How to get Thailand Citizenship? What is the cost of Thai citizenship? Are you eligible for Thai citizenship? Read on to know more.
Thailand offers a lot more than just vast expanses of white sandy beaches. Citizens of the country are known to enjoy a high quality of life even with a modest income. Housing is affordable, the food is excellent, public services are easily available and the population is diverse and warm.
It is also one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. So much so that if you’re thinking of taking up Thai citizenship, you should know that you’re not alone.
To be eligible for Thai citizenship, you must meet a few basic criteria and then score well on the point system. It sounds a lot more difficult than it really is.
Read: How to Apply for Thailand Tourist Visa
Who Is Eligible For Thai Citizenship?
When it comes to citizenship in Thailand, you will fall into one of two categories – people who are eligible for citizenship without requiring Permanent Residency and people eligible for Thai citizenship through naturalization.
In the first case, you can apply for Thai citizenship after living in Thailand for three years if you meet one of the below criteria:
- You are the spouse/child of a person who has received Thai citizenship through naturalization
- You are married to a Thai citizen
- You were once a Thai citizen but gave it up for citizenship from another country
- You have acted in a way that has been especially beneficial for Thailand
Read: Thailand Smart Visa -The Visa You Need to Set Up a Business in Thailand
To be eligible for citizenship through naturalization, you must meet all the below criteria:
- You must be over the age of 18 years
- You have spent at least 5 years in Thailand as a Permanent Resident
- The visa held for those 5 years must be the same as the visa held at the time of applying
- You must have a clean criminal record
- You must be employed in Thailand
- You must be able to speak, understand, and write the Thai language
- You must know and be able to sing the Thai National Anthem
- You must have a score of at least 50 points on the Points System
What Is The Point System For Thailand Citizenship?
The system allocates a total of 100 points. This is broken down as follows:
Field | Maximum Points |
Age | 10 |
Education | 15 |
Security of profession | 25 |
Duration of civil registration | 20 |
Language capabilities | 15 |
General knowledge about Thailand | 10 |
Personality and appearance | 5 |
Age
Age in years | Points |
20-30 | 2 |
30-40 | 5 |
40-50 | 10 |
50-60 | 8 |
Over 60 | 5 |
Educational Qualification For Thailand Citizenship
Level of Study | Points |
Vocational training | 3 |
Diploma | 5 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 8 |
Master’s Degree | 10 |
Doctorate | 15 |
Security Of Profession For Thailand Citizenship
This can be calculated by assessing the applicant’s monthly income in the year of applying or the verifiable tax payments for the immediately prior tax year.
Security of profession score by assessing monthly income
For general applicants with no other ties to Thailand
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
80,000-90,000 | 15 |
90,001-100,000 | 20 |
100,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants who are ethnic minorities
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
40,000-50,000 | 15 |
50,001-60,000 | 20 |
60,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants who are ethnic minorities with an Alien ID card for at least 10 years
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
20,000-30,000 | 15 |
30,001-40,000 | 20 |
40,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants married to Thai citizens/ having Thai children/ having graduated from a secondary educational establishment in Thailand
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
40,000-50,000 | 15 |
50,001-60,000 | 20 |
60,001 and above | 25 |
For ethnic minority applicants married to Thai citizens/ having Thai children/ having graduated from a secondary educational establishment in Thailand
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
20,000-30,000 | 15 |
20,001-40,000 | 20 |
40,001 and above | 25 |
Security of profession score by assessing verifiable tax payments for the immediately prior tax year
For general applicants with no other ties to Thailand
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
80,000-100,000 | 15 |
100,001-120,000 | 20 |
120,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants who are ethnic minorities
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
40,000-60,000 | 15 |
60,001-80,000 | 20 |
80,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants who are ethnic minorities with an Alien ID card for at least 10 years
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
20,000-40,000 | 15 |
40,001-60,000 | 20 |
60,001 and above | 25 |
For applicants married to Thai citizens/ having Thai children/ having graduated from a secondary educational establishment in Thailand
Monthly Income (baht) | Points |
40,000-60,000 | 15 |
60,001-80,000 | 20 |
80,001 and above | 25 |
Duration Of Civil Registration
Length and Type of Residence | Points |
Proves domicile in Thailand for at least 5 years but does not have an Alien Registration certificate or a Certificate of Residence | 5 |
Proves domicile in Thailand for at least 5 years and has an Alien Registration certificate or a Certificate of Residence for at least 5 years | 10 |
Proves domicile in Thailand for at least 5 years and has an Alien Registration certificate or a Certificate of Residence for at least 7 years | 15 |
Proves domicile in Thailand for at least 5 years and has an Alien Registration certificate or a Certificate of Residence for at least 10 years | 20 |
Language Capabilities Required For Thai Citizenship
Fluency Level | Points |
Can speak and understand spoken Thai | 8 |
Can speak and understand spoken Thai and sing the Royal and National Anthems | 10 |
Can speak and understand spoken Thai, sing the Royal and National Anthems and read Thai | 13 |
Can speak, understand, read and write Thai and sing the Royal and National Anthems | 15 |
General Knowledge About Thailand
This score is generated as the result of a multiple-choice test.
Number of correct answers | Points |
1-5 | 5 |
6-8 | 8 |
9-10 | 10 |
Thailand Citizenship – Personality And Appearance
This is a subjective score given by the special branch officers on the physical appearance, personality, manners, attitude towards Thailand’s culture and ceremonies, etc. The maximum score awarded is 5 points.
Documents Required To Apply For Thai Citizenship Through Naturalization
The documents required when applying for citizenship may change with time and hence it is always best to check with the Police Headquarters before submitting the application. The main documents needed are:
- Copy of your passport
- 5 Copies of your Alien Book
- 5 Copies of your Residence Certificate
- 5 Copies of your House Registration
- 5 Copies of your Work Permit/s
- 12 Passport photographs in formal attire
- Proof of having paid Personal Income Tax for the past 3 years
- Proof of employment
- 5 Copies of your marriage certificate if you are married
- Applicants married abroad will need the Kor Ror 22. This is available at the local district office
- 2 copies of your spouse’s ID card/Alien book
- Children’s birth certificate if any
- Copy of the identity proof for two Thai citizens who can vouch for you
Bear in mind that the original may be asked for in some cases.
Applying For Thai Citizenship
The citizenship application must be submitted in person at the Special Division of the Police Headquarters. Applicants will be given a document checklist. All documents in the list must be collected and translated if needed.
You will then need to schedule an official appointment. This will be in the form of an interview with a case officer followed by a senior officer. The multiple-choice test for general knowledge about Thailand will be conducted at this stage. You will also be asked questions about your background, family, etc. Documentation will be checked and non-discretionary points will be allotted. Finally, fingerprints will be taken and the application fee will need to be paid.
3-4 weeks after this meeting, another meeting will be scheduled with the National Intelligence Agency. The meeting will follow a similar format as the previous meetings.
You will also need to schedule a meeting with the local police station in your district for another interview.
Following this, your application will be forwarded to the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). If a discrepancy is noted, the Special Branch or DOPA will ask for additional documentation.
A final interview for citizenship will be scheduled with the Bureau of Registration Administration (BORA). This can happen anywhere between 1 and 3 years after your application has been submitted. This meeting will take the form of a formal interview with 20-40 officials from various agencies.
Following the interview, the BORA committee will forward a formal submission of your application to the Minister of Interiors. It must then be countersigned by the King of Thailand after which it will be published in the Royal Gazette.
A formal citizenship swearing-in ceremony at the Special Branch Headquarters is the final step. You will then receive certified copies of the announcement made in the Royal Gazette and a naturalization certificate. This will be needed at the district office where you can change the yellow tabien baan registration to a blue tabien baan and get a new Thai ID.
Thailand Citizenship By Naturalization Application Fees
- Applicants who are over the age of 18 years: 10,000 Baht each
- Applicants who are younger than 18 years: 5,000 Baht each
- Certificate of Naturalization: 1,000 Baht
- Recovery of Thai Nationality (in cases where the applicant had earlier given up Thai citizenship): 2,000 Baht
Dual Citizenship In Thailand
Thailand recognizes dual citizenship and you do not have to give up your existing citizenship to apply for Thai citizenship unless the other country does not recognize dual citizenship. Thus, you may hold a Thai passport as well as the passport of any other country that permits dual citizenship.
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