Thailand 10-year visa

Understand the Thai Long Term Visa (LTR) or Thailand 10-year visa. The Thai government has introduced the new “Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa”. The new visa provides a range of tax benefits as well as non-tax benefits to make the country more attractive to different types of wealthy people.

Thailand is trying to grow the country by allowing what they call “high-potential” foreigners to settle in the country. Building off the most important tourist destinations in Asia, Thailand has used different criteria for different types of foreigners. This is divided in different categories. Likewise also see the article on permanent residency in Thailand.

This is a 10 year renewable visa. The first granting will be for 5 years. This can then be extended for another 5 years if the qualifications can be met. Note that the requirements might change during this time for the Thai Long Term Visa. Some also call this the 10 year retirement visa Thailand.

There is also an exemption for the employment ratio when it comes to the 4 in 1 Thai requirements for the business.  If you are part of a business to starting a company in Thailand then see the work permit requirements on this website. Thailand now also has a thriving cannabis business. 

• There is also a fast track system when you enter Thailand via the airport.
• Also the 90 day reporting is also only done once a year and not every 90 days as with a standard visa.
• The One Stop Service Center for visa and work permit application can assist for fast tracking.
• There is also the digital work permit which can be completed.
• For highly skilled people there is a 17% personal income tax.
• There is also a tax exemption on income earned from abroad.

There are 5 types of Long Term Visas for Thailand. These have been added below:

Wealthy Global Citizen

Wealthy individuals holding at least USD 1 million in assets

• You must have at least USD 1 million in assets
• Personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year for the last two years
• Also at least USD 500,000 invested in Thai government bonds, Thai property or direct investment
• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits covering Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit.
• All the above requirements has to be met.

Wealthy Pensioners

Retirees aged 50 years and older who have an annual pension or stable income

• You must get at least USD 80,000 per year in pension;
• If you cannot meet that then USD 40,000 per year plus have invested at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, Thai property or direct investment;
• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits covering Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit;
• All the above requirements has to be met.

Remote Workers from Thailand

Remote workers working for well-established overseas companies

• Personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year for the last two years;
• If you cannot meet that then USD 40,000 per year then you must also have a Master’s degree or above or own intellectual property or receive Series A funding;
• Working for a public company or the stock exchange or private company that has been operating for at least 3 years with a turnover of at least USD million over the past 3 years;
• At least 5 years’ experience in the relevant fields of the company for at least the last 10 years;
• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits covering Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit;
• All the above requirements has to be met.

Highly Skilled Professionals

Professionals or experts in designated industries* who are working for business entities. This can be either higher education institutes or research centers or specialized training institutions in Thailand. These can also cover Thai government agencies.

• Personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year for the last two years;
• If you cannot meet that then USD 40,000 per year then you must also have a Master’s degree or above in science and technology or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand;
• Note whoever that there is no minimum personal income when working for any Thai government agency;
• You must have at least 5 years of work experience in the designated industries except for applicants with a PhD. These are applicants working for Thai government agencies.
• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits covering Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit;
• All the above requirements has to be met.

• Application Submission

You will need to register and submit your application online.

• Qualifications Endorsement

It takes up to 20 working days to be notified of the result of your application.

• Visa Issuance

You will then have 60 days to apply at the Thai Embassy or immigration offices in Thailand for the LTR visa. Inside Thailand this is 50,000 Thai baht per person. Outside of the country this may differ.

• Digital Work Permit Issuance

The processing fee for the work permit is 3,000 Baht per year to maintain your digital work permit. Also the work permit may be collected at the Department of Employment at One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit, Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok or provincial labour offices.

• The next-generation automotive industry
• Smart electronics industry
• Affluent tourism industry
• Agricultural and biotechnology industry
• High value-added food processing
• Automation and robotics industry
• Aviation industry
• Biofuels and biochemical industry
• Digital industry
• Medical industry
• Defense industry
• Human resource development, research and development for targeted industries

Also industries that are part of the circular economy directly and more over significantly. These can be waste to energy and well as resource management such as water resource management. Also any industry that is in accordance with the 20-year national strategic of Thailand.