Long-term visas in Thailand are an attractive option for affluent foreigners who prefer to live in the “Land of Smiles” for an extended period. The Kingdom, rich in cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and the hospitality of the locals, draws tourists from all over the world. Thailand welcomes more than 20 million tourists annually. Naturally, some decide to stay here much longer than just a few days, whether they are retirees, remote workers, digital nomads, or others.

Obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand is easier than in many other Asian countries, especially if you have the means to invest in real estate or other assets. However, you can’t simply arrive and settle in Thailand permanently without offering something valuable to the country.

Thailand remains a popular place to live. Expatriates working in multinational companies are often even willing to take a pay cut for the “privilege” of working here. Due to its popularity, Thailand sets a fairly high bar for those who want to live freely in the Kingdom on a permanent basis. For this, a special type of visa is required.

The long-term visa in Thailand, also known as the LTR visa, allows foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years without the need to constantly apply for extensions or get a new visa. Say goodbye to the need to check in with immigration every 90 days.

However, to obtain a long-term visa, you must meet strict criteria related to income, assets, and investments in Thailand. You can’t simply arrive with a few thousand dollars and request a long-term visa.

This article will discuss the application process and how to obtain the long-term LTR visa in Thailand. We will also compare several alternative options, such as the Thai Elite Visa and the investment visa for 10 million baht.

A Simple Way to Live in Thailand Permanently

The long-term visa was introduced by the Thai government in 2021 to attract wealthy foreigners to live and invest in Thailand long-term.

There are four main categories under which applicants can qualify for the LTR visa: wealthy individuals, well-off retirees, remote professionals working in Thailand, and highly skilled specialists.

Below, we’ll go into more detail about these four categories. In general, each requires either an investment in Thailand or specific skills that can be applied here.

LTR Visa: A Complete Guide to Thailand’s Long-term Visa

Each category has specific requirements related to income, assets, employment, and experience that must be met. Initially, the visa is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as eligibility criteria continue to be met.

Shortly after the LTR visa was introduced, the Thai government announced several positive changes, including halving the visa fee from 100,000 to 50,000 baht. The government hopes to attract one million applicants for the long-term visa over the next five years.

Benefits of a Long-term Visa in Thailand

Formally, a long-term visa is not considered a permanent residence permit. However, in essence, it gives the right to live in Thailand on a permanent basis and offers several additional benefits, including reduced taxes.

The main benefits of the LTR visa are the length of stay and the ability to renew it. The initial visa is valid for 10 years, far longer than a standard tourist or retirement visa.

Holders of long-term visas can renew their visas indefinitely, provided they meet the original criteria, eliminating the need to constantly file paperwork or visit immigration every 90 days.

Other benefits, such as a simplified work permit process, undoubtedly make doing business in Thailand easier.

Highly skilled professionals holding LTR visas also benefit from a preferential personal income tax rate of 17%. If you bring enough money to Thailand, this benefit alone could justify the cost of the visa.

How to Get a Long-term Visa

The main criterion for obtaining an LTR visa is having significant assets, income, or investments in Thailand. You must meet one of the four criteria listed below.

Wealthy individuals with assets worth $1 million and an income of $80,000 per year for 2 years. Must invest $500,000 in Thailand.
Well-off retirees with an annual income of $80,000 at the time of application. Retirees with an income of $40,000 to $80,000 can qualify by investing $250,000 in Thailand.
Professionals working in Thailand must have an income of $80,000 over 2 years and be employed by a large international company.
Highly skilled specialists need an income of $80,000, relevant work experience, and often advanced degrees in key fields.

It’s also important to note that all applicants must have medical insurance covering at least $50,000.

Where to Apply for a Long-term Visa

The application process for an LTR visa is complex, so it’s recommended to seek advice from professionals or consult directly with government agencies. The main steps are:

Determine eligibility category and gather documents such as passports, proof of assets/income, bank statements, tax reports, and insurance.
Obtain a non-immigrant visa for entry into Thailand if necessary.
Get income, assets, and investment verification from the Thai embassy/consulate. Strict requirements apply.
Upon arrival in Thailand, obtain a medical certificate, police clearance, and embassy letter.
Submit a completed application and documents to the Board of Investment (BOI) in Thailand. Pay the fee.
Upon approval, receive an initial 90-day LTR visa. The visa can be extended for 1 year and then for 5 years.

The entire application process can take 6 to 12 months from start to finish, depending on the readiness of the application and review time. It’s important to plan your travel and other activities during the process.

Once you are ready to apply, you can do so either through an agent or directly on the government website.

Maintaining the Long-term Visa

After obtaining an LTR visa, the holder must continue to meet the original visa criteria. For example, well-off retirees must maintain their annual income and Thai investments. Each category has specific visa maintenance requirements set by the Board of Investment.

Every few years, visa holders must renew their LTR visa by providing the Board of Investment with updated proof that they still meet the criteria.

Warning: To keep the visa valid, the renewal process must be strictly followed.

If the visa expires due to non-renewal, you will likely have to start the application process from the beginning. Therefore, make sure to plan your renewal date each year and keep all documents ready.

Elite and Other Long-term Visas

The LTR visa, or long-term visa in Thailand, is an excellent path to long-term residence for those who meet the investment, income, employment, and experience requirements.

Obtaining a long-term visa is challenging, but careful preparation and consultation with experts can lead to success. The long-term benefits of indefinite renewal make the LTR visa valuable for foreign nationals seeking stability in Thailand.

It’s also worth noting that the LTR visa is not the only way to live in Thailand permanently. There is also the option of obtaining a Thai Elite Visa, as well as the relatively unknown 10-million-baht investment visa.

The Thai Elite Visa requires a one-time payment of 500,000 to 2 million baht, depending on the service package. The Elite Visa allows you to stay in the country for 5 to 20 years but is not renewable.

The 10-million-baht investment visa requires substantial investments in a Thai apartment or government bonds and allows indefinite stay in the country as long as the assets are maintained.

The long-term and 10-million-baht investment visas allow indefinite residence. However, the Elite Visa offers lifestyle advantages. Overall, the LTR visa provides greater long-term flexibility along with a permanent status.