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What are the steps for applying for the LTR visa in Thailand, and do I need to submit a police clearance certificate?

Jun 26, 2025
3 days ago
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am just at the start of the process to apply for me and my wife's LTR visa under the "retiree over 50yrs with >= $80000 annual income" category and ran into a few challenges on the Thai embassy's website here in the US.

I filled out the online application but at the end it wanted me to upload an Authotizatioj letter from BOI (the Thailand Boatd of Investment).

So then I logged into their website and they want me to upload a bunch of documents some of which are mentioned as (To be requested on a case by case basis) e.g., the police clearance certificates.

My question is if i don't submit these in the first go, will they reject my application? Or shall I submit the FBI clearance asking with the rest of it?

Has anyone actually successful been through the LTR process?

I'm in Cakifornia and trying to do this all online before we fly in sometime in late October 2025.

Any advice will be appreciated
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An individual is seeking guidance on applying for the LTR visa in Thailand under the retiree category, particularly struggling with the Thai embassy's requirements. They question the necessity of submitting an FBI clearance, as the BOI requests various documents on a case-by-case basis. Community responses emphasize that the application should begin with the BOI, not the embassy, highlighting that additional documentation requests will occur but initial submissions should align with the BOI's checklist. Clarifications on applying for dependents and financial prerequisites are also discussed.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Dana ****************
Did you accidentally apply for an OA visa and not an o visa?
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dana ***************
no. I'm in the process of applying for LTR (long term resident) visa
Jim ********
I didn’t have to submit a police background check. You have to get your certification letter from the BOI first before you can apply for the
@LTR **************************
There is a checklist on the sight so you submit all the required documents. If they want additional documents they will ask for it. If you have questions send them an email, they are very responsive.

*********************
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
thanks! Yes I'm on that website and will submit the the documents today sans the police certificate and wait for the responses.

I suppose I'll need to do two applications? One for myself and a separate one for my wife?
Jim ********
@Arun ************
Looks they have added some forms if you want to have your dependent under your LTR

*************************************************
Jim ********
@Arun ************
yes if you both are applying for a LTR. You can also have your spouse under your LTR.
David *******
I followed the step-by-step instructions in the BOI LTR website. I submitted all the required documents. A few they came back wanting additional dicumentation, or a different format, but always specific as to what they wanted. I was confused on a couple issues, both times i emailed asking for clarification. In both instances they replied promptly explaining clearly what i needed to do. Took about 2 months from my initial submittal to being approved. I then booked my appointment to pick up my visa in Bangkok. Not that bad of a process.
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
that's very reassuring!! Thank you.
Ken ********
Maybe just apply for the simplest visa then before it expires you can upgrade to the visa you want once your here..it would be alot easier then trying to jump thru hoops..

You can use an agent here to expedite your new visa it will be well worth the money you pay the agent
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken *******
do you know of any agent(s)? That's what I'm hoping to find
Jim ********
@Arun ************
don’t use an agent. The LTR process is very user friendly through the BOI website. The staff is also very helpful and will guide you through the process.

*********************
Pete *******
The financial requirements for the LTR-P require two previous years of 80k USD PASSIVE income for each applicant.
Steve **********
@Pe**
straight from BOI. 12 months only.
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
got it. Thanks. Somewhere i read two but you corrected that. Mo Betta 😀
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
my understand is also that the primary applicant needs to show $80k+ of PASSIVE income for the two prior years AND that the spouse is PART OF THAT LTR application. It's not $80K per person but $80k per application
Steve **********
@Ar**
I understand what you are saying but it’s not 2 years. It’s only one. Straight from the BOI.
Jim ********
@Pete ******
you can have 4 dependents under your own LTR. - Dependents do **not** need to meet separate financial requirements but must provide:

- Marriage certificate (for spouse)

- Birth certificate (for children)

- Proof of relationship

- Passport copies

- Other supporting documents as required by the Thai BOI (Board of Investment)
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
yes and thst is what we can show
Pete *******
@Arun ************
great visa to be on.
Brandon ************
You're doing it completely wrong. Applying from the embassy is the absolute LAST step.

The LTR visa is completely run by the BOI. You must apply to the BOI and finish their entire process and get the approval letter from them. It takes 2-3 months normally.

Once that's done they give you an approval letter, and that's what you use to apply from the embassy.
Arun *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
yes that what i found out after i filled out the in line application. Have you gone through the BOI approval/authorization prices? Did you do that yourself or would I need to hire some agent to help? I'm generally savvy with these legal things but BOI site was confusing any when certain documents are needed by them
Brandon ************
@Arun ************
I did it myself
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