Methods for obtaining a residence permit (residence permit) in Thailand

Legally obtaining a residence permit and citizenship of Thailand

1. You must live in the country for three consecutive years on a Thai student, work or business visa. In this case, you should choose only one thing: if you switch from one type of visa to another, 3 years will have to be counted again.
2. Of these three years, for two years you will have to pay taxes to Thailand on your annual income. According to the law, the minimum amount of this income must be 100 thousand Thai baht. However, there are pitfalls here. The fact is that if you declare a minimum amount, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs may regard this as evidence of low income and refuse to obtain a residence permit. Therefore, experienced expats advise indicating the amount at least twice as much, that is, 200,000 baht. The tax rate on annual income is 15%.
3. Submit an application for a residence permit to the nearest immigration office. Here, too, there will be financial costs. A government fee of 7,600 baht must be paid along with the application. And when the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs finally issues the long-awaited residence permit, you will need to pay another fee - in the amount of 191,400 baht.
4. Pass the interview in Thai. All you need is knowledge of simple spoken phrases; there is no need to learn intricate written Thai grammar.
5. After 5 years of residence in Thailand, you can obtain citizenship on the basis of Permanent Residence.

• Provide a certificate of income. The mandatory minimum is 40 thousand baht per month. Alternatively, you can deposit 400,000 baht in any Thai bank and make an account statement;
• Live in Thailand for 12 years. At the same time, another rule comes into force, which may cause confusion among any foreigner.

How to get a residence permit in Thailand

There is no such thing as a “residence permit” in Thailand, but the right to legally reside in the country for a long time is given by various types of long-term visas - investment, work and retirement.

Investment visa

Elite Easy Access, Elite Privilege Access and Elite Ultimate Privilege club membership programs are available to investors, as well as the opportunity to obtain a long-term visa when purchasing an apartment or Thai government bonds.

• Elite Easy Access

This program allows you to live in Thailand for five years for a one-time payment of 500,000 baht ($15,000).

• Elite Privilege Access

This program is designed for family living and requires residence in Thailand for up to 10 years. The one-time fee is approximately $30,000 for the main applicant and $22,500 for each family member. There is no annual fee. The package includes additional VIP benefits such as a health check at a private clinic.

• Elite Ultimate Privilege

By paying $60,000, participants in this program become members of a special club of investors under the patronage of the country's Ministry of Tourism and can develop their business, receiving privileged access to government services for issuing work permits and resolving migration issues. The program includes exclusive VIP airport express services, spa treatments and an annual medical examination. In addition to the one-time payment, you must pay annual membership fees of $600. This investment visa allows you to live in Thailand for up to 20 years.

Visa for apartment owners

Those who buy a condominium unit for at least 10 million baht ($316,000), deposit the amount in a Thai bank or invest in government bonds will receive a one-year visa, which can be extended.

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Work Visa

You can obtain a work visa in two ways:

1. Be an officer in a company with a minimum capital of 10 million baht, registered in Thailand and benefiting the local economy. The applicant's salary must be at least 50 thousand baht ($1,600) per month. By a company that benefits the economy, we mean a large business in the field of international trade or, for example, tourism (if there are at least 5 thousand tourists in Thailand);
2. Receive a salary of at least 80 thousand baht ($2,531) per month for two years before applying for a residence permit or pay taxes to the Thai treasury on an annual income of at least 100 thousand baht ($3,164) for the same period . It is also required to have a work permit for three consecutive years before applying and to be employed by a Thai company for a year.

Retirement visa

A retirement visa can be obtained by applicants aged 50 years or older with savings of more than 800,000 baht ($25,667) and a monthly income of more than $1,800.

The procedure for obtaining Thai citizenship for Russians

It should be noted that to permanently reside in Thailand, it is not necessary to become a citizen; it is enough to obtain a regular residence permit.
In both the first and second cases, you will be able to stay in the country legally, the only negative is the presence of some restrictions for those who have received a residence permit. Obtaining Thai citizenship is carried out in several ways, the basis of which is the principle of blood and naturalization. As for the principle of soil, although it is provided for by the legislation of the Kingdom, it is almost impossible for a child born in Thailand in a non-resident family to obtain citizenship. Such applicants face resistance from local authorities and subsequent denial of citizenship.

Thai Nationality Law

Thai legislation establishes two fundamental conditions for obtaining citizenship: “law of the land”, “law of blood”.

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According to the “right of blood”, a child must have at least one parent with Thai citizenship. “Right of the land” involves the direct birth of a child in Thailand. At the same time, at least one parent of the child must be a citizen of the Kingdom, that is, “law of the soil” does not work as such.

Thus, in practice, only “right of blood” and naturalization are applied.

This excerpt (second) is taken from the article: https://posobieguru.ru/grazhdanstvo/strany-mira/grazhdanstvo-tailanda/

How to obtain Thai citizenship

1. start a business activity in the country or actively invest in the Thai economy in the amount of 200 thousand US dollars;
2. enter into a legal union with a person who already has Thai citizenship . In this case, women immediately receive citizenship, while men who tie the knot with a Thai woman can only receive a residence permit and the right to work. After 12 years of married life, a man still becomes the owner of the coveted status of a citizen of Thailand.
3. enroll in an educational institution in Thailand or prove yourself in research work.

In pursuit of eternal summer, wintering in Thailand is no longer a novelty for Russians. Some people extend their vacation in the land of smiles by enrolling in training courses that give them the right to stay for a long time. But some people don’t stop here and dream of moving to Thailand for permanent residence. But in order for our tourists from the CIS countries to become a full citizen of Thailand , having received Thai citizenship , they need to meet a number of established requirements.

How to go to live in Thailand

These are the questions I get asked most often: How to go to live in Thailand, where to go for the winter in Thailand, how to find a job there, how much money do you need to live in Thailand and where to go there in general? — The last one surprises me most, because people sometimes want to go to a place they’ve never been to, just to get away from Russia.

Freehold – the right of ownership when purchasing an apartment or house without land. This purchase is more expensive than Leasehold. It gives the right to own real estate, rent it out, and pass it on by inheritance. Under Freehold, the buyer receives the owner's stamp certificate, which is called Chanot.

How to obtain Thai citizenship

• If the parents' marriage is formalized, then the newborn has the right to apply for citizenship. At the same time, a woman has the right to give birth, both in the country and abroad.
• If the marriage is not officially registered, then the child has the right to Thai citizenship only if his mother is a citizen of the Kingdom. At the same time, you can also give birth in any country.

1. Business . Recently, the issue of running your own business in the Kingdom has become increasingly relevant. To register your company you will need to go through several stages, but in the future this will allow you to obtain a residence permit. When choosing a type of business activity, give preference to the area that will quickly pay for itself.
2. Marriage . You can also obtain a residence permit after marrying a Thai citizen. Moreover, in this situation, women benefit more. Since after entering into a marriage they receive not only a residence permit, a work or business permit, but also the right to become a citizen of the country. As for men, there is a completely different picture. After marrying a Thai woman, a man can count on a residence permit and a work permit. There won't even be any talk about citizenship. Moreover, the wife also loses local citizenship. Only after spouses have been married for 12 years can they apply for Thai citizenship.
3. Education . Another way to acquire citizenship is through education in Thai educational institutions. If you prove yourself in research work, you can count on concessions from the Thai government.

How can a Russian citizen obtain citizenship in Thailand?

Thailand is becoming increasingly attractive to Russians in terms of tourism and recreation. On such trips, it is difficult to avoid thoughts about finally moving to this country. A valid visa allows you to spend the winter on the coast, but nothing more. This is unlikely to be suitable for those who decide to obtain citizenship of the Kingdom of Siam. This is not a simple procedure, since the country's leadership is not interested in the growth of the local population. Such a serious obstacle still does not completely exclude the possibility of obtaining a passport.

How can Russians become Thai citizens?

Obtaining citizenship is based on two main principles: naturalization and jus sanguinis. The law also provides for the so-called “soil principle”. However, it is extremely difficult for a child born in the country to subsequently become a citizen if at least one of the parents is not Thai. Foreigners who give birth to children are guaranteed to face a huge number of administrative obstacles put in place by the authorities.

For those who decide to move for permanent residence, there are two options: obtain citizenship or obtain a residence permit.

A citizen has the right to vote in elections and can stand as a candidate. He can also become a civil servant. All this is not available to the holder of a residence permit. Both options require the fulfillment of a number of conditions.

1. You must live in the country for at least three years . To do this, you can obtain one of three visas (entrepreneur, labor or student). If you change them before three years have passed, the countdown is reset to zero. When working in the country, you do not need to change your work visa within 3 years unless absolutely necessary.
2. Regular replenishment of the state treasury through tax deductions from income. Minimum annual contribution threshold: 100,000 baht. It is advisable to transfer more than this amount, because subsequently the authorities may consider such a payer to be low-income and deny a residence permit or citizenship. Payouts over 100,000 will increase your chances of success. Thai tax law provides for a 15 percent deduction on income for every 12 months.
3. The first step to obtaining a residence permit should be submitting an appropriate application to the migration service. The state fee for this procedure is 7,600 baht. Subsequently, you will have to pay an additional 191,400 for the preparation of documentation.

Sample application form for a visa to Thailand

• It is required to reach a conversational level in knowledge of the language. You need to demonstrate your level at a special interview. The exam is not strict and requires knowledge of everyday words and expressions and the ability to express themselves using them. A thorough knowledge of grammar is not required.
• A card providing a residence permit makes it possible to apply for the title of citizen after 5 years.

An adult who decides to change his citizenship alone will have to go through this entire difficult path. However, no one has yet abolished the institution of mixed marriage. And as for joint children in such couples, they are guaranteed citizenship from birth. This principle is called the “right of blood.”

Citizenship guaranteed by right of blood

Any child can apply for citizenship if at least one of his parents already has it. Moreover, he can be born anywhere. The point in the world in which the baby was born does not matter and this does not deprive him of the right to citizenship. A child is guaranteed a Thai passport if:

• he was born in an officially registered marriage;
• his mother is a Thai national and gave birth unmarried.

To obtain a birth certificate, parents need to submit a corresponding application to the Thai Embassy in the country where the child was born. You will also have to bring 2 copies of several documents to the embassy: a local birth certificate translated into Thai; marriage certificate; passports and identity cards. In addition, you will need a photo of the child. On average, the embassy processes documents within 5 days.

Naturalization

This method of obtaining citizenship is based on the principle of assimilation. This is a special program for foreigners who have been in the country for a long time and are no longer much different from Thais in terms of habits, preferences and lifestyle itself. Such people are given the right to become citizens by naturalization.

The basis is a set of minimum requirements:

• 5 years of permanent residence in the country;
• 480,000 baht/year is the official income.

Along with the application for a passport by naturalization, the applicant is required to renounce his existing citizenship.

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Women who marry a Thai man begin naturalization on average after 5 years. With men in a similar situation, the process can be delayed for 10 years. Those who become Thai citizens through naturalization have their rights limited for a certain time. The law prohibits them:

• 5 years to take part in voting in elections at various levels;
• hold official positions and be judges;
• run for government positions. structures.

Positive statistics on successful naturalization applications are relatively small. On average, one in five becomes a citizen this way.

Requirements for those wishing to obtain citizenship

The list of criteria that an applicant for citizenship must meet is relatively small:

• the candidate must be 21 years of age at the time of application;
• the language must be mastered at a conversational (everyday) level;
• the applicant has not been prosecuted;
• it is necessary to pay for all government services on time;
• have a residence permit and not leave the country.

In any case, the decision to intend to obtain citizenship must be balanced, like any other serious act. Thailand is certainly attractive as a tourist destination, but do not forget the difference between a leisure trip and immigration. A sober consideration of all risks and opportunities has never harmed anyone.

Obtain citizenship in Thailand: residence permit as the main step

If the opposite situation occurs, that is, a foreigner marries a Thai woman, then he only receives a residence permit and the right to work. Moreover, his wife loses her citizenship. Only after 12 years of official marriage do they have the right to apply for local citizenship. Their children will not be able to become legal Thais after birth. They will also have to deal with this issue separately.

• application form;
• international passport;
• copy of international passport;
• 3 color photos (3.5x4.5);
• a document confirming your financial status, which allows you to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand;
• a document that confirms that you have housing for the duration of your stay in Thailand;
• a certificate confirming the purpose of your visit to the country (marriage, education, employment, etc.);
• certificate of no criminal record in the Kingdom.

How to obtain Thai citizenship

Russians do not need to apply for an entry visa if their stay in the country does not exceed 60 days. When crossing the border, you must present a return ticket and a foreign passport, which expires no earlier than six months after the end of the trip. At the border, they may request additional documents - for example, confirmation of financial solvency (bank statement or cash) at the rate of 10 thousand.

Attention! We try to constantly monitor any changes in the visa regime and promptly update this page with the most reliable information. However, we do not guarantee that the information provided will comply with the rapidly changing visa regulations of individual countries and accordingly the information on this page is provided for your information only.

How to obtain Thai citizenship

On August 17 of this year, a strong explosion occurred in the capital of Thailand, as a result of which 12 people were killed and 80 were injured. The powerful explosion is believed to be a terrorist act. Explosion in the center of Bangkok 08/17/15 An explosion occurred in the very center of Bangkok at the intersection of Ratchaprasong Street, in the business and tourist part of the city, near the largest shopping centers in the city. This

3. In order to obtain a permanent residence permit in the country, you can: - open your own business in Thailand or invest at least 200,000 US dollars in the country’s economy; — marry a citizen of Thailand. In this case, you need to know that a woman who marries a Thai citizen can immediately obtain citizenship. If a foreigner marries a Thai woman, then he first receives the right to work and a residence permit in this country, and if they have lived together for twelve years, then only then does he become a citizen of this country; — study or participate in scientific activities.

Cost of obtaining a residence permit

Documents for permanent resident status must be submitted to the Immigration Bureau in Thailand. The application fee is 7,600 baht. If a positive decision is made, then you will need to pay another government fee - about 191,400 baht (if the applicant is the spouse/child of a Thai citizen, then 95,700 baht).

The law does not oblige foreigners to contact a lawyer to prepare documents, but most likely such assistance will be needed. In this case, costs will increase by another $500-2000.

How to obtain Thai citizenship

The second way to obtain citizenship in Thailand is to open a business. To open, you will need not only a visa, but also a work permit in Thailand. Only with these two documents will you have the opportunity to open your own business. You can also participate in an investment project where you will be an investor.

The third way to obtain citizenship in Thailand is through marriage. But here we need to consider some nuances. A foreigner who marries a Thai man immediately receives a residence permit, as well as the prospect of obtaining Thai citizenship immediately. If a man marries a Thai woman, he receives a work permit and residence permit. He will be able to obtain citizenship only after twelve years of marriage. And by the way, children do not immediately receive citizenship, but it will not be difficult for them to obtain it. This is how you can get a housing permit if you go to study in Thailand. The country allows foreign citizens to study at primary, secondary and higher levels of education. Students are also allowed to participate in scientific activities.

How to obtain Thai citizenship? To Thailand for permanent residence

I would like to note that the marriage of foreign men to Thai girls does not bring the much-needed permanent residence status any closer, but on the contrary, the Thai woman herself loses her Thai citizenship. (Afterwards it is easily restored, but most foreigners marry Thai women symbolically in temples, but still pay a ransom - Sinsot in Thailand when getting married, how much?)

All this makes our compatriots think about moving for permanent residence to another country (permanent residence), and so that our disadvantages turn into advantages. That is, we want permanent residence in a country - preferably a warm one, with the sea, beaches, a stable economy and a low crime rate, and if there is corruption, then it may not interfere at all, and sometimes even help , especially for foreigners.

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How to apply for and obtain Thai citizenship

Of course, the most important advantage when moving to this country is the lowest cost of necessary products and services. Here you can notice that the country also has excellent soil, which allows for fertile farming.

For many years, Thailand has been the most popular country for Russian travelers and people from other allied countries. The local friendly population, coupled with a mild and welcoming climate, as well as minimal prices for goods and services, can create the most comfortable and festive atmosphere for any tourist.

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