Thailand LTR Visa: Requirements and Benefits
10 years’ residency and a wide range of benefits
What is the Long-Term Resident visa?
The LTR visa is a 10-year residency visa administered by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI). Launched in 2022, the Thailand LTR visa is intended to attract financially independent and highly skilled expats to Thailand. It targets four categories of applicants:
- Successful individuals over the age of 50 with strong passive income
- Successful individuals able to invest in Thailand
- Professionals working remotely from Thailand
- Highly skilled expats employed by 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 are 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 Thailand
Immigration and Lifestyle Benefits
The long-term resident visa in Thailand provides practical advantages over shorter-term visa options:
- Permission to live in Thailand for up to 10 years, structured as an initial five-year visa with a five-year extension
- Includes a spouse and minor children (4 Maximum)
- Annual residential reporting (instead of every 90 days)
- Multiple re-entry rights in and out of Thailand included
- Fast-track immigration service at Thai international airports
For expats comparing long-term visa options in Thailand, the LTR removes much of the friction that comes with annual extensions, frequent reporting, and re-entry expense.
Work and Tax Advantages
Certain LTR categories include work authorization and tax benefits:
- Wealthy Global Citizens and Wealthy Pensioners are exempt from personal income tax on foreign-sourced income
- Highly Skilled Professionals receive a digital work permit for employment with Thai entities, with a flat 17% personal income tax rate in BOI-promoted industries (compared to the standard progressive rate of up to 35%)
- Work-from-Thailand Professionals are authorized to work remotely for their foreign employers
- Companies employing LTR holders are exempt from the 4:1 Thai-to-foreign employee hiring ratio
Tax benefits vary by category. Confirm your category’s specific benefits with the BOI or a qualified advisor before applying.
- 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
Thailand LTR Visa Requirements
Eligibility
The LTR visa is administered 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 long term visas for successful or highly skilled 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 Thailand LTR visa requirements are within reach for many citizens from Western countries.
The BOI lists the following categories and criteria for LTR applicants:
Notice: The BOI announced upcoming changes to the LTR visa requirements, which are not yet in effect. Schedule a free consultation with our team to check your eligibility under the current BOI LTR qualifications and prepare for these future changes.
Wealthy Global Citizen
- Have a net worth of least USD1,000,000
- Invest at least USD500,000 in Thailand through real property purchases, leases or development or investment in a Thai company
Wealthy Pensioner
- Over the age of 50
- Show passive income over the prior 12 months of at least USD80,000 (e.g. dividends, interest, rental income and capital gains)
Passive income of at least USD40,000 and invest at least USD250,000 in the purchase, lease or development of real property or in a Thai company
Work-from-Thailand global professional
- Work for a public company listed on a stock exchange or a private company with revenue of at least USD50 million for the past three years
- Have a personal yearly income of at least USD80,000
Have a personal yearly income of at least USD40,000, the applicant must show additional documents as proof of qualification, i.e. a certificate for master’s degree or higher
- Have at least five years’ experience in the relevant field of employment
Highly Skilled Professional
- Employed by a Thai company, operating in targeted industries
- Have a personal yearly income equivalent to at least USD80,000 in the past two years
Have a personal yearly income of at least USD40,000 in the past two years and a master degree or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand
- Minimum 5 years of work experience and a degree relevant to the position
In addition to the above criteria, all applicants must hold health insurance (valid at least 10 months from the date of submission) with at least USD50,000 coverage, or show at least USD100,000 on deposit for 12 consecutive months.
Whether you’re applying under the Thailand long-term resident visa’s wealth-based tracks or the professional tracks, meeting the threshold for your category with proof acceptable to the BOI is the single biggest factor in a successful long-term visa Thailand application.
LTR Visa Thailand Cost & Fees
Understanding the full cost of a long-term resident visa Thailand application means looking at government charges, including government fees for family member applications.
Government Fees
The BOI LTR visa issuance fee is 50,000 THB per applicant for the full 10-year period when collected in Thailand. For applicants collecting the visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas, the fee may be higher depending on local processing charges and currency conversion. Payment options at the BOI’s service center include Thai mobile banking (QR code scanning) and cash only.
If your category requires or you wish to apply for a digital work permit, the maintenance fee is 15,100 THB per work permit per five years. Only Thai mobile banking is accepted (QR code scan).
Family and Dependent Cost
LTR visa holders can include qualifying dependents (spouse or children under 20 up to 4 dependents) on their application. Each dependent also pays the 50,000 THB government visa issuance fee.
LTR Visa Family Package
Add Your Family Members:
- LTR Visa for Dependents: (Children under 20, Parent or Spouse):
- - Single Dependent: 30,000 THB
- - Family Package Offer (2 or more dependents): 24,500 THB per person (18% discount)
How to Apply for the LTR Visa Through the BOI
The BOI lists four steps for Thailand LTR visa applications.
Step 1: Online Submission
Create an account on the BOI’s LTR portal and upload your supporting documents. These typically include proof of income or assets, qualifying health insurance, employment verification where applicable, and passport copies. Each dependent must have a separate account linked to the main applicant’s submission.
Step 2: Qualification Endorsement
The BOI reviews your submission with input from relevant Thai government agencies, and standard processing takes roughly 60-90 days. Requests for additional documents can extend this timeline, so it helps to have your paperwork fully in order before you submit.
Step 3: Visa Issuance
If your application is successful, you have 60 days to contact your local Thai embassy, consulate, or immigration office to pay the 50,000 THB fee, and complete visa issuance. Applicants already in Thailand can complete this step at the BOI’s Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC) at One Bangkok, near MRT Lumphini. Applicants overseas can collect the visa at their nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.
Step 4: Work Permit Issuance
This step applies only where work permission is needed, or if you wish to obtain a work permit through employment with a Thai company, and the process differs by category. If you’re working under the LTR, register for your digital work permit at the BOI’s Service Center in Bangkok. Work-from-Thailand Professionals do not require a separate work permit, since their remote work authorization is built into the LTR visa itself.
The Thai government maintains an English-language BOI website with an online E-submission portal.
- 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 maintains an English-language BOI website with an online E-submission portal.
Do You Need an LTR Visa Agent in Thailand?
Why Applications Get Delayed or Rejected
Almost every LTR visa criterion depends on the ability to demonstrate passive or wage income or net worth. Common issues that cause delays or rejection include:
- Unclear or insufficient proof of income, especially for applicants with multiple income sources, self-employment, or non-traditional compensation
- Investment evidence that doesn’t match BOI-approved asset categories
- Employer documentation that fails to meet the revenue or industry classification thresholds for the Work-from-Thailand or Highly Skilled categories
- Formatting, translation, or notarization issues with supporting documents
- Applying under the wrong BOI category for your financial or professional profile
It can be difficult to know exactly which documents will satisfy the requirements of Thailand’s LTR visa and how they should be presented, LTR visa approval is subject to officer discretion.
How BTI Solutions Helps
As a trusted LTR visa agent in Thailand, BTI Solutions provides hands-on support at every stage of the BOI application process. Our experience with the BOI lets us build a strategy for your application and check that every box is covered. Our counselors help you:
- Assess which of the four BOI categories fits your income, asset, and professional profile
- Prepare and organize all required documentation to meet BOI submission standards
- Reduce avoidable errors and formatting issues that lead to delays
- Manage communication with the BOI throughout the review and endorsement process
- Accompany you to receive your LTR visa stamp in Bangkok
Our long-standing relationships with Thai authorities help ensure your application and review are handled with the attention they deserve.
BAAN THAI IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS
Why Choose BTIS as Your Thailand LTR Visa Expert
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 regular communications 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 completing 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free Thailand’s LTR Visa Consultation
- Complete the form so we can match you with the appropriate LTR expert.
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- If we're a good fit, we'll start working on your application, preparing your paperwork, and scheduling your appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Thailand LTR Visa
Q: What are the requirements for the Thailand LTR visa?
A: The requirements depend on which of the four BOI categories you apply under: Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, Work-from-Thailand Professional, or Highly Skilled Professional. Each category has specific income, asset, and employment thresholds. All applicants must hold qualifying health insurance with minimum coverage of USD 50,000, valid for at least 10 months on the date of submission. As an alternative to insurance, applicants may provide proof of a deposit of at least USD 100,000 held for a minimum of 12 months prior to submission. Coverage must be maintained for the full duration of the visa.
Q: How much passive income do you need for the Thailand LTR vis
A: For the Wealthy Pensioner category, the standard route requires at least USD 80,000 per year in passive income. A reduced threshold of USD 40,000 per year applies if paired with a qualifying investment of at least USD 250,000 in Thai property or a Thai company. Applicants must also be over the age of 50.
Q: What are the benefits of the Thai LTR visa?
A: The main benefits include a 10-year visa (an initial five years plus a five-year extension), tax exemption for foreign sourced income, family friendly, annual reporting instead of 90-day reporting, re-entry convenience without the need for re-entry permits, fast-track immigration at Thai airports, access to work authorization where applicable, and exemption from the 4:1 Thai-to-foreign hiring ratio for employers. Highly Skilled Professionals may also qualify for a flat 17% personal income tax rate.
Q: How is the LTR visa different from the Non-O retirement visa?
A: The LTR visa is valid for 10 years with multiple entry automatically included, while the retirement visa (Non-O) is given a single entry that must be extended at Immigration every year and requires additional purchasement on the multiple entry. The retirement visa does not permit working in Thailand. However, the eligibility criteria for the retirement visa are simpler and more accessible for applicants who do not meet the LTR’s income or investment thresholds.
Q: How is permanent residency (PR) different from the LTR visa?
A: PR is a lifetime residency authorization. It can also be a step toward Thai citizenship and requires demonstrating Thai language skills in an interview. The PR application process takes significantly longer (up to three years). The LTR visa is faster and more straightforward to obtain for applicants who meet the financial qualifications, though it is limited to 10 years.
Q: Is the LTR visa a "Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)"?
A: No, remote workers can use the LTR visa to live in Thailand while earning income from overseas. The Work-from-Thailand Professional category was designed for exactly this purpose. However, the LTR targets higher-earning professionals compared to typical digital nomad visa programs. Applicants in this category must work for a public company listed on a stock exchange or a private company with substantial annual revenue. Individual salary thresholds start at USD 80,000 per year, or USD 40,000 with a qualifying master degree or higher.
Q: Where is Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) located?
A: The BOI has overseas offices in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Germany, France, Sweden, Australia, and the USA. The main BOI office in Thailand is in Bangkok, with seven regional offices around the country. LTR visas and digital work permits are processed at the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC) at One Bangkok, near MRT Lumphini station, not at the Immigration Center on the outskirts of the city.
We are ready to answer your questions about Thailand’s Long-Term Resident visa.
Our dedicated and experienced team is ready to help you as we have so many others. Contact us today for your free consultation.