What Is the LTR Visa?
Launched in 2022 by the Thai government, the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is a 10-year multiple-entry visa designed to attract high-value residents to Thailand. Unlike the retirement visa (maximum 1-year extension) or Thailand Elite (expensive membership), the LTR offers a decade of legal residency with a single application fee of 50,000 THB.
It is administered by the Board of Investment (BOI), not Immigration — which means a more streamlined, professional application process and a dedicated fast-track service at major airports.
The Four LTR Categories
| Category | Who it is for | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthy Global Citizen | High-net-worth retirees / investors | USD 1M assets + USD 80K income or USD 500K Thai investment |
| Wealthy Pensioner | Retirees 50+ | USD 80K/year income OR USD 40K/year income + USD 250K Thai investment |
| Work-From-Thailand Professional | Remote workers with foreign employer | USD 80K income + 5 years work experience + employer in SET-listed/large co. |
| Highly Skilled Professional | Target-industry experts | USD 80K income + employment in Thai target industry (EEC, govt) |
LTR Costs 2026
Application fees
LTR Benefits Beyond Residency
- Work permit included (Highly Skilled Professional and Work-From-Thailand categories)
- 90-day reporting once per year instead of quarterly (major quality-of-life improvement)
- Fast-track at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airport
- Government concierge service through BOI
- Personal income tax benefits for Highly Skilled Professionals (flat 17% rate)
LTR vs. Retirement Visa — Which Is Better for Phuket?
For retirees over 50 with a steady pension of USD 80K+/year, the LTR Wealthy Pensioner category is generally superior to the Non-OA retirement visa. Reasons: 10 years in one application (vs. annual renewals), once-yearly 90-day report, no 800,000 THB bank tie-up requirement, and airport fast-track.
For retirees with lower income, the Non-OA retirement visa remains simpler and more accessible. See our retirement visa guide for the full comparison.
Phuket residents apply to the BOI office in Bangkok (or submit online). Once approved, the visa sticker can be collected from a Thai consulate abroad or, in some cases, from the BOI office. Many Phuket-based applicants find it easiest to fly to Bangkok for the collection step.
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