Permanent Residence Permit       (Updated July, 2008)
(AKA Resident Visa & Permanent Visa)  

Many thanks to Brian Maxey for this update.

This is a document you 'may' be able to get that allows you to stay in Thailand permanently without the need for a Visa. It is also another step on the road to Thai Citizenship, and a Thai Passport.

The Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) is only available in Bangkok, and should not be thought of as 'just another visa'.

Applications for the PRP are only permitted during one short period in the year (usually December). The committee consider applications for about 5 months, then you will be called forward for an interview, which usually involves some Thai language conversation. If you succeed you will be 'offered' the PRP some time later. Generally the whole process can take up to a year. Remember this is a privilege that the Thai government offers to only 100 people of each nationality each year. The qualifications are not easy, and include the following.

You must have completed 3 continuous years of non-immigrant 1 year extensions.

You must be able to show 3 years of Thai Tax Certificates (even if you are not working).

You will be allotted qualifying points accordingly if you:-

Invest in Thailand.

Have a business in Thailand.

Work in Thailand & qualify as an 'expert'.

Support a legal Thai spouse & family members.

Have a good Immigration history in Thailand.

Have spent a long time in Thailand.

Speak some Thai language - enough for a little simple conversation.

Have a clean criminal record both in and outside Thailand.

The application is around 7,600 baht (non refundable). If you are finally offered PRP there is a one-time fee of 191,400 baht (92,400 if legally married to a Thai).

The top 100 people (of each nationality) on the qualifying list will be considered.

You will still need to use an 'exit re-entry permit' when travelling outside Thailand - otherwise the PRP will be cancelled, but you will not need to renew the permit each year. You will not need to report to an Immigration Office each 90 days to confirm your address, but you are required to report to a Police office once every 5 years.

If you successfully obtain a PRP, you:-

Can buy a Condominium without proving the money came from abroad.

Can have your name included on property ownership papers.

Can obtain a 'work-permit' more easily (but you still need one!).

Improve your chance of obtaining a mortgage.

Be eligible for 'Resident' Bank accounts.

Can later apply for Citizenship.

May never leave Thailand, if this is your wish!