What is the Thailand LTR Visa and Recent Changes?

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is a special 10-year residence visa introduced in 2022. It is designed to make long-term living and working in Thailand easier by offering a renewable five-year permit, tax benefits, and streamlined reporting requirements.

Unlike the Thailand Elite visa, which is essentially a residency-by-membership program, the LTR visa grants work rights through a digital work permit and is tied to professional or financial qualifications.

In 2025, the Thai government introduced major updates to the program to make it more competitive. These changes include removing the income requirement for wealthy global citizens, lowering thresholds for remote workers, expanding professional fields, and lifting restrictions on dependents.

The goal is to position Thailand as a prime hub for skilled professionals, investors, and retirees looking for stability in Southeast Asia.

This article will cover the key policy changes in 2025, the requirements for each eligibility category, the cost of the visa, the step-by-step application process, how to obtain a work permit under the program, and the main tax and lifestyle benefits.

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La información contenida en este artículo es meramente orientativa. No constituye asesoramiento financiero, jurídico o fiscal, ni una recomendación o solicitud de inversión. Algunos hechos pueden haber cambiado desde el momento de su redacción.

Thailand LTR Visa Policy Changes (2025 Updates)

The Thai government updated the Long-Term Resident visa in 2025 to remove barriers and broaden access. These reforms significantly expand eligibility while making the program easier to apply for:

• Income requirement removed for wealthy global citizens: The previous rule requiring an annual income of USD 80,000 for two consecutive years has been dropped. Eligibility now focuses on overall wealth and assets, such as holding at least USD 1 million in global assets or USD 500,000 in Thai investments.
• Lowered company revenue requirement for remote workers: Applicants under the Work-from-Thailand Professionals category now only need to work for a company with at least USD 50 million in annual revenue over three years, down from USD 150 million. Subsidiaries can use their parent company’s financials.
• No more five-year work experience requirement: Previously, remote workers and highly skilled professionals needed to show five years of work experience in their field. This requirement has been removed, widening access for younger professionals and those with less formal career history.
• Expanded list of eligible professional fields: Highly skilled professionals are no longer limited to STEM fields. New areas such as sustainability, disaster management, innovation, and teaching in higher education or vocational schools are now recognized.
• Unlimited dependents allowed: The earlier cap of four dependents per LTR visa holder has been lifted. Families can now include spouses, children, parents, and legally recognized dependents without restriction.
• SMART visa streamlined: Most SMART visa categories have been phased out, leaving only the SMART-S visa for startups. The LTR visa is now Thailand’s main long-term residence program for professionals, investors, and retirees.
• Simplified application channels: Applicants can now apply for the LTR visa through Thailand’s e-visa system at embassies and consulates. In-country processing is centralized at the new Thailand Immigration and Employment Service Center (TIESC) in Bangkok.

These updates collectively make the LTR visa more flexible and competitive compared to other regional residency options. They reduce financial and professional barriers, allow broader family inclusion, and streamline the path for those who want to live and work in Thailand long-term.

Thailand LTR Visa Requirements

Who qualifies for the Thailand LTR visa?

Anyone who meets the requirements under one of the four categories of wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, remote professionals, or highly skilled workers can apply.

The Long-Term Resident visa is divided into four main categories, each with its own eligibility criteria. These categories cover wealthy individuals, retirees, remote professionals, and highly skilled workers. The 2025 updates reduced some barriers, making the requirements more flexible than before.

1. Wealthy Global Citizens

• Must hold at least USD 1 million in global assets.
• At least USD 500,000 investment in Thai government bonds, real estate, or foreign direct investment.
• No minimum income requirement as of 2025 (previous USD 80,000 annual threshold removed).

2. Wealthy Pensioners

• Must be retired and at least 50 years old.
• Minimum annual pension income of USD 80,000; if lower (USD 40,000+), must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, real estate, or FDI.

3. Work-from-Thailand Professionals (Remote Workers)

• Must be employed by a public company listed on a stock exchange or a private company with at least USD 50 million in annual revenue over three years (reduced from USD 150 million).
• No five-year work experience requirement as of 2025 (previously mandatory).
• Annual income: USD 80,000 minimum; for those earning USD 40,000–80,000, a master’s degree or special expertise is required.

4. Highly Skilled Professionals

• Must work in a targeted industry or organization (government agencies, higher education institutions, research centers, or firms in key sectors).
• Eligible fields expanded beyond STEM to include sustainability, disaster management, innovation, and higher/vocational education.
• No longer need to show five years of work experience.
• Income requirement: USD 80,000 per year, or USD 40,000–80,000 with advanced qualifications.

Can dependents be included in the Thailand LTR visa?

Yes. As of 2025, there is no cap on the number of dependents. Spouses, children, parents, and other recognized dependents may be added to the main applicant’s visa.

Dependents may include:

• Legal spouse
• Children under 20 years old (biological or adopted)
• Parents and other legally recognized dependents

Do you need insurance?

All LTR visa holders must maintain health insurance with at least:

• USD 50,000 coverage, or
• A deposit of USD 100,000 in a Thai bank account.

How much is the Thailand LTR Visa?

The cost of the Thailand Long-Term Resident visa is straightforward compared to other long-term residency programs.

• Application fee: THB 50,000 (approximately USD 1,400) per applicant.
• Dependents: Each dependent requires a separate application and fee of THB 50,000.
• Renewal: The visa is issued for five years and renewable for another five years at no extra cost beyond the original fee.

This makes the LTR visa more cost-effective in the long run than the Thailand Elite visa, which charges higher membership fees without work rights or tax benefits.

How to Get the Thailand LTR Visa

Applying for the LTR visa is handled by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and processed through the new Thailand Immigration and Employment Service Center (TIESC) in Bangkok.

With the 2025 updates, applicants can also use the e-visa system at Thai embassies and consulates abroad.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Pre-screening application: Submit your application and supporting documents online through the BOI’s LTR visa portal or the Thai e-visa platform.
2. Document revise: BOI and relevant authorities verify your financials, employment history, and insurance. This stage usually takes 30–60 days.
3. Approval letter: Once approved, you will receive an endorsement letter confirming eligibility.
4. Visa issuance: Collect your LTR visa either at a Thai consulate/embassy abroad or at TIESC in Bangkok if already in Thailand.
5. Digital work permit: If applying as a remote worker or highly skilled professional, a digital work permit is issued automatically through TIESC.

How long does the LTR visa application take?

Most applications are processed in about 2–3 months, though delays can occur if documents are incomplete.

How to Get a Work Permit in Thailand with the LTR Visa

One of the biggest advantages of the Thailand LTR visa over other residency options is that it comes with a digital work permit, making it possible for foreigners to legally work in Thailand without the usual restrictions.

Automatic Work Permit with the LTR Visa

• When applying for the LTR visa under the Work-from-Thailand Professional or Highly Skilled Professional categories, applicants are automatically eligible for a digital work permit.
• This permit is issued through the Thailand Immigration and Employment Service Center (TIESC) in Bangkok after the visa has been granted.
• There is no need for a separate work permit application process, which simplifies the procedure compared to other Thai visas.

Benefits of the Digital Work Permit

• No 4:1 labor ratio requirement: Normal foreign work permits require companies to employ four Thai nationals per one foreigner. LTR visa holders are exempt from this rule, making it easier for companies to hire foreign professionals.
• Legally protected work status: Digital permits are fully recognized by the Department of Employment, ensuring the right to work in Thailand without complications.
• Convenience: The digital format means the permit is tied to your visa status and does not require a physical booklet.

Who needs the work permit?

• Required for those working or providing professional services in Thailand, either for a local employer or as a remote professional under the LTR framework.
• Not required for retirees or wealthy global citizens who do not intend to work.

Advantages of the Thailand LTR Visa

Thailand LTR Visa Tax Benefits

• Flat 17% personal income tax: Highly Skilled Professionals working in targeted industries benefit from a reduced 17% flat rate, compared to Thailand’s progressive tax rates that can go as high as 35%.
• Simplified reporting: LTR visa holders only need to report to immigration once a year, rather than every 90 days as required under most other visas.
• No tax on overseas income (if not remitted in the same tax year): Like other residents, LTR visa holders are only taxed on foreign income if it is brought into Thailand in the same year it is earned. This makes tax planning easier for global citizens.

Lifestyle and Family Benefits

• Unlimited dependents: As of 2025, there is no limit on how many family members can be included. Spouses, children, and parents can all be added.
• Fast-track services: LTR holders enjoy priority lanes at Thai international airports, making travel smoother.
• Access to TIESC: Visa and work permit services are centralized at the Thailand Immigration and Employment Service Center in Bangkok, streamlining renewals and paperwork.

LTR vs Elite Visa Thailand

While both visas grant long-term stay rights, they differ significantly:

• Thailand Elite Visa: A membership program with fees starting at THB 600,000 for 5 years, but with no work rights or tax incentives.
• Thailand LTR Visa: Costs THB 50,000, includes the right to work via a digital permit, offers tax benefits, and supports dependents.

The LTR visa is tied to financial or professional qualifications, offers work rights and tax benefits, and costs significantly less. The Elite visa is a lifestyle membership with no work rights, aimed mainly at affluent expats seeking residency privileges.

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