Thailand LTR Visa Explained: The Four Categories, Benefits and How BOI Screens Applicants

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is a Board of Investment programme for four groups: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals and Highly Skilled Professionals. Successful applicants receive permission to stay for five years, renewable for another five, with a one-year (instead of 90-day) report, a multiple re-entry permit and access to a digital work permit. BOI first screens eligibility; the visa is then issued separately.

Written by the Thai Legal & Immigration legal team · Last reviewed 2026-11-03 · Editorial policy

Who runs the LTR programme?

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) screens LTR applications under BOI Announcement No. Por. 3/2568, issued after the Cabinet resolution of 13 January 2025 that updated the criteria. Immigration and work-permit formalities are handled with the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Employment, including at the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC) at One Bangkok, opened on 17 March 2025.

The four eligible categories

Each category has its own income, asset, insurance and experience criteria, set out in the BOI announcement. Check the current figures on the official LTR portal before you apply.

Wealthy Global Citizens: individuals with substantial assets and investment in Thailand.
Wealthy Pensioners: retirees with a stable pension or passive income.
Work-from-Thailand Professionals: remote employees of established companies abroad.
Highly Skilled Professionals: experts working for Thai businesses or institutions in targeted industries.

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Benefits holders receive

A 10-year stay: five years first, extendable by five more if qualifications are still met.
A one-year report instead of the 90-day report, and a multiple re-entry permit.
Permission to work through a digital work permit.
Exemption from the ratio of four Thai employees per foreigner.
Fast-track service at international airports.
Tax privileges for some categories, as set out by BOI and the Revenue Department.

Dependants

A spouse and dependent children can apply for LTR dependant status linked to the main holder. Their status follows the main holder's, so renewals should be planned together.

Where LTR applications go wrong

Income or asset evidence that does not match the category's exact definition or time period.
Employer documents for Work-from-Thailand applicants that do not show the company meets the size or listing criteria.
Insurance that does not meet the stated coverage.
Choosing a category that fits less well than another one.

How we help

We compare your profile against each category, choose the strongest one, assemble evidence in the form BOI expects, and then handle visa issuance, the digital work permit and dependants. BOI decides eligibility; we cannot promise approval.

Related services

Frequently asked

Does an LTR holder need 90-day reports?

The 90-day report is replaced by a one-year report for LTR holders.

Can I work in Thailand on an LTR visa?

Yes, through the digital work permit available to LTR holders, within the conditions of your category.

Is the LTR the same as the Thailand Privilege visa?

No. The LTR is a BOI programme with eligibility criteria; Thailand Privilege is a membership programme.

Sources & references

BOI Long-Term Resident visa portal — checked 2026-11-03
Thailand Board of Investment — checked 2026-11-03
Thai Immigration Bureau — checked 2026-11-03

General information only, not legal advice. Immigration decisions rest with the Thai authorities.