Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa offers eligible foreign nationals a framework for living and working in Thailand over an extended period. Launched in September 2022, the programme combines immigration facilitation with category-specific tax benefits. For clients considering relocation, retirement or investment, its value depends on selecting the right category and coordinating the visa application with investment, employment and family arrangements.

Four years of the LTR programme

In October 2026, the Board of Investment (BOI) reported more than 12,000 approvals and estimated that the programme had generated approximately THB 43 billion in economic value over four years. This estimate encompasses investment, domestic expenditure, visa fees and tax revenue; it should not be read as a figure for direct investment alone. Long-term residents support demand for housing, healthcare, tourism, food, transport and other services, while international specialists contribute to Thailand’s talent base.

Category	Principal requirements at a glance
Wealthy Global Citizens	At least USD 1 million in assets and USD 500,000 in qualifying Thai investments. The former USD 80,000 annual income requirement is absent from the current criteria.
Wealthy Pensioners	Retirees aged 50 or over with annual passive income of at least USD 80,000; alternatively, USD 40,000–79,999 plus USD 250,000 in qualifying Thai investments.
Work-from-Thailand Professionals	Remote employees of qualifying overseas employers. Generally, average annual income of USD 80,000 over the preceding two years; a USD 40,000 threshold applies with specified additional qualifications. Employer eligibility must also be established.
Highly-Skilled Professionals	Qualifying employment or services in targeted industries or specified institutions. Generally, average annual income of USD 80,000 over the preceding two years, with lower-income routes based on relevant qualifications or expertise and exemptions for specified public-sector employment.

These are headline criteria, rather than a complete eligibility checklist. For the remote-work category, qualifying employers include listed companies, private companies operating for at least three years with combined revenue of USD 50 million over those years, and qualifying wholly owned subsidiaries. The lower-income qualification tests differ between the two professional categories.

What does the visa offer?

The programme provides an initial five-year permission to stay, extendable for a further five years subject to continued eligibility. Benefits include annual reporting in place of 90-day reporting, multiple entry without a separate re-entry permit, and facilitated immigration and work-permit services. Investments, employment and other qualifying conditions must be maintained throughout the relevant period. LTR status is a long-stay immigration permission, rather than permanent residence.

Health coverage and family members

Principal applicants generally need health insurance covering medical expenses in Thailand of at least USD 50,000, with the required remaining coverage period. Alternatives include qualifying social-security coverage or a bank deposit of at least USD 100,000 maintained for at least 12 months. Dependents have separate requirements, including a USD 25,000 per-person deposit alternative.

The BOI’s current operational guidance lists legally married spouses and children under 20, with a maximum of four dependents per principal holder. Family members require separate applications and relationship evidence; unmarried partners are not eligible as spouses. The BOI’s 2025 criteria announcement also refers to parents and other legal dependents, creating a discrepancy with the published operational guidance. Eligibility for these relatives, and any applicable numerical limit, should therefore be confirmed with the LTR unit before relocation commitments are made.

Work rights and tax benefits require separate attention

Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Highly-Skilled Professionals and eligible dependents may apply for permission to work in Thailand. Employment with an entity in Thailand requires the appropriate work permit. The Work-from-Thailand category is designed for remote employment with an overseas employer and does not permit employment with a Thai employer under that category.

Tax incentives vary by category. Qualifying Highly-Skilled Professionals may benefit from a 17% rate on qualifying employment income, subject to employer, withholding and compliance requirements. Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners and Work-from-Thailand Professionals may qualify for an exemption on specified foreign-source income brought into Thailand under Royal Decree No. 743. These benefits do not automatically extend to dependents or all income. Income source, timing, tax residence and treaty treatment should be reviewed individually; payment from an overseas account does not by itself establish foreign-source income.

Coordinate the investment and relocation process

Where an investment threshold applies, the qualifying investment must be completed before the application. Eligible routes include specified Thai government bonds, direct investment and property. The applicant’s ownership, supporting evidence and share of jointly held assets matter.

A proposed acquisition of shares in a company holding property should be assessed separately for investment eligibility and transaction risks. The property’s market value should not simply be treated as the applicant’s qualifying investment. Corporate and property due diligence, ownership restrictions and the proposed acquisition structure should be reviewed before funds are committed. LTR approval should not be treated as clearance of the underlying property or corporate transaction.

Bank-account opening and the movement of investment funds should also be planned early. Banks apply their own documentation and customer-verification requirements, so the sequence of entry, banking and investment should be agreed in advance.

Application process and next steps

Applications for qualification endorsement are submitted online. The BOI indicates a review period of 20 working days after complete and valid documents are received, although requests for further evidence can extend this period. Endorsement is followed by visa issuance and, where relevant, a work-permit application. The visa issuance fee in Thailand is THB 50,000 per person; overseas issuance fees may differ. Clients should allow additional time for document preparation, investment completion and family applications.

Our team assists with category selection, eligibility assessment, investment and property structuring, due diligence, family visa planning, applications and related employment and tax advice. An initial review of each family member’s circumstances, income, assets and intended activities in Thailand helps establish a practical route before major commitments are made.

For further information, please contact Andreas Richter, Senior Partner, and Pornpan Rowland at our Immigration and Work Permit  team at Blumenthal Richter Sumet & Schuler Ltd.

This legal update provides general information as at 6 October 2026 and is not advice on any particular application or transaction. Eligibility and benefits remain subject to applicable law and assessment by the relevant authorities.

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