Camerata's Guide To The Permanent Residence Process

[onthemoon]

8 hours ago, Arkady said:

Things may have changed but what I recall from being a PR was that the tabian baan was not required to get the endorsements in the residence book and passport at CW, except when the residence book was filled up with exit and entry stamps and I had to get a new one.  This might never happen, if you only use e-gates at the airport. I am pretty sure the tabian baan was needed for renewal of the alien book at the police station, as they want verification that you reside in their precinct.

 

It is a legal requirement under the Civil Registration Act that you should have a tabian baan, as a Thai resident.  If your landlord removes you from his tabian baan and you don't transfer to another one, would that be notified to Immigration?  Given the lack of coordination between govt depts, that seems extremely unlikely. However, not having a tabian baan as PR is very unwise and could easily cause you problems. In the situation you can't get a landlord to put you on the tabian baan, I would advise trying to get on the tabian baan of a Thai friend.

 

The e-gates have been disabled for PR holders for many years now. My PR book is full every few years, I need a new passport on average every 2-3 years. I wish we could use e-gates again, I'd be the first one to use them.

[Arkady]

4 hours ago, onthemoon said:

 

The e-gates have been disabled for PR holders for many years now. My PR book is full every few years, I need a new passport on average every 2-3 years. I wish we could use e-gates again, I'd be the first one to use them.

That really sucks.  They were disabled for Thai citizens for a few years years too during and after COVID.  I haven't travelled much recently but assumed they were back up and running for all.  I remember that they made a big thing pre-COVID of allowing non-residents of Thailand, who were frequent travellers to Thailand to register for the gates and there was some reciprocation. I think foreign WP holders were also allowed to register at that point.  But it seems they have totally ditched the expansion of the system beyond Thai citizens. There was a costly new system installed  that was alleged by Big Joke to be plagued with corruption and years late.  All for nought, it would seem.

[onthemoon]

1 hour ago, Arkady said:

That really sucks.  They were disabled for Thai citizens for a few years years too during and after COVID.  I haven't travelled much recently but assumed they were back up and running for all.  I remember that they made a big thing pre-COVID of allowing non-residents of Thailand, who were frequent travellers to Thailand to register for the gates and there was some reciprocation. I think foreign WP holders were also allowed to register at that point.  But it seems they have totally ditched the expansion of the system beyond Thai citizens. There was a costly new system installed  that was alleged by Big Joke to be plagued with corruption and years late.  All for nought, it would seem.

There was a big hooha in the news about foreigners being able to use the auto-gates when leaving, but that was limited to just a few country passports, I think Singapore was among them. I don't know whether that they works. I carry an EU passport, so no.

[rimmae2]

2 hours ago, onthemoon said:

There was a big hooha in the news about foreigners being able to use the auto-gates when leaving, but that was limited to just a few country passports, I think Singapore was among them. I don't know whether that they works. I carry an EU passport, so no.

PR holders can use the auto-gates (3 or 4 lanes) on departure, but I have never tried since they came into operation a few months ago, as I never travel Economy, don't want to queue and have 2 passports. Pre COVID I used the auto-gates all the time for several years.

[mortenaa]

2 hours ago, rimmae2 said:

PR holders can use the auto-gates (3 or 4 lanes) on departure, but I have never tried since they came into operation a few months ago, as I never travel Economy, don't want to queue and have 2 passports. Pre COVID I used the auto-gates all the time for several years.

Where did you get this information from? 

[rimmae2]

16 hours ago, mortenaa said:

Where did you get this information from? 

On 2 occasions after using TG Fast Track I walked to the main Immigration Counter after departure Immigration directly opposite the auto-gates and asked an Immigration Officer. Both Officers stated that PR holders can use auto-gates, but as I stated I have not done so to confirm. 

[onthemoon]

20 hours ago, rimmae2 said:

PR holders can use the auto-gates (3 or 4 lanes) on departure, but I have never tried since they came into operation a few months ago, as I never travel Economy, don't want to queue and have 2 passports. Pre COVID I used the auto-gates all the time for several years.

I used the auto-gates before they were "upgraded". Almost every time I ask whether they have been made accessible again for PR holders, and I am always told "not yet, please wait" without any time frame when they expect it to work again.

 

Since when have the e-gates been opened again for PR holders? When did you use them last?

[rimmae2]

1 hour ago, onthemoon said:

I used the auto-gates before they were "upgraded". Almost every time I ask whether they have been made accessible again for PR holders, and I am always told "not yet, please wait" without any time frame when they expect it to work again.

 

Since when have the e-gates been opened again for PR holders? When did you use them last?

 

1 hour ago, onthemoon said:

I used the auto-gates before they were "upgraded". Almost every time I ask whether they have been made accessible again for PR holders, and I am always told "not yet, please wait" without any time frame when they expect it to work again.

 

Since when have the e-gates been opened again for PR holders? When did you use them last?

Refer to above.

 

'.....but I have never tried since they came into operation a few months ago, as I never travel Economy, don't want to queue and have 2 passports. Pre COVID I used the auto-gates all the time for several years.'

[onthemoon]

41 minutes ago, rimmae2 said:

 

Refer to above.

 

'.....but I have never tried since they came into operation a few months ago, as I never travel Economy, don't want to queue and have 2 passports. Pre COVID I used the auto-gates all the time for several years.'

Thank you for your contribution.

[mortenaa]

On 4/26/2024 at 10:22 AM, rimmae2 said:

On 2 occasions after using TG Fast Track I walked to the main Immigration Counter after departure Immigration directly opposite the auto-gates and asked an Immigration Officer. Both Officers stated that PR holders can use auto-gates, but as I stated I have not done so to confirm. 

I used the auto-gates pre covid. I will travel again on the 9th of May. I will go ask at the counter to see if its possible again.

[onthemoon]

20 hours ago, mortenaa said:

I used the auto-gates pre covid. I will travel again on the 9th of May. I will go ask at the counter to see if its possible again.

Thanks! Looking forward to your report.

[Repton1]

Good evening. I left Thailand several months ago, receiving my endorsement / non quota immigration stamps before leaving. 

I’m currently in my home country and have just renewed my passport. Am I correct in saying upon returning next month, at immigration I should produce my PR booklet showing the endorsement, my old passport containing the exit stamp and my new passport?

 

If so, does the entry stamp get applied to the new passport? I see someone asked a similar question earlier in the thread but answers were a tad vague so just wanted to clarify. Much appreciated. 

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, Repton1 said:

Good evening. I left Thailand several months ago, receiving my endorsement / non quota immigration stamps before leaving. 

I’m currently in my home country and have just renewed my passport. Am I correct in saying upon returning next month, at immigration I should produce my PR booklet showing the endorsement, my old passport containing the exit stamp and my new passport?

 

If so, does the entry stamp get applied to the new passport? I see someone asked a similar question earlier in the thread but answers were a tad vague so just wanted to clarify. Much appreciated. 

 

The nomenclature is 'Exit and re-entry stamp'.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

8 hours ago, Repton1 said:

Good evening. I left Thailand several months ago, receiving my endorsement / non quota immigration stamps before leaving. 

I’m currently in my home country and have just renewed my passport. Am I correct in saying upon returning next month, at immigration I should produce my PR booklet showing the endorsement, my old passport containing the exit stamp and my new passport?

 

If so, does the entry stamp get applied to the new passport? I see someone asked a similar question earlier in the thread but answers were a tad vague so just wanted to clarify. Much appreciated. 

 

I once obtained a new passport while outside Thailand. Upon returning, I submitted both my new passport and the old one with the valid non-quota immigrant visa and my residence book. I was stamped in without comment by the immigration officer. 

 

Shortly thereafter I obtained a new non-quota immigrant visa in the new passport along with a new endorsement in my residence book. I don't believe there is any need to transfer an existing non-quota immigrant visa into a new passport. Just carry both passports until you get a new non-quota immigrant visa in the new passport.

[onthemoon]

On 4/27/2024 at 2:02 PM, mortenaa said:

I used the auto-gates pre covid. I will travel again on the 9th of May. I will go ask at the counter to see if its possible again.

 

I just flew abroad and came back. New auto-gates have been installed. I asked at the counter where we used to apply for the registration for auto-gates whether PR holders can use the auto-gates again. I was advised that this is not the case. Asking whether it will be implemented again in the future, the immigration officers at the counter were we used to apply for it said they hadn't heard of such a plan.

[mortenaa]

On 5/25/2024 at 5:08 AM, onthemoon said:

 

I just flew abroad and came back. New auto-gates have been installed. I asked at the counter where we used to apply for the registration for auto-gates whether PR holders can use the auto-gates again. I was advised that this is not the case. Asking whether it will be implemented again in the future, the immigration officers at the counter were we used to apply for it said they hadn't heard of such a plan.

I got a similar response. I basically asked if I could apply for Auto-gate again, and they replied in Thai (translated by me) "because of the new system, they still cannot do it". 😞

[rimmae2]

1 hour ago, mortenaa said:

I got a similar response. I basically asked if I could apply for Auto-gate again, and they replied in Thai (translated by me) "because of the new system, they still cannot do it". 😞

Departed a weeks ago and was informed that I needed a stamp in PP and White Book - this was after using Fast Track Immigration. Different response to previous times.

[onthemoon]

10 hours ago, rimmae2 said:

Departed a weeks ago and was informed that I needed a stamp in PP and White Book - this was after using Fast Track Immigration. Different response to previous times.

Yeah, they told me that also. I advised them that the stamp has no meaning anymore since immigration has everything in their computers - and for a while a couple of years back, I could indeed use the autogates and thus had no stamps in either the PP nor the white book, and there was no problem. Two of the officers were confused to hear this, while the third one, probably having been stationed at Suvarnabhumi longer, confirmed this.

[mortenaa]

6 hours ago, onthemoon said:

Yeah, they told me that also. I advised them that the stamp has no meaning anymore since immigration has everything in their computers - and for a while a couple of years back, I could indeed use the autogates and thus had no stamps in either the PP nor the white book, and there was no problem. Two of the officers were confused to hear this, while the third one, probably having been stationed at Suvarnabhumi longer, confirmed this.

Yea, the auto-gates worked like a charm. Now my passport is full of stamps again, and I probably have to get a new one asap.. 

[onthemoon]

12 minutes ago, mortenaa said:

Yea, the auto-gates worked like a charm. Now my passport is full of stamps again, and I probably have to get a new one asap.. 

Same here, my passport is always full within 2-3 years. That's why I really liked the auto-gates: No stamps.

[davebodo]

Hey Everyone, I have a quick question regarding the "certificate of no criminal record" for PR application. 

 

I am  preparing my documents to apply for PR this year.  I have lived in Thailand for the last 15 years with proper work permit. 

 

My Question, where do I get 'certificate of no criminal record' from? Thai Police or my own country (India).

 

Thank you all for your answers. 

 

[sas_cars]

8 hours ago, davebodo said:

Hey Everyone, I have a quick question regarding the "certificate of no criminal record" for PR application. 

 

I am  preparing my documents to apply for PR this year.  I have lived in Thailand for the last 15 years with proper work permit. 

 

My Question, where do I get 'certificate of no criminal record' from? Thai Police or my own country (India).

 

Thank you all for your answers. 

 

From your own country, legalized with thai embassy there

[Michael Hare]

On 7/13/2024 at 4:37 AM, davebodo said:

Hey Everyone, I have a quick question regarding the "certificate of no criminal record" for PR application. 

 

I am  preparing my documents to apply for PR this year.  I have lived in Thailand for the last 15 years with proper work permit. 

 

My Question, where do I get 'certificate of no criminal record' from? Thai Police or my own country (India).

 

Thank you all for your answers. 

 

When I did my PR application back in 2001, I had to get a certificate of no criminal record from my home country (NZ) and from the Thai police in the city where I live (Ubon Ratchathani). For the NZ certificate, the NZ Embassy in Bangkok got it for me. For the Thai certificate, I just popped along to the main Ubon police station and got it from the head of police there (whom I knew as he was a school friend of my wife).

[Bangel72]

Has anyone been charged an extra fee on their re-entry permit?

 

I got one pre-covid but then could not leave the country so when I renewed it last year they charged an extra fee to cancel the unused one.

 

Yes a bit annoying, double charged and not getting any use out of it.

 

I only get one every few years so wondering if it was purely a case of completely unused permit or if a couple year gap between permits could result in similar charge?

[Michael Hare]

22 hours ago, Bangel72 said:

Has anyone been charged an extra fee on their re-entry permit?

 

I got one pre-covid but then could not leave the country so when I renewed it last year they charged an extra fee to cancel the unused one.

 

Yes a bit annoying, double charged and not getting any use out of it.

 

I only get one every few years so wondering if it was purely a case of completely unused permit or if a couple year gap between permits could result in similar charge?

That is interesting. I got a multiple re-entry permit in February 2020. I didn't use it. At the moment I have no plans to leave Thailand in the near future. But when I do, it will be interesting to see if I am charged an extra fee. 

[jayboy]

On 7/13/2024 at 1:23 PM, sas_cars said:

legalized with thai embassy there

 

Not in my case.UK Police confirmation was enough.

[bubblegum]

How big a deal is the Thai language thing? My Thai is is not all that well, for the rest I qualify.

[Bangel72]

On 7/17/2024 at 1:12 PM, Michael Hare said:

That is interesting. I got a multiple re-entry permit in February 2020. I didn't use it. At the moment I have no plans to leave Thailand in the near future. But when I do, it will be interesting to see if I am charged an extra fee. 

Just  renewed mine again, no extra charge this time. 

 

Interested to see if anyone else gets a non-usage charge,

[Repton1]

On 7/16/2024 at 2:28 PM, Bangel72 said:

Has anyone been charged an extra fee on their re-entry permit?

 

I got one pre-covid but then could not leave the country so when I renewed it last year they charged an extra fee to cancel the unused one.

 

Yes a bit annoying, double charged and not getting any use out of it.

 

I only get one every few years so wondering if it was purely a case of completely unused permit or if a couple year gap between permits could result in similar charge?

I don’t recall being charged an additional fee, but I can confirm if a re-entry permit expires without being used, there is an additional step of cancelling it prior to applying for a new one. They held my passport and residency book for a couple of days whilst “cancelling” it so I had to return to pick it up. I was also asked by the officer why I didn’t use it, I said I was unwell and she was satisfied. 

[onthemoon]

7 hours ago, Repton1 said:

I don’t recall being charged an additional fee, but I can confirm if a re-entry permit expires without being used, there is an additional step of cancelling it prior to applying for a new one. They held my passport and residency book for a couple of days whilst “cancelling” it so I had to return to pick it up. I was also asked by the officer why I didn’t use it, I said I was unwell and she was satisfied. 

 

While I believe you, it does not make sense. Why do they have to cancel it when it has already expired? Boggles the mind.