Residency In Retirement

[AyG]

The main Thaivisa website has a section under Residency about Retirement. This suggests that it's pretty straightforward to gain PR when retired. This is totally contrary to everything else I've heard about PR (e.g. got to have paid a lot of tax, passed Por 6 exam). Nothing like that is mentioned on the Thaivisa page.

So, what's the reality? Is it really possible to get PR when retired?

Thanks in advance.

[Lite Beer]

Retirees will not get PR. As you say a record of Tax Payments is needed.

[apetley]

How about paying tax on investment income earned in Thailand?

Would that count?

[Mario2008]

That would count, as long as you pay income tax in thailand.

Some countries even allow you to pay the income tax over you pension in Thailand in stead of their country. it al depends on the tax agreement your country has with Thailand.

[Artisi]

How about paying tax on investment income earned in Thailand?

Would that count?

It may work provided the actual tax paid is a few thousand each month.

[stbkk]

How about paying tax on investment income earned in Thailand?

Would that count?

It may work provided the actual tax paid is a few thousand each month.

When I applied in 2006, one of the requirements was that you had to have had a work permit for 3 years, and (I think) at least for two years with your current employer.

What you probably need is to find a GOOD lawyer who knows this part of the law, not one of the ones who just hold your hand through the process, though.

It would make sense that you should be able to do it, or maybe they are trying to catch you before you retire?

[Mario2008]

The requirements depend on which grounds you apply for permanent residency.

See http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...?page=residence

[ubonjoe]

I think the people in room 301 at immigration in Bangkok may be the only ones that know what is required now.

The information on the immigration website even says a work permit is requied for a child. The information that was on the webiste before was better than what they posted last December.

It would be good if somebody could get a copy in Thai of whats required so a good translation could be done.

[Tywais]

Several years ago, up to around 2003, one could apply for PR using retirement extensions and taxed income necessary was 30k/month. Then a few years ago they pulled that route out and no longer could apply based on retirement. The latter info is based on reports I've read and confirmation from a law firm (believe it was Sunbelt) a few years ago. I'm eligible for PR under expert or working but investigated the retirement route as an option.

What it means is you can't apply while under retirement extensions but the 3 years living in Thailand continuously based on retirement extensions can satisfy that point. Then if you do start work (WP) or married you will need to satisfy the remaining requirements on those grounds.

As far as I know, this is still the effective regulation.

[ubonjoe]

Here is what was on the immigration website before. It is dated 2003.

It is not a regulation. It is just a document from the immigration committee.

I have copy in another computer (will find later) that is the exact same document that shows for marriage based PR an option for 300K in the bank.They just edited the document without changing the date or name.

old_resdency_rules.doc

[Mario2008]

Several years ago, up to around 2003, one could apply for PR using retirement extensions and taxed income necessary was 30k/month. Then a few years ago they pulled that route out and no longer could apply based on retirement. The latter info is based on reports I've read and confirmation from a law firm (believe it was Sunbelt) a few years ago. I'm eligible for PR under expert or working but investigated the retirement route as an option.

What it means is you can't apply while under retirement extensions but the 3 years living in Thailand continuously based on retirement extensions can satisfy that point. Then if you do start work (WP) or married you will need to satisfy the remaining requirements on those grounds.

As far as I know, this is still the effective regulation.

That would be inline with the immigration police website. It doesn't give information on PR based on retirement, you have to base it on something else.

[Time Traveller]

Basically you need to be working for at least 3 yrs before you qualify to actually submit the application. No matter what category, the officers will not accept the application without the applicant having worked here. I've checked this recently with them and record of tax payments is not enough. If you do have income from investments here, it was suggested to me by one of the officers to start your own business and hire yourself. Of course, this would need to be a considerable sum, as they also look at the size of the company that sponsors the applicant for residence, as well as balance sheet and annual revenue and the number of years that the company has been in business. Seems a little over the top to register a company just to get PR. But if you've owned a business here for a long time, and it's running well, then it should not be difficult to qualify for the basic requirements for PR.

[AyG]

So, the overwhelming consensus is that PR in retirement is impossible. Can anyone explain why the Thaivisa website lists this as a possibility?

Or, even better, has anyone personally gained PR whilst in retirement?

[Tywais]

Can anyone explain why the Thaivisa website lists this as a possibility?

Hasn't been updated > Friday, 22 December 2006

Perhaps admin/webmaster can correct this?