Thailand's Long-Term Resident Visa Passes 12,000 Approvals

The numbers

Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa has passed 12,000 approvals since it began in September 2022, according to the Board of Investment (BOI). The BOI reports 12,010 approved foreign nationals and estimates about 43 billion baht in economic value from visa fees, spending, investment and tax. That figure is an estimate of wider activity, not fees collected.

Wealthy pensioners are the largest group with 4,561 approvals, followed by dependants (3,891), highly skilled professionals (1,779), Work-from-Thailand professionals (1,043) and wealthy global citizens (737). Applicants from the United States form the largest nationality group with more than 2,400, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with over 1,000.

What the visa offers

The LTR is meant for defined groups, not for anyone who wants to stay long term. Successful applicants can receive permission to stay for up to 10 years, normally in two five-year periods, and report to immigration once a year instead of every 90 days. Those who qualify to work may apply for a digital work permit, and some highly skilled professionals may benefit from a 17 percent personal income-tax rate on eligible Thai employment income. Benefits depend on the category and the current official conditions.

A new online process

The BOI launched an integrated online LTR process in September 2026. It connects procedures involving four agencies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment and the Revenue Department. It is meant to cut duplicate administration, but applicants still have to meet the requirements of their category and supply the evidence.