LTR (Long-Term Resident)
Ten years for high earners, wealthy pensioners and skilled professionals.
By Shane RuddleRules as of October 2026- How long
- 10 years (5 + 5)
- Money to show
- Around US$80,000 a year income, or US$1m in assets
- Cost
- About ฿50,000
- Can you work?
- Yes, with a digital work permit (most categories)
The LTR is Thailand's 10-year visa for people the government wants to attract. It's run by the Board of Investment, not immigration, and it comes with fewer chores: you report once a year instead of every 90 days.
There are four categories: wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners (50+), work-from-Thailand professionals, and highly skilled professionals.
Who it suits
- Pensioners 50+ with around US$80,000 a year in pension or investment income
- Remote employees earning around US$80,000 a year from an established company abroad
- People with US$1m in assets who'll invest US$500,000 in Thailand
Watch out for
- The income rules are strict, and they're about proof, not estimates
- Tax treatment differs between categories (check with an accountant)
- If you just about qualify for a retirement visa, that's far simpler
What you'll need
- Wealthy pensioner: 50+, around US$80,000 a year passive income, or US$40,000 plus a US$250,000 investment in Thailand (check before applying)
- Work-from-Thailand professional: around US$80,000 a year from an established employer abroad (check before applying)
- Wealthy global citizen: US$1m in assets and a US$500,000 investment in Thailand (check before applying)
- Health insurance cover, usually at least US$50,000 (check before applying)
How it works from Pattaya
- 1Check which category you fit on the Board of Investment's LTR site
- 2Apply online and wait for the BOI's qualification letter
- 3Get the visa issued at an embassy or in Thailand
- 4Report once a year, rather than every 90 days
Visa rules in Thailand change often, so treat this as a guide, not a rulebook, and check the current requirements before you apply. BOI LTR visa (official)
Short answers
Who qualifies for the Thailand LTR visa?
Wealthy pensioners, well-paid remote workers, wealthy investors and highly skilled professionals. Most categories need around US$80,000 a year in income (check the current rules on the BOI site).
Can I work on an LTR visa?
Most categories come with a digital work permit. Pensioners need a separate exemption to work (check before applying).
LTR or retirement visa?
If you're 50+ and comfortably over the LTR's income bar, the LTR saves you yearly renewals. If not, the retirement visa (฿800,000 or ฿65,000 a month) is far simpler.
Read more
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