LTR Visa (Wealthy Pensioners)

Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa for Wealthy Pensioners is a 10-year visa program for foreign retirees aged 50 and over with substantial passive income. Launched on 1 September 2022 and administered by the Board of Investment (BOI), it offers significant advantages over traditional retirement visas including exemption from Thai income tax on foreign-sourced income, annual reporting instead of the standard 90-day cycle, fast-track airport immigration, and the option to obtain a digital work permit. The program has no nationality restrictions and requires unearned or passive income of at least USD 80,000 per year, or USD 40,000-80,000 with a supplementary USD 250,000 investment in qualifying Thai assets.

• Minimum age of 50 years
• Personal passive income of at least USD 80,000 per year (pension, rental income, dividends, interest, realized capital gains, royalties)
• Alternatively, passive income of USD 40,000-80,000 per year with at least USD 250,000 invested in qualifying Thai assets (government bonds with 5+ year maturity, direct company investment, or Thai property)
• Earned income such as salaries is not accepted
• No nationality restrictions
• Health insurance with minimum USD 50,000 coverage, or Thai social security benefits, or a bank deposit of at least USD 100,000 maintained for 12+ months

• Personal income tax return from the applicant's home country (e.g., US Form 1040, UK SA100) showing passive income of USD 80,000+ per year
• Evidence of passive income sources (pension statements, dividend certificates, rental income records, bank interest statements)
• If using reduced income option: evidence of qualifying Thai investments totaling USD 250,000+
• Health insurance certificate or bank statement showing USD 100,000+ deposit
• Valid passport
• Recent photograph (4x6 cm, white background, business attire)
• BOI endorsement letter (valid 60 days)

The initial visa grants 5 years of stay, extendable for another 5 years at the Immigration Bureau before the initial period expires. Income, insurance, and investment requirements must continue to be met at renewal. The BOI re-verifies qualifications before granting the extension.

Spouses, children, and parents may be included as dependants. Each dependant must have a separate application account on the BOI LTR portal. As of February 2025, there is no limit on the number of dependants. Dependants receive the same visa duration and benefits, including annual reporting, fast-track immigration, and tax exemptions. Each dependant must meet the health insurance requirement and pays the same THB 50,000 visa fee.

LTR Wealthy Pensioners are exempt from personal income tax on foreign-sourced income remitted into Thailand under Royal Decree No. 743 B.E. 2565. This is a significant advantage over standard visa holders, who are taxed on foreign income remitted in the year it is earned. Thai-sourced income remains subject to standard tax rates.

The application involves three stages. First, create an account on the BOI LTR portal and submit documents for qualification endorsement (reviewed within 20 working days). Second, select a visa issuance location -- TIESC at One Bangkok (opened March 2025) or an overseas embassy -- and upload additional documents for pre-approval (1-3 working days). Third, collect the visa within 60 days at the selected location. At TIESC Bangkok, an appointment is required and formal business attire is enforced. The visa fee is THB 50,000 per person. As of May 2025, all arrivals must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online.

Unlike the O-A and O-X retirement visas which prohibit all employment, LTR holders may obtain a digital work permit at THB 3,000 per year. This must be applied for separately after visa issuance at the Department of Employment counter at TIESC.

The LTR visa is multiple entry with unlimited exits and re-entries during the validity period. No re-entry permit is required. Holders benefit from annual reporting instead of the standard 90-day cycle and have access to dedicated fast-track immigration lanes at Thai international airports.