Every year, more and more expats dream of moving to Thailand for permanent residence because of its golden beaches, affordable prices, and relaxed pace of life. If foreigners cannot obtain citizenship of this country, it is quite possible to obtain a residence permit. Learn more about the requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Thailand in 2024
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Thailand is a country that gathers mystical and exotic associations around it. Its attractive climate and rich cultural heritage make it a popular destination for tourists and vacationers. However, the process of obtaining Thai citizenship is complicated and limited.
The Thai government is very strict in granting citizenship to foreigners. The country's legislation restricts the issuance of citizenship to other nationalities. Nevertheless, temporary work or study visas are available ways to stay in Thailand.
Thai citizenship is unlikely to be granted to foreigners, but the country remains an attractive place to live and vacation through other legal ways of staying. According to statistics, the largest number of migrants arrive in
Thailand from
China,
Japan and
Laos.
Employment for foreigners in Thailand in 2024
In Phuket and Pattaya, foreign languages, including English and Russian, are widely used not only on the beaches but also in everyday life. Tourist attractions are often presented by foreign guides, and real estate is sold on the local market by realtors from abroad. Educational institutions offer education in English and Russian with qualified teachers.
However, it is worth remembering that there are certain restrictions for foreigners in Thailand, especially in the field of employment. Any work that can be performed by a Thai is prohibited for foreigners, and violation of this rule can lead to serious consequences from the authorities.
In order to work legally in Thailand for a long period of time, foreigners need to have a Work permit or a long-term employee visa. These documents are issued only to representatives of highly skilled labor, such as school and university teachers, IT specialists, designers, high-ranking officials and scientists.
One of the most important conditions for obtaining a work visa or work permit is an excellent knowledge of English. This is especially important for teachers who want to work in Thai schools, where the level of English must be high enough to effectively teach and communicate with students.
For employment, you must provide the following documents in English translation with notarization:
1. Resume;
2. University diploma;
3. Certificate of no criminal record;
4. Recommendation from the previous place of work;
5. If necessary - IELTS or TOEFL certificate (international English language tests).
Specialists with experience in working with children are a priority.
Initially, many schools accept foreign workers for a probationary period of 1 to 3 months. During this period, the immigrant usually has tourist status, so it is better to get a 6-month tourist visa right away.
After successful completion of the probationary period, you can obtain a long-term work license. This is usually done outside of Thailand, in neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, or Laos. The cost of this license is approximately 20 thousand Thai baht, but often these costs are covered by the employer.
Job search in Thailand has its own peculiarities:
1. Local employers almost never respond to electronic requests, so it is better to apply in person;
2. Thais usually do not need foreign doctors or mid-category lawyers;
3. Be careful with agencies that ask you to sign a contract before meeting with the employer.
A work visa is issued for a period of one year with the possibility of further extension if necessary. This gives foreign workers the opportunity to legally reside and work in Thailand for a long period of time.
Education for foreigners in Thailand
To organize a long-term stay in Thailand, one of the easiest ways is to study. This gives you the opportunity to legally stay in the country for a long time and gain useful skills. There are many courses for foreigners in Thailand, ranging from learning English or Thai to exotic areas such as Thai boxing or cooking.
The process of enrolling in a course is quite simple. First, you need to get a “stamp on arrival” or a 30-day tourist visa. After that, you can consider the available training offers. After choosing a course, you should contact the course organizers with the following package of documents:
1. Foreign passport;
2. Several full-face photos;
3. A copy of the rental agreement;
4. Receipt of payment.
The average tuition fee is 25 thousand baht, but if you are planning a language course with native-speaking teachers, it is better to prepare about 35 thousand baht. Prices may vary depending on the course you choose and the duration of your studies.
First, to maintain your student status, you need to renew your student visa every three months through the regional migration office, which costs about 1900 Thai baht each time, or 7600 Thai baht per year.
In addition, to renew your student visa, you sometimes have to travel to neighboring countries such as Laos, Malaysia or Cambodia for the visa itself. The Thais do not provide visa support, so the cost of visa tours organized by courses is usually about 6000 Thai baht, including meals and hotel accommodation.
It is also important to take into account the new visa rules introduced by the Thai authorities in 2018, which provide for constant checks of foreign students for their attendance.
Although a student visa allows you to live in Thailand for an unlimited period of time, provided you have the appropriate courses and financial resources, it is worth remembering that this path requires a lot of responsibility and expenses. When you get tired of studying, you can consider employment as a teacher in such courses.
For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, use the advice of an international lawyer. We help you solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety anywhere in the world.
Interethnic marriage with a Thai citizen
One of the most effective methods of obtaining permanent residence in Thailand for foreigners is marriage with a Thai citizen. For girls, this way is often very favorable, as they have more privileges if they become Thai citizens after marrying a Thai man.
However, men from abroad who wish to settle in the country through marriage to a local woman must meet certain requirements:
1. Officially earn at least 40 thousand Thai baht working for a Thai company;
2. Have at least 400 thousand Thai baht in the bank account;
3. Be prepared to wait for citizenship only after 12 years of marriage.
Avoid using the services of intermediaries who may offer a fictitious marriage to obtain a residence permit. The state police closely monitor such situations, and participants in such scams face serious fines and deportation.
Family visa to move to Thailand in 2024
A family visa is different from a marriage visa in Thailand. This type of visa allows the following categories of persons to obtain a Thai residence permit:
1. Persons whose spouse is legally and permanently employed in Thailand;
2. Persons whose husband or wife has a joint business with Thais;
3. Persons whose children study in one of the international schools in Thailand.
It costs about 9000 Thai baht to obtain this type of permit. Regarding the education of children in international schools, it should be noted that these institutions are quite expensive, but they fully justify their cost.
Firstly, international schools create the most cozy and comfortable environment for children, almost reminiscent of a home atmosphere.
Secondly, teachers in such schools are recruited exclusively from among native English speakers. The subjects are taught in English, and the education received is internationally recognized.
Thirdly, the document issued to a child after graduation from an international school allows him or her to freely enter all leading universities and academies in the United States and Europe. Such education opens up great opportunities for future successful career growth.
Moving to Thailand for retirees
The healing sea air and mild climate of the summer months attract wealthy Europeans and retired Americans to the peninsula. Thai legislation provides for a special retirement visa for foreign nationals over 50 years of age who have assets equivalent to 800 thousand Thai baht or more.
Those who have such an amount in their accounts and dream of moving to the ocean need to follow a few steps:
1. Visit the Thai embassy and submit an application for a pensioner visa-permit;
2. Arrive in Thailand on a regular visa (stamped upon arrival), which will allow you to stay in the country for a certain period of time;
3. Apply to the nearest immigration office for a pensioner visa.
The obtained license is valid for a year, but it can be extended indefinitely, allowing you to enjoy life in Thailand during a well-deserved vacation.
Business visa for moving to Thailand for permanent residence
To obtain a residence permit in Thailand for business purposes, foreign entrepreneurs need to take into account a number of important requirements and conditions. You have the opportunity to invest in a ready-made business or start your own business, but you must have at least 51% Thai ownership.
To start a business in Thailand, you must have a registered capital of the company equivalent to at least 2 million baht or USD. Thai business visas will be issued to you for a period of one year, and after that they can be extended.
It is important to note that business visa extensions are not allowed for employees with zero income. Investing in the Thai economy and real estate can give you not only a residence permit, but also benefits such as stable income and interest payments from real estate rentals.
Let's take a look at some popular investment programs for Thai citizenship in 2024:
1. The Elite Ultimate Privilege Program provides a visa valid for up to 20 years and starts at $60,000. This program offers great opportunities for long-term stay and investment in the country.
2. Elite Easy Access is a program that provides a 5-year investment visa with a minimum investment of USD 15,000. It will be a great option for those planning a short-term stay with the possibility of further expansion.
3. An investor visa (1 year with the possibility of extension) provides for the purchase of real estate in Thailand for 10 million baht or more, depositing 10 million baht in a local bank or investing the same amount in Thai government bonds.
Moving to Thailand is possible, but both positive and negative aspects, such as the Asian mentality and local legislation, should be taken into account. It is important to carefully read the terms of the program and weigh all the advantages and limitations before deciding to invest in Thai citizenship.
Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld
To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.
Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:
Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Thailand;
Legal advice on immigration in Thailand;
Travel insurance for foreigners in Thailand;
Medical insurance all over the world.
