Answered2 years ago
What are the advantages of applying for the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa before entering Thailand?
I am applying for the long-term resident visa , is there any benefit to picking it up before entering the country? I could fly down to LA if I had to, if there is any advantage.
Also I was just told this by the person answering ltr visa questions. But I’m not sure what this means in practice “The pre-screening document service is currently unavailable. You are advised to submit your visa application, along with the required documents into the system first. Our staff will begin reviewing your application once submitted.”
Also I was just told this by the person answering ltr visa questions. But I’m not sure what this means in practice “The pre-screening document service is currently unavailable. You are advised to submit your visa application, along with the required documents into the system first. Our staff will begin reviewing your application once submitted.”
Answer summary
When applying for the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for Thailand, there are some important considerations regarding whether to apply from within your home country or after arriving in Thailand. Although you can apply for the visa online from anywhere, it is generally recommended to use the LTR/BOI website for a more straightforward process. The eVisa system through Thai consulates may involve upfront fees and could present additional complications. Once you apply, the pre-screening service is currently unavailable, meaning you must submit your application and required documents first. After submission, the BOI staff will review your application and may request further documentation if necessary. Upon approval, you should collect your visa at the LTR/BOI office in Bangkok for proper documentation.
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Tod *********
I think you're pretty close to getting your answers and this topic running its course as it appears it's getting side tracked pretty far off of your original post
Dave *******
You can post questions on the BOI site and they respond quite quickly . My LTR visa was approved within 2 months of my application
As Tod mentioned, best to get the stamp in your passport once in Thailand at the One Stop service Centre in Bangkok . Easy to access by the MRT system
As Tod mentioned, best to get the stamp in your passport once in Thailand at the One Stop service Centre in Bangkok . Easy to access by the MRT system
Kim **********
OP@Dave ******
yeah the response is part of what confused me :)Dave *******
@Kim *********
I also called them on one occasion when required clarificationTod *********
There is no "pre-screening" you start the application process on the LTR website,
you upload the required documentation, and they will contact you if you need to provide more documents or supporting documentation. You don't pay anything until you get approved
Now that is NOT the case using the eVisa website thru the thai consulate in your country 😮 You PAY up front and whether approved or rejected you lose the application fee
you upload the required documentation, and they will contact you if you need to provide more documents or supporting documentation. You don't pay anything until you get approved
Now that is NOT the case using the eVisa website thru the thai consulate in your country 😮 You PAY up front and whether approved or rejected you lose the application fee
Kim **********
OP@Tod ********
yeah and I guess during that time I’m still tax exempt because I’m not a resident at that point. The problem is, I will be working remotely. I know they don’t pay huge amounts of attention, but I’d hate to be breaking the rules from the start.Sefton ********
@Kim *********
They claim you can work remotely.. But it isnt clear in law that that claim has a legal basis (unlike the DTV where it is mentioned as a special consideration in the royal gazette)Kim **********
OP@Tod ********
yea I will be working for a foreign country abroad with no ties to Thailand. While living in Thailand.Tod *********
@Kim *********
you can't generate money IN thailand by working for a thai company, that's the catch. You can work for your company abroad while you live here,
Sefton ********
@Kim *********
yes its a category.. But its a really odd gap in the law.. The BOI doesnt control labour law, and when the LTR was published in the royal gazette making it law, they didnt include any right to work online (which they did for the DTV) so in law, its still illegal. I spent a lot of time going back and forth with BOI lawyers on this, and in the end they just backed down to 'we have an agreement with the tax office' 'you cant get in trouble' which is not the same as legal, and its not the tax office who control labour law. Its all a bit silly.
In a country with a stronger legal system it would have been challenged etc but Thailand seems to love vague sloppy lawmaking and simply enforcing only what they choose to enforce.
Kim **********
OP@Sefton *******
? I’m applying for the work from Thailand professional categoryTod *********
@Kim *********
they won't care in the least and it won't even factor into the equation at allKim **********
OP@Tod ********
yes I am using their webpage. The quote I posted was from a question I posed to the ltr page on Facebook. It asks when you fill this out where you intend to collect your visa and offers Bangkok or home country. That was where my question was.. I’m also unclear on whether there is a problem if I get it all approved before o arrive in the country and then “pick it up” a month or whatever later. I know they recommend at least 30-60 days before. I am arriving July 23.. so it’s still early but I don’t know if they will request more information. I will receive the paperwork I need from my job this week. (Proof of earnings, and a letter approving me working in Thailand etc.. I provided them with the webpage and requirements ). What is also frustrating is they haven’t updated the form online for the new rules. I also had to click widowed in order to add my kids when the reality is I’m single, never married no one else on the birth certificatesTod *********
@Kim *********
well right now, when you show up you get stamped in for 60 days and you can get a 30 day extension on that for 1900baht at the immigration office as well, That gives you three months AFTER you arrive here to get that LTR approved and schedule the time to go get it inked in at the One Bangkok LTR/BOI officeTod *********
@Kim *********
Right now they are about 6 to 8 weeks approval (because of the background check AND remember they won't be processing anything over the extended Thai New Year Holiday (Songkran) during the middle of April eitherTod *********
@Kim *********
right I saw that and you need to select pick up the visa in BangkokTod *********
If you apply for an LTR in your country BEFORE you come using the eVisa online website you don't "fly anywhere" it's all online thru the web-portal that all thai consulates use to issue visas now 🙁
My advice is DO NOT USE the eVisa online web-portal thru a thai consulate in your country for the LTR, that's because you pay a premium fee to get the visa thru that consulate
AND
all you get is a PDF that is emailed to you <- that's your VISA for the next 10 years that you carry with you every time you exit/re-enter the country. There is no "hard stamp" of a visa/re-entry permit if you buy the LTR thru a thai consulate
Instead I would say use the LTR/BOI website they have dedicated to that visa.
You apply thru the LTR system direct online (which you can do inside or outside the country), wait the processing time and once it's approved go to the LTR/BOI office in Bangkok located at the new One Bangkok building to get the 10 year LTR visa inked IN to your passport along with a 5 year entry stamp and a 5 year re-entry permit
Here's the LTR website,
My advice is DO NOT USE the eVisa online web-portal thru a thai consulate in your country for the LTR, that's because you pay a premium fee to get the visa thru that consulate
AND
all you get is a PDF that is emailed to you <- that's your VISA for the next 10 years that you carry with you every time you exit/re-enter the country. There is no "hard stamp" of a visa/re-entry permit if you buy the LTR thru a thai consulate
Instead I would say use the LTR/BOI website they have dedicated to that visa.
You apply thru the LTR system direct online (which you can do inside or outside the country), wait the processing time and once it's approved go to the LTR/BOI office in Bangkok located at the new One Bangkok building to get the 10 year LTR visa inked IN to your passport along with a 5 year entry stamp and a 5 year re-entry permit
Here's the LTR website,
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