Using Former "unbroken 3 Year Visas" To Get Residency

[my benny rai]

Thanks for all your past answers, but I need clarification from something I read here: http://www.thaivisa.com/residency/residenc...it-thailand.htm

1. An applicant must have received permission for yearly stays in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa for at least of three years prior to the submission of an application for permanent residency. Holders of multiple NON-Immigrant visas can not appy. You must have 3 un-broken yearly extensions in order to qualify.

2. An applicant must be holding a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting an application.

QUESTIONS:

1. Can one apply for residency many years after having a "3 un-broken yearly extensions" as long as you are on a new Non Immigrant Visa? I have receieved 3 such un-broken extensions while working a few years ago. My salary was just under 50 thousand baht.

2. Are there any minimum salary requirements if one is married, i.e., does one have to make a certain amount per month for a certain number of years?

3. I have taken time off work to pursue other interests, but would still like to apply for residency in the very near future. Does one need to have a work permit and a monthly salary on a Non Immigrant O when applying for residency or is it OK if the wife and her salary have allowed me to get a Non Immigrant O?

4. Is it possible to get residency after three years of being on a Non Immigrant O Visa but not working? Can my wife's salary be considered in the residency application process?

Thanks again for any help!

[lopburi3]

1. Not if you go by my understanding of the current wording as posted on official Immigration web site:

A foreign national may qualify to apply for a residence permit if he/she

holds a passport of his/her current nationality, which was granted a NON-IMMIGRANT VISA and has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand on the basis of one year visa extension for the total of at least 3 consecutive years up to the application submission date.

2. Believe there will be strong expectation of employment/tax payments but level might change according to other conditions. Please read this pinned guide for a good overview. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=74654

3. Unless there are very special circumstances involved I would expect your chance would be very low.

4. While anything is possible do not believe it likely.

The above said conditions often change and if you are interested I would highly advise talking it over with immigration police. I believe they will try to give you the best advise and may be able to point you in the right direction if a change could be made to help your chances.