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What are the benefits and challenges of using the LTR visa at BKK airport's immigration?
LTR visaThai immigrationBKK airportfast track lanediplomatic laneElite visalong-term residencyretirement visaexpat experiencevisa application process
Dec 12, 2023
2 years ago
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI nice surprise at the BKK airport. I was walking to the immigration priority fast track lane, when I spotted another entry lane which is for diplomats, flight crew etc and at the bottom of list was written LTR. I whipped through there as i have an LTR. They seam to rely put a lot of positive emphasis on this visa. More than Elite maybe? I did not see Elite/privilege there but I may have missed it
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around experiences with the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Several users noted a distinct entry lane for LTR visa holders, suggesting that it is positively viewed by Thai immigration, possibly more so than the Elite visa. Participants shared their firsthand experiences with the application process for the LTR visa, noting both challenges such as paperwork and financial requirements, as well as mentioning advantages like using fast-track lanes at the airport. Some users raised questions about specific usage eligibility for the diplomatic lane, while others discussed the perceived ease or difficulty of obtaining the LTR. Additionally, there were comments reflecting mixed feelings about the LTR itself, highlighting issues related to the broader category of long-term visas and the demographics they target.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Marlowe ********
Not really mandatory to have special visa to use that lane. With a normal visa you can ask them politely in Thai and they can let you in. Call it Thai hospitality.
Bent *************
They love farang money!
Marshal *********
LTR is a joke of a visa.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marshal ********
really your a joke, I have no 90 day reporting can go through diplomatic line. Good for 10 years. good luck with entryMagnus ***********
Tax exemption for foreign income as well. LTR for wealthy pensioners is the best Visa if you qualify imo. LTR for some of the other groups require investments in Thailand though.
Marshal *********
@Jo *********
I think you meant "you're" , grampa. Also, big difference between calling another man a joke and a policy a joke. Political policies are meant to be critiqued and questioned, even in Thailand. Do you know why so many countries are so happy to welcome old men from western countries? It's because you bring your money and then you die, you do nothing else of significance. You tow the status que and and endorse anything for the sake of comfort. You threaten nothing. Good luck with living long enough to renew your LTR and continue your life of insignificance.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marshal ********
your childish anger matches your intellectSheryl *********
@Jo *********
give it to him Jo,šReply to
Sheryl *********
Reply
Marty *********
@Marshal ********
How so? Iām quite happy with mine.Marshal *********
@Marty ********
was pushed as a Digital Nomad visa because Thailand genuinely is DN Mecca and every other country is creating Digital Nomad visas, about 1% of DNs meet the insane requirements for the LTR. The first six months they had 500 applications for the LTR visa, I'd call that a joke.Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marshal ********
actually there is remote working form of LTR but no digital nomad typeMarshal *********
@Jo *********
which requires the company (employing) you to be officially established in Thailand. That disqualifies 99% of digital nomads are most are employed as independent contractors.Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
maybe we are talking about 2 different things. I have secured an LTR based on a company in Singapore. My contract in Singaporean i pay taxes there and work from here. ???Marty *********
@Marshal ********
I have the pensioner LTR. They are explicit about targeting āwealthyā individuals which excludes a lot of digital nomads so I agree, it didnāt really address the needs of the digital nomad opportunity. I think about half the LTRās have gone to pensioners.Reply to
Marty *********
Reply
Seema ********
@Jo *********
Did you show Pension income? or was it passive income from multiple sources?Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Seema *******
totally different as I applied for remote working visa. I had to show my annual tax returns for two years, my CV, company revenue, education and much moreReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Sheryl *********
That's good to hear. I unfortunately had to fly out of CNX the day after Yi Peng. It was chaos so asked if I could use fast track/diplomatic Lane with my LTR. Was flatly refused even though I showed them Boi notice stating we could. Almost missed fIght.
Really busy on our return too so tried again then. Success, much to the annoyance of fellow passengers. Yeah, another positive for LTR.
Really busy on our return too so tried again then. Success, much to the annoyance of fellow passengers. Yeah, another positive for LTR.
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sheryl ********
yes i live in Chiang Mai I flew on the 29 to avoid that craze. Also the staff at that airport are very unfamiliar with the visaReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Michael ********
Long term relationship?
Lincoln *******
It's a pity fast track just means a longer wait for luggage. I used fast track with my APEC card last week and my colleagues arrived at the luggage carousel 15 mins later and ended up leaving a few mins before me
Michael *********
āPrivilege cardā members can be met by an agent & get picked up at the gate.
Jack ****************
Is marriage long term? (The visa, I'd hope the marriage is!)
Stephen *******
Marty *********
@Jack ***************
It is considered long term because 1 year extensions are considered long term. Can you use the fast track lane at the airport? - NoReply to
Marty *********
Reply
Marty *********
Using the fast track lane is one of the benefits of the LTR
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
yes but I noticed there are 3 the normal, the diplomats, and the fast track. was surprised that you could go diplomatic entryMarty *********
@Jo *********
Somehow I knew about this when I applied for the LTR so I looked for the fast track lane when I returned from the US last June.Chris ****
@Marty ********
anyone know which lane we use at HKT?Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Nicolas **********************
did you find it difficult to go about getting a long term residency visa?
Marty *********
@Nicolas *********************
I found the application process to be very easy one year ago. All of my income was pension income which was easy to see on my tax return. The barrier for most people is the financial requirements of $80,000/yr passive income. If your passive income is more complicated than pension income then the application process will be more complicated.Once they start working on your application the Board of Investment staff are a pleasure to work with.
Chris ****
@Marty ********
the proof of income from investments took longer to get clarified. Now it is very easy to show income from equities. Itās also possible to use capital gains. So I would say for business men retiring itās as easy as salaried to show proof.Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nicolas *********************
good question. Itās not easy to answer because for me it was difficult because a lot of paperwork and I donāt like that. Things like translation of tax returns were painfulChris ****
@Jo *********
what language were you translating from? Mine were in English a did not need translating .Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ***
DutchChris ****
@Jo *********
thatās a pain you have to translate. For what itās worth my accountant wrote a cover letter summarizing the returns into a single column. And he also used a brief of the taxes rather than the whole thing. And it was quick and easy that way. My only curveball was when my agent suggested I show titles to property and I had to get that doc sent from overseas. Turned out they approved me before I even got it to them. I asked my agent why did I bother and he said the more assets the better. But I hope at the 5 year mark itās easier and just have to show returns.Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Xilver **************
Sorry..... but what is LTR?
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Andy ******
Can you use the diplomatic lane if have retirement visa ?
Fra *****
@Andy *****
just try it , works maybe 6 out of 10Andy ******
@Fra ****
I will try it this time going home to PhuketJo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fra ****
yes that is trueReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Steve ********
@Andy *****
If you're Australian, just use the priority lane and show your Seniors CardDave **********
@Steve *******
if you over 70 you can use the priority lane.Steve ********
@Dave *********
I'm not over 70, but I use the priority lane anyway. Only challenged once, and just flashed the Aussie Seniors CardDave **********
@Steve *******
I amend my statement to, if you over 70 you may use the priority line.Reply to
Dave **********
Reply
Andy ******
@Steve *******
no I'm from UK ,but I did go through the Thai passport section in immigration this year coming back from UK with my Thai wife that was quickReply to
Andy ******
Reply
Todd *********
@Andy *****
no. LTR visa only. TE can also use. LTR is definitely worth pursuing. Cheapest and best visa there is.Chris ****
@Todd ********
I never can find where to go with the LTR. I tried the diplomat lane and they stopped me from even walking down it. That was July.Brandon ************
@Chris ***
walk past passport control towards the visa on arrival desk. There are 2 passport controls and there's a huge arch in the middle of both of them (next to the visa on arrival desk) that's for fast track, LTRTodd *********
@Chris ***
really? You showed them the visa and they said no?Chris ****
@Todd ********
they wouldnāt look at it. I think I elicited doubt in the officers at the beginning of the rope line because I myself was doubtful where to go. Plus there were many hundreds of planes arriving with tourists. Soā¦I got rebuffed in just a second. But my problem always is - 1. I donāt know what line LTR is supposed to use in HKT coming and going and 2. Where to find it. Whenever I asked BOI or others here I get different answers or no answer. Iām going to try the diplomat line if I donāt see a fast track. Iām actually on my way to airport now for an international flight. Letās see how it goes.Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ***
in the diplomatic lines there is board which says who can enter and LTR is clearly written on the boardChris ****
@Jo *********
thank you gents. I went through the diplomat line swimmingly. There was a large line on the other side and was happy to be in the lounge in just a few. Now enjoying finger sandwiches. My old self would still be on line. Thanks for the tip.Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ***
great!Todd *********
@Chris ***
there ya go!!! Nicely done. CheersChris ****
@Todd ********
cheers indeed. I can share that the immigration officer was very polite when I asked him if it was okay for me to go back to that line for domestic flights too. He actually stood up and went to his supervisor and she said yes for sure. And when he came back he pointed to the LTR stamp and said welcome anytime to come to that section.Todd *********
@Chris ***
yes - I have used in CM, Phuket and Krabi. All goodJo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
in chiang Mai also? that would be helpful for me.Reply to
Jo **********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Andy *****
noAndy ******
@Brandon ***********
ok thanks for thatReply to
Andy ******
Reply
Ron *******
TE use the diplomatic lane too.
The others that use that lane are those they have been refused entry.
You'll be taken there by immigration.
If you had looked to the right you'll have seen immigration and the holding cells.
The others that use that lane are those they have been refused entry.
You'll be taken there by immigration.
If you had looked to the right you'll have seen immigration and the holding cells.
Steve ********
Doesn't Elite get met by a concierge who takes them to their chauffeured vehicle?
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
yesSteve ********
@Jo *********
I just use the priority lane and if challenged flash the Aussie Seniors Card. Never fails.Reply to
Steve ********
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