Permanent Residence Thailand

If you want to stay in Thailand for a long time or even forever without having to worry about your visa expiring, consider applying for Thai permanent residency. By becoming a permanent resident, you would no longer have to agonize over the visa runs, and owning properties or establishing a company in Thailand would become much simpler. In addition, if you are looking to one day become a Thai citizen through naturalization, having a permanent residency is a path that will help you achieve your goal.

The Annual Quota

It is important to note that there is an annual quota and a specific timeframe to apply for Thai PR. The quota is usually 100 persons of each nationality and 50 persons for stateless applicants. The application is inclined to open from October or November until the last day of December each year.

In 2022, the Immigration Bureau announced the timeframe for submission of application from October 17th – December 29th. Nonetheless, it is recommended for those interested to start preparing early in the year as there are many requirements to fulfill.

The applicant must possess the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must hold a passport with a Non-immigrant visa stamp and have permission to stay in the Kingdom for at least 3 consecutive years on an annual visa extension basis until the day of the submission.
2. The applicant who is at least 14 years of age must undergo a criminal background check through fingerprint and identity records.
3. The applicant must disclose information regarding income, assets, professional knowledge, and family status with a Thai national or other information as deemed appropriate.
4. The applicant must be able to speak and understand Thai to a certain extent.

Application Categories

The applicant must select one of these categories to apply for Thai PR based on his/her circumstance. 

1. Investment category
2. Business category
3. Work category
4. Humanity reasons category, including:
   1. Spouse providing patronage or being under the patronage of the spouse who is a Thai national or a Thai PR holder
   2. Child providing patronage or being under the patronage of parent(s) who is a Thai national or a Thai PR holder
   3. Father or mother providing patronage or being under the patronage of the child who is a Thai national or a Thai PR holder
   4. Expert
   5. Others, to be considered on a case-by-case basis

Criteria for an application filed under Investment Category

1. The applicant must have an investment in Thailand of at least 10 million Baht with evidence issued by a Thai commercial bank that the investment had been transferred to Thailand from abroad.
2. The investment must benefit the Thai economy by some means with proof of investment.
3. Once PR is obtained, the foreigner must present the proof of investment to the immigration committee or assigned officer within September of each year for 3 consecutive years.

Criteria for an application filed under Business Category

1. The applicant must hold an executive position in a company registered in Thailand with at least 10 million Baht in capital and is authorized as a signatory for at least 1 year until the submission date.
2. The applicant must earn at least 50,000 Bath/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date and must present evidence of income tax payment.
3. Such business must be of interest to the Thai economy with specific conditions applied. 

Criteria for an application filed under Work Category

1. The applicant must have permission to work in Thailand (Work Permit) for at least 3 years until the submission date.
2. The applicant must have been working in the company stated in the application for at least 1 year until the submission date.
3. The applicant must earn at least 80,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date or has been paying personal income tax of at least 100,000 Baht for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date.

Criteria for an application filed under the Category of Humanity Reasons

1. Spouse providing patronage or being under the patronage of the Thai spouse.

In case the person providing patronage works in Thailand:

• Must be 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 until the submission date. 
• One party or both parties together must have adequate income to provide patronage of at least 30,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date and must present proof of tax payment.

In case the person providing patronage is an elderly:

• The applicant must be at least 50 years of age at the time of application submission.
• Must be legally married for at least 2 years until the submission date.
• The patronage provider must earn at least 65,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date.

2. Child providing patronage or being under the patronage of the Thai parent(s).

In case the child provides patronage to the Thai father or mother:

• The applicant is a biological child of the Thai parent(s).
• The father or mother must be at least 50 years old at the time of submission.
• The patronage provider must earn at least 30,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date with proof of tax payment.

In case 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 holds a birth certificate.
• The child must be single and under 20 years of age. If the child is over 20 years old on the date of submission, there must be a valid reason to be under the parent’s patronage, such as being an undergraduate student or is suffering from an illness while related evidence must be provided. 
• The patronage provider must earn at least 30,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date with proof of tax payment.

3. The father or mother providing the patronage or being under the patronage of the Thai child.

In case the father or mother provides patronage for a Thai child:

• The father or mother must be the biological parent of the child and holds a birth certificate.
• The child must be single and under 20 years of age. If the child is over 20 years old on the date of submission, there must be a valid reason to be under the parent’s patronage, such as being an undergraduate student or suffering from an illness while related evidence must be provided.
• The patronage provider must earn at least 30,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date with proof of tax payment.

In case the father or mother requests to be under the patronage of the Thai child:

• The applicant is a biological parent of the child.
• The father or mother must be at least 50 years old at the time of submission.
• The patronage provider must earn at least 30,000 Baht/month for a minimum of 2 consecutive years until the submission date with proof of tax payment.

4. The applicant who wishes to apply under the Expert Category must have the following qualifications:

• The applicant must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree at minimum and possesses abilities that are needed or deemed beneficial to the Kingdom.
• The applicant must provide certification from a related government authority.
• The applicant must provide a work certificate with proof of service of at least 3 consecutive years until the submission date.

5. The applicant who wishes to apply under a case-by-case category must have the following qualifications:

• The applicant must have produced benefits 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.
• Other qualifications as deemed appropriate by the Immigration Committee.

The process after application submission and the interview

Once the application is submitted, the officer will grant the applicant permission to stay in Thailand for 180 days each time until the result of the application is officially announced.

The applicant will be scheduled for an interview appointment where the applicant will have to showcase his/her Thai language proficiency. The application will be deemed canceled if the applicant fails to be present on the appointed date without a valid reason.

Once approved, the blue book of residency will be issued to the successful applicant where he/she can then register the place of residence in Thailand and proceed to apply for an alien book which is equivalent to a Thai ID card.

Application fee and related fees:

1. The application fee is 7,600 Baht (non-refundable)
2. If permanent residency is granted, the applicant must pay 191,400 Baht for the residence permit.
3. For the applicant who is a spouse, a parent, or a child under legal age (under 20 years old) of a Thai national or a Thai PR holder, he/she must pay 95,700 Baht for the residence permit, if granted. 

Locations to submit application:

In Bangkok: Sub-division 1, Immigration Division 1, The Government Complex, Building B, 2nd Floor, Counter D, 120 Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Thungsonghong Sub-District, Bangkok 10210

In other provinces: Local Immigration Office

The preparation process and required documents for Thailand permanent residency are complex but worth an effort as a successful applicant will gain many benefits which will make your life in Thailand much more convenient. Please contact us for inquiries or professional assistance.