Situations when it is better to aim/apply for citizenship rather than PR?

[KevT]

I've been reading a ton of threads, sites, documents and so on about PR and citizenship. From what I've read, both are very difficult, however, some people were saying that citizenship—in some situations—is actually more attainable than PR. 

 

What are those situations and the particular parts that make it so citizenship is easier to obtain than PR?

[ubonjoe]

Permanent residence is a prerequisite to apply for citizenship for most people.

PR is not required if married to a Thai lady to apply for citizenship. If a person is married to a Thai and can qualify for PR they should apply for citizenship instead of PR.

[TerryLH]

Also a big difference in the cost.

[Maestro]

The difference being a lower cost for citizenship, is it?

[TerryLH]

Yes, citizenship is a much lower cost.

 

[diehard71]

in order to apply for thai citizenship you must have a permanent resident certificate <about 200K baht>and must have lived in thailand continuously for 5 years.then you can submit your application.

[Yggdrasil]

  On 6/19/2017 at 8:17 AM, ubonjoe said:

Permanent residence is a prerequisite to apply for citizenship for most people.

PR is not required if married to a Thai lady to apply for citizenship. If a person is married to a Thai and can qualify for PR they should apply for citizenship instead of PR.

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Thanks to Ubonjoe for constantly giving us good info and advice.

I wonder if one must give up own citizenship if granted Thai citizenship? How long does the process take and when and where can one apply?

Finally, what happens if you just cannot sing a single note....will it be enough to be able to recite the text of the Thai national hymn?

 

[ubonjoe]

  On 6/20/2017 at 4:59 AM, Yggdrasil said:

I wonder if one must give up own citizenship if granted Thai citizenship? How long does the process take and when and where can one apply?

Finally, what happens if you just cannot sing a single note....will it be enough to be able to recite the text of the Thai national hymn?

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The answers to your questions can be found in this long ongoing  topic.

 

 

[MrPatrickThai]

PR 200k baht. Was 19k before Taksin. Waste of time, still need reentry permits and report regularly to police station.

 

Citizenship(if married) - 5 k baht. Can buy land, vote, no visa. Not rocket science. 

[jayboy]

  On 6/20/2017 at 5:14 AM, MrPatrickThai said:

PR 200k baht. Was 19k before Taksin. Waste of time, still need reentry permits and report regularly to police station.

 

Citizenship(if married) - 5 k baht. Can buy land, vote, no visa. Not rocket science. 

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Not really accurate on PR as has been discussed umpteen times before.For example the police report is just once every five years - I don't even turn up.Send my driver.On the whole these posts dismissive of PR are invariably by those who don't qualify anyway.

 

Still if reports are true (and I have no reason to believe they're not) the citizenship route through marriage may be the best for some.Having said that I wonder whether wives background might be an issue in some cases - ie if not middle class/well educated.

[the guest]

Just wondering what are the main advantages of both, since foreigners in Thailand either way are still perceived as foreign ? I know several who have this status, but still get treated as if they just landed off the banana boat!

[MrPatrickThai]

  On 6/20/2017 at 5:32 AM, jayboy said:

Not really accurate on PR as has been discussed umpteen times before.For example the police report is just once every five years - I don't even turn up.Send my driver.On the whole these posts dismissive of PR are invariably by those who don't qualify anyway.

 

Still if reports are true (and I have no reason to believe they're not) the citizenship route through marriage may be the best for some.Having said that I wonder whether wives background might be an issue in some cases - ie if not middle class/well educated.

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I know it every 5 years, that is regularly.

I qualify for PR and nearly applied before Taksin raised it from 19k to 190k.

Total waste of money, unless you  are not married to a Thai and plan to get citizenship.

My friend got it easily back in the day as he was American first secretary and had friends in high places and thought it was great and thought he was Thai but really a waste of time for most people.

 

For citizenship, the wife's background is of absolutely no concern. I know as I've applied for it and my wife was asked very few questions.

 

 

[Momofarang]

  On 6/19/2017 at 8:17 AM, ubonjoe said:

Permanent residence is a prerequisite to apply for citizenship for most people.

PR is not required if married to a Thai lady to apply for citizenship. If a person is married to a Thai and can qualify for PR they should apply for citizenship instead of PR.

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Ubonjoe, could you confirm that retired spouses who have not worked in Thailand for the past 3 years will never be considered for neither PR nor citizenship as tax receipts and  work permit will be required in every case?

[ubonjoe]

  On 6/20/2017 at 6:02 AM, Momofarang said:

Ubonjoe, could you confirm that retired spouses who have not worked in Thailand for the past 3 years will never be considered for neither PR nor citizenship as tax receipts and  work permit will be required in every case?

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Yes I can confirm that.

[Sydebolle]

Some countries (i.e. Germany) allow only one citizenship.

If you live in Thailand as a Thai citizen then some countries outrightly refuse having anything to do with you, if you are living in Thailand as a Thai (i.e. Switzerland). 

So, in short, choose well and consider twice, what you do as you can be only proud of one "home" country, right? 

Hence, I - for one - opted for a PR in 1988 and never regretted the decision - and never went a step further as the PR comes with all those amenities I was looking for. 

[Momofarang]

  On 6/19/2017 at 8:17 AM, ubonjoe said:

Permanent residence is a prerequisite to apply for citizenship for most people.

PR is not required if married to a Thai lady to apply for citizenship. If a person is married to a Thai and can qualify for PR they should apply for citizenship instead of PR.

Expand  

  On 6/20/2017 at 6:02 AM, Momofarang said:

"Ubonjoe, could you confirm that retired spouses who have not worked in Thailand for the past 3 years will never be considered for neither PR nor citizenship as tax receipts and  work permit will be required in every case?"

  On 6/20/2017 at 6:07 AM, ubonjoe said:

Yes I can confirm that.

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Thanks, but... amazing Thailand. I'll keep my money and do all in can to help my daughters to get away from this dump and settle in Australia.

[jayboy]

  On 6/20/2017 at 5:45 AM, MrPatrickThai said:

 

I know it every 5 years, that is regularly.

I qualify for PR and nearly applied before Taksin raised it from 19k to 190k.

Total waste of money, unless you  are not married to a Thai and plan to get citizenship.

My friend got it easily back in the day as he was American first secretary and had friends in high places and thought it was great and thought he was Thai but really a waste of time for most people.

 

For citizenship, the wife's background is of absolutely no concern. I know as I've applied for it and my wife was asked very few questions.

 

 

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Five minutes every five years isn't really what most people call "regular".90 days reporting is "regular".In truth maintaining PR isn't onerous.

 

You have a point on PR's limitations though it isn't worthless, notably its provision of an absolute right to stay and the peace of mind that confers.

 

Believe me, whether for PR or citizenship, an "unsuitable" wife will be an issue - albeit one not publicly discussed on the Thai side.Experienced hands will know exactly what I mean.

 

 

[MrPatrickThai]

  On 6/20/2017 at 3:42 PM, jayboy said:

Five minutes every five years isn't really what most people call "regular".90 days reporting is "regular".In truth maintaining PR isn't onerous.

 

You have a point on PR's limitations though it isn't worthless, notably its provision of an absolute right to stay and the peace of mind that confers.

 

Believe me, whether for PR or citizenship, an "unsuitable" wife will be an issue - albeit one not publicly discussed on the Thai side.Experienced hands will know exactly what I mean.

 

 

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Are you suggesting I'm not an experienced hand?

 

I think you are totally wrong about the wife, I have experience in the application process of Citizenship.

[KevT]

  On 6/20/2017 at 3:42 PM, jayboy said:

Five minutes every five years isn't really what most people call "regular".90 days reporting is "regular".In truth maintaining PR isn't onerous.

 

You have a point on PR's limitations though it isn't worthless, notably its provision of an absolute right to stay and the peace of mind that confers.

 

Believe me, whether for PR or citizenship, an "unsuitable" wife will be an issue - albeit one not publicly discussed on the Thai side.Experienced hands will know exactly what I mean.

 

 

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I'm not an experienced hand (haha). What do you mean?

[jayboy]

  On 6/21/2017 at 3:26 AM, MrPatrickThai said:

Are you suggesting I'm not an experienced hand?

 

I think you are totally wrong about the wife, I have experience in the application process of Citizenship.

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I have no idea since I don't know you or anything about you.

[jayboy]

  On 6/21/2017 at 6:10 AM, KevT said:

I'm not an experienced hand (haha). What do you mean?

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In this instance an awareness that Thai bureaucrats tend to be socially conservative.

[IMA_FARANG]

Just my opinion, but I could never see the value in either Permanent  R residence or Thai citizenship.

I was born  in the U.S, , but I have lived and worked in various countries around the world in my 70 years on this Earth.

Now I am here in Thailand as a retiree, and for the time being that is all I want or need.

Others may disagree, but that is my opinion.

 

 

[Arkady]

  On 6/20/2017 at 5:32 AM, jayboy said:

Not really accurate on PR as has been discussed umpteen times before.For example the police report is just once every five years - I don't even turn up.Send my driver.On the whole these posts dismissive of PR are invariably by those who don't qualify anyway.

 

Still if reports are true (and I have no reason to believe they're not) the citizenship route through marriage may be the best for some.Having said that I wonder whether wives background might be an issue in some cases - ie if not middle class/well educated.

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I don't think the Thai spouse's background makes much difference really, particularly under the current regime that has got through the backlog and speeded up the process.   A large part of the backlog left by the Yingluck and earlier governments comprised foreign women from neighbouring countries living in the provinces.  Without being snobbish it would be realistic to assume that many were foreign labourers who had probably married Thai men of modest circumstances.  The military government approved all that complied with the regulations.  I think the same would be the case for a foreign male applying on the basis of marriage to a Thai wive from a modest background, as long as the applicant met all the requirements in the guidelines and regulations.  A less educated or less astute wife might struggle more to deal with the bureaucrats though.  In that case, if you don't have a secretary to help, it might be advisable to hire a lawyer or agent to do the leg work for you.