Resident card
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.