How to Become a Citizen of Thailand?

The Eligible Conditions for Thai Citizenship by Naturalization

If you meet the qualifications listed below, you can file for Thailand citizenship by Naturalization:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You have stayed in Thailand under a permanent residency for at least five years before applying*.
• You must have spent those years in Thailand on the exact same type of visa that you hold when applying.
• You have a flawless criminal record and are well-mannered.
• You have a job in Thailand.
• You are fluent in Thai and can comprehend, speak, and write it.
• The Thai National Anthem, Sanserm Phra Baramee, can be sung.
• You gain at least 50 points out of 100 points on the Points Based System for Obtaining Thai Citizenship.

Two of those conditions (staying under a permanent residency for at least five years and being fluent in Thai) are not required if:

• You are the spouse or child of a person who obtained Thai Citizenship via Naturalization.
• You are a female Thai citizen’s husband.
• You used to have Thai Citizenship.
• You have taken actions that benefit Thailand.

Note: In some instances, even if you do not have a permanent residency, you may be able to become eligible to get Thai Citizenship after spending three years on Thai Visa Extensions.

How to Apply for Thai Citizenship?

If you are seeking Thai citizenship, you need to make an application at the Special Division of the Police Headquarters in Bangkok or wherever you live.

• When you opt to apply for Thai citizenship, you should go to the head office to get a list of the documentation you need to submit.
• Submit the necessary documentation. If everything is not in order, you may be required to provide extra documentation.
• If everything is in place, your Thai Citizenship application by Naturalization will be filed, and you will be required to pay a processing fee and provide your fingerprints.
• You must go to the Ministry of Interior, undergo an interview in Thai, and sing the Thai National Anthem.
• Allow some time for your application process to be completed. During this period, Thai immigration agents will visit your residence to ensure that the information you gave is valid.
• If your request for Thai citizenship is accepted, you must take the Citizenship oath at the command headquarters.

How Long is a Thai Citizenship Application Process?

The processing period for an application for Thai citizenship takes between 6 and 12 months, beginning with the submission of your comprehensive set of papers.

How Much is the Thai Citizenship Application Fee?

The following are the application fees for Thai citizenship:

• For candidates above 18, the application fee is 10,000 Thai Baht.
• 5,000 Thai Baht per application for applicants’ children and those under 18.
• The fee for a certificate of Naturalization is 1,000 Thai Baht.
• 2,000 Thai Baht for each application for Thai Nationality Recovery

What are the Required Documents for a Thai Citizenship Application?

The materials you must provide for a Thailand Citizenship application vary depending on your situation. The officials at the Police Headquarters where you apply are responsible for presenting you with the entire list of papers. However, the following documents are necessary for Thai citizenship:

• Copies of your
  • Alien Book
  • Residence Certificate
  • House Registration
  • Work Permit/s
• Your pictures
• Evidence of Filing Personal Income Tax
• Evidence of employment, as well as corporate documentation
• You need a marriage certificate if you are married.
• You need a marriage certificate if you are married.
• Copies of two Thai residents’ identity cards that can guarantee for you
• Any more documentation that you must bring

Note: The authorities in charge of processing your application have the authority to request any papers they deem necessary, even if you have already supplied them. Because the fate of your Citizenship is dependent on them, you should always be friendly and respectful.

Scoring criteria for Thai Citizenship

When determining whether you are eligible for Thai citizenship, Thai officials use a scoring system that takes into account the following factors:

• Age (those between the ages of 40 and 50 will gain the most points)
• Formal education (Ph.D. graduates receive the highest points)
• Monthly earnings
• If you have the required residency, the House Registration Book, and the Alien Certificate, you can earn maximum points.
• Thai language proficiency
• General knowledge of Thailand
• Personality. The personnel in charge of processing your application will also evaluate your personality and how you act, dress, and speak.

Can You Have Thai Dual Citizenship?

You certainly can. After attaining Thai Citizenship, the Thai officials do not ask you to relinquish your previous nationality. Likewise, you can maintain both Thai Citizenship and passports if you seek another country’s Citizenship while having a Thai passport.

Obviously, this is only true if the other country of nationality permits dual Citizenship. If you hold dual Citizenship from a nation that does not allow it, you may have to relinquish your former Citizenship before becoming Thai, and vice versa.

Let’s Sum Up

Naturalization as a Thai citizen takes five years of residency in Thailand and confirmation of a specific minimum income, and renunciation of one’s prior Citizenship, according to the 1992 Nationality Act. However, for foreign women married to Thai males, the duration of residency is lowered to three years. This citizenship process is a little challenging, filled with many hardships and a long waiting time.

If you want to know more about Thai citizenship, write your questions in the comment section.