I Have A Work Permit - Should I / Do I Need To Apply For Residency?

[jsgatse]

Hello.

I have a one year visa, work permit, and re-entry permit, good thru July of 2012. I plan on staying, and working, here for a long time. I have had these permits/visas since May, 2011.

Do I need to apply for resdiency, or, do I have everything I need?

If I could apply for residency, what are the benefits/disadvantages?

I'm really confused, and apologize if it's "obvious", but I've read thru everything I could find on the forums and still aren't sure what I should be doing.

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

Did you really read the pinned thread at the tops of the forum?

[jsgatse]

Did you really read the pinned thread at the tops of the forum?

http://www.thaivisa....idence-process/

I sure did. That post deals with "Permanent Residency" (which seems to require a minimum of 3 years in country) - but the lady at the local government office told me that even though I was here less than a year so far, I could apply for some sort of residency due to work. Is she wrong?

[lopburi3]

Either she is wrong or your understanding of what she said would appear to be wrong.

[Soutpeel]

if you are on a long term WP with the company PR doesnt give you much more benefit over a WP, the only benefit of PR would be if you lost your job, they couldnt kick you out the country

Further I think you have misunderstood what you have been told, you would need to be here for 3 years on a WP and paying tax, and think you also need to be earning THB 80,000+ per month, plus a heap of other considerations.

[thaitero]

What this " goverment lady" most likely meant is that you can apply extension of stay based on work here in Thailand like you have applied visa before.

[jsgatse]

What this " goverment lady" most likely meant is that you can apply extension of stay based on work here in Thailand like you have applied visa before.

OK, so now 2 questions.....

1) Do I need to do anything else beyond what I've done? Any additional permits/registrations/etc?

2) If I'm not a resident, do I need to file a Thai Tax return?

Thanks

[Richard4849]

If you're working here yes you need to file an income tax return. Your company would usually be making deductions and do that for you at the end of the year. You don't need any other permits/registrations/etc.

[Soutpeel]

What this " goverment lady" most likely meant is that you can apply extension of stay based on work here in Thailand like you have applied visa before.

2) If I'm not a resident, do I need to file a Thai Tax return?

Just out of curosity what made you think you would not have to file a tax return in Thailand, after all you are working here ?

[lopburi3]

1) Do I need to do anything else beyond what I've done? Any additional permits/registrations/etc?

Obviously you will have to renew work permits/extensions of stay when due. You are also required to report your current address to immigration every 90 days if staying in Thailand or 90 days after any return using a TM.47 form. You will also have tax to pay. If driving a license to obtain.