What is an LTR visa in Thailand?
The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa in Thailand permits foreigners to stay there for 10 years and allows up to four family members to join the primary visa holder. Qualifying for an LTR visa in Thailand will grant you an initial 5-year permit, which can be extended for another five years if you meet the eligibility criteria. This long-stay visa in Thailand is applied at the Board of Investment (BOI), the government agency responsible for overseeing the LTR visa program. It handles the application process, reviews qualifications, and issues approval letters. Foreigners who want to move to Thailand with their families for retirement or work can apply for an LTR visa in Thailand.
Key benefits
Below are the benefits of having an LTR visa in Thailand:
- Up to 10 years of renewable visa permission to stay in Thailand;
- Multiple re-entry permit in Thailand;
- 90-day report extended to 1 year;
- Permission to work in Thailand;
- Exemption from Thailand’s strict employment quota of 4 Thais to 1 foreigner ratio;
- Tax exemption for overseas income and;
- A flat rate of 17% instead of a progressive computation of Personal Income Tax for highly skilled professionals.
Types of Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa caters to four distinct groups:
- Wealthy global citizens: Individuals holding at least $1 million in assets.
- Wealthy pensioners: Retirees aged 50 and older with an annual pension or stable passive income.
- Work-from-Thailand professionals: Remote workers working for well-established overseas companies.
- Highly skilled professionals: Professionals or experts in targeted industries in Thailand or Thai government agencies for business, higher education, research centers, and specialized training institutions.
- Spouse and family members: Spouse and children under 20 years old of LTR visa holders (maximum 4 members in total per one LTR visa holder).
Thailand LTR visa requirements
The following are the LTR visa Thailand requirements for each distinct group. Before you apply for an LTR visa in Thailand, ensure you meet these requirements.
1. Wealthy global citizens
The following requirements include:
- Significant assets: Applicants must hold at least $1 million in personal assets.
- High income: Demonstrate an annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years.
- Investment: Invest at least $500,000 in Thai government bonds, businesses, or property.
- Financial stability: Maintain a bank balance of at least $100,000 annually or have adequate health insurance coverage.
2. Wealthy pensioners
The following requirements include:
- Annual income: Must demonstrate passive income (pensions, rentals, dividends, etc.) of at least $80,000 annually.
- Investment: If passive income is between $40,000 and $80,000, invest at least $250,000 in Thai assets (government bonds, businesses, or property).
- Financial stability: Maintain a bank balance of at least $100,000 yearly or adequate health insurance coverage.
3. Work-from-Thailand professionals
The following requirements include:
- Income: Demonstrate an average annual income of at least $80,000 over the past two years.
- Alternative qualification: If income is between $40,000 and $80,000, provide another proof of qualification, like a master’s degree or higher, as indicated in applying for an LTR visa at the BOI.
- Additional qualifications: The candidate must be employed by a company listed on the stock exchange that has been operating for at least three years and has a minimum annual revenue of $150 million. Or at least five years of working experience during the last ten years in a field relevant to your current work position or field of expertise.
- Financial stability: Maintain a bank balance of at least $100,000 annually or have adequate health insurance coverage.
4. Highly skilled professionals
The following requirements include:
- Income: Minimum annual income of $80,000 for the past two years unless employed by a Thai government agency.
- Education: A master’s degree in science and technology is required if the applicant’s income is between $40,000 and $80,000.
- Employment: Work for a qualified Thai or foreign company or possess relevant expertise in applying for an LTR visa at the BOI.
- Experience: At least five years of work experience in the targeted industries, unless holding a PhD or employed by a Thai government agency.
- Financial stability: Maintain a bank balance of $100,000 or have adequate health insurance coverage.
5. Spouse and dependents
The following requirements include:
- Financial stability: Maintain a bank balance of at least $25,000 per dependent for a year or have adequate health insurance coverage for each dependent.
- Family relationship: Dependents must be the legal spouse or children of the primary visa holder.
- Age limit for children: Children can be included as dependents until they reach the age of 20.
Apply for a Thailand LTR visa in 4 steps
Foreigners can apply for an LTR visa in Thailand in four steps.
Step 1. Register and submit the application
Do you qualify to apply for an LTR visa in Thailand? To start your Thailand LTR visa application, create an online account with the Board of Investment to submit the visa application form and required documents. The principal applicant and each family member need to create separate accounts in the online system. Once the primary applicant has a document number, they can submit their applications. They must wait for the principal applicant to approve their request within the online system to complete the linking process. Completing the linking process ensures that the family members are appropriately connected to the main applicant’s application.
Step 2. Endorsement of qualifications
Once your Thailand LTR visa application is submitted with all necessary documents, it will be forwarded to government agencies for evaluation. These agencies, including Immigration, the Board of Investment, and the Department of Consular Affairs, will assess your eligibility for the LTR visa. The review process typically takes up to 20 working days, but additional documents might be requested, extending the timeline. After being accepted, eligible candidates will receive a notification to submit additional supporting documentation for the pre-approval procedure, which requires one to three working days and can be extended if more papers are needed.
Step 3. Issuance of LTR visa
The applicant will receive a notification of the qualifications endorsement letter after the pre-approval request is approved. This will allow the applicant to schedule an appointment to issue an LTR visa at Royal Thai Embassies, Consulate Generals abroad, or One Stop Service for Visa and Work Permit Centers in Bangkok within sixty days of the letter’s issuance date.
Step 4. Issuance of work permit
LTR visa holders seeking employment in Thailand must apply for a work permit within a reasonable timeframe after visa issuance. This process usually takes about three to five business days. While the work permit application is pending, temporary employment is permitted. However, those under the work-from-Thailand professional category are exempt from work permit requirements as a Thai entity does not employ them. An annual fee of ฿ 3,000 ($86.34)
is paid to maintain the work permit.
Do you want to apply for an LTR visa in Thailand? Our assistance ensures a smooth and successful LTR visa application. You can email us at [email protected] for inquiries and guidance.
Required documents for LTR visa in Thailand
Below are the LTR visa Thailand requirements for submission:
- Completed LTR visa application form;
- Passport information page;
- Recent passport photo;
- Proof of current address;
- Travel booking confirmation and;
- Accommodation details in Thailand.
When you apply for an LTR visa in Thailand, additional supporting documents might be requested, depending on visa category, such as:
- Financial documents to verify income, assets, or investments;
- Proof of adequate health coverage;
- Proof of education for highly skilled professionals;
- Employment certificates for work-from-Thailand professionals;
- Investment documents for wealthy global citizens or wealthy pensioners;
- Marriage certificates or birth certificates for spouses and dependents.
Is LTR the best long-term visa for foreigners in Thailand?
Thailand is the best long-term visa for foreigners seeking retirement, work, or immigration to Thailand with their families. It is a program designed to allow foreigners an easier visa application process. The LTR remote worker visa for Thailand is best for digital nomads because of the streamlined application process and fewer requirements. The LTR retirement visa in Thailand is the best option for foreigners who want to retire in Thailand because of its 10-year validity and visa inclusion for family members.
Furthermore, the Thailand Privilege Visa is another long-stay visa in Thailand. Despite its high cost, it is the best program for individuals who want a premium lifestyle experience on top of the standard multi-year visa and re-entry privileges. Another is the Retirement Visa, a non-immigrant O visa issued by the Immigration Bureau that is valid as a 1-year visa in Thailand. It can be renewed annually without needing to leave the country. The Investment Visa and Elite Visa are two other popular long-term visas for foreigners.
Costs and processing time of the Thai LTR visa
Below is the LTR visa Thailand cost and processing time:
- Processing fee: A 10-year LTR visa in Thailand is ฿ 50,000 ($1,439) if obtained within Thailand. However, if acquired through a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, the cost of the LTR visa in Thailand may be higher due to currency exchange rates and additional administrative fees charged by the specific diplomatic mission.
- Processing time: A typical LTR visa in Thailand takes around 4 to 8 weeks to process. However, this timeframe can vary depending on several factors, including submitting additional requirements and the endorsement process for each visa category.
Expert assistance for obtaining your LTR visa in Thailand
Navigating the process of applying for an LTR visa in Thailand can be complex, but our experienced team is here to guide you through every step. From understanding eligibility requirements to gathering the necessary documents and submitting your application, we provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs. Whether you’re planning to retire, work, or invest in Thailand, our personalized assistance ensures a smooth and successful visa application. You can also email us at [email protected] for more detailed inquiries and specialized guidance. Contact us today to confidently start your journey towards obtaining your LTR visa in Thailand!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the LTR visa available for digital nomads in Thailand?
Yes, Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is available for digital nomads. It is designed for high-potential individuals, including those working remotely.
Can I apply for the Thai LTR visa online?
Yes, you can apply for the Thai LTR visa online. Thailand has implemented an electronic visa application system. You can submit your application and required documents through the official website of the Board of Investment.
What are the benefits of Thailand’s LTR visa?
The benefits of Thailand’s LTR visa include the following: a 10-year stay, a simplified immigration procedure, an LTR visa Thailand tax incentive of 17%, work permit facilitation, and access to government services.
Can I get Thai residency with an LTR visa?
No, you cannot get a Thai residency with an LTR visa because it does not automatically grant you residency, but it can help you in your application. To obtain Thai residency, you would typically need to apply for permanent residency after meeting specific requirements, including proof of continuous residence in Thailand.
Do LTR visa holders pay tax in Thailand?
Yes, LTR visa holders pay Thai income tax. Highly skilled professionals enjoy an LTR visa Thailand tax incentive of 17% on their income tax. At the same time, wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, and work-from-Thailand professionals are entitled to income tax exemption on foreign-sourced income.
Can I use the LTR visa for my retirement in Thailand?
Yes, you can use the LTR visa for retirement. The LTR retirement visa in Thailand caters explicitly to individuals seeking a long-term stay in the country, including retirees.
For who is the 10-year LTR visa in Thailand?
The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa in Thailand is designed to attract a specific group of foreign individuals, including wealthy global citizens, pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals, and highly skilled professionals.
