The Thailand Long-Term Stay (LTR) visa is designed to attract high-potential expatriates, granting them a renewable 10-year stay in the country along with a host of benefits. This article takes you through the visa type, focusing on length of stay, fees, eligibility requirements and the application process.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa Overview
Duration : 10 years (initial 5 years, can be extended for another 5 years)
Visa fee : 50,000 baht (approximately 1,370 USD)
Eligible Category :
- Wealthy foreigners
- Wealthy retirees
- People working from Thailand
- Highly skilled professionals
- Dependents (spouse and children under 20 years of age)
Requirements for various categories
Wealthy foreigners
- Annual income : At least $80,000 for the past 2 years.
- Assets : At least $1 million
- Investment in Thailand : At least USD500,000 in Thai government bonds, real estate, or direct investment.
Wealthy retirees
- Age : 50 years and above
- Income from non-employment sources : At least $80,000 per year
- Option : If income is between $40,000–$80,000, an additional $250,000 must be invested in Thai government bonds, real estate, or direct investment.
People working from Thailand
- Annual income : At least $80,000 for the past 2 years.
- Optional qualifications : If income is between $40,000–$80,000, a master’s degree or higher, intellectual property ownership, or Series A funding is required.
- Employer Requirements : Publicly listed company or private company that has been operating for at least 3 years and has a total revenue of 50 million US dollars in the past 3 years.
Highly skilled professionals
- Annual income : At least $80,000 for the past 2 years.
- Optional qualifications : If the salary is between $40,000–$80,000, a master’s degree or higher in a science or technology field or a specialized field relevant to the job in Thailand is required.
- Employer requirements : Target industry businesses, educational institutions, research institutes, specialized training institutes, or Thai government agencies.
Dependents and health insurance
- Eligible dependents : Legal spouse and children under 20 years of age.
- Health insurance : Coverage of not less than 25,000 USD or having a deposit of not less than 25,000 USD in a bank account for not less than 12 months.
- General Health Insurance Requirements : All applicants must have health insurance coverage of not less than USD 50,000 or have at least USD 100,000 deposited in a bank account for not less than 12 months.
Key benefits and application process
Key benefits
- Length of stay : Up to 10 years in Thailand
- Work Permit : Work Permit in Thailand (Digital Work Permit)
- Tax benefits : 17% personal income tax rate for highly skilled professionals and exemption from tax on foreign-sourced income.
- Additional benefits : Simplified annual reporting, multiple entries, and Fast-track service at the airport
Application Procedure
- Register online via BOI’s LTR portal.
- Submit documents according to the category applied for.
- Get certified by BOI
- Apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy or One Stop Service Center in Thailand.
Summary and next steps for those interested
The Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is a great opportunity for qualified foreigners who want to live in Thailand long-term, offering a variety of benefits and the right to work in the country. If you are interested in applying, it is important to check your eligibility and prepare the required documents according to the category you are applying for.
