The LTR Visa Thailand is a long-duration visa scheme introduced by the Thai government in 2022, designed to attract four main groups of foreign nationals: high-net-worth individuals, retirees with stable income, professionals with highly sought-after skills, and remote workers employed by international companies. Unlike traditional Thai visa categories, which typically involve frequent renewals, cumbersome 90-day reporting, and strict employment restrictions, the LTR Visa offers a 10-year renewable residency with significant legal, tax, and procedural privileges.
This article offers a detailed and structured breakdown of the LTR Visa, focusing on its practical benefits, legal implications, and use as a strategic instrument for residence and employment in Thailand.
Issued for 10 years, divided into two 5-year terms.
Classified under Thailand’s non-immigrant visa regime, but governed by separate eligibility, screening, and oversight through the Board of Investment (BOI).
It does not lead directly to permanent residency or Thai citizenship but offers a near-permanent solution for qualified individuals.
The LTR Visa is jointly administered by:
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) – reviews applications, issues endorsements, handles work permit processes.
Immigration Bureau – grants visa stickers and oversees residency compliance.
One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSSVC) – supports centralized processing of applications and reporting.
Thailand’s LTR program segments applicants into four categories, each with distinct qualifications and targeted policy goals:
Eligibility:
Net assets ≥ USD 1 million.
Annual income ≥ USD 80,000 for at least the past two years.
Investment ≥ USD 500,000 in Thai government bonds, real estate, or business equity.
Key Benefits:
Visa tied to capital investment rather than employment.
Flexibility in where and how to reside in Thailand.
Legal entry into Thai real estate markets under foreigner quotas.
Eligibility:
Age ≥ 50.
Annual income ≥ USD 80,000, or ≥ USD 40,000 plus investment ≥ USD 250,000 in Thailand.
Key Benefits:
Reduced immigration oversight compared to traditional retirement visas.
No need to renew visa annually, avoiding repetitive proof of income.
Eligibility for property leasing and investment privileges.
Eligibility:
Employment by a foreign-registered company with annual revenue ≥ USD 150 million.
Annual income ≥ USD 80,000.
Minimum 5 years of work experience in relevant roles.
Key Benefits:
Authorized remote work from Thailand with full legal protection.
Issuance of a digital work permit without local employer sponsorship.
Tax exemption on foreign-earned income if not remitted in the same tax year.
Eligibility:
Annual income ≥ USD 80,000 (or USD 40,000 with advanced degrees).
Employer must be engaged in one of Thailand’s targeted sectors (e.g. biotechnology, IT, clean energy, robotics).
Minimum 5 years’ professional experience.
Key Benefits:
Entitlement to a flat 17% personal income tax rate, significantly below the Thai progressive scale.
Streamlined onboarding for work in BOI-promoted companies.
Attractive option for foreign specialists seeking long-term engagement with Thai industries.
Visa allows unlimited entries and exits over the 10-year term.
Avoids the need for re-entry permits or travel suspensions often applicable under other visa classes.
Up to four dependents can be included (spouse and children under 20).
Dependents receive the same 10-year status.
Spouses may also apply for a digital work permit if employed in a qualifying sector.
Replaces the 90-day reporting requirement imposed on other visa categories.
Address confirmation required once per calendar year to the Immigration Bureau or OSSVC.
Holders benefit from priority immigration lanes at major international airports in Thailand.
Optional access to Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) service for expedited clearance and check-in.
Professionals in qualifying categories can apply for a BOI-issued electronic work permit.
No need for the physical blue book typically issued by the Ministry of Labour.
The permit is valid for the duration of the visa and tied to the BOI-endorsed employer.
For Highly Skilled Professionals, PIT is capped at 17% under a special BOI agreement.
This is lower than Thailand’s top marginal PIT rate (35%).
Foreign-earned income is not taxable in Thailand if it is:
Earned outside Thailand, and
Not remitted to Thailand within the same tax year.
This aligns with Thailand’s territorial tax system, allowing LTR holders to defer or avoid taxation on foreign earnings legally.
While the LTR Visa does not change foreign land ownership laws, it does enable:
Freehold ownership of condominiums within the foreign ownership quota.
Long-term leasing of land or residential property (up to 30 years with renewal options).
Equity investment in Thai companies, including startups and BOI-promoted enterprises.
Purchase of government bonds as qualifying investment.
This suite of options allows for strategic asset placement in Thailand without the need to form nominee structures or Thai-majority corporations.
Despite its advantages, the LTR Visa entails ongoing compliance:
Tax Residency: Individuals residing in Thailand ≥183 days in a year are considered Thai tax residents.
Insurance Requirement: Applicants must maintain a valid health insurance policy with at least USD 50,000 in coverage (or show proof of government or employer-based coverage).
Renewal Conditions: After five years, holders must still meet financial and employment thresholds for renewal.
No Land Ownership: Foreigners are still prohibited from owning land under Thai law, though leasing is permitted.
The LTR Visa serves as a residency platform with built-in economic, legal, and tax utility. It can be used to:
Facilitate long-term digital employment from a stable Asian jurisdiction.
Establish a regional base for international business and family life.
Access structured tax planning for global earners with flexible remittance strategies.
Legally participate in Thailand’s property and investment markets.
The Long-Term Resident Visa represents a shift in Thailand’s approach to immigration: from short-term regulation to long-term strategic residency. By combining visa stability, tax relief, investment access, and administrative convenience, it functions not just as a document of entry but as a framework for integrated living, working, and investing in Thailand.
For eligible foreigners seeking not only residency but meaningful economic participation in Thailand’s future, the LTR Visa provides a uniquely enabling legal environment.