How to Get a Residence Permit in Thailand in 2024
One of the key steps in the immigration process to Thailand is obtaining a permanent residency visa, commonly known as Permanent Residency (PR). While this term is more familiar to Eastern Europeans, in Thailand, it refers to the same type of long-term authorization.
To qualify for PR in Thailand, one of the essential requirements is to reside continuously in the country for up to three years on a non-immigrant visa (NIV). There are several types of NIVs depending on the purpose of your stay. It’s important to note that not all non-immigrant visas are eligible for PR application. For example, the student visa (commonly obtained for enrolling in a university or language school) and the retirement visa (available to wealthy individuals over 50) do not allow for a PR application. Let’s explore the types of visas that are suitable for obtaining permanent residency in Thailand.
CONTENT:
- Employment Visa
- Investor Visa in Thailand
- Advantages of Permanent Residency (PR) in Thailand
- Reasons for Obtaining Permanent Residency
- Documents Required for PR in Thailand
- How to Obtain Permanent Residence (PR) in Thailand for Europeans
- How to Get Citizenship in Thailand?
- Let Us Help You Get Permanent Residence (PR) in Thailand
EMPLOYMENT VISA The Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) category B is issued to foreigners who come to Thailand for work or private business. To obtain this visa, applicants must demonstrate financial stability by providing a bank statement with a balance of no less than $600 per person. Additionally, a work permit from the Thai Ministry of Labor is required.
Documents typically needed for the application:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- NIV Category B visa application form
- Photograph
- Criminal background check certificate
If the applicant plans to work for a company, additional documents such as an education certificate and medical certificate are required. The employer must also provide documents to hire the foreigner.
For those starting a business, there’s a separate non-immigrant visa category known as B-A.
INVESTOR VISA IN THAILAND Foreign citizens planning to engage in investment activities may obtain an NIV IB visa, which is available to investors who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Create jobs in Thailand
- Support the export of Thai goods
- Engage in the processing of local resources
- Develop provincial development programs
- Introduce new technologies that contribute to the country’s growth
For individuals investing in property in Thailand, an NIV IM visa is available. As of 2023, it is granted to foreigners with a previous NIV related to business and investment.
To obtain this visa, one must invest approximately $300,000 in local real estate, government bonds, or place the specified amount in a Thai bank that is majority-owned by the government.
Investors must purchase real estate directly from the developer and are prohibited from selling the property for at least three years. The investment funds must come from a foreign account and be converted into Thai currency before being used.
ADVANTAGES OF PERMANENT RESIDENCY (PR) IN THAILAND The main benefits of PR in Thailand include:
- Simplified work permit process
- Permanent registration in the Tabien Baan register, which is required for most legal procedures
- PR holders do not need to report their whereabouts every 90 days, unlike NIV holders, who must provide this information regularly.
Reasons for Obtaining Permanent Residency
As previously mentioned, the primary requirement for obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) in Thailand is residing in the country for at least 3 years under a non-immigrant visa (NIV), which is typically issued for one year at a time. It’s crucial that all three years are spent renewing only one type of visa.
Acquiring PR in Thailand through real estate purchase is not possible. To apply for long-term residency, specific qualifying reasons are needed. Here are the most significant ones:
- Be an investor and invest at least $90,000 in a local company, government organization, or stock market securities.
- Serve as a managing director or shareholder in a Thai company with a capital of at least $300,000 for at least one year. You must also earn a minimum of $1,500 monthly for 2 years, and the company must contribute to the country's economy.
- Hold a valid work permit for 3 years and earn at least $2,400 monthly. Employment in a Thai company must be for a minimum of one year.
- Be a recognized expert (e.g., a scientist or professional in any field), possess a higher education diploma, and work in your respective field for 3 consecutive years.
- Be married to a Thai citizen or be the parent of a child with Thai citizenship.
Applications for PR are accepted from October to December each year. The Royal Immigration Commission grants PR to only 100 people from each country annually. The length of stay for PR holders in Thailand is flexible. If desired, the PR status can be cancelled, or after five years, applicants may apply for citizenship.
Documents Required for PR in Thailand
It's recommended to check the current list of required documents on the Immigration Bureau’s website. Additionally, assistance from a visa service can help in gathering the documents and ensuring the application is filled out correctly.
Upon receiving PR status, foreigners are issued a Residence Blue Book. They must then register at their place of residence and receive a house card. Within a week, a Red Book (the equivalent of a national identity card) is issued at the local police station, which must be renewed annually.