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What visa options are available for expats in Thailand looking for permanent residency?

Permanent Residency Thailand Visa Working Remotely DTV Visa Remote Worker LTR Visa Retirement Visa Visa Requirements Expat Guidance

Dec 5, 2024

13 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm planning to work remotely in Thailand in the next few years, and from there I'm planning to live in Thailand for the rest of my life. 

What visa is a way to progress for receiving a Permanent Resident in Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To pursue Permanent Residency in Thailand, working remotely may not offer a direct path, as you typically need a work visa tied to employment in Thailand. Some commenters noted that to qualify for residency, you must work for a Thai company for at least three years and pay taxes in Thailand. For those thinking of remote work, the DTV or Remote Worker LTR visa might be an option initially, with a potential switch to a retirement visa later on if you meet the age requirement. It’s suggested to consult resources like the Expat Money Forum for specific guidance.

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Beatriz **********

I’m planning to work remotely in Thailand in the next few years, and from there, I’m planning to live in Thailand for the rest of my life.

What visa is the best option to progress toward obtaining Permanent Residency in Thailand?

I recommend contacting Expat Money Forum for more information about visas and the process to achieve permanent residency in Thailand. They can help with detailed guidance and support throughout the process.

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Wayne ********

Comment to read when not mao later

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Neil *******

You only have one friend? Sounds like a scam profile!

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

It's up to you if you think so. But can anyone point out what I have scammed from others?

Did I ask anyone for money or any personal details?

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Pual *****

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David **********

Work for three years consecutively in Thailand, not remotely.

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David *********

Perhaps maybe after my retirement the I work in Thailand just for fun hahaha

The salary paid in Thailand is really a big Noooo....

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Pual *****

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David ***************

If you’re over 50 years old, check the requirements for a visa based off retirement

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Frankie *******

Just go n find a freelancer on soi 4 or soi 11 or better still u can find many more woman at the tharme Cafe n marry her n find the path to permanent marriage

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Frankie *******

Ok guys it's all about the woman that's attracts perverts like u to go to thailand so stop being in denial n pretend to be so cool when u r not

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Kim *********

@Frankie ******

ridiculous comment

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Kim *********

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Matthew *******

@Frankie ******

why do you feel the need to answer in such a smart arse way

Does that make you feel better about your own existence?

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Peter ******

@Frankie ******

What a silly thing to say

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Peter ******

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SJ *******

Or marry a love you long time.

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Brandon ************

If you're working remotely then there is no path to permanent residency for you. In order to qualify for permanent resident or citizenship you must have a job working in Thailand with a work visa and you must pay taxes in Thailand for a certain number of years. None of that is possible if you're working remotely.

You can get the DTV visa or the Remote Worker LTR visa if you qualify, and then wait until you're 50 and can switch to the retirement visa with annual extensions for the rest of your life.

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Kim *********

@Brandon ***********

you certainly can pay taxes for money transferred from abroad into Thailand whether earned remotely or not I would think

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Brandon ************

that's not social security taxes which are the primary thing. It must be income and social security taxes paid from working in Thailand with a work permit.

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Brandon ************

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Andy **********

@Brandon ***********

I think PR needs non-immigrant visa for 3 years, so marriage visa would work. The OP needs to meet a nice Thai person. Of course, it's a bad marriage if driven by a desire to not extend visas. And only 100 are awarded each year.

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Brandon ************

@Andy *********

100 per nationality.

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Andy **********

@Brandon ***********

Not exactly. The number of permanent residencies is published each year. It's usually 50 stateless and 100 others, with no more than 100 from any particular country. Ie if 100 Americans get PR, zero Brits or Australians will get a shot. The Thai immigration commission set the quota each year, but they are bound by the 1979 Immigration Act which sets a limit of no more than 100 per country, but the commission sets the overall number. It's never exceeded 100 passport holders. The closest you will realistically get to PR is Elite or LTR, but neither will accrue time towards PR.

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Andy **********

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Maksym ***********

@Brandon ***********

and then hit into 100 p. quota of permanent residence.)

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Brandon ************

@Maksym **********

only an issue for 1 or 2 nationalities since it's 100 per country.

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Brandon ************

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Not even if I have purchased a condominium in Bangkok?

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Christopher *************

I think you should visit a few times first upur knowledge of Thailand is zero -- judging by your questions

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ************

I've been visiting Thailand for 2~4 months stay in a year at intervals and have been doing so under the tourist visa for 3 years to date.

Though I haven't been in Thailand for any other type of visas so far.

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Christopher *************

haha do you ever talk to people when your here ??

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ************

With my broken Thai and English, yes.

If I can't communicate in Thai, I'll use Google Translate. Some Thais are able to communicate in English without any problem.

So far so good. Only some merchants and tuk tuk drivers are scammers.

I know, some Thais might view foreigners as aliens. But overall still fine. There're also helpful and friendly Thais.

By right, may I know what mistakes have I made unintentionally?

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Pual *****

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SJ *******

you cant buy a property in Thailand most you can own is 49% unless you are a citizen.

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Brandon ************

you can buy a condo and own it 100% as long as it's in the foreign quota of the building

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Kristie *******

@Brandon ***********

but not the land ?

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Brandon ************

@Kristie ******

no one that buys a condo owns the land. That's how condos work.

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Brandon ************

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Brandon ************

the only benefit to permanent residency is that you don't have to deal with visas anymore. There's no other benefit than that. Not really any pressing reason to make that a goal when you can just get a 5 year DTV or 10 year LTR

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

For short term visas, none of us can guarantee what will happen in the next 5 years or next 10 years.

If no more extension is allowed after 5 years or 10 years, those who own the properties there will no longer be entitled to stay long in Thailand. Unless they're willing to do a border run every few months.

The best thing about PR is, we don't have to worry for the rest of our lives staying there, though the chances of getting this visa is low.

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Pual *****

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Brandon ************

buying a condo has nothing to do with working and paying social security and income taxes, which are the requirements.

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Pual *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

The salary Thailand is offering... 😢

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Pual *****

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Graham ******

correct, not even then

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Graham ******

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