Qualifications For Residency

[Frotting]

Hi Gents

Have just found this BBS/Group and have to say there's some very useful information here. I have a question to ask, and I'm sure someone here has the answer.

There is a section on this site that speaks about qualifications required for the Alien Registration Application (i.e. Permanent Residency). One of these is said to be A non-immigrant visa that has to be extended for 3 years. The text also states that multiple non-immigrant visas are no good. What does this mean?

I am on my second non-immigrant 'O' visa. The second one commenced just before the old one ran out to ensure (so I thought) continuity. Am I right in assuming that to have 3 non-immigrant 'O' visas in an unbroken succession is no good? After all - this constitutes 'multiple' visas does it not? However, I understood that a non-immigrant 'o' cannot be extended for more than one year and that you have to leave Thailand to get a new one (usually to country of origin/domicile).

It seems there's either some misleading information on this site - or the immigration law is not specific.

I'm hoping someone here can explain this seemingly ambiguous matter to me. Have I just wasted 2 years of my life and have to go through the motions again, or does 2 consecutive visas without a break count toward my three years?

Thanks in advance.

[kriswillems]

However, I understood that a non-immigrant 'o' cannot be extended for more than one year and that you have to leave Thailand to get a new one (usually to country of origin/domicile).

It can be extended many times with 1 year at a time. You don't need to leave the country.

I believe there are also other requirements to get permanent residency (i.e. amount of tax paid).

If you left the country after 1 year (without reentry permit) to get a new non-immigrant-O visa, you lost 1 year.

Edited January 25, 2008 by kriswillems

[samran]

Sorry,

we've hidden it probably a bit too well in the sticky's at the top of this particular sub-forum but here are the links you'll need.

Camerata's Guide to Permanent Residence

Guide to Thai Citizenship Application

As you'll see, the first step is PR, and essentially you'll need 3 years of consective stays (ie your visa is extended each year and you aren't doing border runs), you'll also need three years of tax returns - which implies a job here in Thailand.

All the best.

[lopburi3]

A visa allows 90 day stay only. That does not count for the three year requirement to apply for PR. You must have here on one year extensions of stay three continuous years for that. And 80k per month tax payments is a primary consideration for most successful applications, as well as other positive factors. Please check the pinned items at top of forum for a long thread on PR.

[Frotting]

A visa allows 90 day stay only. That does not count for the three year requirement to apply for PR. You must have here on one year extensions of stay three continuous years for that. And 80k per month tax payments is a primary consideration for most successful applications, as well as other positive factors. Please check the pinned items at top of forum for a long thread on PR.

Thanks Gents for your help.

It appears then, that going to the trouble of leaving the country and getting a new non -mmigrant 'O' renewal was a waste of time. As I now understand it, when my latest non immigrant 'O' visa is due to expire, I should get it extended in Thailand for a year. Then when that 1 year extension is due to expire, I get it extended again - thus making a toal of 3 years (or more) on the same initial visa. Then I go through all the other things in Camerata's list of what to do. Note, that Camerata didn't metion about this prerequisite, but speaks mainly about the procedure when you're at the stage of being ready to apply for PR.

About tax declaration. This assumes you/we are working in Thailand. Presently I'm working (and temp resident) in Malaysia and only go back to Thailand periodically with my wife - who is Thai. Hence, don't pay tax in Thailand. I'm sure it's not necessary to work in Thailand to qualify for Residency. I note that Camerata (good instructions by the way) was working in Thailand. Maybe just to show earnings and bank account in Thailand is sufficient. Have never paid tax there.....

We are probaly all in very different situations, so there must be just as many qualifiers to apply.

Thanks again to all who have taken time out to offer advice.

Best regards

[lopburi3]

You should apply for one year extension of stay with your wife at a Thai immigration office; using proof of 40k per month family income to do so, during the last 30 days of any 90 day non immigrant visa entry.

[samran]

A visa allows 90 day stay only. That does not count for the three year requirement to apply for PR. You must have here on one year extensions of stay three continuous years for that. And 80k per month tax payments is a primary consideration for most successful applications, as well as other positive factors. Please check the pinned items at top of forum for a long thread on PR.

Thanks Gents for your help.

It appears then, that going to the trouble of leaving the country and getting a new non -mmigrant 'O' renewal was a waste of time. As I now understand it, when my latest non immigrant 'O' visa is due to expire, I should get it extended in Thailand for a year. Then when that 1 year extension is due to expire, I get it extended again - thus making a toal of 3 years (or more) on the same initial visa. Then I go through all the other things in Camerata's list of what to do. Note, that Camerata didn't metion about this prerequisite, but speaks mainly about the procedure when you're at the stage of being ready to apply for PR.

About tax declaration. This assumes you/we are working in Thailand. Presently I'm working (and temp resident) in Malaysia and only go back to Thailand periodically with my wife - who is Thai. Hence, don't pay tax in Thailand. I'm sure it's not necessary to work in Thailand to qualify for Residency. I note that Camerata (good instructions by the way) was working in Thailand. Maybe just to show earnings and bank account in Thailand is sufficient. Have never paid tax there.....

We are probaly all in very different situations, so there must be just as many qualifiers to apply.

Thanks again to all who have taken time out to offer advice.

Best regards

you'll need three years of Thai tax returns, rather than simply evidence of income. So using malaysian evidence probably won't cut it. Though as always with these things, do spend some time with the immigration people and ask. In my friends experience, sitting down with them before you apply and asking the right questions always saves alot of hassel at the actual time of application.

[designersing]

......... And 80k per month tax payments is a primary consideration for most successful applications....

Hi Lopburi,

I read that as earning and paying tax on 80k per month right?

DSG

Edited January 25, 2008 by designersing

[lopburi3]

The tax on 80k per month income - sorry that was not clear.

[maccaroni man]

The first few years of my O type visa I paid 500 baht per year so when the time came for me to qualify for a PR at a fee of 200k plus plus. i did the math and could not see the benefit because even with a PR I still need a work permit. Today I pay 1,900 for my 1 year visa and it is still a bargain compared to the PR.