Taking up residence permanently in the Kingdom of Thailand is a dream of many expats and travelers. Living in Thailand has many benefits including an inexpensive cost of living, temperate weather, and pleasant natives. The process of obtaining permanent residence can be long and arduous, but for those who have the desire it is an attainable goal. For those traveling to Thailand to live permanently a good strategy would probably involve first obtaining a long term Thai visa before leaving the UK. Once present in Thailand with the right to remain for long periods of time, the expat can go about the business of getting settled and finding employment or starting a small business. For the prospective permanent resident seeking to retire in Thailand, a Thai retirement visa might be a better option. The downside of the retirement visa is the fact that it does not confer the right to seek a Thai work permit and for those with employment aspirations this restriction can be a major hindrance.
In order to apply for Thai permanent residence, the applicant must have remained in Thailand continuously utilizing Thai visa extensions for a statutorily specified period. Generally, Thai O visa and Thai B visa extensions are the common types of extensions utilized to meet the requirements for permanent residence.
Each year, the Ministry of the Interior of Thailand sets a quota on how many Permanent Resident Visas will be granted to persons of certain nationalities. For Citizens of the United Kingdom, the limit is usually set at 100 per year. The applicant, among other things, must show an aptitude for the Thai language as well as a fundamental understanding of Thai culture. After being interviewed by officials at the Thai Immigration Department, the applicant will receive an initial approval or denial. Then the application will require final approval of a committee and ultimate signature from the Minister of the Interior of Thailand.
The benefit of Thai permanent residence is that one holding permanent residence does not need to continually renew their visa. Also Thai Permanent Residents are eligible to be placed upon a House Registry or Tabien Baan. There may be less difficulty in obtaining a Thai work permit.
Thai Permanent Residence can be a long process and the application requirements are vast. This brief synopsis only touches upon the broad strokes of the Permanent Residence obtainment process. For more information contact Integrity Legal at Info@Integrity-Legal.com or via telephone at +44 203-002-3837
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