How to Become a Permanent Resident in Thailand

Looking for permanent residency in Thailand? To become a permanent resident, you will need to work according to the guidelines specified by the Ministry of the Interior in Thailand. Let’s take a look at the process;

Step 1: Meeting the Application Requirement

• The Royal Thai Immigration Commission posts quota every year based on the persons per country. Find the quota within the Gazette publication.
• Apply in the review period. The application period generally covers the fall of every year, from October until December. After posting the quota you will be able to submit the application until the end of the working day of that year.
• Hold a non-immigrant visa before applying. You must hold a non-immigrant visa in Thailand with 3 consecutive yearly extensions to be eligible for PR in Thailand.
• You must make a good contribution to the Thai society. A variety of factors will be assessed by the Immigration Commission when weighing application. You must make a significant contribution to Thailand like in the way of knowledge, personality, income, and expertise.
• Make sure you keep your criminal record clear. Individuals of 14 years of age or older will be checked for their criminal records before considering for residency.
• You must meet the application status category. A foreign national looking for permanent residence in Thailand must meet one of the personal qualifications such as investment, humanity or working/business.
• Consult a Legal Expert: Speak to a legal expert as that can help you a great deal, especially when you are an expat in Thailand. It is unlikely that you will know everything about the Thai laws. Moreover, during the process, you may need preparing many documents in Thai. The legal experts can assist you in the same.

Step 2: Filing Your Application

• Filing Application with the Minister of Interior: You should visit an office regularly and bring all the application documents. There’s a need to show a properly filled application, your passport, two passport photos, TM30 form from the landlord and a photocopy of the lease agreement.
• Sit for an interview with the immigration officers. They will be there to verify the details provided in the application documents.
• Also, you will need to take the multiple-choice residency test. There you will be asked to complete a short test with questions in Thai. You may ask for the translation.
• Record a brief introductory statement in the Thai language. When the testing phase is over, you will need to stand in front a camera and get your introduction recorded.
• Get all your native language documents certified by the national embassy.
• To increase the possibilities of your permanent residence in Thailand application being accepted, you must submit the additional documents like your character certificate.
• You will need to make payment of a non-refundable fee.

Step 3: After You have been Approved PR in Thailand

• Obtain your residence certificate: After receiving a letter confirming approval of the application, you will need to visit the Immigration Office in Thailand to obtain your official certificate of residence.
• Register the place of record: Obtain the new residence blue book after receiving a certificate. And for that, you will need to go to the local Amphur in order to record the permanent place of residence.
• Apply for an alien book. This is a red book that can be obtained at the local police station.
• Though your residency permit can be revoked by the government, it cannot officially expire.
• File naturalized citizenship. You can do that only after ten years of consecutive documented residency.