
Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR)
Designed for eligible individuals seeking a long-term future in Thailand, the LTR Visa offers a structured pathway for qualified professionals, wealthy individuals, and retirees. Voyage+ manages the application process from initial eligibility assessment to final submission and follow-up.
The Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa, commonly known as the LTR Visa, is a long-term residence program designed for high-potential foreign nationals who want to live, work, retire, invest, or establish a long-term base in Thailand.
The LTR Visa can provide eligible applicants with up to 10 years of residence in Thailand, together with simplified immigration procedures, multiple-entry privileges and certain tax and work-related benefits.
The program is administered by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and is available under four main categories.
The Thailand LTR Visa is divided into four categories:
1. Wealthy Global Citizens
This category is designed for high-net-worth individuals with substantial assets and investments in Thailand.
Applicants generally need:
At least USD 1 million in qualifying assets
At least USD 500,000 invested in Thailand
Qualifying investments may include Thai government bonds, investment in Thai companies and qualifying property in Thailand.
Unlike the previous LTR rules, there is currently no separate annual income requirement for Wealthy Global Citizen applicants.
2. Wealthy Pensioners
The Wealthy Pensioner category is intended for retired applicants aged 50 or older who receive sufficient pension or passive income.
Applicants may qualify through either:
At least USD 80,000 in annual passive income, or
At least USD 40,000 in annual passive income plus USD 250,000 of qualifying investment in Thailand
Qualifying passive income can include pension income, rental income, dividends, interest and certain other investment income.
Salary or active employment income will generally not be considered passive income for this category.
3. Work-from-Thailand Professionals
This category is designed for employees who work remotely from Thailand for established companies located outside Thailand.
Applicants generally need:
Average annual income of at least USD 80,000 during the previous two years, or
At least USD 40,000 annual income together with an additional qualification such as a Master's degree, qualifying intellectual property or certain investment funding credentials.
The foreign employer must also meet specific requirements.
A private company generally needs to have:
Operated for at least three years, and
Generated combined revenue of at least USD 50 million during the previous three years
Employees of qualifying listed companies may also be eligible.
The Work-from-Thailand category is primarily intended for employees of established overseas companies rather than ordinary freelancers or self-employed applicants.
4. Highly Skilled Professionals
The Highly Skilled Professional LTR Visa is designed for specialists working in targeted industries or areas considered important to Thailand's economic development.
Relevant sectors can include:
Digital technology
Artificial intelligence
Biotechnology
Automotive
Electronics
Automation and robotics
Aviation and aerospace
Medical industries
Research and development
Financial and economic expertise
International trade and investment
Education and specialised training
Applicants generally need annual income of at least USD 80,000, although applicants earning at least USD 40,000 may qualify through certain educational or professional criteria.
Different rules may apply to professionals working for qualifying universities, government institutions and research organisations.
How Long Is the Thailand LTR Visa Valid?
The LTR Visa offers residence for up to 10 years.
The initial permission to stay is generally granted for five years. Before the end of that period, the holder's eligibility is reviewed.
If the applicant continues to satisfy the applicable conditions, residence may be extended for another five years.
LTR holders should therefore continue to maintain the financial, employment, investment or insurance conditions applicable to their category.
Thailand LTR Visa Benefits
The LTR program offers several advantages over conventional Thai visa options.
Benefits may include:
Up to 10 years of residence
Multiple-entry privileges
No separate re-entry permit requirement
Annual immigration reporting instead of standard 90-day reporting
Fast-track immigration services at participating airports
Work authorisation options for eligible applicants
Easier access to Thailand's immigration and expatriate service centres
Potential tax advantages
Ability to include eligible family members
Certain Highly Skilled Professionals may also qualify for a preferential 17% personal income tax rate on qualifying employment income.
Tax treatment depends on the applicant's individual circumstances and income structure.
Health Insurance Requirement
LTR applicants must satisfy a medical coverage requirement.
Applicants can generally qualify through one of the following options:
Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 medical coverage
Qualifying Thai Social Security coverage
A bank deposit of at least USD 100,000, maintained for the required period
The insurance must provide appropriate medical coverage in Thailand.
Travel insurance should not automatically be assumed to satisfy the LTR insurance requirement.
Can Family Members Apply?
Yes. Eligible family members may apply as dependents of the principal LTR Visa holder.
Qualifying dependents can include:
Legal spouse
Children under 20
Parents
Certain legally recognised dependents
Separate applications are generally required for each family member.
Dependents must also satisfy the applicable medical insurance or financial coverage requirements.
Documents Required for a Thailand LTR Visa
The exact documents depend on the applicant's LTR category.
Typical documents may include:
Valid passport
Passport photograph
Bank statements
Tax returns
Pension documents
Investment evidence
Property ownership documents
Employment contract
Employer confirmation letter
Company registration documents
Company financial statements
University degrees or professional qualifications
Health insurance documentation
Documents issued in languages other than Thai or English may need to be translated and properly certified.
The BOI may request additional documents depending on the applicant's circumstances.
Thailand LTR Visa Application Process
The application process normally involves several stages.
Step 1: Determine Your LTR Category
The first step is identifying which LTR category matches your personal and financial profile.
This is particularly important because income, investment and employment requirements vary considerably between categories.
Step 2: Prepare the Supporting Documents
Applicants should prepare documentary evidence demonstrating that every relevant eligibility condition is satisfied.
Financial documents should clearly establish the source and amount of income, assets or investments being relied upon.
Step 3: Submit the BOI Application
The application for qualification endorsement is submitted through the official Thailand LTR system.
The BOI reviews the application together with other relevant government authorities where necessary.
Step 4: Qualification Endorsement
Once the applicant is found eligible, the BOI issues a qualification endorsement.
Applicants generally need to proceed with visa issuance within the validity period of the endorsement.
Step 5: Receive the LTR Visa
Visa issuance may take place in Thailand or through an eligible Thai Embassy, Consulate or e-Visa system, depending on the applicant's circumstances.
Thailand LTR Visa Fee
The BOI does not generally charge a separate fee for the qualification endorsement application itself.
After approval, the standard LTR Visa issuance fee in Thailand is generally:
THB 50,000 per applicant
Fees outside Thailand may vary depending on the relevant Thai diplomatic mission and local currency.
LTR Visa vs Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
The LTR Visa and Destination Thailand Visa are different immigration programs.
The LTR Visa is generally more suitable for:
High-income professionals
High-net-worth individuals
Wealthy retirees
Employees of large international companies
Specialists working in targeted industries
The DTV may be more suitable for:
Freelancers
Digital nomads
Independent professionals
Remote workers who do not meet LTR employer requirements
Applicants seeking a more accessible long-term stay option
The correct visa depends on the applicant's income, employer, professional activity, financial position and long-term plans in Thailand.
Is the Thailand LTR Visa Right for You?
The Thailand LTR Visa can be an attractive option for individuals who want a stable, long-term residence solution and meet the program's financial or professional criteria.
However, the eligibility requirements are highly document-based. Applicants should carefully assess whether their income, investments, employer structure and supporting documents satisfy the relevant BOI criteria before submitting an application.
Voyage+ provides professional assistance throughout the Thailand LTR Visa process, including eligibility assessment, document preparation, application strategy and application follow-up.
Need Help With Your Thailand LTR Visa?
Not sure which LTR category applies to you?
Book a consultation with Voyage+ to assess your eligibility and determine the most suitable Thailand visa option for your circumstances.
