Overview
Thailand's Most Significant Visa Reform in a Generation
The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is a 10-year, multiple-entry non-immigrant visa administered by Thailand's Board of Investment. Launched in September 2022 and substantially reformed in January 2025, it is issued in two consecutive five-year terms and targets four groups of applicants: wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, remote professionals working from Thailand, and highly skilled specialists.
It carries benefits that go well beyond the right to remain in Thailand — a flat-rate or zero tax treatment on qualifying income, a streamlined digital work permit, annual reporting instead of 90-day reporting, fast-track airport immigration, and family inclusion for qualifying dependants including lawful spouses, parents and children under 20.
Pook, Lead Barrister
The LTR is the most legally robust long-term residency pathway Thailand has introduced. The Royal Decree 743 tax exemption is often the most commercially significant part of the LTR, and it is the part most applicants underestimate — it directly protects pension income, investment returns and rental income remitted from abroad, regardless of when that income was earned.
Section 1
Key Facts at a Glance
Section 2
The Four LTR Categories
Each category has its own income, asset and qualification thresholds. Applying under the wrong category is a common and avoidable reason for delay.
Wealthy Global Citizen
Investors & High-Net-Worth Applicants
USD 1 million or more in worldwide assets.
At least USD 500,000 invested in Thai assets such as bonds or property.
0% tax on foreign-sourced income.
Wealthy Pensioner
Long-Term Retirees
Age 50 or over.
USD 80,000/year income, or USD 40,000/year plus a USD 250,000 investment.
0% tax on foreign-sourced income.
Remote Professional
Remote Workers, Consultants & Founders
USD 80,000/year personal income.
Employer with USD 50 million or more in revenue.
0% tax on foreign-sourced income.
Highly Skilled Professional
Specialists in BOI-Targeted Sectors
Employment in a BOI-targeted industry.
USD 80,000/year income; a Master's degree or PhD.
17% flat tax rate on Thai-sourced income.
Section 3
What Changed in the February 2025 Reforms
As of August 2026, the LTR programme is stable and applications continue under the framework formalised through BOI announcements dated 4 February 2025. The reforms meaningfully widened eligibility for three of the four categories:
- Wealthy Global Citizens: the income requirement was removed entirely — now only USD 1 million in worldwide assets is required, including USD 500,000 in Thai assets.
- Remote Professionals: the minimum employer revenue threshold was lowered from USD 150 million to USD 50 million, bringing Series A-funded startups into scope.
- Highly Skilled Professionals: the prior work experience requirement was removed — an academic degree or professional certification is now sufficient.
- Dependant eligibility: the BOI confirmed that qualifying dependants include lawful spouses (including same-sex spouses), parents, legitimate children under 20, and legal dependants under the principal holder's care. Some BOI public-facing pages may still display older wording — applicants should confirm current eligibility directly with the BOI LTR Visa Unit before applying.
Section 4
LTR vs DTV at a Glance
| Feature | LTR Visa | DTV Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 years (5+5) | 5 years |
| Stay Per Entry | Annual reporting only | 180 days, extendable |
| Tax on Foreign Income | Exempt (Decree 743) | Taxable if 180+ days in-country |
| Work Permit | Included (digital) | Foreign clients only, no permit issued |
Section 5
The BOI Application Process
Register on the BOI LTR Portal
Applications are lodged at visa.boi.go.th with all supporting documents uploaded digitally. The full process averages 4 to 8 weeks.
BOI Qualifications Endorsement
Allow around 20 working days for review. The BOI notifies applicants by email once a qualification is endorsed.
Collect the Visa
Once pre-approved, the visa is collected at the TIESC in Bangkok or at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Digital Work Permit
Issued through a fast-track process once the visa is granted. LTR holders are exempt from the standard 4:1 Thai-employee ratio rule.
Section 6
Tax Benefits Explained
The tax treatment is, for most applicants, the reason the LTR is worth the additional cost and process over a standard long-stay visa.
- Royal Decree No. 743 — Foreign Income Exemption: entirely exempt from Thai personal income tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand, regardless of when it was earned. This directly protects pensions and overseas investment returns.
- Highly Skilled category — 17% Flat Tax Rate: a fixed 17% rate instead of up to 35% on Thai-sourced employment income in BOI-targeted industries, significant for high earners in technology and healthcare.
Pook, Lead Barrister
Document preparation errors are the single most common cause of LTR rejection, and almost all of them are avoidable. We would rather spend an extra week getting the evidence right than have a client wait months for a resubmission.
Before You Apply
LTR Application Checklist
Before You Apply
Confirm which of the four LTR categories you qualify under before preparing any documents.
Gather income and asset evidence to the standard the BOI expects — bank statements, investment statements and employer verification.
Arrange health insurance covering at least USD 50,000 per policy year before submission.
Register on the BOI LTR portal at visa.boi.go.th and upload documents digitally.
Allow around 20 working days for BOI qualifications endorsement before the visa can be collected.
Get advice on how the Royal Decree 743 exemption interacts with your home country's tax treaty before the visa is issued.
Confirm which dependants will be included and gather their supporting documents.
Key Takeaways
The LTR is a 10-year visa administered by the BOI, issued as two consecutive 5-year terms, with annual rather than 90-day reporting.
There are four categories — Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, Remote Professional and Highly Skilled — each with its own income and asset thresholds.
The February 2025 BOI announcements widened eligibility significantly: no income requirement for Wealthy Global Citizens, a lower employer revenue threshold for Remote Professionals, no experience requirement for Highly Skilled applicants, and confirmed dependant categories including lawful spouses (same-sex included), parents and children under 20.
Royal Decree 743 exempts foreign-sourced income from Thai personal income tax for three of the four categories — often the most commercially significant benefit and the one most applicants underestimate.
Highly Skilled Professionals pay a flat 17% tax rate on Thai-sourced income instead of up to 35%.
Health insurance of at least USD 50,000 per policy year is a mandatory requirement, not optional.
Document preparation errors are the most common cause of rejection. Every document should be reviewed before submission to the BOI.
Need Help With Your Application?
We handle LTR applications from eligibility to visa collection.
This guide covers the rules. If you want us to assess your category, review your documentation and manage the BOI process, see how we help.
LTR Visa — How We Help →