Permanent Residency

[faranginbkk]

dont think applying for residency is much easier anywhere else.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A friend of mine has a Swedish boyfriend, and she first gets a 1 year visa, then 2 yrs visa and then 3 yrs visa before being granted PR. She does not have to prove a certain level of income, etc. In fact, at least some western European countries give you PR when you have lived there continously for 5-6 years. You don't have to be rich to apply.

In Cambodia it's simple. You can get a business visa for $ 25, and it can be extended indefinitely!

[xakero]

As a PR, you retain your original citizenship and passport. You just have permanent right to residence in Thailand, that's all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a PR, do you still need

a) a tax clearance certificate every time you leave the country:

a re-entry visa for the return to Thailand?

[PvtDick]

As a PR, you retain your original citizenship and passport. You just have permanent right to residence in Thailand, that's all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a PR, do you still need

a) a tax clearance certificate every time you leave the country:

a re-entry visa for the return to Thailand?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tax clearance certificate, no.

Re-entry permit, yes (multiple re-entry permits are available and good for a year).

[astral]

although it is still mentioned on the TM card, Tax Certs have not been required to 10 years or more.

Let's hope they don't drag that one out of the dust!!!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

although it is still mentioned on the TM card, Tax Certs have not been required to 10 years or more.

Let's hope they don't drag that one out of the dust!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I doubt they'll revisit tax clearances. It was unworkable then for regular travellers ( as it would be now )

[davethailand]

hi artisi

first of all - the fact that you take your proper time before submitting your application is worthwile and shows the necessary caution and respect. I'm sure you will sail through on way or another.

I just got my residency granted after applying in late 01. so the first rule is: not being impatient. the process has its own life and takes its own time. with the upcoming elections and probably a new interior minister the process may be delayed again in one or the other way - but you know how things are run here: finally you get there.

the very basic facts you have to be aware of:

- at least three years of uninterrupted work permit

- a monthly salary of at least 70-80k (some say 50k, but that was some years ago)

- a clean background

- respect for the thai people and nationhood - the "riep roi"-factor

- it helps to have good connections here in thailand, which can be submitted in the form of fotos, a personal "show up", whatever

- if you're married to a thai women, they eagerly test her background. unfortunately they dont accept certain backgrounds.

- nationality-wise there's the yearly quota, but in reality the quota does not seem to exist anymore (with the exception for the chinese and indians). as per law each nation can be granted a 100 residency permits per year. but in reality its only a handfull or dozen per year of each nationality.

if you can live with these basics, the application process is painful and long, but you get through.

good luck! -

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i qualify for most of these now, 3 year work permit in 5 months but I still think it will be very hard. Does age matter?

[sabaijai]

BillyZ says he dosn't think he could have obtained PR without the help of an agency specialising in that sort of thing.

What's the consensus of others here about the wisdom of using an agency when applying for PR? I know the subject of using a lawyer for immigration procedures has come up before on this forum, and some have said it might hurt your chances as it makes it look like you have something to hide, etc.

On the subject of renouncing one's citizenship, an American friend of mine looked into renouncing his US citizenship recently - not for the reasons you might guess (Dubya's re-election) but rather to avoid continued taxation. He was told by the US State Dept that they did indeed accept renunciations but that when you requested this you had to sign documents agreeing to continue paying US taxes for 10 years after renunciation.

I've heard that some countries will not accept citizenshop renunciations, period.

[astral]

although it is still mentioned on the TM card, Tax Certs have not been required to 10 years or more.

Let's hope they don't drag that one out of the dust!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I doubt they'll revisit tax clearances. It was unworkable then for regular travellers ( as it would be now )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish I had your faith in Thai logic, Dr P-P!!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

although it is still mentioned on the TM card, Tax Certs have not been required to 10 years or more.

Let's hope they don't drag that one out of the dust!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I doubt they'll revisit tax clearances. It was unworkable then for regular travellers ( as it would be now )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish I had your faith in Thai logic, Dr P-P!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ye of little faith

[Thaiboxer]

Hi Folks,

Some interesting stuff about the age old topic of PR. From what I've learned about the whole process, very few foreigners ever get it unless they are of a status like Andrew Biggs. In other words...well connected, speak excellent Thai, lived here for several years and perhaps work in of those hard to find lucrative jobs like petro-chemical engineering, coporate management, TV, etc. With the difficulty and money involved in obtaining PR it is perhaps best to just stick with a class B visa if you're legally employed or a class O visa if you're married to a Thai like I am. For us, it's just two trips to Imm every year...one for a 30 day stamp and one for the rest of the year. I believe somebody mentioned that you don't need to have worked the whole time...just show the necessary language skills and unbroken non-immigrant visa. For those of us who are married to Thais, the Gov may harass us about visas, paperwork and stuff like that but in the end they'll let you stay. Much of the process for yearly visas looks a lot scarier than it really is.

[camerata]

With the difficulty and money involved in obtaining PR it is perhaps best to just stick with a class B visa if you're legally employed or a class O visa if you're married to a Thai like I am.

The problem with a yearly visa extension is that if you lose your job (in the case of a non-imm B type visa) you're legally required to leave the country within 7 days, no matter how many years you've been in the country. It also leaves you in an awkward position when you reach the mandatory retirement age and don't have overseas income to back up an application for a retirement visa. Once you have PR, you can stay without a job as long as you have a little money saved up to live on.

[boris]

Hi Folks,

    Some interesting stuff about the age old topic of PR. From what I've learned about the whole process, very few foreigners ever get it unless they are of a status like Andrew Biggs. In other words...well connected, speak excellent Thai, lived here for several years and perhaps work in of those hard to find lucrative jobs like petro-chemical engineering, coporate management, TV, etc.

I don't think the authorities give a flying wotsit about the status of Andrew Biggs who is in their perception just another English teacher -ie by definition farang krajork, albeit a high profile one who speaks good Thai.To clarify I admire Andrew and hold him in respect but if anyone thinks he is particularly high status in Thai official eyes,think again.

Having said that, don't exaggerate the requirements for PR.Excellent Thai and good connections are not necessary.What's required on the job side is just a solid respectable career in Thailand, nothing too special.But to be a little unkind that's what many PR aspirants on this forum appear to lack-ie retirees,Pattaya riffraff etc.

[faranginbkk]

I like the term coined by BK Magazine - New Perfect Thailand (NPT) - as a way of describing the current policies by the govt. For us who apply for PR, I am afraid the consequence is that we also have to be pretty 'perfect' in all aspects to have any chance of being granted PR. This is rather unlikely...........is my judegment.

[ray23]

I like the term coined by BK Magazine - New Perfect Thailand (NPT) - as a way of describing the current policies by the govt.  For us who apply for PR, I am afraid the consequence is that we also have to be pretty 'perfect' in all aspects to have any chance of being granted PR.  This is rather unlikely...........is my judegment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This was certainly interesting, I'm 57 years old retired cop from the states no trouble in Thailand or anywhere else for that matter. Have done volunteer activities since I have been here. Have a one year now and my retirement money more then meets the requirements. Married to a Thia girl, no bar connections.

I plan on this being my home until death, I've been in country for two years at this point. I certainly don't know adequate Thia, but even old dogs like me can learn. All the posts I have seen seem to apply to those who are working here. I'm not even sure if I can work with my current visa.

So my question is does anyone know if you can qaulify for PR in a retirement status

[lopburi3]

So my question is does anyone know if you can qaulify for PR in a retirement status

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do not believe you can use the retirement for PR at this time but if you are married to a Thai you should be able to obtain on that account, rather than retirement. You could also work using the support Thai wife version of extension.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I like the term coined by BK Magazine - New Perfect Thailand (NPT) - as a way of describing the current policies by the govt.   For us who apply for PR, I am afraid the consequence is that we also have to be pretty 'perfect' in all aspects to have any chance of being granted PR.  This is rather unlikely...........is my judegment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This was certainly interesting, I'm 57 years old retired cop from the states no trouble in Thailand or anywhere else for that matter. Have done volunteer activities since I have been here. Have a one year now and my retirement money more then meets the requirements. Married to a Thia girl, no bar connections.

I plan on this being my home until death, I've been in country for two years at this point. I certainly don't know adequate Thia, but even old dogs like me can learn. All the posts I have seen seem to apply to those who are working here. I'm not even sure if I can work with my current visa.

So my question is does anyone know if you can qaulify for PR in a retirement status

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your extended O visa is based on marriage to a Thai, you can get a work permit. If it is based on retirement, you can go to immigration and get it converted. and then apply for a WP.

[ray23]

So my question is does anyone know if you can qaulify for PR in a retirement status

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do not believe you can use the retirement for PR at this time but if you are married to a Thai you should be able to obtain on that account, rather than retirement. You could also work using the support Thai wife version of extension.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks good suggestion

[samran]

Just an update,

my former boss (australian) just got approved for his PR following a second try. Details of what he needed to do have been clearly outlined here already.

His main problem the first time was that did not have 3 years worth of tax returns in thailand (even though he had been here longer working in a tax free capacity). So he reapplied this year after recieving his 3rd tax return.

The important thing that came out of my bosses experience is that having connections does not necessarilty help. He failed the first time, even though he had a letter from a former vice minister his first application was turned down, based on not meeting the tax return criteria.

Edited January 5, 2005 by samran

[Bobcat]

Samran - thanks for this. Do you mean that he has successfully lodged an application for PR or that he has been granted PR? If he was granted PR, when did he apply?

Thanks,

Bob

[astral]

His main problem the first time was that did not have 3 years worth of tax returns in thailand (even though he had been here longer working in a tax free capacity). So he reapplied this year after recieving his 3rd tax return.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is will rule out any retired person who applies for PR,

as their income is taxed overseas, NOT in Thailand!!!

[PvtDick]

No -- persons applying for PR on the basis of retirement have a separate set of requirements.

[samran]

Samran - thanks for this.  Do you mean that he has successfully lodged an application for PR or that he has been granted PR?  If he was granted PR, when did he apply?

Thanks,

Bob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He applied in December 2003 from memory. They accepted his application. He has actually taken a pro-active approach with the application, going to Suan Phlu a couple of times to make sure the i's were dotted and the t's were crossed.

He received a letter, in the last month, that his application has been approved. He now has to find the 200,000 baht required.

[simon43]

A quick question re PR and employment requirements. Do you actually have to be employed with a salary/tax paid in Thailand in order to be eligible for PR? I don't work here, but I do bring funds into the country every month.

I checked my Bangkok Bank passbook and it totals just over 7 million baht broght and spent in Thailand in the last 6 months (no I'm not drinking myself to a rapid death..)

Just wondering how PR eligibility applies to us of 'independant means'

Thanx!

[PvtDick]

What's most important, I think, is that you have an unbroken record of three consecutive years on one-year visas. Plus, that you have a good record of paying taxes. If you're not paying taxes, I don't think you will be considered a viable candidate. You can always pop by Room 301 at Suan Phlu and get a candid assessment from one of the friendly officers there.

[faranginbkk]

The boyfriend of a friend of mine paid the immagration some extra money to ensure he would get the PR, and he got it. I don't know how much, but he's rich, so I suppose it was substantial. He said this is the easiest way to obtain it.