Visa guide · Long-Term Resident

The LTR visa: what it is and the four types

Last checked 7 October 2026 · 10 min read · English

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is a 10-year visa run by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI). It was launched in 2022 to attract four groups of people: wealthy individuals, retirees with strong income, remote workers for large overseas companies, and skilled professionals. In return for meeting higher financial criteria, holders get a long stay, the right to work, easier reporting and, for most categories, tax benefits.

The four types of LTR visa

1. Wealthy Global Citizen

Assets of at least US$1 million worldwide.
At least US$500,000 invested in Thailand: Thai government bonds, direct investment in a Thai company, or Thai property.
No age limit. The previous US$80,000 annual income requirement was removed in 2025.

2. Wealthy Pensioner

Aged 50 or over and receiving a pension or regular passive income.
Income of at least US$80,000 a year, or at least US$40,000 a year plus US$250,000 invested in Thailand (government bonds, direct investment or property).
No changes were made to this type in 2025.

3. Work-from-Thailand Professional

Working remotely for an overseas employer.
Income of at least US$80,000 a year over the past two years, or at least US$40,000 if you hold a master's degree or above, own intellectual property, or received Series A funding.
The employer must be listed on a stock exchange, or have operated for at least 3 years with combined revenue of at least US$50 million over 3 years (lowered from US$150 million). Wholly-owned subsidiaries now qualify.
The previous work-experience requirement was removed in 2025.

4. Highly-Skilled Professional

Working for a business in one of Thailand's targeted industries, or for a Thai higher-education institution, research institute or government agency.
Income of at least US$80,000 a year, or at least US$40,000 with a master's degree in science or technology or specialist expertise. There is no minimum income for some government, research and university roles.
Since 2025, lecturers in vocational and higher education are included and the work-experience requirement was removed.

Quick comparison

Wealthy Global CitizenUS$1M assets + US$500K in Thailand · tax: foreign-income exemption

Wealthy Pensioner50+ · US$80K a year, or US$40K + US$250K in Thailand · tax: foreign-income exemption

Work-from-ThailandOverseas employer · US$80K a year (or US$40K with conditions) · tax: foreign-income exemption

Highly-SkilledTargeted industry or academia · US$80K a year (or less, by role) · tax: 17% flat rate on Thai salary

Requirements for every type

Health insurance with at least US$50,000 of medical cover in Thailand, or social security benefits, or at least US$100,000 kept in a bank account for at least 12 months.
A valid passport, no record that bars entry to Thailand, and supporting documents such as income, asset or employment evidence, with certified translations where needed.
Income and asset figures are checked in US dollars, so exchange rates matter if your income is close to the limit.

What LTR holders get

Stay10 years (5 + 5), multiple entry; the second 5 years requires you to still meet the criteria

ReportingAddress report once a year instead of every 90 days

WorkDigital work permit; exempt from the rule of hiring four Thai staff per foreign employee

AirportsFast-track lanes at international airports

TaxSee the next section

FamilySpouse and children under 20 can apply as dependants; the 2025 announcement widened this to parents and other family members (see below)

Tax benefits

Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner and Work-from-Thailand Professional: income earned outside Thailand and brought into the country is exempt from Thai personal income tax under Royal Decree No. 743.

Highly-Skilled Professional: salary from an eligible employer in Thailand can be taxed at a flat 17% instead of the progressive rates of up to 35%.

Thailand changed how it taxes foreign income remitted from 2024, and your home country may also tax you. Get advice from a tax professional before you move money.

What changed in 2025

Wealthy Global Citizen: the US$80,000 income test was removed; assets and investment are now the only financial tests.
Work-from-Thailand: employer revenue lowered to US$50 million over 3 years; wholly-owned subsidiaries accepted; no work-experience requirement.
Highly-Skilled: lecturers added; no work-experience requirement.
Dependants: widened to include parents and more family members. How this is applied in practice can lag behind the announcement, so check with the BOI before you count on it.
The changes come from BOI Announcement Por. 3/2568, issued on 4 February 2025 after cabinet approval.

How to apply

Apply online to the BOI for an eligibility endorsement and upload your documents.
Wait for the result. The BOI's target is about 20 working days from a complete file; in practice it often takes longer, especially if more documents are requested.
Get the visa within 60 days of endorsement, at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, or at the One Start One Stop Investment Center in Bangkok, and pay the ฿50,000 fee.
If you will work, apply for the digital work permit. Then report your address once a year.

Costs

Visa fee฿50,000 for the 10-year visa

Work permitAnnual government fee (if you work), reported at about ฿3,000 a year

OtherHealth insurance, translations and certification, and any adviser's fee; these vary

LTR and buying property

For Wealthy Global Citizens (US$500,000) and Wealthy Pensioners (US$250,000), property in Thailand can count toward the investment. Law firm guidance says freehold condominiums, buildings or villas qualify, as well as leasehold property with at least 10 years remaining on the lease. Buy it correctly: a freehold condo in your name needs foreign quota and money transferred from abroad with the bank's remittance certificate, and the BOI will expect the registered title and proof of payment. See our buyer's guide.

LTR or Thailand Privilege (Elite)?

Who qualifiesLTR: only if you meet income, asset or job criteria · Privilege: anyone who pays the fee

CostLTR: ฿50,000 · Privilege: ฿650,000 to ฿5,000,000

LengthLTR: 10 years · Privilege: 5 to 20 years

WorkLTR: yes, with digital work permit · Privilege: no

Tax benefitLTR: yes, by type · Privilege: none

If you qualify for the LTR, it usually offers more for less money. If you do not, Thailand Privilege is the simpler route. Read our Elite vs LTR comparison and Thailand Privilege guide.

Strengths

Long 10-year stay at a low government fee.
Right to work with a digital work permit.
Annual reporting instead of every 90 days.
Tax benefits for all four types.
Property can count toward the investment for two types.

Things to consider

High financial bar; not for most people.
Lots of documents; approval can take longer than the official target.
The second 5 years requires you to still qualify.
Tax rules on foreign income are complex; advice is needed.

Who the LTR suits

High-net-worth individuals, well-funded retirees aged 50 and over, remote employees of large international companies, and specialists hired by Thai companies in targeted industries or by universities. If you do not meet the numbers, look at our guide to choosing a visa.

Frequently asked questions

How many types of LTR visa are there?

Four: Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, Work-from-Thailand Professional and Highly-Skilled Professional.

How long is the LTR visa?

10 years in total: 5 years, then renewable for 5 more if you still meet the criteria.

How much does it cost?

The government visa fee is ฿50,000. Work permit fees, insurance and adviser fees are extra.

Can I buy a condo to qualify?

For Wealthy Global Citizens and Wealthy Pensioners, Thai property can count toward the investment requirement, if bought and documented correctly.

Can I work on an LTR visa?

Yes. Holders can get a digital work permit.

Can my family come with me?

Your spouse and children under 20 can apply as dependants. The 2025 announcement widened this to parents and other family members; check current practice with the BOI.

LTR and property

Planning to use property for your LTR?

We can shortlist freehold units that fit the budget and paperwork, and introduce you to an LTR specialist for the application.

Visa consultation LINE WhatsApp View units for sale

General information, not immigration, legal or tax advice. LTR criteria are set by BOI announcements and change from time to time. Figures checked on the date above from BOI announcements and law-firm summaries; confirm with the BOI or a licensed adviser before you apply.

← All articles Back to listings