The Immigration Office has officially announced the delayed opening of permanent residency (PR) applications for the year 2024. Applications will be accepted from March 5 to May 15, 2025.
Key Criteria for PR Application
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Non-Immigrant Visa Requirement: Must have held a Non-Immigrant Visa with permission to stay on a yearly basis for at least three consecutive years.
- Financial and Personal Stability: Must demonstrate stable income, financial reliability, vocational ability, or family ties with a Thai national.
- Criminal Background Check: Must meet all legal background check requirements.
- Thai Language Proficiency: Must be able to understand and speak the Thai language.
- Category Qualification: Must meet one of the following categories:
1) Investment Category
- Minimum investment of 10 million Baht in Thailand which could be investment in limited companies, public companies, government bonds, or investments in stock market
- Funds for such investments must be from overseas transfer into Thailand
2) Employment Category
- Earning a monthly income of at least 80,000 Baht for the last 2 years, or having a record of personal income tax payment not less than 100,000 Baht for the last 2 years
- Working in the current company for at least 1 year
- If monthly income is less than 80,000 but not less than 50,000 Baht:
O The applicant must hold a Director position or Chairman of a company
O The company must have minimum capital of 10 Million Baht
O Business of the company must fall into the following :
i) Export business with a total export value of at least 20 million Baht over the last three years
ii) Tourism business which brings at least 5,000 tourists into Thailand in each year during the past three years, or
iii) Other business where the applicant is a shareholder holding at least 5 million Baht in shares for at least 2 years.
3) Humanitarian Reasons Category
Applicants must have a family relationship with a Thai citizen or a foreign national holding a residence permit, including:
a) Spouse: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of a Thai national spouse
b) Child: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of a Thai national father or mother
c) Father or mother: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of the applicant’s Thai national child
d) Spouse: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of the applicant’s spouse who was granted with residential permit
e) Child: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of the applicant’s father or mother who was granted with residential permit
f) Father or mother: To provide patronage or to be under patronage of the applicant’s child who was granted with residential permit
4) Expert Category
- Professionals with specialized knowledge and skills that are needed and beneficial to the country
- Must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree
- Must be supported and officially certified by the relevant authority
- Must have worked in the field for at least three consecutive years
5) Special Circumstances
- Individuals who contribute significantly to Thailand which recognized by a national institution for their beneficial contributions to the country
- Other qualifications on a case-by-case basis as determined by immigration authorities
Can a holder of LTR Visa apply for PR?
Holders of the LTR Visa are NOT eligible to apply for PR. If you currently hold an LTR Visa and wish to apply for PR, you must first cancel your LTR Visa and obtain a new Non-Immigrant Visa before submitting a PR application. Most importantly, the required period of 3 consecutive years will have to restart again.
PR vs. LTR Visa – What’s the Difference?
Many expats may wonder how the PR application compares to the LTR Visa. Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Permanent Residence (PR) | LTR Visa |
Validity | Indefinite | 10 years |
Eligible for Work Permit | Yes | Yes |
Thai Citizenship Path | Eligible to Apply | Not Eligible |
Re-entry Permit | Yearly endorsement before traveling out of the country | Multiple re-entry permit for 10 years |
90-days report | No | Once a year |
Family Sponsorship | Spouse & children | Spouse, children including parents and legal dependents |
Eligible to include name in the Thai Household Registration Book | Yes | No |
Ownership of Condominium Units Without Foreign Currency Transfer | Yes | No |
Conclusion
Acquiring permanent residency in Thailand provides numerous advantages, including the freedom to reside indefinitely and expanded opportunities in business and property ownership. These rights help PR holders integrate more fully into Thai society, ensuring legal stability and economic benefits. If you are considering applying for permanent residency, understanding these benefits can help you make an informed decision about your long-term future in Thailand.
For more details, feel free to reach out to PKF for legal consultation and guidance.
