How to Get Thai Citizenship: Requirements in 2025

Obtaining Thai citizenship provides a number of tangible advantages for living in this country: the opportunity to conduct business without restrictions, purchase and own real estate and land, and stay in Thailand for an unlimited number of days a year. However, according to Thai law, only a small group of people can obtain citizenship of this country: even if they are born in the territory of the state, not everyone has the right to citizenship.

Getting Thai citizenship: Conditions and Steps

Obtaining Thai citizenship is possible in several ways: by right of blood and by naturalisation.

The right of blood, or birthright citizenship, when at least one of the parents is ethnic Thai, is the predominant mechanism for obtaining citizenship in this country. At the same time, if one or both parents live abroad, this does not affect the child’s citizenship.

The right of the land to obtain citizenship works only in special cases: if both parents, not being Thai citizens, have a residence permit and have been legally residing in the country for more than 5 years by the time the child is born.

It is possible for foreign citizens to obtain Thai citizenship by naturalisation — upon marriage to a Thai citizen or upon residence in Thailand for a certain number of years.

Conditions for Getting Thailand Citizenship by Naturalisation

The issue of granting Thai citizenship is decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Thailand. The main conditions for considering an application for citizenship are:

• legal residence in Thailand with a residence permit for more than 5 years;
• proof of a stable annual income of at least 480,000 baht, along with evidence of employment or business ownership;
• knowledge of Thai language and culture, as well as the national anthem;
• a clean criminal record and no legal infractions;
• age over 18 years.

Stages of obtaining citizenship by naturalisation

1. Obtaining a residence permit. Obtain a long-term residence permit based on study, work, entrepreneurship, retirement age and income, or any other long-term residence permit in Thailand.
2. Stay in Thailand for 5 years or more. It is necessary to live according to the conditions of a residence permit, file and pay tax returns, learn Thai, take an exam and receive a language certificate.
3. Applying for citizenship at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Thailand. Collecting the necessary documents, passing an interview, and obtaining a citizenship decision.
4. Obtaining citizenship and renouncing other citizenship. After obtaining Thai citizenship, it will be necessary to renounce all citizenship of other countries.

List of required documents

To apply for citizenship, you must prepare the following documents:

• a valid international passport with copies of all pages;
• birth certificate;
• application for Thai citizenship;
• a contract for the purchase or long-term rental of housing in Thailand;
• tax declaration;
• health insurance valid in Thailand;
• certificate of absence of criminal record;
• a certificate confirming language proficiency;
• marriage certificate (if applicable).

All documents must be apostilled in the country of residence, as well as translated into Thai.

Reasons for refusal to obtain citizenship

Obtaining citizenship by naturalisation is a long process, sometimes taking several years. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Thailand carefully checks each application, but, according to statistics, it issues passports to only 25% of those who wish.

The main reasons for refusal may include the following:

• lack of sufficient justification for obtaining a Thai passport;
• insufficient period of residence in the country with a residence permit;
• insufficient knowledge of the language and integration into society;
• incorrectly filled out tax returns or a rental agreement;
• insufficient financial resources;
• suspicion of fraudulent marriage.

Benefits of Thai Citizenship

As of 2025, Thailand holds the 50th position in the Passport Index Power Rank, allowing its citizens visa-free access to 45 countries and visa-on-arrival entry to 51 countries. With a Thai passport, you can travel to most Asian countries, as well as Latin America.

Among the main advantages of a Thai passport are the following:

• there is no time limit for staying in Thailand;
• the ability to run a business without restrictions;
• the opportunity to own land and real estate in Thailand;
• high-quality and affordable medical care and education;
• benefits for visiting Thai cultural attractions;
• the right to participate in the political life of Thailand.

The Tranio team is professionally engaged in the selection of real estate in Thailand. Our experts are ready to answer your questions.

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Author: Polina Fedotova