The PR Visa for Thailand: Permanent Residency in Thailand

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A THAI PR VISA?

Basic requirement to apply for a PR visa is an uninterrupted annual visa for 3 years. In a language test before a committee of the Office of Immigration, the applicant must also prove sufficient basic knowledge of the Thai language.

There are several grounds on which a foreigner can be granted such a permanent residence permit. These include:

• Investors who have invested at least 10 million Thai Baht in Thai listed companies or government bonds.

• Business people in a managerial position at a company with at least 10 million THB of capital, whose business benefits the country and in which the applicant has invested at least 5 million THB and earns a certain minimum income.

• Salaried employees without management positions, provided they have been legally permitted to work in Thailand for at least three years prior to applying for a residence permit. The applicant must prove a monthly income of at least 80,000 THB for two consecutive years or must have paid at least 100,000 THB in income tax in two consecutive years.

• Foreigners with Thai family ties who support that family or are living with that family for humanitarian reasons. Family members include spouses, biological children or one biological parent who is a Thai citizen. A sufficient family income must be secured.

• Experts in a field that is in demand in Thailand or for other special reasons that the government has previously stated.

BENEFITS OF THE PR-VISA

In addition to the permanent right of residence in Thailand, holders of a PR visa enjoy privileges, some of which are mentioned here:

• Working in Thailand becomes easier. Visa holders receive a work permit without the employer having to hire four Thai citizens in order to employ the PR visa holder.

• The right to purchase a condominium without having to pay the purchase price from abroad or with foreign currency, and the right to be received in a household registration.

• In practice, privileges, for example, when billing for medical services. In many social areas, visa holders are being treated comparably to citizens.

• The right to apply for citizenship to become a Thai national.

• The right to take a seat on the board of directors at a Public Company regardless of whether the board is composed of a majority of Thai nationals.

• The right to purchase a vehicle or apply for a driver's license.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The entire application process could take several years.

Given that only 100 PR visas are issued per year, this is to be expected. However, obtaining the required documents, such as a current police clearance certificate or checking for blacklisting or red notices, can also take time.

Furthermore, applications and language tests are only accepted between October/November and the end of December each year, and the language tests only take place during a specific period.

• Applications must first be submitted to the local Office of Immigration at the applicant's place of residence. Depending on the applicant's category, foreign documents must be submitted in Thai and certified by a Thai consulate.

• Once all the required documents have been submitted to the Office of Immigration, a notation will be entered in the passport stating that an application for a PR visa is under consideration. Existing visas will become invalid.

• The notation is valid for 180 days and can be extended as often as necessary for the same period of time until the Office of Immigration decides upon the application.

• Before the visa is issued, the applicant must present himself to a test committee to prove his basic knowledge of the language. Failure to appear for the interview may result in the revocation of the visa.

• Fees
  The application fee is 7,600 THB. The visa itself is issued between approximately 95,000 THB and 195,000 THB, depending on the grounds for application.

• In any case, it is advisable to have the procedure accompanied by a specialized service provider, for example, Sanet Legal & Accountancy Co. Ltd.