In today’s globalized world where competition between countries extends beyond economics to attracting high-potential talent to drive national growth, Thailand has emerged as an attractive destination for foreigners seeking long-term residence. The LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa is a policy designed to address this challenge, offering opportunities for investors, experts, and those wishing to sustainably live in Thailand.
Trinity & Co. Legal understands the importance of the LTR visa as a tool to promote investment and economic development in Thailand. This article presents in-depth information about the origins, policy concepts, and benefits of the LTR visa, as well as considerations to help you make confident decisions.
Origins of the LTR Visa and Policy Concept
Thailand faces major structural challenges such as an aging population, declining birth rates, and the need to restructure its economy to align with modern times. According to the National Statistical Office, Thailand will become a completely aged society by 2030, meaning the population aged over 60 will constitute more than 20% of the total population, resulting in reduced working-age labor and creating a burden on the welfare system.
For this reason, the Thai government launched the LTR visa (Long-Term Resident Visa) on September 1, 2022, with the Board of Investment (BOI) as the main overseer. This policy aligns with approaches in other regional countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai, which aim to attract high-potential personnel to increase global competitiveness.
The main objectives of the LTR visa are threefold:
- Attract high-potential personnel: Whether investors, technology experts, or personnel who can stimulate growth in target industries such as information technology, clean energy, and advanced medicine.
- Stimulate investment and spending in the country: Especially from stable groups such as retirees from abroad who want to live in Thailand.
- Enhance innovation and economic capability: Through the exchange of knowledge and technology from foreigners.
The LTR visa has a maximum residence period of 10 years (initially 5 years, renewable for another 5 years) and is open to four main qualifying groups:
- Wealthy Global Citizens: Investors with assets of at least $1 million USD who must invest at least $500,000 USD in Thailand.
- Wealthy Pensioners: Those aged 50 and above with pension or passive income of at least $80,000 USD per year (or $40,000 USD if investing $250,000 USD in Thailand).
- Work-from-Thailand Professionals: Those working for multinational companies with total revenues of at least $50 million USD and having personal income of $80,000 USD per year.
- Highly-Skilled Professionals: Personnel in target industries such as technology, finance, energy, and health sciences with at least 5 years of experience. (https://ltr.boi.go.th/page/targeted-industries.html )
Additionally, the LTR visa also covers dependents such as spouses, children under 20 years of age, parents, and legal dependents. In January 2025, restrictions on the number of dependents were lifted to make it more convenient for families to relocate together.
Benefits of the LTR Visa for the Thai Economy
The LTR visa is not merely an immigration policy but also a strategic tool used by the Thai government to attract investment and knowledge from foreigners, with important benefits including:
- Tax Benefits and Residence Convenience
One of the highlights of the LTR visa is the reduction of tax burdens for experts. Highly-Skilled Professionals will be taxed at a personal income tax rate of only 17%, which is lower than Thailand’s normal rate (maximum 35%) and similar to policies in Singapore (15%) and Hong Kong (16%). Additionally, LTR visa holders are exempt from the requirement to report every 90 days under immigration law, changed to reporting only once a year, and receive Fast Track service at airports, increasing travel convenience.
- Promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Thailand faces competition in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) from neighbors such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have lower labor costs. The LTR visa is an incentive that helps attract investors to choose to establish businesses in Thailand, especially in Thailand 4.0 target industries such as information technology, clean energy, and advanced medicine. For example, qualifying Wealthy Global Citizens can invest in real estate or Thai government bonds, which helps stimulate the economy in the long term.
- Mitigating the Impact of an Aging Population
As Thailand will become a completely aged society by 2030, the LTR visa helps attract highly skilled foreign workers to fill labor gaps and increase revenue from retirees who want to live in Thailand. For example, Wealthy Pensioners can help stimulate spending in the service sector, such as tourism and healthcare.
- Increasing Innovation Capability
Work-from-Thailand Professionals and Highly-Skilled Professionals bring new knowledge and technologies to Thailand. This helps elevate target industries such as research and development (R&D) and digital technology, aligning with Thailand 4.0’s goal of transitioning to an innovation-driven economy.
Considerations and Improvement Approaches
Despite the many benefits of the LTR visa, there are certain limitations that should be addressed to attract a wider range of target groups:
- Overly Strict Income Conditions
Some applicant groups, such as Work-from-Thailand Professionals, must have a minimum income of $80,000 USD per year, which may be too high for mid-level personnel with potential but insufficient income. This condition may cause Thailand to lose competitive opportunities against other countries such as Malaysia (MM2H) or Singapore (Tech.Pass) that have more flexible criteria.
- Complex Application Process
Although the government improved the process in January 2025, such as reducing the income criteria for employer companies from $150 million USD to $50 million USD and eliminating restrictions on the number of dependents, the application process still requires many documents and waiting for approval results takes 20 business days or longer, which may create inconvenience for applicants.
- Competition from Other Countries
Asian countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have similar talent-attracting visas, especially Singapore’s Tech.Pass, which focuses on attracting technology experts with more modern infrastructure and flexible policies. Thailand may need to adjust conditions to be more competitive to maintain its ability to attract high-potential personnel.
Conclusion: The LTR Visa and Thailand’s Future
The LTR visa is not just an immigration policy but an important strategy that helps Thailand compete globally by attracting high-potential personnel and increasing foreign investment. With benefits such as reduced tax burdens, annual reporting only once, and a maximum residence period of 10 years, this visa helps make Thailand an attractive destination for investors, experts, and retirees from around the world.
However, the Thai government should improve regulations to be more flexible to attract diverse target groups and increase the country’s long-term capabilities. The LTR visa is the beginning of economic and social restructuring, and if implemented carefully, will help Thailand truly become a global talent hub in the 21st century.
LTR Visa Application Process with Trinity & Co Legal
Trinity & Co Legal Limited is ready to provide comprehensive legal services for foreigners wishing to apply for a Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for convenient and secure residence in Thailand. Contact us for consultation and services that meet all your needs.
Steps to Apply for an LTR Visa with Trinity & Co Legal:
- Initial Consultation – Contact us to schedule a consultation
- Document Preparation – We help collect and prepare all documents according to requirements
- Application Submission – Process the application with relevant agencies
- Follow-up – Coordinate and continuously track progress
- Receive Visa – Upon approval, we help complete the final steps for you to receive your visa
Contact us today to start your new life in Thailand. Deciding to apply for an LTR visa may be an important turning point in your life. Don’t let the complexity of the process become an obstacle. Trinity & Co Legal Limited is ready to provide convenience in the process for you.
📞 Phone: +66 96-798-6396
📧 Email: Contactus@trinitycolegal.com
🏢 Address: BBD Building, 4th Floor, Rama 4 Road, Bangkok
ข้อมูลอ้างอิง
- ข้อมูลนโยบายวีซ่า LTR เพื่อส่งเสริมการลงทุนและเศรษฐกิจ. สืบค้นจาก https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/92378
- Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa): โอกาสสำหรับนักลงทุนและผู้เชี่ยวชาญ. สืบค้นจาก https://fdi.co.th/th/blog/long-term-resident-visa-ltr-visa/
- เหตุผลที่ไทยออกวีซ่า LTR และข้อดี-ข้อเสียของนโยบายนี้. สืบค้นจาก https://www.moneybuffalo.in.th/economy/why-thailand-issued-ltr-visa-what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages
- วีซ่าประเภทใหม่ Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR). สืบค้นจาก https://division5.immigration.go.th/วีซ่าประเภทใหม่-long-term-resident-visa-ltr/
- Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa) สืบค้นจาก https://ltr.boi.go.th/index.html#what
