Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Non-immigrant versus Immigrant Visa status. For those unaware, another word for so-called Immigrant Visa status would be what we call Permanent Residence here in the Kingdom. Permanent Residents as we have discussed in other videos, it is possible for foreign nationals to become a Permanent Resident in Thailand. Again it is going to be based on the given facts in your given case whether or not you are eligible for Permanent Residence. 

I thought of making this video because I think it's important to point out that there is a fundamental difference between Permanent Residence and Non-Immigrant status. Notably, Non-Immigrant Visa holders have to renew their visa on a regular basis. Oftentimes it's at the one year interval; sometimes it is two years. There are even cases now where it may be five years but you are still in Non-Immigrant status. That is under a very different part of the Immigration Act of 1979 that you are dealing with Thai Immigration. So things like 90-day reporting are required; things like address reporting via TM30 are required for Non-Immigrant holders. Permanent Residents don't have these requirements. Those in PR basically you can get a Thai House Book, a Blue Book. A Permanent Resident can be in a Thai Blue Book not unlike a Thai National; they are considered resident in the Kingdom, it makes sense. So the thing to understand and take away from this video is yes there is a difference.

The other big difference is as we have noted in another video while or although a Permanent Resident can have their visa status revoked via deportation proceedings, there's a big difference between Non-immigrant status and Permanent Residence because in Permanent Residence you are presumptively in Resident status, you have Visa status into the foreseeable future, even into the unforeseeable future. Presumably it's in perpetuity unless there's a deportation proceeding. With Non-Immigrant status you have to renew your visa and it is possible down the line - rules may change or there may be a situation where Immigration simply doesn't want to issue you a new extension and they have the ability to not so much deny, just not issue a new Visa in the first place or a new visa extension - this is not the same with Permanent Residence. With Permanent Residence you are permanently ensconced if you will here in the Kingdom of Thailand.