The Long Term Resident Visa (LTR) Guide

The LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa, introduced by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), aims to attract high-potential foreign nationals who want to live and invest in Thailand long term. It’s designed to stimulate the economy by encouraging overseas investment and bringing much-needed capital into the Kingdom.

The government hopes to see around 1 million foreigners take up the LTR Visa over the next five years.

This visa won't suit everyone, because it targets specific groups such as educated professionals, high-income earners, and those with significant assets.

However, for many, including longtime expats, the LTR Visa represents a practical and cost-effective alternative to the Elite Visa. It offers immediate benefits such as reduced reporting requirements (no more 90-day check-ins, only once a year), exemptions on foreign income tax (depending on your category), and a smoother pathway to long-term residency.

In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the LTR Visa, how it works, who it’s for, and why it might be the perfect fit for many foreigners considering Thailand as their home.

How Long Does the LTR Visa Last?

The visa last 10 years but is divided into two 5-year terms. The initial permission to stay is 5 years, which can then be extended for 5 years. LTR is multiple entry, so you can come and go as you please.

Do I Have to Do 90-Day Reporting?

The good news is that you don't have to report to immigration every 3 months. You only have to report once per year.

Can I Bring Family Members to Thailand on an LTR?

Yes. Your spouse and your children (as long as they are single and under 20 years old) can piggyback on your visa. You are allowed a maximum of four dependents.

Can I Work on an LTR Visa?

Yes. Unlike the Non-Immigrant O Visas, the LTR Visa allows you to work, and you don't need to work for a company to get a permit.

You must obtain the digital work permit before starting work. You are not legally allowed to work until the permit is issued, even if the application is in process.

You can collect your digital work permit at the Department of Employment at the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit, Chamchuri Square Building, or at a provincial labour office. The processing fee is 3,000 Baht per year to maintain the digital work permit.

How Much Does an LTR Visa Cost?

When obtained inside Thailand, the cost of the visa is 50,000 Baht. Abroad, at Thai embassies and consulates, the cost will vary based on currency conversion. The price is expected to be around 1,600 USD.

Who is Eligible for an LTR Visa?

There are four key categories of person eligible for a Long Term Residency visa, each with varying requirements, as follows:

1. Wealthy Global Citizen:

• You must have a health insurance policy covering medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period on the policy shall not be less than 10 months on the date of application. Or you can provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai bank account or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
• You must have proof of personal income of at least 80,000 USD (annually) over a period of 2 years prior to the application date.
• You must have at least 1 million USD in assets.
• You must have an investment of at least 500,000 USD in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment or Thai property.

2. Wealthy Pensioner:

• You must have a health insurance policy covering medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period on the policy shall not be less than 10 months on the date of application. Or you can provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai bank account or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.
• You must have proof of personal income of at least 80,000 USD (annually) over a period of 2 years prior to the application date. If your personal income is between 40,000 and 80,000 USD per year, the applicant must invest at least 250,000 USD in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment or Thai property.

3. Work From Thailand Professional:

• You must show an employment contract or service agreement with a business in Thailand or abroad.
• You must show proof of work experience in one of the BOI (Board of Investment) targeted industries for a minimum of 5 years performed within 10 years of the visa application date.
• Your current employer must be a public company listed on the 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.
• You must have a personal income of a minimum of 80,000 USD per year for the past 2 years.
• In the case of having a personal income between 40,000 and 80,000 per year for the past 2 years, you must have a Master’s degree or above or own intellectual property or receive Series A funding of no less than 1 million USD.
• You must have a health insurance policy covering medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period on the policy shall not be less than 10 months on the date of application. Or you can provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai bank account or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.

4. Highly Skilled Professional:

• You must show an employment contract or service agreement with a business in Thailand.
• You must show proof of work experience in one of the BOI (Board of Investment) targeted industries for a minimum of 5 years except for applicants with a PhD or above in a relevant field.
• You must have a personal income of a minimum of 80,000 USD per year for the past 2 years.
• In the case of having a personal income between 40,000 and 80,000 per year for the past 2 years, the applicant must have a Master’s degree or above in science and technology or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand. There is no minimum income requirement for foreign workers who intend to conduct work in government higher educational institutions, research centers, specialized training centers, or government agencies.
• You must have a health insurance policy covering medical expenses of no less than 50,000 USD. The remaining coverage period on the policy shall not be less than 10 months on the date of application. Or you can provide evidence of savings of at least 100,000 USD held in a Thai bank account or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application.

BOI Targeted Industries

• Automotive Industry
• Electronics Industry
• Affluent Tourism Industry
• Agricultural and
Biotechnology Industry
• Transportation and
logistics industry
• Automation and
Robotics Industry
• Aviation
Industry
• Biofuels and
Biochemicals Industry
• Digital
Medical
• Defense
Industry
• Petrochemical and
Chemical Industry
• International
Business Center (IBC)
• Industries that facilitate the Circular Economy directly and significantly e.g. the production of energy-from-waste, water resources management etc.
• Other industries in which the applicants must be working with special expertise

LTR Health Insurance Coverage

If you're wondering what health insurance might cost you to meet the terms of an LTR Visa, try a quick quote from Cigna.

As standard they offer:

• International coverage on in-patient and out-patient care
• A minimum annual medical cover limit of $1,000,000
• Full COVID-19 cover
• A global network of 1.6 million hospitals
• Tailored plans for your needs

Other Key LTR Visa Benefits

No Minimum Annual Stay Requirement

A key benefit of the LTR visa is that you are not required to stay in Thailand a minimum number of days each year. This flexibility may appeal to digital nomads and investors.

Fast Track Airport Privilege

As with the SMART Visa, also issued by the BOI (Board of Investment), the Long Term Resident Visa gives you access to the fast track lanes at Thailand's international airports, so you can breeze through immigration with expedited service, similar to the privileges granted to SMART Visa holders.

Personal Income Tax Reduction

For those in the Highly Skilled Professional category, personal income tax will be capped at 17% instead of the standard 35%.

To qualify, the professional must:

• Work in specified industries for qualifying entities, education institutes, research centers, or government agencies.
• Earn assessable income while performing duties for an eligible company.
• File a personal income tax return (P.N.D. 95) as required.
• Opt for an agreed flat tax rate of 17% with the employer.

Other Categories: Income Tax Exemption

LTR Visa holders in the Wealthy Global Citizens, Pensioners, and Remote Professionals categories enjoy an income tax exemption on foreign-derived income or assets brought into Thailand. Note that this exemption excludes Highly Skilled Professional LTR holders.

Thai-Foreigner Employment Ratio Exemption

Generally speaking, when you start a company in Thailand you must hire four Thai employees for every foreign national. Those with an LTR Visa are exempt from this rule, making it easier to start a company and employ the skilled labour you require.

Route to Citizenship

LTR visa holders can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after holding a valid long-term visa and meeting specific criteria (e.g., income, Thai language ability). But:

• The 3-year timeline for PR is not guaranteed by the LTR program.
• Citizenship generally requires 5+ years of PR status (not just 5 years of living in Thailand).

How Do I Apply for an LTR Visa?

The LTR visa is applied for online via the BOI website.

You will apply and, if accepted, be given an endorsement letter.

Qualified applicants can proceed with applying for the LTR Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate overseas, or at an immigration office in Thailand. You have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa from the date of the endorsement letter. However, delays can occur in the endorsement phase, so you should not book flights or make plans until your visa is issued.

If you collect the visa inside Thailand the processing fee for the 10-year visa with multiple entry is 50,000 Baht per person. If you apply overseas the visa fee will be subject to local exchange rates.

The application process typically takes 1–3 months from submission to final approval, depending on how quickly documents are submitted and verified.

I Don't Meet the Requirements, What's the Alternative?

If you don’t qualify for the LTR Visa, the closest alternatives are the SMART Visa and the Elite Visa.

The SMART Visa targets investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals working in specific technology and innovation sectors. It offers streamlined work permits, extended stays, and other benefits tailored to boost Thailand’s targeted industries.

The Elite Visa is a long-term residence program available to almost anyone who can afford the fee, with prices starting at 500,000 Baht for the basic package. It doesn’t require work permits or income proofs, but it also doesn’t grant the right to work in Thailand without a separate permit.

Or, if you’re over 50 and prefer a simpler option, a retirement visa might be suitable.

+ More on the SMART Visa here.

+ More the Elite Visa here.

+ More on the Retirement Visa here

My Thoughts on the LTR

I think the LTR Visa benefits are very good.

Finally, a visa where you don't have to report to immigration every 90 days!

You get 10 years of stay, albeit split into two 5-year terms, with an extension required after the first term—no big deal.

You can come as a family, with your spouse and children (under 20 and single) allowed on the visa, for a total of up to four dependents.

The visa offers a fast route to citizenship, but don’t be fooled. It’s only a fast track to being eligible to apply. The actual process of obtaining Thai citizenship will take many more years and involves strict requirements.

There are no restrictions on working, and a digital work permit is included as part of the package.

If you're a Highly Skilled Professional on an LTR Visa, you benefit from a 50% reduction in personal income tax (from 35% down to 17%). And if you want to start a company under any LTR category, you're exempt from the usual requirement to employ four Thai nationals for every foreigner.

However…

I think the authorities may be overestimating how many wealthy individuals:

A) actually want to relocate to Thailand, and
B) are willing to invest $500,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or real estate (or $250,000 for a wealthy pensioner).

I don’t think the income requirement is prohibitive, and $1 million in assets isn’t a huge stretch for many in this demographic—particularly those who own property. Likewise, most will already have a health insurance policy that meets the criteria.

But will those who meet all these requirements want to invest such a large sum in Thailand?

Wouldn’t many prefer to keep their money in more secure, diversified, or higher-yielding markets?

And even if they are interested in relocating, is it realistic to expect them to free up that kind of capital for the sake of living in Thailand?

Perhaps the BOI is banking on the idea that people “will do anything for love.” But I fear that, perhaps, they “won’t do that.” (RIP Meat Loaf.)

If you have that kind of money, wouldn’t you just buy an Elite Visa instead? For wealthy retirees (or over-50s generally), a retirement visa with a trusted agent to handle the reporting and paperwork might be simpler and more flexible.

Digital Nomads & Remote Workers

In a roundabout way, I think the Work from Thailand Professional category is an attempt to legitimize some of the digital nomad community, at least the wealthy ones.

But in reality, how many digital nomads are working for listed companies or companies with $150 million in revenue over the past three years?

In my experience, most digital nomads are freelance coders, content writers, e-commerce store owners, affiliate marketers, or something in between. They tend to be self-employed or running small businesses.

And many prefer to stay “under the radar” in Thailand—working quietly online without a formal work visa. I just can't see this type of person committing to the obligations and scrutiny that come with this visa.

Highly Skilled Professionals

The Highly Skilled Professional category may be where the LTR visa sees the most traction. For those in science, tech, and R&D roles, especially in collaboration with universities or government agencies—it offers clear tax advantages and long-term stability.

That said, for some applicants, the SMART Visa might be a better fit. It offers many of the same benefits and may involve less red tape, depending on the sector and employer..

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