Hello All,

My husband and I are US citizens. We have been living in Thailand on a Non Immigrant O Retirement visa for 4 years now. We have lived strictly in Thailand, and not returned to our home country even once. We are "ok" with speaking Thai, but continually taking lessons and getting better. We contribute to our community with volunteer work, and have a "Thai family" we have adopted. They would be a great reference! We have no plans to return to the USA, and have signed a 10 year lease on our home. We are highly educated, and have mad, professional skills we could offer up to Thailand, and have no problem working, but obviously, we are limited by our retirement visas. We have purchased Thai medical insurance, and we also are personal friends with someone in Parliament (even though we don't want to ask favors from that person), but would be a great reference.

When contacting agencies or lawyers to help us with this process, we have been told to work with our local immigration office. However, the head officer is not helpful, and won't even listen. Of course .. we don't push it either.

Do any of you have advice on who we could contact? What are the odds that we can do this?

Thanks in advance!

One person I know who has PR was forced to prove his 'ties' to Thailand, to do this he needed to have DNA tests done on his children, this was easy for him to do so the process for him was also easy. Without that I believe he would have had no chance despite earning plenty of money and paying tax for many years.

 

My reasoning - if merely living here for a couple of decades as a tax paying employee is enough then they wouldn't have demanded DNA tests on his kids would they?

 

It's not like other countries where it's merely a formality.

20 minutes ago, ukrules said:

One person I know who has PR was forced to prove his 'ties' to Thailand, to do this he needed to have DNA tests done on his children, this was easy for him to do so the process for him was also easy. Without that I believe he would have had no chance despite earning plenty of money and paying tax for many years.

 

My reasoning - if merely living here for a couple of decades as a tax paying employee is enough then they wouldn't have demanded DNA tests on his kids would they?

 

It's not like other countries where it's merely a formality.

 

We don't have biological Thai family here. But are very close to a Thai family that we love. I know that probably doesn't count for a lot, but it means a lot to us. Who would we get in touch with to help us? We aren't looking for citizenship. Just permanent residency.

I am not 100% certain but believe PR is only open to those who have had a work permit for at least three years at the time of applying. I don't think it's open to those on "retirement" visas

Just now, pauln said:

I am not 100% certain but believe PR is only open to those who have had a work permit for at least three years at the time of applying. I don't think it's open to those on "retirement" visas

No. You're right. But it does say it is considered case by case on an individual basis. Each item gives you points. I've researched it thoroughly, and we could qualify. I just need someone to help us.

OP, not being harsh but forget it.

You have been here 4 years. Welcome.

PR will give you very little and you don't qualify in any event.

Enjoy your annual extensions. They ain't hard. You can still get Thai tattoo without PR.

Edited March 30, 20206 yr by DrJack54

Go get the most expensive, well connected lawyer you can afford and give it a shot.

 

 

All they can do is take your money and say no after few years jumping through hoops.

It's my understanding that you need a qualifying Non-Immigrant O and a work permit for three consecutive years to qualify baseline, then all of the other individual "points" come into play to help you improve your application.

Just now, Tounge Thaied said:

It's my understanding that you need a qualifying Non-Immigrant O and a work permit for three consecutive years to qualify baseline, then all of the other individual "points" come into play to help you improve your application.

We have the Non O for 4 years now. Just not work permit. On a retirement visa. The rules are about as clear as mud, and vary depending on where you look. LOL

1 minute ago, BadSpottedDog said:

We have the Non O for 4 years now. Just not work permit. On a retirement visa. The rules are about as clear as mud, and vary depending on where you look. LOL

Geezus. You qualify for ziltch.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Geezus. You qualify for ziltch.

Thanks a lot ???? 

27 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

we also are personal friends with someone in Parliament (even though we don't want to ask favors from that person), but would be a great reference.

Why would you even mention this if you don't want to use it to your advantage? Afterall TIT.... In for a penny in for a pound as the ol' saying goes.

12 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

No. You're right. But it does say it is considered case by case on an individual basis. Each item gives you points. I've researched it thoroughly, and we could qualify. I just need someone to help us.

I really needed that. "I've researched it thoroughly.." Needed a laugh in tough times.

Priceless .

You have done no research.

8 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

We have the Non O for 4 years now. Just not work permit. On a retirement visa. The rules are about as clear as mud, and vary depending on where you look. LOL

You have to be working for a company on extension of stay based upon working, have a work permit and paying taxes for 3 years.

There is no way you can do application in your case unless you can do the above.

Have a look here: Permanent Residency Requirements June 2019.pdf

 

2 minutes ago, UncleMhee said:

Why would you even mention this if you don't want to use it to your advantage? Afterall TIT.... In for a penny in for a pound as the ol' saying goes.

Yes, I would mention it, because referral letters count as stated in the documentation I read. Asking for a referral letter is NOT the same as getting someone to cheat for you. 

7 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

We have the Non O for 4 years now. Just not work permit. On a retirement visa. The rules are about as clear as mud, and vary depending on where you look. LOL

You are on a Non-O based on retirement and therefore not paying in country taxes, you will not be eligible.

Just now, BadSpottedDog said:

Yes, I would mention it, because referral letters count as stated in the documentation I read. Asking for a referral letter is NOT the same as getting someone to cheat for you. 

Read post #14.. Stop!

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to be working for a company on extension of stay based upon working, have a work permit and paying taxes for 3 years.

There is no way you can do application in your case unless you can do the above.

Have a look here: Permanent Residency Requirements June 2019.pdf

 

This is the kind of info I need. Thanks. It's similar to what I found, but more detailed.

19 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

No. You're right. But it does say it is considered case by case on an individual basis. Each item gives you points. I've researched it thoroughly, and we could qualify. I just need someone to help us.

You should know by now that everything in Thailand works on the basis of who you know. If you do indeed know some high-ranking person in the gov't that is the way to proceed. However, how well you think you know this person and how well you actually know this person will be determined at the time you ask the favor. Don't be shocked if there is a very high price attached by the person you think you know. This is Thailand and nothing is free. And paying is no guarantee you will get what you are seeking. Be cautious. 

 

 

From the OP "We are highly educated, and have mad, professional skills we could offer up to Thailand"

 

I am sure that is a typo, but unable to figure out what was the original word meant to be?

Just now, saakura said:

From the OP "We are highly educated, and have mad, professional skills we could offer up to Thailand"

 

I am sure that is a typo, but unable to figure out what was the original word meant to be?

American phrase. Meant to be like "exceptional". (ie: crazy, extraordinary)

 

38 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

My reasoning - if merely living here for a couple of decades as a tax paying employee is enough then they wouldn't have demanded DNA tests on his kids would they?

 

 

The fee received by Immigration for a successful applicant under the family category is half that of the fee when based on Employment. I would think that is their reasoning.

They probably just laugh you out the immigration office as soon as you mention retirement visa and wanting permanent residency.....that’s why your local immigration guy isn’t helpful.

4 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

You should know by now that everything in Thailand works on the basis of who you know. If you do indeed know some high-ranking person in the gov't that is the way to proceed. However, how well you think you know this person and how well you actually know this person will be determined at the time you ask the favor. Don't be shocked if there is a very high price attached by the person you think you know. This is Thailand and nothing is free. And paying is no guarantee you will get what you are seeking. Be cautious. 

 

 

Yes. We are very good friends with this person. I have them on speed dial and speak regularly. It's a quite famous person too. (note that I'm intentionally not indicating whether male or female). 
Uhhg. What you're saying makes sense, but I would love to do this on our own merit. Something to ponder.

Just now, taninthai said:

They probably just laugh you out the immigration office as soon as you mention retirement visa and wanting permanent residency.....that’s why your local immigration guy isn’t helpful.

There are ulterior motives. We don't play into that kind of thing. Interesting story that I won't go into here.

23 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

There are ulterior motives. We don't play into that kind of thing. Interesting story that I won't go into here.

There was a time when as far as I understood it  was  that after 3 consequtive annual extensions  you were eligible to apply but subject to the limitation of  100  persons  per  nationality per year  being approved  if all else was  good. After  my  5th  extension it was subtley  suggested to me at   my immigration  office.

I have  never tried  and  maybe  the  rules  are changed? Or I am  incorrect?

I know   my  capacity   for  Thai language  is  insufficient anyway. lol

 

 

 

Edited March 30, 20206 yr by Dumbastheycome
wording correction

1 minute ago, Dumbastheycome said:

There was a time when as far as I understood it  was  that after 3 consequtive annual extensions  you were eligible to apply but subject to the limitation of  100  persons  per  nationality per year  being approved  if all else was  good. After  my  5th  extension it was subtley  suggested to me at   my immigration  office.

I have  never tried  and  maybe  the  rules  are changed? Or I am  incorrect?

I know   my  capacity   for  Thai language  is  insufficient anyway. lol

 

 

 

Apparently, you don't have to be great at speaking Thai to apply for PR. Only if you apply for citizenship. This answer is encouraging. Thank you. ❤️

7 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

Apparently, you don't have to be great at speaking Thai to apply for PR. Only if you apply for citizenship. This answer is encouraging. Thank you. ❤️

You are surely not serious. Best  nonsense thread 2020. Which is nice given all the really serious stuff

Unless you have family ties to Thailand + tons of money + long history as well tax paying for 4 years etc
I think your chances to get this are about 0.0001% in the foreseeable future. Even less chance than that if needing it both.

Guess it could be achieved after a longer time and good history, like once you been here 15 years (even then not guaranteed or easy).

Edited March 30, 20206 yr by ChaiyaTH

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are surely not serious. Best  nonsense thread 2020. Which is nice given all the really serious stuff

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic ... and I can accept that. But at least I'm not being hateful. What is wrong with you? If you think my life is "nonsense", maybe go back and continue looking at COVID threads or something that piques your interest. You are not forced to look at, or participate here. I'm looking for advice (one way or another). No need to be hateful.