2026 Thailand LTR Visa Update｜10-Year Long-Term Residence Application Conditions & Benefits

On January 15, the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) announced Cabinet approval to update and adjust the eligibility, criteria, and conditions of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program to facilitate attracting a wider range of experts, investors, and executives, aiming to expand Thailand's foreign talent pool and support further development of its competitiveness.

First launched in 2022, the LTR visa offers up to 10 years of residence, a digital work permit, and personal income tax benefits, becoming a key tool for driving Thailand's economic growth in the post-pandemic era.

Thailand relaxes LTR visa application requirements

1. Removal of minimum annual income requirement

For applicants under the "Global Wealthy Citizen" visa, Thailand will no longer require a minimum annual income, focusing instead on accumulated wealth and investment capacity.

2. Removal of dependent limit

Visa holders can bring an unlimited number of dependents, including parents and other legal dependents. The cohabitation limit has been completely removed, whereas previously only up to four dependents were allowed.

3. Lower corporate income requirement

The income requirement for foreign company-sponsored visa applicants has been reduced from USD 150 million annually over the past three years to a minimum of USD 50 million.

Employees of large multinational companies can qualify by demonstrating financial stability through their parent company's financial statements.

4. Expanded target industries

Target industries for high-skilled professionals now include disaster and risk management, integrated innovation, and other fields. Previously, target industries were mainly concentrated in science, technology, and specific sectors.

5. Relaxed work experience requirement

Professional applicants no longer need at least five years of relevant work experience, further lowering the application threshold for high-skilled talent.

6. Personal income tax adjustment

Long-term resident visa holders in the "Wealthy Investor," "Wealthy Retiree," and "Remote Worker in Thailand" categories still enjoy personal income tax exemption on offshore income earned abroad and remitted to Thailand the following year, a benefit not available to other taxpayers. The "High-Skilled Professional" category pays personal income tax at a flat rate of 17%.

7. Relaxed reporting period

The reporting period to the Immigration Bureau will be relaxed from every 90 days to once a year.

LTR visa applications continue to rise

The LTR visa is one of Thailand's "longest" visas, allowing holders to stay for up to 10 years with multiple entry and exit rights, aimed at attracting the following four categories of high-value foreigners:

• Individuals with special professional skills;
• Professionals willing to work in Thailand;
• High-net-worth individuals;
• Retirees with stable income and their family members.

According to the Thailand Board of Investment, the scale of foreign investment attracted by Thailand exceeded USD 15 billion in 2023. As of end-2024, over 6,000 applicants had received LTR visas, with Europeans as the majority, followed by the US (1,080), Japan (610), China (340), and India (280).

This number is expected to grow further with the new policy, especially in investments by high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations. These adjustments not only improve Thailand's investment environment but also make it more globally competitive.

Conditions for Thailand's 10-year long-term residence visa

1. Global Wealthy Citizens

• No age limit, high income, frequent travel, residing in multiple countries, with global assets;
• Investment in government public bonds, foreign direct investment (FDI), or real estate of at least USD 500,000;
• Assets of at least USD 1 million;
• Purchase health insurance from a certified insurance company with coverage of at least USD 100,000, valid for the visa duration.

2. Professionals Intending to Work in Thailand

• No age limit, employed by a foreign employer, supporting cross-border remote work, with stable foreign income sources;
• Average annual personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least USD 80,000 over the past 2 years; if possessing a master's degree or higher, intellectual property, or Series A funding, the annual income standard can be reduced to USD 40,000;
• Purchase health insurance from a certified insurance company with coverage of at least USD 100,000, valid for the visa duration.

3. High-Skilled Professionals

• No age limit, with high-tech work experience, and will work for a company in target industries as specified in the Enhancement of National Competitiveness Act B.E. 2560 (target industries), or experts/scholars coming to work in Thai state agencies, or teachers coming to teach at Thai universities;
• Average annual personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least USD 80,000 over the past 2 years; if possessing a master's degree or higher and at least 5 years of work experience in target industries, the annual income standard can be reduced to USD 40,000;
• Purchase health insurance from a certified insurance company with coverage of at least USD 100,000, valid for the visa duration.

4. Wealthy Retirees

• Aged 50 or above, with stable pension income sources;
• Investment in government public bonds, foreign direct investment (FDI), or real estate of at least USD 250,000;
• And average annual personal income of at least USD 40,000;
• Or single average annual personal income of at least USD 80,000;
• Purchase health insurance from a certified insurance company with coverage of at least USD 100,000, valid for the visa duration.

Benefits of Thailand's Ten-Year Residence Visa

• Total validity of the long-term residence visa is 10 years, with unlimited entry and exit from Thailand;
• Can bring spouse/children/parents;
• Once approved, automatically obtain a work permit;
• Personal income tax applies progressive rates same as Thai nationals;
• Exemption from income tax on foreign-sourced income;
• Right to long-term own/lease real estate (including land);
• Children can attend international schools in Thailand or return for the overseas Chinese unified exam (subject to residence conditions of the policy), with a 200-point reduction to easily enter top domestic universities like Tsinghua and Peking University.