with all those restrictions.
One thing you can do on PR is become a director of a company without needing a work permit. This will give you some increased flexibility to operate things in Thailand should you own your own business.
Hi John, thanks for your message and sorry to hear about your health issues. Unfortunately I’m no where near well qualified enough to answer this question, so I will have to pass on this occasion.
All the best for your upcoming surgery and sorry I couldn’t have been more help.
Hi there,
At this point in time, no. There is no way around the strict requirement for 3 years of tax returns and work permits and an income of 80K per month derived from a Thai employer.
Hi there, pretty much the same scenario as Jill. I went to immigration to discuss it without saying well ill definitely finish my work contract in December and the lady, not super helpful, said I would need to have a job. This contradicts all their own information about ‘at the time of submission’. What happens if you unexpectedly lose your job after applying? Also why would you need the 180 day stamp if you had a valid visa and work permit anyway? I am frustrated as I meet all the requirements as at today but like Jill I may not have the job come December.
Hi Damien,
The having a job requirement is a non-negotiable of course when you apply, and I suspect through the interview process. Once you enter the phase where you wait for the application to be processed and approved, circumstances can change. I’m not going to say definitively that you need to keep your job through this phase however, as I’ve seen other reports on the internet when in the mid 2000’s absolutely no PRs were being processed, people who waited 5 to 7 years did lose their jobs still go their PR. However, out of an abundance of caution, I’d say to try and keep the job if possible.
In terms of the 6 monthly visa, its an automatic extension while under PR consideration, so its far superior than having to jump through the paperwork hoops you need to get an annual extension of stay. This remains the case even if you lose your job, so in many respects is far superior than remaining on the standard work permit based extension of stay. Of course you’ll need to keep a work permit if you are indeed working, but the 6 month PR under consideration stamp is well known and I’ve never heard it to be an issue.
If you qualify now, I can’t see the downside of applying and getting the paperwork in and just seeing what happens. The bulk of the fee is not due until approval and if you do indeed end your contract in december, having the 6 month under consideration stamp which is automatically renewed while you wait for a decision will be an excellent way to bide you time and perhaps find another job in the interim.
I got to know that you will need a work permit at the time of approval – passport and work permit copy required.
Hello
Thanks for the great article, best one existing on PR. I have a question, I wonder if you can help. I’m applying PR under work category this October. But my work contract may terminate in December. So I meet all requirements at the time of application but possibly not at the time of interview. Do you think it’s worth applying?
Hi Jill – to be honest, I’m not sure. If you were well down the process and just waiting for the approval, I’d say you’d be fine, but the gap between applying and the interviews probably means that your status needs to be consistent for at least that initial period of time. In one sense, it ‘can’t hurt’ to apply as you won’t have to pay the PR fee until it is approved, and in the meantime you’ll get the rolling six month extensions.
I’d ask the immigration people what happens if you need to change jobs during the process…that may elicit some sort of response on the need for document consistency, but obviously I wouldn’t advertise that your job contract expires. Totally understand that times are tough, but I’d do my best to try and maintain some sort of work permit and job for the majority of the waiting period if you can.
if i get pr than can i buy land to build house or i am only eligible to by condominium?
Hi Muhammad,
Only citizens are allowed to purchase land in their own name.
All foreigners are eligible to purchase a Thai condo in their own name regardless of their immigration status, so long as foreigners don’t own a combined total in excess of 49% of the entire floor space of that particular property.
What PR allows for is you getting a loan from a Thai bank to purchase a condo, something many PR holders have found useful.
Hope this clarifies things.
Thanks for your excellent articles on Thailand. I’ve lived & worked here legally over 20 years (with work permit, paid taxes, correct yearly visas, etc.) married to my Thai wife & we have 2 Thai citizen children. I need to apply for either PR or citizenship. Can you estimate approx total time from applying up to approval for PR? for Citizenship? Thanks from Frank.
Hi Frank.
Glad you’ve enjoyed the articles. At present, from feedback of recent recipients, PR is taking about 18 months to 2 years, and citizenship is taking around 3 years from application to getting the Thai ID card (peoples names are officially being printed in the Royal Gazette around the 2 year 9 month year mark). All this is approximate of course.
Overall there are no guarantees of timing, but one of the quirks of having a military government is that they have traditionally been pretty methodical at processing applications within this time frame. So now is a good time to apply for either as the time frame is predictable. With more ‘normal’ governments the signing of the application tends to alot less predicable.
If I was you, and I might sound biased, but I’d go for citizenship given you are married and can skip citizenship. There is very little difference in the paperwork overall, but the cost will be significantly different (98K for PR vs 5K for citizenship). The benefits of citizenship are obviously far greater and the waiting time is only about 12 months more than for PR.
Either way, all the best in your application.
Hello. This is a very useful article but I do have a question. If I had Thai permanent residence but wanted to leave Thailand to work in another country for a few years (I am an international school teacher) would I lose my permanent residence? I assume a re-entry permit would not cover an absence of several years?
Jason, that is indeed correct. The way the re-entry permit is structured, you’d effectively lose your PR staying out of Thailand for a year. The only way around doing what you propose is to make sure you come back to Thailand at least once each year – before your re-entry permit expires – and renew it. That would require at least a few days in Thailand in each 12 month period to have that happen.
Its an old and outdated system and one that a few people have made submissions to try and change, but with no luck to date.
I am borne and lived my whole life ( 20 years) inThailand.
My Parents are German and Indonesian.
My Father work since 1997 here with a WP up till now.
I am under a dependent Visa but as i get 20 years old his company told they can not give anymore the dependent Visa an i have to change to an ED visa . I did study from grade 1 at an International School here in BKK and since 2 years at an
International University in BKK.
Actually no big issue to change to a ED Visa, but as soon as i graduate and not find any Work here in Thailand i assume I have to leave Thailand if i not wrong.
Is there any changes to get an PR or Citizenship for me ?
Thank you
Hi Benno,
The best route for PR as a minor would be to have it granted under your parents, but it sounds like you are too late for this. So if you wish to stay in Thailand you will need to find another visa class.
I haven’t researched it enough, but there appears to be some type of dispensation for foreign nationals born here who complete Thai university to get citizenship, but that mainly appears to be for stateless children and I’m not sure this applies in your case. But you might want to check with DOPA (Department of Provincial Administration) who administer citizenship applications if there is a route for you.
Hi
Thanks for all the useful info!
I’m considering applying for PR – based on being a work permit holder. Currently, my French wife is able to get a spouse visa based on my work visa. If I apply for and get PR, what happens with my wife? Do you know if she can also get PR based on my application?
Thanks!
Hi Grant,
To be honest I must admit my lack of expertise when if comes to family PR applications. I’m pretty sure you can and I am aware of one person who applied for his wife and children a few years back, but to be honest I’m not sure what the difference in the qualifications will be.
In the case you don’t or can’t apply for PR for your wife, this may be worth considering: Once you have PR, your wife will be able to continue to get an extension of stay based on your PR status, and if citizenship is a consideration, once you are a citizen, your wife, by virtue of having a Thai citizen husband will be eligible to apply directly for citizenship (I cover this in another article). I know this is a few years down the track still, but it may be an alternative you wish to consider.
Thanks
Fingers crossed it’s poss. And if it’s not, as you suggest we might just have to take the very long route via citizenship. So we’ll probably be back checking your site again in a few years. That’s if we ever even get back into the Kingdom – currently stuck in Europe.
Cheers G.
Hi
I have a Resident Visa of Thailand and currently I am staying in India.
I don’t have any Re-entry permit.
Could you please help me , how can I get back to Thailand?
Hi Ruchi
If you don’t have a re-entry permit for your PR then it becomes invalid and you are ineligible to return to Thailand as a PR. You’ll need to re-qualify for PR again unfortunately.
The only exception is during the current covid situation. If your re-entry permit for your PR expired while you were outside of Thailand when Thailand shut its borders, then you should be able to return as a PR. However, please check with the Thai embassy in Delhi for more details.
Hi,
Thank you for a detailed information.
Are you also able to help me with my case? My mother is a Thai National but my father is Filipino. They aren’t legally married and ni longer together. I grew up in the Philippines and is permanently staying here but goes to Thailand once or twice a year. Is it possible for me to apply for a PR? And should I be in Thailand all throughout the process?
Hope you can help.
Hi there Ed.
No need for you to apply for PR. Technically you are already a Thai citizen having been born to a Thai parent. As such you should go about applying for a Thai passport. Please check out this link.
https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-citizenship-when-born-overseas/
All the best.
That’s awesome news! I’ve read the process and it says that it will take couple of visits. Because I am based outside Thailand permanently, would you know approximately how many visits and the duration of each visits? For example, in getting a Thai BC and Thai ID, will it take a week or two on my first visit?
Hi Ed – before I can answer that, I need to ask where were you born? In Thailand or the Philippines? If the latter, you’ll first need to obtain a Thai birth certificate from the embassy there, and with luck, you’ll be able to also get a Thai passport issued. If you were born in Thailand – do you already have your Thai birth certificate?
Very useful write up . I got my PR last year , with this PR , my daughter get a visa for 3 months ?
Hi Anil,
Thanks for your message – to be honest I’m not sure the exact mechanics, but your daughter should be able to get an extension of stay of some sort based on your status.
Hi
I am on my 2nd year work permit. I was on a year before but It lapsed due to my neglect thinking the WP was the same date as my Non-B Visa.
Does that count as 3 years? Or are they going to want to see 3 years in 1 work permit?
My guess is it’s probably not written in stone and up to the discretion of the Immigration Officers>?
Hi Mike,
If it was a matter of a few days between WPs, it can be a bit of a grey area, but if the extensions of stay are consecutive some people have been shown leeway as it isn’t always possible to line everything up work permit wise. It will really be up to the officers to decide this when you submit your documents, but my understand a few days ‘should’ be okay, but don’t take that as gospel.
Great article. It cleared so many doubts. Only question I have is whether limit of 100 applicants per year per nationality is decided by first come first serve or on merit basis among candidates.
Thanks,
Sunil
As far as I know, yes, most nationalities don’t reach to quota however so its never an issue for them. If it does reach 100, I am not sure what the method of selection is. Any intel you may have would be welcome.
Hi,
Akash here. I would just like to clarify about filing tax return for the amount of annual income of Baht 100,000.. apologies but what does this mean exactly? It seems to be a bit unclear on different sources. I don’t meet the Baht 80,000 per month yet but am looking forward to having PR one day 🙂
“Earn an annual income at least Baht 80,000 per month for a period of at least 2 years, up to the date of application submission, or have been filing tax return for the amount of annual income of Baht 100,000 for at least 2 consecutive years, up to the date of application submission.”
Best regards,
Akash
Hi Akash,
Basically it means you can have an average income of 80,000 baht for three years, or an average 100,000 baht income for the past two years in the lead up to application in the case the first of those three years was less than 80,000 baht. So hypothenitcallu, something like Yr 1: 50K/month then Yrs 2 and 3: 100,000K/month should be fine. The latter scenario should also allow you to incorporate bonuses etc as well.
As always, best to have chat with the PR people earlier rather than later to make sure you are on track, but feel free to drop me a personal note if you have any follow up!
Cheers
Following the question above asking what does it mean filling a tax return for an annual amount of 100,000 and your answer I still do not get it because in your answer you say 100k/month but why does the article say 100k/year?
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your question. Apologies, as you’ve found a typo which I’ve since fixed. It has been changed to “Earn a work based salary at least 80,000 baht per month for a period of at least 2 years, up to the date of application submission, or have been filing tax return for the amount of annual income of 100,000 baht per month for at least 2 consecutive years, up to the date of application submission.”
For the latter, this generally means (based on what immigration have told me)a combination of Thai based salary + other investment income you might have, but you should check with them as to how this combination works and what would be acceptable. All of it would have to be clearly documented.
Hope this clears things up.