Thailand Investment Visa: Secure Long-Term Residency Through Investment

Thailand’s commitment to becoming a high-income economy by the end of the decade has created valuable opportunities for foreign investors, especially in the digital and high-tech sectors. The country has simultaneously retained its status as an attractive retirement destination for wealthy expats, which also accounts for an increasing interest in Thailand’s long-term residency visa options.

In this article, we’ll examine the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program, which replaced the Thailand investment visa. You will learn about: 

• The benefits of the LTR visa
• The categories of applicants eligible for the program
• LTR visa requirements 
• The application process for securing long-term residency in Thailand
• Alternative visa programs for an extended stay in the country

Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa Overview

The LTR visa is a 10-year visa for location-flexible, affluent individuals. It’s issued for two five-year periods and allows multiple entries into the county. 

Besides the right to reside in Thailand, the LTR visa offers many secondary benefits, such as: 

• Tax exemption from foreign-sourced income
• A 17% cap on the personal income tax rate
• A digital work permit 
• Exemption from the local employment quotas
• Extension of the 90-day reporting requirement to yearly reporting
• Fast-track service at the country’s international airports
• Visa and work permit facilitation services 

Eligibility Categories and Requirements

The LTR visa has four eligibility categories: 

1. Wealthy global citizens
2. Wealthy pensioners
3. Work-from-Thailand professionals
4. High-skilled professionals

The program also has a special category for applicants’ dependents. 

Wealthy Global Citizens

The pathway for high-net-worth individuals is available if you hold at least USD 1 million in assets, either globally or in Thailand. 

The assets can also include the USD 500,000 investment you are required to make in Thailand as part of the long-term residence visa program. Three options are on offer: 

1. Invest in Thai government bonds with at least five years of remaining maturity
2. Make a direct investment in a Thailand-based private or public company or a venture capital firm
3. Purchase real estate in the country, typically a condo

You will also need to meet the health insurance requirement by having a policy with at least USD 50,000 of coverage. Alternatively, you can deposit USD 100,000 in a bank and keep it for at least a year. 

Bonus read: Learn more about residency investment programs in our guides on Monaco, Montenegro, and Bulgaria.

Wealthy Pensioners

You can apply under the retiree eligibility category if you’re at least 50 years old and have a passive source of steady income, such as a pension, dividend or interest payment, or rental income. Any earned income, such as a salary, will not be considered when determining whether you meet the requirements. 

The income threshold for retirees applying for Thailand residency is USD 80,000 per year. 

You can also apply if your income is lower, provided it is not under USD 40,000 per year. In this case, you will also have to make a USD 250,000 investment in one of the following: 

• Thai government bonds with a remaining maturity of at least five years
• A direct investment in a Thai company (private, public, or venture capital firms) 
• Property in Thailand (condominiums)

In addition to meeting the financial requirements, you will also have to meet one of the following criteria: 

• Have health insurance with at least USD 50,000 in coverage
• Maintain a USD 100,000 deposit in a bank for at least a year 

Work-From-Thailand Professionals

If you’re a remote worker for an established foreign company, you may be eligible for the Thailand 10-year visa. You need to meet the minimum income requirement of USD 80,000 per year for the past two years, or at least USD 40,000 per year if you have a master’s degree or another proof of qualification. 

The company you work with has to be one of the following: 

• Listed public company
• Private company with three years of operation and at least USD 50 million in revenue over the three years
• Wholly owned subsidiary of any of the above

You must also either hold a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of USD 50,000 or deposit and maintain USD 100,000 in a bank for at least a year.

High-Skilled Professionals

To be eligible for the long-term visa for Thailand as a high-skilled professional, you need to work in one of the target industries as determined by the Thailand Board of Investment. These include, but are not limited to: 

• Automotive industry
• Automation and robotics industry
• Agriculture and biotech
• Medicine
• Digital industry
• Petrochemical and chemical industry
• Affluent tourism

You will have to meet the minimum income threshold of USD 80,000 per year for the past two years, or provide a certificate of qualification, such as a master’s degree, if your income is at least USD 40,000. 

If you plan to work for a Thai government agency, you will be exempt from the minimum income requirement.

In addition to income and qualifications, you will also need either medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 50,000 or a bank deposit of at least USD 100,000.

Applicant’s Dependents

Regardless of your own LTR visa eligibility category, you can add up to four dependents to your application. A dependent can be your: 

• Spouse, including from a same-sex marriage
• Child younger than 20 years of age

You should note that Thailand doesn’t recognize partnerships, so only a person you are legally married to can be issued an LTR visa if you’re the main applicant. 

To be eligible, your dependents need to meet one of the following requirements: 

• Have health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 50,000
• Make a USD 25,000 deposit in a bank per dependent maintained for at least a year

How To Apply for a Long-Term Residence Visa

Here’s what the process entails when applying for an LTR visa:

1. Making the investment
2. Preparing personal documents
3. Preparing investment and category-specific documents
4. Submitting the application online
5. Receiving your visa

Making the Investment

If you plan to invest in Thailand for residency, you should consider your options before applying for the LTR visa. Thailand requires you to have already invested at the time of application, and some types of investments can take significant time to realize. 

Here are some important things to know about the three investment options: 

Investment Type	Considerations
Government bonds	• Purchasing from the secondary market might not be an option • Bond yields can be significantly higher than inflation • Brokers tend to be easier to work with than banks
Direct investment	• Majority Thai ownership is mandatory in many sectors • The process can take 8–12 months with upfront capital investment  • Only advisable if you have a specific plan worked out
Real estate	• Restrictions on land and house ownership confine you to purchasing a condo • Thailand has historically had weak property rights protections • Cash flow doesn’t significantly outperform the yield from bonds, and the Bangkok market is very expensive

While it is advisable to seek out professional assistance before making the decision, the most sensible option may be to invest in government bonds. 

Preparing Personal Documents

You should prepare the documents in electronic form, as the submission process takes place online. The documents you’ll need when applying for the LTR visa, regardless of your eligibility category, include:

• Your passport, specifically the biodata page and any pages with Thai immigration stamps
• A recent photo of yourself, against a white background, in business attire
• Criminal records clearance documents from your county of residence and Thailand
• A health insurance document or a bank certificate showing the required deposit

If your dependents plan to apply, you will also need documents showing the familial relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates, as well as a sponsorship consent form. 

Preparing Investment and Category-Specific Documents

If you’re investing in Thailand as part of your application, you will need the following documents:

• A copy of the government bond
• Proof of a direct investment, such as a company shareholder list, a securities business license, or a letter from a broker confirming your stock ownership
• A copy of a sale and purchase, leasehold, or construction agreement, as well as a real estate title deed

You’ll also need category-specific supporting documents: 

Eligibility Category	Supporting Documents
Wealthy global citizen	• Documents showing your assets, such as an investment portfolio report, a bank statement, or a title deed
Wealthy pensioner	• Proof of income, such as a tax return, bank statement, or a company financial report
Work-from-Thailand professional	• Income tax return  • Your CV  • Evidence of qualification, ownership of intellectual property, or Series A funding  • Evidence of employment, such as a contract or a letter • Evidence of the company being listed, a financial statement, or evidence of ownership by an eligible company
High-skilled professional	• Income tax return • Your CV • Evidence of qualification • Evidence of previous employment and achievement • Letter of employment from the Thai government or a private company • Employment certificate form • Company-related documents

Submitting the Application Online

To submit your application, you must register on the Thailand Board of Investment’s visa website. Your dependents should create separate accounts after you’ve started your application process. 

After you’ve submitted the documents, your application will be forwarded to the relevant qualification endorsement bodies for review. If your documentation is complete and you meet the requirements, you will receive a notification to submit additional information or documents for pre-approval.

After pre-approval is processed, you will be notified again, provided with an endorsement letter, and instructed to make an appointment for visa issuance. 

Receiving Your Visa

The LTR visa is issued at Thai embassies or consulates, as well as in the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center in Bangkok. After receiving pre-approval, you will have 60 days to finalize the process and collect your visa. 

If you applied as a high-skilled professional, you will have to submit your work permit application before you start working.

Alternative Programs for Long-Term Stay in Thailand

To secure immigration status in Thailand for an extended period, you can apply for the Thailand Privilege Card program and pay a fee instead of making an investment. The Thailand Privilege Card is a tiered membership program that offers travel, hospitality, and lifestyle benefits in addition to helping you secure residency for up to 20 years. 

The membership tiers, visa validity, and pricing are as follows:

Membership Tier	Visa Validity	Cost
Bronze	Five years	USD 19,900 (THB 650,000)
Gold	Five years	USD 27,500 (THB 900,000)
Platinum	10 years	USD 46,000 (THB 1.5 million)
Diamond	15 years	USD 76,500 (THB 2.5 million)
Reserve	20 years	USD 153,000 (THB 5 million)

Thailand’s lack of a straightforward golden visa program makes the LTR visa the best alternative. Whether you choose this option or decide to make a payment with no return for the Privilege Card program, you will need to navigate the local immigration system, as well as consider the tax implications and opportunities of moving abroad. 

For advice and assistance with both, contact Nomad Capitalist. 

Become a Long-Term Resident of Thailand With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is a consultancy specializing in global mobility and wealth protection. We’ve assisted more than 1,500 clients in obtaining second residency or citizenship, developing efficient tax strategies, and investing abroad to reach their financial or lifestyle objectives. 

Our core service is a highly personalized Action Plan where we integrate all of the above methods in creating actionable blueprints for meeting our clients’ goals. Each Plan takes into account the client’s current circumstances and desires and is created to align closely with their preferred timeline.

Here’s what partnering with Nomad Capitalist looks like: 

1. We ask you to fill out a form to help us determine whether we’re a good match
2. We schedule a 45-minute onboarding call to learn more about your circumstances and goals
3. Our agents create an Action Plan and present it to you for approval 
4. We implement the Plan over 12 months
5. You continue receiving support even after the Plan was implemented

When it comes to securing long-term residency in Thailand, Nomad Capitalist can assist you in determining whether the LTR program is the best choice for your circumstances. We can also advise you on the country’s investment landscape, helping you save countless hours of research time. If you decide to apply for the LTR program, we will provide support throughout the process.