What is the LTR Visa in Thailand?

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa in Thailand is a 10-year visa designed to attract high-potential foreigners who wish to live in Thailand for an extended period. As a major economy in ASEAN, Thailand seeks to welcome individuals who can contribute to its economic growth and international investment opportunities. The LTR Visa permits holders to reside and work legally in Thailand for up to a decade while enjoying numerous benefits such as access to healthcare, education, tax advantages, and the ability to open a bank account.

Benefits of the LTR Visa

• Provides a 10-year residency option in Thailand.
• Comes with a 5-year renewable multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 10 years.
• Grants free access to expedited immigration services at Thai international airports.
• Requires annual reporting to Thai Immigration instead of the standard 90-day reporting.
• Offers tax exemptions on income sourced from abroad.*
• Enables highly skilled professionals under the LTR Visa to benefit from a flat 17% income tax rate.
• Simplifies work permit and immigration processes through the One Stop Service Center.
• Permits legal employment with Thai companies.
• Exempts holders from foreign quota restrictions for employment.

* Tax exemptions apply once the visa is issued, regardless of when the income was earned.

LTR Visa Categories in Thailand

The LTR Visa is available for four distinct groups:

1. Wealthy Global Citizens
2. Wealthy Pensioners
3. Work-From-Thailand Professionals
4. Highly-Skilled Professionals

Holders of the LTR Visa may include up to four family members, such as their spouse and children under 20 years old. These dependents will qualify under the same visa category as the primary visa holder.

Eligibility Criteria for the LTR Visa

Each visa category has specific eligibility criteria, and applicants must provide the required documentation to prove they meet these conditions. Additionally, all applicants must hold health insurance with at least USD 50,000 in coverage or maintain a USD 100,000 deposit in a Thai bank account.

Wealthy Global Citizens

This category is for individuals with significant financial resources:

• Must possess at least USD 1 million in assets.
• Must have earned an annual income of at least USD 80,000 over the past two years.
• Must invest a minimum of USD 500,000 in Thailand, such as in government bonds, company shares, real estate, or a combination thereof.

Wealthy Pensioners

Aimed at retirees aged 50 and above with stable pension or passive income:

• Must have passive income of at least USD 80,000 in the 12 months prior to application.
• Applicants with income between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thailand, such as in government bonds, foreign direct investment, or property.
• Income from employment is not considered, but social security benefits may count towards income requirements.

Work-From-Thailand Professionals

This category is for remote employees of well-established international companies:

• Must earn at least USD 80,000 annually for the past two years.
• Applicants earning between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 annually may qualify if they possess a Master’s degree, intellectual property rights, or Series A funding.
• Employers must be a public company listed on a stock exchange or a private company with a minimum of three years of operations and at least USD 150 million in revenue over the past three years.
• Must have at least five years of experience in the field of their current employment within the past decade.

Highly-Skilled Professionals

For experts in targeted industries employed by Thai businesses, institutions, or government agencies:

• Must hold a valid Non-Immigrant “B” Visa and work permit.
• Must earn at least USD 80,000 annually for the past two years.
• Applicants earning between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 annually may qualify if they have a Master’s degree in science, technology, or expertise relevant to their role in Thailand.
• No minimum income is required for those working in government higher education institutions, research centers, or specialized training centers.
• Must have at least five years of experience in targeted industries or a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Spouses & Dependents

• Must be legal dependents of the primary applicant (spouse or children under 20).
• Same-sex marriages or partnerships are not currently recognized under Thai law.
• Dependents must hold health insurance with at least USD 25,000 in coverage.
• Children are eligible as dependents only until they turn 20 years old.

LTR Visa Fee

The fee for the LTR Visa is THB 50,000 for a 10-year visa. This payment is made directly to immigration either at the time of issuance or during the e-Visa application process.

This fee covers all benefits and services associated with the LTR Visa, including expedited immigration processing, tax advantages, and streamlined work permit services. For applicants with dependents, the fee also includes their visa processing, offering a complete solution for long-term residency in Thailand.

* For e-Visa applications, the fee may vary depending on the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate handling the application.

Additional Conditions for the Long-Term Resident Visa

The requirements and policies for the LTR Visa, as established by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), are subject to change. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the most recent guidelines or seek professional advice if you are interested in applying.

Applicants must submit their LTR Visa application and supporting documents to the BOI. The visa is issued for an initial term of five years, which can be extended for an additional five years, allowing a maximum residency of ten years.

Thailand LTR Visa holders and their dependents (spouses and children) are required to report their residence status to local Immigration if they remain in Thailand for a continuous period of 365 days (one year).

Specific Conditions by Category:

• Highly-Skilled Professionals: Holders in this category benefit from a reduced personal income tax rate of 17%. A digital work permit is issued simultaneously with the visa.
• Work-from-Thailand Professionals: Holders in this category are not eligible for a work permit.
• Other LTR Visa Holders: Holders and dependents in other categories may apply for a work permit after receiving their visa.

Processing Time

The time required to process an LTR Visa application depends on the quality and completeness of the application and supporting documents. On average, processing takes 4 to 8 weeks. To avoid delays, applicants are advised to submit all necessary documents during the initial application phase. The BOI may request additional documentation during the review process as needed.