Thailand Permanent Residency: Qualifications & How to Apply

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If you’re ready to make the lifelong move to Thailand, then Permanent Residency is an option! This opens you to a lot more options and freedoms within Thailand that you wouldn’t have as a non-immigrant visa holder. For example, you don’t have to get a visa extension, you can buy property and get work permits more easily, you can get a high-level position with a Thailand-based company, and more.

It can take about a year from application to approval, and only 100 Thailand Permanent Residence offers are given per year to each nationality—so the process can be very competitive.

Important: Applications are only accepted during a specific window each year, typically from October 14 to December 27.

Thailand Permanent Residency Qualifications

Your basic qualifications for Thailand Permanent Residency are that you must:

Have spent three consecutive years in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa
Have a valid work permit spanning three years’ minimum from the date of your application
Demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the Thai language
Have a clean criminal record
Earn 30,000 Baht per month (about $825) if married to a Thai spouse for at least five years, or 80,000 Baht per month (about $2,200) if single

Thailand Permanent Residency Categories

Thailand Permanent Residency Guide

If you’re ready to make the lifelong move to Thailand, then Permanent Residency is an option! This opens you to a lot more options and freedoms within Thailand that you wouldn’t have as a non-immigrant visa holder. For example, you don’t have to get a visa extension, you can buy property and get work permits more easily, you can get a high-level position with a Thailand-based company, and more.

It can take about a year from application to approval, and only 100 Thailand Permanent Residence offers are given per year to each nationality—so the process can be very competitive.

Important: Applications are only accepted during a specific window each year, typically from October 14 to December 27.

Thailand Permanent Residency Qualifications

Your basic qualifications for Thailand Permanent Residency are that you must:

Have spent three consecutive years in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa
Have a valid work permit spanning three years’ minimum from the date of your application
Demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the Thai language
Have a clean criminal record
Earn 30,000 Baht per month (about $825) if married to a Thai spouse for at least five years, or 80,000 Baht per month (about $2,200) if single

Thailand Permanent Residency Categories

You can apply for permanent residency under four categories:

Investment

To qualify for Permanent Residency through investment, you must invest at least 10 million Baht (about $275,000) into a Thai company
The investment must have been transferred from abroad with evidence from a Thai commercial bank
You must provide proof of investment to immigration annually for 3 consecutive years after obtaining PR

Business or Work

You must have had a Thailand Work Visa and Work Permit for at least three years
Have worked for your current company for at least one year
Can show that you have an Extension of Stay based on your employment
Must have a monthly salary of at least 80,000 Baht (about $2,200), which equals an annual income of 960,000 Baht

Family Member of a Thai Citizen

You must be an immediate family member (parent, child, or spouse) of a Thai citizen
Must demonstrate relationship with proper documentation

Expert or Academic

To qualify for this option, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree AND be employed in your current position for the past three years

Other Categories Defined by Thailand Immigration

As determined by Thai immigration authorities

After Approval

Once your PR application is approved:

You’ll receive a Blue Book (residence book)
You must register at the local Amphur (district office) to obtain a House Card
Apply for a Red Book (alien book) at the local police station – this is equivalent to a Thai ID card
The Red Book must be renewed every 5 years (costs about 800 Baht)
PR status never expires unless revoked
You still need a re-entry permit if you want to leave Thailand and return

Path to Citizenship

If you’re interested in citizenship, you’re eligible to apply after having lived as a Permanent Resident in Thailand for 10 consecutive years (not 5 as sometimes reported).

Thailand visa rules are constantly changing, so make sure to check with the Embassy of Thailand to understand the most current application requirements, costs, and eligibility rules.

For further reading, click here.

Other Thailand Visa Options

Featured image via Unsplash.

Categories: Asia, Blog Posts, Living AbroadTags: Thailand

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