Full Benefits Of Permanent Residency

[kp66]

Hi,

In another post, I enquired about the non-O marriage visa.

I am indeed working in Thailand and have a Thai wife.

I am also considering to apply for permanent residency. I know that I have to hold the same visa for 3 years, so I still have to wait a while.

In the meantime, I would like to know the full benefits of permanent residency.

I know a few of them, but would like to have comprehensive information.

Thanks.

[JoeThePoster]

I have this on my computer for a long time but apologies that I dont remember from where so I cannot give due credit to the source.

2. Advantages of holding a Resident Permit

2.1. There are several advantages in holding Permanent Residence status:

a. Foreign nationals who hold a Resident Permit may stay in Thailand permanently without needing a visa and therefore having to extend it. The only time they need go to the Immigration Bureau is if they wish to temporarily go abroad in which case they require a Re-Entry Permit called a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa, valid for 12 months. This then enables Immigration officials to ensure that the Permanent Resident does not remain out of Thailand for longer than 365 days.

b. Permanent Residents are not required to report every 90 days to the Immigration Bureau as are other foreign residents in Thailand.

c. Holders of a Resident Permit may purchase a condominium without having to remit funds from abroad whereas a foreigner who is not a Permanent Resident must bring into Thailand the total amount of funds required to purchase a condominium.

d. Permanent Residents are registered in the Household Registration Book oftheir place of residence and this provides them with many rights to which a Thai national is entitles. For example, once they reach the age of 60 years they are issued with the 30 baht card to cover medical treatment at a government hospital or medication from that hospital prescribed by a doctor from the hospital. Few foreigners would take advantage of the 30 baht card however, it simply illustrates the privledge one is entitled to if you hold a Thai Resident Permit and are therefore on a Household Registration Certificate.

e. Holding a Resident Permit is a pre-requisite if applying for Thai citizenship unless you are a female spouse of a Thai national. Suchforeigners are entitled to apply for Thai citizenship without having to first obtain a Resident Permit.

f. A Permanent Resident may be appointed a director of a public limited company even if the majority of other directors on the Board are non-Thai.

g. Work permits are easier to obtain. When a Permanent Resident's work permit is submitted to the Labour Department it is automatically extended for the next 12months.

h. A holder of a Resident Permit may borrow from Thai or Foreign Banks to purchase property in Thailand and may purchase items or vehicles on hire-purchase in their own name. However, in these instances, if the Permanent Resident is over 60 years of age, approval for a loan or of a hire purchase agreement may be refused by the financier.

i. Permanent Residents may act as guarantor for another person including Thai nationals.

[Mario2008]

I think the real benefit is that it will open the way to apply for Thai nationality, which seems not more difficult then obtaining permanent residency. If you go for it, go all the way and get Thai nationality. That realy has benefits.

[camerata]

A minor benefit is you can go through the Thai-passport Immigration channel at the airport.

In some ways it is less convenient having PR. For example, you must be on a house registration certificate, which could be awkward if you live in rented accommodation. Also, you must have a valid re-entry stamp in your passport if you apply for a driving license.

[tvaddict]

A minor benefit is you can go through the Thai-passport Immigration channel at the airport.

In some ways it is less convenient having PR. For example, you must be on a house registration certificate, which could be awkward if you live in rented accommodation. Also, you must have a valid re-entry stamp in your passport if you apply for a driving license.

Am I getting this right ?

Permanent Residency will allow you to purchase property?

A house ?

or a house and land?

How about land alone?

it says it will allow you to borrow from the banks to purchase land--

so does this mean the land can be in your own name?

if so that is a large benefit!!!!

how much does it cost to get permanent residency?

how long does it take?

what do you need to do/ have to successfully pass? ( conditions)

[Mario2008]

No, you didn't read it right.

Read here all about it: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Camerata-s-G...ide-t74654.html

[Maestro]

One benefit of Permanent Residency is that you no longer have to do annual extensions of stay and therefore are not affected by future changes in requirements for these extensions.

If you travel abroad, you still have to get a re-entry permit and this will cost you more than for a person on an extension of stay.

--

Maestro

[Lite Beer]

While we are discussing this. What are the financial requirements for a man applying on the basis of supporting a Thai Wife and family?

[Soutpeel]

One benefit of Permanent Residency is that you no longer have to do annual extensions of stay and therefore are not affected by future changes in requirements for these extensions.

If you travel abroad, you still have to get a re-entry permit and this will cost you more than for a person on an extension of stay.

--

Maestro

And believe if you want to work, you still have to get a work permit

[Maizefarmer]

I have been a permanent resident since the 1980's: to cut a long story short the real world benefits are few.

Yes - there are many on paper, but believe me, in reality you'll come to find that if you look at the value of PR in terms of lending money form this or that bank, or not having to stand in the tourist que at the airport, or having a little book that gives you this or that "priviledge" or so-called benefit (e.g. Baht30 health care card) ect ect ...... I think you'll soon become dissappointed. Thats not what PR is about

yes - they are practical benefits, but in the overall context of PR, you'll quickly care little to nothing for them - they will fast become meaningless as so-called "benefits".

The real benefit it gives you is a sense of security - once you have it, you have it for life: and short of some really serious crime, war, or a huge (and negative) change in foreign policy towards the country of your nationality, you are not going to loose your PR. One you have got it - you have it for life.

Its the sense of security it gives you.

[Camelot]

So true. It's a safety net. No more immigration hassles.

When I got my residence permit in 1972 the labour law was about to be introduced so I was also given a work permit valid for life. Later followed by a Thai driving licence also valid for life. I even acquired a curfew pass at one point.

I think the total fee for the residence permit was around 1,200 baht. The police alien registration book was 800 baht for five years (renewable) and I think it still is. At the time I didn't realse how lucky I was.

The (military) government was very generous and helpful in those far-off days.

[camerata]

or so-called benefit (e.g. Baht30 health care card) ect ect ......

Is the above correct about getting 30-baht health care? I hadn't heard of that before.

The real benefit it gives you is a sense of security - once you have it, you have it for life: and short of some really serious crime, war, or a huge (and negative) change in foreign policy towards the country of your nationality, you are not going to loose your PR. One you have got it - you have it for life.

Well, yes to the first point, a qualified no to the second. Security is definitely what it's about - not having to leave the country within 7 days if you lose your job, for example. But it is possible to lose your PR if you stay out of the country past the validity of your re-entry permit. Then you apparently have to start the whole process from the beginning and pay another 100-200K.

[Maestro]

While we are discussing this. What are the financial requirements for a man applying on the basis of supporting a Thai Wife and family?

For a foreigner married to a Thai national the fee for the Resident Permit is half of the regular fee.

Residence certificate (TM. 16)

• For shared investment or special investment: 191,400.- Baht
  
• For employment or expert: 191,400.- Baht
  
• For foreigner married to Thai national: 95,700.- Baht
  
• For foreign head of family taking care of children of Thai nationality: 95,700.- Baht
  
• For spouse of foreign resident in the Kingdom: 95,700.- Baht
  
• For children of foreign resident in the Kingdom or of Thai nationals:
  o Underage: 95,700.- Baht
  o Adult: 191,400.- Baht
  
• For non-quota immigrants (original resident): 95,700.- Baht
  

Source: www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=fee

--

Maestro

[torrenova]

Fees hiked massively a few years ago I seem to remember, perhaps around 2004/5 ?

[Mario2008]

While we are discussing this. What are the financial requirements for a man applying on the basis of supporting a Thai Wife and family?

Read this: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/do...tion4extend.doc

It is a bit old and In discussion a few days ago with Ubunjoe I thought said I thought it was outdated, but I might have mixed it up with the requirements for Thai nationality.

[Maizefarmer]

or so-called benefit (e.g. Baht30 health care card) ect ect ......

Is the above correct about getting 30-baht health care? I hadn't heard of that before.

The real benefit it gives you is a sense of security - once you have it, you have it for life: and short of some really serious crime, war, or a huge (and negative) change in foreign policy towards the country of your nationality, you are not going to loose your PR. One you have got it - you have it for life.

Well, yes to the first point, a qualified no to the second. Security is definitely what it's about - not having to leave the country within 7 days if you lose your job, for example. But it is possible to lose your PR if you stay out of the country past the validity of your re-entry permit. Then you apparently have to start the whole process from the beginning and pay another 100-200K.

Lots of conflicting stories surrounding the 30Baht health card. Mine turned up in the post a few months after the system was introduced - and I am no where near 60yrs old - so hel_l only knows what the criteria really - I certainly don't.

That said: Baht 30 health card or no card, the law is clear - if you need hospital treatment, state hospitals cannot deny it to you on the grounds of financial status.

Yes, point taken - you can of course loose it if you live overseas for more than a certain amount of time (as is the case with many countries that issue forms of PR) - I can actually think of 3 or 4 reasons against which PR can be withdrawn, but listing them all wasn't really the point, least of which loosing because one isn't making use of it. The comparison which best illustrates the point about PR I was trying to make, is that unlike any kind of visa which can be withdrawn in a flash by immigration officials of a certain rank upwards, PR can only be withdrawn through a court order or Ministerial decision.

[camerata]

Yes, point taken - you can of course loose it if you live overseas for more than a certain amount of time (as is the case with many countries that issue forms of PR)

It doesn't have to be more than a certain period of time, just past the expiry of the re-entry permit. For example, suppose I got a re-entry last year in November and it expires this November 30th. I intend to go out of Thailand just for a week, but then I fall sick while out of the country and can't come back until December 1st. I would lose my PR. This is a bit scary. It happened to a relative of a friend of mine.

[Lite Beer]

Off topic rant removed.

[canadian]

Can someone detail the procedural requirements during the waiting period for this, i.e. how often to you need to visit and get your temporary visa extended until the final approval? How much does it cost and so on..

Appreciate all replies.

[camerata]

Initially they give you a 6-month extension, and after that 3-month extensions. But you can ask for a 6-month extension. No fee and no documentation required.

[Heng]

One only has to visit immigration (aka the purple ink stamp/"we need a photocopy of whatever document you happen not to have photocopied" market) once in awhile to appreciate some of the benefits of permanent residency. Have to do so for a handful of our employees a few times a year and I'm thankful that I'm a citizen everytime I go.

[dave9988]

One only has to visit immigration (aka the purple ink stamp/"we need a photocopy of whatever document you happen not to have photocopied" market) once in awhile to appreciate some of the benefits of permanent residency. Have to do so for a handful of our employees a few times a year and I'm thankful that I'm a citizen everytime I go.

easy solution is to just go on vacation every 3 months via a non immigration visa

[Heng]

That's certainly one positive solution.... until one's visa run, renewal, or whatever comes up when it's inconvenient (because of an illness, wedding, funeral, graduation, etc.) to go on "vacation," which will invariably happen sooner or later.