If you’re looking to live in Thailand long-term without the hassle of Thai visa renewals and want to put down roots for good, applying for permanent residence in Thailand is a viable solution. With permanent residency (PR) status, you can skip the stress of regular visa runs or complicated immigration rules, and activities like opening a business in Thailand become much more straightforward.
Furthermore, if you’re aiming to become a Thai citizen through naturalization, securing permanent residency is an important milestone that can help you reach this goal.
Thai Permanent Residency Benefits
Other than giving you the right to remain in Thailand indefinitely, obtaining Permanent Resident status or a Residence Permit in Thailand has many advantages such as:
- No need to apply for stay extensions
- No annual visa renewals
- Eligible to have your name on a house registration document
- Simplified process for obtaining a Thai work permit
- Ability to purchase a condominium in Thailand without transferring funds from abroad
It is important to note that even with Permanent Resident status, you are still not allowed to own land directly under your name. However, you can purchase condo units, own buildings on a Thai owner’s land, or own land through a Thai limited company where you are a shareholder.
Thailand Permanent Residency Requirements
Applying for Permanent Residency in Thailand entails submitting various documents to validate your eligibility and claims. While the specifics may vary based on your reasons for applying (investment, employment, family ties), here’s a general list of requirements you must meet to be eligible for Thai Permanent Residency:
- Be at least 14 years old
- Pass a criminal record check and provide fingerprints
- Complete the application form
- Provide copies of every page of your valid passport
- Submit a Personal Data Form
- Have in your passport a non-immigrant visa that you’ve held and extended for at least 3 consecutive years prior to applying for Permanent Residency
- If applicable, provide your departure and arrival cards (TM6)
- Provide a health certificate that is not older than 3 months
- Demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the Thai language
You will also be required to provide additional documents and meet specific criteria depending on the purpose of your application. As an applicant for Thai Permanent Residency, you must fall into one of these categories:
- You are an investor with significant assets in Thailand
- You are employed in Thailand to a major company
- You are an expert in your field, which is beneficial to Thailand
- You have immediate family members who are Thai citizens
- You are in unique circumstances (judged on a case-by-case basis)
Here is an overview of the more important requirements for each category.
For applications based on investment
- Must have an investment of at least 10 million THB in Thailand, with documentation from a Thai commercial bank confirming that the funds were transferred from abroad.
- The investment must contribute to the Thai economy and must be supported by evidence. Acceptable investments include those made in limited or public companies, purchases of sate-owned securities, and investments in the Thai stock exchange.
After obtaining a Permanent Residency, you are required to submit proof of your investment to the immigration committee or assigned officer by September of each year for 3 consecutive years.
For applications based on employment
- Must hold an executive position in a Thailand-registered company with capital of at least 10 million THB, and have been an authorized signatory for at least 1 year before the submission date.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 50,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of income tax payment.
- The business must be of interest to the Thai economy, with specific conditions applied depending on the type of company.
If you do not meet the above qualifications for an application based on employment, you can still apply if you meet the alternative set of employment-based requirements:
- Must have held a valid work permit in Thailand for at least 3 years before the submission date.
- Must have been employed by the company listed in the application for at least 1 year before the submission date.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 80,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date, or have paid personal income tax of at least 100,000 THB for 2 consecutive years before the submission date.
For applications based on expertise
- Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have skills that are considered valuable or beneficial to Thailand.
- Must provide certification from a related government authority confirming these skills.
- Must provide a certification letter that proves you have held a position that utilizes these skills for at least 3 consecutive years before the submission date.
For applications based on family ties
To be eligible under the “humanitarian” category, you must have a spouse, child, father, or mother who is a Thai citizen or holds a residential permit. The relationship determines the necessary qualifications.
For spouses providing patronage or being under the patronage of a Thai spouse:
- If the person providing patronage works in Thailand:
- Must have been legally married for at least 2 years and have a biological child. In case of infertility, medical evidence from the hospital must be presented. Without the evidence, they must have been legally married for at least 5 years before the submission date.
- One party or both parties together must have adequate income to provide patronage of at least 30,000 THB per month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of tax payment.
- If the person providing patronage is a senior citizen:
- Must be at least 50 years of age at the time of submission date.
- Must be legally married for at least 2 years before the submission date.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date.
For children providing patronage or being under the patronage of the Thai parent(s):
- If the child provides patronage to the Thai father or mother:
- Must be a biological child of the Thai parent(s).
- The father or mother must be at least 50 years of age at the time of submission date.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 30,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of tax payment.
- If the child requests to be under the patronage of the Thai parent(s):
- The father or mother must be the biological parent of the child and must possess a birth certificate.
- The child must be single and under 20 years of age. If the child is over 20 years of age on the submission date, there must be a valid reason to be under the parent’s patronage such as being an undergraduate student or a condition that requires care. Related evidence must be provided.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 30,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of tax payment.
For the father or mother providing the patronage or being under the patronage of the Thai child:
- If the father or mother provides patronage for a Thai child:
- The father or mother must be the biological parent of the child and must possess a birth certificate.
- The child must be single and under 20 years of age. If the child is over 20 years of age on the submission date, there must be a valid reason to be under the parent’s patronage such as being an undergraduate student or suffering from an illness. Related evidence must be provided.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 30,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of tax payment.
- If the father or mother requests to be under the patronage of the Thai child:
- Must be a biological parent of the child.
- The father or mother must be at least 50 years of age at the time of submission date.
- Must have a monthly income of at least 30,000 THB for a minimum of 2 consecutive years before the submission date with proof of tax payment.
For miscellaneous applications (assessed on a case-by-case basis)
- Must have contributed to Thailand, the Thai government, or have been selected by a nationally recognized institution as having accomplished works that are of interest to the country with related evidence.
- Must meet other qualifications as deemed appropriate by the Immigration Committee.
Top Services provided by Siam Legal International, Thailand’s largest legal service network.
Thai Permanent Residency Application Process
The Royal Thai Immigration Commission processes all Thai Permanent Residency applications. However, the annual quota for granting permanent residency in Thailand is limited to 100 persons per country, and the application period usually runs from October or November to the end of December every year. If you fail to apply before the deadline, you will have to wait for the following year to apply again.
Once your application for Thai Permanent Residency is submitted, you will be scheduled for an interview appointment where you will have to showcase your Thai language proficiency. If you fail to attend on the scheduled date without a valid reason, your application will be canceled.
After your application is approved, you will receive the Blue Book of Residency. This allows you to register your residence in Thailand and apply for an alien book, which serves as the equivalent of a Thai ID card.
It is important to note that at the government’s discretion, your Permanent Resident status may be revoked, but it cannot expire.
Professional Permanent Residency in Thailand Application Assistance
Applying for Permanent Residency in Thailand or even securing the necessary Thai visa to get started can be a challenging and competitive process. Because of this, it is recommended that you seek the aid of an experienced Thai immigration lawyer to guide you through every step of the journey, from settling on the right visa to submitting your permanent residency application.
Partner with Siam Legal International, a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in helping both local and foreign clients with their legal and immigration needs.
With Siam Legal, whether you’re applying for a visa or permanent residency in Thailand, our team of seasoned Thai immigration experts will assist you in preparing, reviewing, and submitting your application on your behalf to the correct government agencies, as we minimize any chance of rejection and ensure a smooth and swift journey to your new life in Thailand.
If you’re ready to jump right in and get started on settling down in Thailand long-term, don’t hesitate to contact Siam Legal to book a consultation now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost for Thai Permanent Residency status?
The application fee is 7,600 THB. Once you’ve been approved, you will need to pay an additional 191,400 THB for the Residence Permit. If you are married to a Thai national or are related to a Thailand Permanent Residency holder, you will have to pay only 95,700 THB for your Residence Permit.
Do I have to learn and speak Thai to get permanent residency in Thailand?
Yes, demonstrating a certain level of Thai language proficiency is necessary to qualify for permanent residency in Thailand.
Can I apply for permanent residency again the following year if I was denied?
Yes, you can apply again for permanent residency in Thailand the following year, typically between October or November and the end of December.
Are there Permanent Residency alternatives?
The closest you can get to an alternative to permanent residence is a long-term visa that can be renewed indefinitely. Fortunately, you have several options.
If you’re married to a Thai national, consider applying for a Thai Marriage Visa. If you’re 50 years old or over, you can apply for a Thai Retirement Visa. Alternatively, if you want to stay and work in Thailand long-term and are able to meet certain financial requirements, consider the LTR Visa Thailand.
If you don’t qualify for the above visas and need an easy and convenient way to live in Thailand long-term, you want the Thailand Elite Visa, offered under the Thailand Privilege program. It is a long-term visa that comes with a wealth of extra benefits.
Contact Siam Legal’s Consulting Team for Professional Assistance with Your Thai Permanent Residency Application
Fill in and submit the form below and we’ll get in touch soon.
