Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
10 years’ residency and a wide range of benefits
What is the Long-Term Resident visa?
The LTR is a 10-year residency and work visa that is intended to attract financially independent and/or highly skilled expats to Thailand. It targets three categories of applicants:
- Successful individuals able to invest in Thailand
- Professionals working remotely from Thailand
- Overseas experts working for Thai businesses, institutions, or agencies
The LTR visa offers many advantages for expats wanting to reside in Thailand long term. The benefits and application procedures will be explained below.
Baan Thai Immigration Solutions is your single source of LTR expertise: Our bilingual counselors will help you through every step of the application process.
Benefits of the LTR visa
- Permission to live and work in or from Thailand for up to 10 years
- Includes a spouse and up to four children
- A one-time 50k baht visa fee
- 90-day residence reporting reduced to once a year
- No need for re-entry permits
- Fast-track service at Thai airports
- Exemption from foreign-worker hiring quotas
- 17% personal income tax if working for a Thai company
Applying for Thailand’s LTR visa
Eligibility
The LTR visa is an initiative by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI). The BOI’s stated mission is the development of Thailand through innovation, technology, and increased competitiveness, and it offers several work visas for expats to achieve this mission. New for 2022 is the revised LTR visa with four applicant categories. One of the categories is highly skilled professionals who are expected to boost Thailand’s industrial and educational capabilities. These LTR holders will work in universities, research institutes, and government agencies.
However, the Thai government’s primary objective with the LTR visa is to attract foreign residents who will “contribute to domestic spending and investment while supporting economic growth.” The visa therefore openly targets high-net-worth individuals and families who are expected to bring overseas wealth into the Thai economy.
You will frequently see the term “wealthy” associated with the LTR visa. Note that this is relative to the local incomes and cost of living in Thailand, which means the financial requirements will be within reach for many developed countries’ citizens.
The BOI lists the following categories and criteria for LTR applicants:
Wealthy Global Citizen
- Have at least USD1,000,000 in assets
- Have a personal yearly income of at least USD80,000
- Invest at least USD500,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or property
Wealthy Pensioner
- Have a personal yearly income of at least USD80,000
- Have a personal yearly income of at least USD80,000
Work-from-Thailand global professional
- Work for a public company listed on a stock exchange or a private company with revenue of at least USD150 million for the last three years
- Have a personal yearly income of at least USD80,000
Have a personal yearly income of at least USD40,000 and a graduate degree or own intellectual property or receive Series A funding
- Have at least five years’ experience in the relevant field of employment
Highly Skilled Professional
- Work for a business in one of the targeted industries, a higher educational institution, research institution, specialized training institution, or Thai government agency
- Have a personal yearly income equivalent to at least USD80,000
- Have at least five years’ experience in the relevant field of employment or hold a PhD in the targeted industry
Note: LTR visa applications became available September 1, 2022. Applications are handled by the BOI's One Stop Service Center in Bangkok. Some details and procedures are still being finalized by the BOI, and this page will be updated accordingly.
Process
- 1. Apply on the BOI website with your supporting documents.
- 2. Wait 1–3 weeks for notification of the result.
- 3. If successful, contact your local Thai embassy, consulate, or immigration office within 60 days to pay the THB50,000 fee and register any accompanying dependents.
- 4. If working under the LTR, register for your digital work permit at the BOI’s Service Center in Bangkok.
The Thai government has an English language BOI website with an online E-submission portal.
Challenges
The biggest challenge with the LTR visa is that almost every criteria depends on the ability to demonstrate income or wealth. The clear motivation for this visa is to attract wealthy expatriates who will spend and invest in the Thai economy.
A more general challenge is that the BOI’s visa application processes are complex, time-consuming, and demanding for those who try to apply on their own. It can be difficult to understand exactly which documents will satisfy the requirements of the LTR visa and how they should be presented.
It is also often a challenge to understand BOI official decision-making. Our experience with the BOI lets us create a strategy for your LTR visa application and ensure that every box is checked. And our long-standing relationships with authorities ensure that your application and review is handled with respect.
BAAN THAI IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS
LTR Experts
We are an international law firm based in Bangkok that specializes in helping expats establish lives and livelihoods in Thailand. We also help international firms set up operations in the Kingdom and hire overseas staff.
Our team of bilingual counselors have years of experience and close connections with Thailand’s BOI offices. We will help with all phases of your LTR visa application, from explaining your options to reviewing your supporting documents to helping with the application process.
Contact us for a free consultation.
As the founder of a business in Thailand, I know my team can handle any challenge Thai officialdom throws at us.
Mark Friedman
Managing Director
Baan Thai Immigration Solutions
What our clients say
We had a bit of a tricky process due to our situation however Thitsana was there all the way to the end. Thitsana provided amazing advice and a steady hand to make sure the process was successful.
BTIS helped me to obtain my LTR visa. They provided an excellent service throughout the process and were really helpful and responsive with all the questions I had.
Three cheers for Tea and the team at Baan Thai Immigration Lawyers.
Their, energy, commitment and tenacity to secure my visa from start to finish for a successful outcome is unparalleled.
I received a LTR visa thanks to Thitsana’s efforts at Baan Thai. The process went as smoothly as I could have hoped and I am very happy with Baan Thai’s services.
A wonderful, easy experience and efficient friendly service from Thitsana. Highly recommend their service and support for ease of getting my LTR VISA. Thank you Thitsana for all your help, advice and support.
Free Thailand’s LTR Visa Consultation
- Complete the form so we can match you with the appropriate LTR expert.
- One of our counselors will reach out within 48 hours to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
- If we're a good fit, we'll start working on your application, preparing your paperwork, and scheduling your appointments.
FAQ
The LTR is valid for 10 years, whereas regular Thai work visas and permits are valid for only one or two years, depending on the type. The LTR also offers substantial benefits such as far fewer immigration-reporting obligations, fast-track services at airports, and the ability to sponsor dependents. Companies are also not constrained by the 4:1 Thai/expat hiring quota if the employee has the LTR.
And of course, two LTR categories — Wealthy Global Citizen and Wealthy Pensioner — do not involve employment.
The LTR visa is valid for 10 years, whereas the retirement visa must be renewed every year. Also, the retirement visa does not permit employment in Thailand. On the other hand, the criteria for the retirement visa are easier.
Those who can work remotely can certainly make use of the LTR visa to live in Thailand while drawing an income from anywhere in the world. In fact, one of the applicant categories is “Work-from-Thailand global professional.” However, unlike popular digital nomad countries like Serbia or Cambodia, Thailand’s LTR visa is targeting wealthier individuals and families. The criteria could be considered demanding for some.
To be a digital nomad on the LTR visa, you must be working for a public firm registered on a stock exchange or a private firm with revenue of at least USD150 million for the last three years. And you will need to show a yearly salary for yourself of USD80,000, or USD40,000 if you have a graduate degree.
Thailand has overseas BOI offices in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Germany, France, Sweden, Australia, and the USA. These are tasked with promoting Thai business and industry abroad.
The main BOI office in Thailand is in Bangkok, and seven regional offices are located around the country. Note that LTR visas and digital work permits are processed at the BOI’s office in central Bangkok, not at the Immigration Center on the outskirts of the city.
