Thailand’s LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident Visa) is designed to attract “high-potential foreigners” looking to relocate to Thailand by offering a convenient immigration solution and valuable, exclusive benefits. This makes the LTR Visa in Thailand ideal for foreigners with assets to invest, pensions to spend, or professional skills they can utilize to contribute to Thailand’s economic growth.
If this sounds like you and you’re looking for a way to settle in Thailand for the long term, the LTR Visa makes it easy. The application process for an LTR Visa in Thailand is more complex than those of most other Thai visas, but the perks you get once you have it make building a life in Thailand more convenient, and in some cases, more profitable.
This page will explain Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa, who is eligible, what criteria must be met for each type, and how you can apply for one.
Who is Eligible for an LTR Visa Thailand?
Before you can start applying for the LTR Visa, you have to pick one of the categories or “streams” that best apply to you. The LTR Visa comes in four types, each for a specific group of expats:
- Wealthy Global Citizens: Investors with significant assets to contribute to Thailand’s economy.
- Wealthy Pensioners: Retirees with high passive income who want to spend their golden years in paradise.
- Work-from-Thailand Professionals: Remote workers and “digital nomads” who want to make Thailand their base of operations.
- Highly-Skilled Professionals: Professionals with specialized experience and skills hoping to work high-paying jobs in Thai sectors targeted for growth.
There is also a fifth category of LTR Visa for Spouses and Dependents, specifically for those accompanying a primary LTR Visa holder.
What are the Requirements for Long-Term Resident Visa?
Foreigners who fall into one of the five categories mentioned earlier can apply for the LTR Visa in Thailand, but each stream has unique eligibility requirements and required documentation. Therefore, your qualifications must match the category you are applying for, and you must provide the required documents that category demands.
Here are lists of the requirements for each stream of the LTR Visa in Thailand.
1. Wealthy Global Citizens
If you aren’t planning on working during your time in Thailand and wish to live off the passive income from your investments, this is the stream for you. To qualify, you must:
- Must present a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period shall not be less than 10 months on the date of the application.
- OR provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
- Must provide proof of personal income of at least 80,000 USD annually during the period of 2 years prior to the application date.
- Must have at least 1 million USD in assets.
- Must have an investment of at least 500,000 USD in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property.
2. Wealthy Pensioners (Retirees)
If you are 50 years of age or older and interested in spending your golden years in paradise, this is the stream for you. To qualify, you must:
- Present a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period shall not be less than 10 months on the date of the application.
- OR provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
- Provide proof of passive* income of at least 80,000 USD annually at the time of application
- If your passive annual income is less than 80,000 USD but greater than 40,000 USD, you can still qualify provided you can prove that you have invested at least 250,000 USD in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property.
*Passive income cannot come from employment. Acceptable passive income sources include but are not limited to pensions, rental incomes, capital gains, dividends, and interest payments.
3. Work-from-Thailand Professionals
If you plan to work remotely for a foreign company while living in Thailand as a digital nomad, this stream is for you. To qualify, you must:
- Produce an employment contract or service agreement with a business in Thailand or abroad.
- Show proof of work experience in one of the targeted industries. You must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience gained within 10 years of the application date.
- Currently, work for an employer that is a public company on a stock exchange or a private company in operation for at least 3 years with a combined revenue of at least 150 million USD in the last 3 years.
- Provide proof of annual income of at least 80,000 USD over the past 2 years.
- If your passive annual income is less than 80,000 USD but greater than 40,000 USD, you can still qualify provided you have a Master’s degree or above, own significant intellectual property, or receive Series A funding of no less than 1 million USD.
- Present a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period shall not be less than 10 months from the date of the application.
- OR provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
4. Highly-Skilled Professional
If you have significant qualifications, high-level skills, and/or valuable work experience, this stream will allow you to work in a high-paying position at a Thai company or institution. To qualify, you must:
- Produce an employment contract or service agreement with a business in Thailand.
- Show proof of work experience in one of the targeted industries. You must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
- In the case that you have a PhD in a related field or are working for a Thai government agency, this experience requirement is waived.
- Provide proof of annual income of at least 80,000 USD over the past 2 years.
- If your passive annual income is less than 80,000 USD but greater than 40,000 USD, you can still qualify provided you have a Master’s degree in a science or technology field, or you have special expertise relevant to your position.
- The annual income requirement is waived if you intend to conduct work in government-operated higher educational institutions, research centers, specialized training centers, or government agencies.
- Present a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period shall not be less than 10 months on the date of the application.
- OR provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
5. Spouses and Dependents of Long-Term Visa Holders
Your spouse and dependent children can acquire their own LTR visas and enjoy all the privileges that you do. However, you are limited to 4 additional family members. To qualify, each family member must:
- Be a spouse or legal dependent of you, the primary LTR Visa holder. This means they are either:
- Your legal spouse with a valid marriage certificate (as of 2024, same-sex marriages are legal and recognized in Thailand).
- Your legal child and under 20 years old with proof of your relationship (birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.)
- Have a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than 25,000 USD.
How to Apply for an LTR Visa in Thailand
To apply for Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa, you must gather and prepare all the required documents for your chosen category. Keep in mind that missing or incorrectly prepared documents may lead to delays in your application or an outright rejection.
Once your application packet is complete, you must register online with Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), the agency that issues this visa. You will have to submit your application through their online portal, then wait. The processing time can be anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks or more depending on the strength of your application. The BOI may request additional documents or clarifications during this time.
If you are approved, you will be contacted by the BOI to set an appointment to collect your visa. If you are applying from outside of Thailand, you will collect your visa and travel document from the Royal Thai Embassy in your country of residence.
Things to Keep in Mind After You Have Your LTR Visa
Once you have your Long-Term Resident Visa in Thailand, you must abide by its conditions or it will be revoked. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You and any dependents on your visa must report the status of your residence with Thai Immigration annually (instead of every 90 days).
- Once you have acquired the visa and filed for a work permit application, you are allowed to conduct your work immediately without having to wait for the issuance of the permit.
- Your work permit will be void once your LTR Visa is terminated or expires.
Professional LTR Visa Thailand Application Assistance
As we have seen, the eligibility requirements for Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa can be difficult to meet and the application process is long and complex, but the journey is more than worth it if your plan is to settle in Thailand and build a comfortable and profitable life. If you want to make this journey easier, faster, and stress-free, consider professional assistance for your LTR Visa application in Thailand from Siam Legal.
We’re a full-service law firm and visa consultancy, and we’ve been helping people from all over the world travel and settle in Thailand quickly and easily for over 20 years. Our Thai visa consulting team will work with you to gather all the required documentation and prepare it to the standards expected by the BOI. We’ll also submit your application and paperwork on your behalf to the relevant agencies to ensure the swiftest possible process.
With Siam Legal helping with your application, you can get your LTR Visa in Thailand fast with minimal risk of delay or rejection. You’ll have a clear path to a convenient new life in Thailand with the perks you need to grow your wealth and career.
Contact Siam Legal today to begin your expert LTR Visa consultation.
LTR Visa Thailand FAQ
This website is owned and operated by Siam Legal, and over our 20+ years of operation, our law firm has gotten a lot of questions about Thai visas, and the LTR Visa in particular. Here we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequent questions clients have.
1. Can I apply for the LTR Visa while I’m in Thailand on a different visa?
Yes, you can apply for the Long-Term Resident Visa and convert your existing Thai visa, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. How long does it take to get an LTR Visa?
Typically, the processing takes 4-8 weeks. However, if you are missing documents or there are errors in your application, the BOI might ask for corrections or clarity, increasing your processing time. If you are applying from outside of Thailand, that country’s embassy may also cause delays if they have a high caseload.
3. What do I do if my LTR Visa application is rejected?
If your application is rejected by the BOI, there’s no need to panic. You can reapply after you have addressed the reasons for rejection. Siam Legal’s consulting services can help you pinpoint the reason your application failed and ensure it’s fixed the next time you apply, maximizing your chances of approval.
4. Can LTR Visa holders buy property in Thailand?
Like all foreigners in Thailand, LTR Visa holders cannot buy land in their name, but you can buy condos and houses. You can also enter into long-term leases that give you de facto control over land and the structures built on them. Siam Legal’s property team can help you determine which property you can buy and help you with the purchase or lease process.
5. Can I get a Thai work permit with an LTR Visa?
That depends on your type of LTR Visa (stream). Work-From-Thailand Professionals, for example, cannot obtain work permits, while Highly-Skilled Professionals can.
6. Can my dependents work in Thailand if they hold an LTR Visa?
Yes, your dependents can apply for a work permit after successfully receiving their LTR Visa. However, they must also meet the necessary requirements for employment in Thailand.
7. Do I need to apply for a re-entry permit if I leave Thailand on an LTR Visa?
No, the LTR Visa is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can leave and return to Thailand as needed, provided it is still valid. No extra steps are required, simply show your passport with the visa inside and you can re-enter Thailand. You even get to use the priority lane!
8. Do I need to report to Thai Immigration every 90 days on an LTR Visa?
No, one of the most convenient benefits of the LTR Visa is that holders are only required to report to Thai Immigration once a year as opposed to every 90 days as required for most other Thai visa types.
9. What’s the difference between the Thai LTR Visa and the Thailand Elite Visa?
The LTR Visa is aimed more at professionals and active investors in the country. The Thai Elite Visa, available through the Thailand Privilege Program, is geared more toward residents and frequent visitors. It provides visa terms of 5-20 years, offers a mountain of benefits and free perks, and is far easier to qualify for than most other Thai visas, especially the LTR Visa. However, as it is a tourist visa, employment with a Thai company is not permitted, but you can work remotely in Thailand while holding an Elite Visa.
10. Do I need health insurance to apply for the LTR Visa?
Yes, all LTR Visa applicants must have health insurance coverage of at least 50,000 USD. This can be from a policy issued from your home country or one in Thailand. Alternatively, you can provide proof that you have 100,000 USD in a Thai bank account to show that you can cover any medical expenses.
11. Do I need to be employed before applying for the LTR Visa?
Yes, you need to provide an employment contract if you are applying under the Highly-Skilled Professionals or Work-From-Thailand Professionals stream. However, if you are applying under the Wealthy Global Citizens or Wealthy Pensioners stream, an employment contract is not required.
12. Do Social Security payments and other government pensions help me fulfill the LTR Visa’s financial requirement?
Yes, your social security benefits count as part of your income to meet the LTR Visa financial requirements and count as “passive income” if you are applying under the Wealthy Pensioners category. If the amount of the monthly payment is not enough to meet the minimum income requirement, however, you will need to supplement it with other income streams.
13. I am in a same-sex marriage, does my partner qualify for a dependent LTR Visa?
Yes, as of October 2024, same-sex marriages are legal and recognized under Thai law. By Thai law, same-sex couples enjoy the legal rights and privileges as everyone else, including eligibility for dependent visas such as the LTR Visa.
14. Which government agencies issue Thailand’s LTR Visa?
Unlike most other visas, the Thai Board of Investment (BOI) handles visa issuance for the LTR Visa. This is because this visa was created for economic development, and why when searching for “LTR Visa Thailand” you will see pages from the BOI appear in your results instead of Thai Immigration or other government agencies.
Summary of LTR Visa Thailand
New applications for the Thailand LTR visas have been very popular during its first year. The Thailand Board of Investment has attempted to enhance the process to make a smoother process for long term resident LTR visa holders. Thai government agencies desire for more foreign investment into Thailand so we will see this program stay for long term resident visa holders. The LTR visa holder will enjoy the benefits of living in Thailand for the long term under this program.
If you have questions about the LTR visa or planning to reside in Thailand long-term, reach out to us for a consultation.
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One Response
Thank you for letting me know about the LTR.