Annual quota for foreign permanent residency unveiled
11 September 2013
Many foreigners who have lived in Thailand for some time may want to enjoy the benefits of obtaining a permanent residence permit. Below is a brief description of the benefits associated with holding a permit and the applicable requirements and procedure to obtaining one.
The cabinet has approved the Immigration Commission’s annual quota for granting permanent residency to foreign nationalsto allow in 2013 a maximum of 100 persons per country and 50 stateless persons to be given permanent residency, the same number as last year.
Foreigners wanting to stay in Thailand permanently can submit applications in December at immigration offices in Bangkok and other provinces.
A total of 241 foreigners from 32 countries applied for the permanent resident status last year and authorities are processing their applications.
Benefits of obtaining a permanent residence permit
The foreign individuals who obtain the permit enjoy the following benefts.
1. Permission to Permanently Reside in Thailand
Foreign permit holders are allowed to live permanently in Thailand without obtaining a further visa, work permit, etc., authorizing that person to do so.
Note, however, that foreigners working in Thailand are still required to maintain a work permit (as their permission to work in Thailand as opposed to reside) but are not required to renew their visa each year as normally would be the case without the permit.
2. Permission to Obtain Local Financing
Normally, when foreigners in Thailand purchase a condominium unit, they are not legally allowed to fnance that purchase locally (i.e. 100% of the purchase price must be remitted from abroad).
Permit holders are, however, exempt from this requirement. Like Thai citizens, permanent residents are allowed to seek out local fnancing for the purchase of condominiums through banks, fnance companies, etc. in Thailand.
3. Apply for Citizenship
Obtaining a permit is a prerequisite for foreigners who wish to apply for Thai citizenship. Foreigners may apply for Thai citizenship after holding a permit for five consecutive years.
4. Family Members’ Residence Permit
Once the foreigner obtains the permit, his spouse, children, and parents become qualifed to apply for their own permit (see Humanity Category below).
5. Children Born in Thailand Acquire Thai Nationality
When either of the parents of a child born in Thailand is a permanent resident that child automatically obtains Thai nationality at the time of birth.
11 September 2013
Many foreigners who have lived in Thailand for some time may want to enjoy the benefits of obtaining a permanent residence permit. Below is a brief description of the benefits associated with holding a permit and the applicable requirements and procedure to obtaining one.
The cabinet has approved the Immigration Commission’s annual quota for granting permanent residency to foreign nationalsto allow in 2013 a maximum of 100 persons per country and 50 stateless persons to be given permanent residency, the same number as last year.
Foreigners wanting to stay in Thailand permanently can submit applications in December at immigration offices in Bangkok and other provinces.
A total of 241 foreigners from 32 countries applied for the permanent resident status last year and authorities are processing their applications.
Benefits of obtaining a permanent residence permit
The foreign individuals who obtain the permit enjoy the following benefts.
1. Permission to Permanently Reside in Thailand
Foreign permit holders are allowed to live permanently in Thailand without obtaining a further visa, work permit, etc., authorizing that person to do so.
Note, however, that foreigners working in Thailand are still required to maintain a work permit (as their permission to work in Thailand as opposed to reside) but are not required to renew their visa each year as normally would be the case without the permit.
2. Permission to Obtain Local Financing
Normally, when foreigners in Thailand purchase a condominium unit, they are not legally allowed to fnance that purchase locally (i.e. 100% of the purchase price must be remitted from abroad).
Permit holders are, however, exempt from this requirement. Like Thai citizens, permanent residents are allowed to seek out local fnancing for the purchase of condominiums through banks, fnance companies, etc. in Thailand.
3. Apply for Citizenship
Obtaining a permit is a prerequisite for foreigners who wish to apply for Thai citizenship. Foreigners may apply for Thai citizenship after holding a permit for five consecutive years.
4. Family Members’ Residence Permit
Once the foreigner obtains the permit, his spouse, children, and parents become qualifed to apply for their own permit (see Humanity Category below).
5. Children Born in Thailand Acquire Thai Nationality
When either of the parents of a child born in Thailand is a permanent resident that child automatically obtains Thai nationality at the time of birth.