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What are the updated requirements and benefits of the LTR 10-year Visa in Thailand?

Apr 20, 2025
a day ago
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Updated requirements for the LTR 10 year Visa.

For those who qualify, I believe it is the best Thai Visa available today.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The LTR 10-year Visa in Thailand has been presented as a desirable option for expatriates, particularly for those financially secure enough to invest significantly in the country. Key topics of discussion include the investment criteria—questioning whether purchasing Thai bonds, property, or a combination thereof qualifies—and the potential benefits this visa might have over other visa options like the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa). Several comments highlight concerns regarding accessibility, the need for proof of income, and whether those requirements could potentially hinder the application process. Additionally, ambiguities about definitions (e.g., what constitutes 'intellectual property' and 'targeted work industry') and pathways to citizenship are also mentioned, showing a need for clearer guidelines from authorities.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Patrick ********
Is it possible to just buy bonds and be done with it?
Anonymous ******************
Thanks a lot for sharing. I have a question for the High-skilled professionals. I’m an academic professor who works at university and I meet the personal income requirements (option 2) with a PhD in economics.

Would I be eligible anyway since the news says the LTR is expanded to professors across all fields?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 849 suggest you ask your good question with the Thai Board of Investment. They are VERY helpful and reply to questions.

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Anonymous ******************
@James *******
Thank you very much! Actually I've just asked and they sent me the

file with the regulation.

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They said that to be eligible as a university professor, I should be

employed in a Thai university. But I were permanently employed in a

Thai university, I would already have a work permit and regular visa,

so why should I apply for a ltr visa? It sounds a contradiction to

me...
Rob ********
Not sure if anyone’s addressed this question

Can passive income be considered a combination of actual private pension and any way that you pay yourself into a Bank account (from brokerage asset withdrawals, for example) that adds up to 80K per year? We’d be about 25k short including social security and private pension but have way more than enough in 401K and IRA accounts to create 80K in passive income
Sam ******
IF thailand government open visa free to west Europe, America, korea etc who make a higher GDP countries. They will make a lot of money helping economy
Patrick ********
@Sam *****
my thoughts exactly
Kelsey ********
Does this provide a path to citizenship?
Helen ********
@Kelsey *******
no per a previous comment.

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Melanie ********
@Kelsey *******
I just saw this and was going to tag you 🤣
Danish *********
Do we know their definition of targeted work industry or expertise area?
Andrew ********
Such a weird post. Most people on a DTV are younger and working overseas. Not buying property and investing. Such an out of touch statement.
Marc *************
I read the 500.000 USD investment can be done in Thai Property as well.

Is this ANY property or just selected ones?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc ************
MUST be pre-approved project construction by the Thai Board of Investment.
Marc *************
@James *******
So overpriced scams, essentially. Thanks.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Anthony *******
You must meet the criteria for all categories? Or only 1 category?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anthony ******
Only one category
Brian *********
It’s not for the rich more for the frugal
Kyle *******
Dtv all the way and if ya lucky to have around 25 000 new Zealand dollar ya will pull it off go for cooking classes or thai soft power dtv visa is called if you dont have a online business
Benjamin *********
Useless, as it’s so easy to get a DTV
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin ********
yes, but the DTV visa is subject to change in requirements for entry and or in country extension.

Whereas...

The LTR visa is for 10 years.
Andrew ********
@James *******
firstly, hardly anyone does the extension. Secondly, if you are not leaving the country at all you missing the point of being in south east Asia. The border bounce is fine.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
I fully agree with you ✅ My point was in comparison to the Wealthy Pensioner LTR vs DTV. Thank You for your helpful replies 🙂
Benjamin *********
@James *******
dtv exit and come back = 5 years
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin ********
that's how it's supposed to work. The question is... what requirements might be added to entries? Hopefully none.
Benjamin *********
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin ********
hopefully ✅
Werner ************
Most barely can scrape together funds for the DTV
David *****
for $80K passive income, is that gross or net of expenses?
Jordan *********
What is the benefit in getting this vs. the DTV? Avoid renewing in 5 years?

Seems pointless for the amount needed to ‘invest.’
Kai *********
@Jordan ********
tax exemption
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ********
there's many people who meet the requirements for the Wealthy Pensioner... Earning US $80,000 or more annually... but NOW only one year proof required...vs two years required before.
Danny *******
LTR visa is for long term relationship with a Thai girl?
Wolf **********
@Danny ******
is that wishful thinking? 😅
Milo *********
"investment in Thailand".. this is an oxymoron. You don't 'invest' in Thailand. You spend money here, with no expectations of ever seeing a real return. As the old saying goes; invest in home.. spend in Thailand.
Kd *********
Visas for rich.
David ********
@Kd ********
that’s the idea. That’s the clientele any smart country wants
Anonymous ******************
What's the cost for this visa? Doesn't say on there.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 974 50,000 Thai baht, paid AFTER the LTR visa is APPROVED.
Anonymous ******************
@James *******
ok so significantly more money than the DTV.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 974 NOT necessarily...see my reply
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 974 but as Another forum member stated

...No 90 day reporting.

...Only yearly reporting.

...No yearly visit to immigration for extension renewal.

...No income tax liability on foreign income remittances to Thailand (wealthy pensioners).

...No need to exit the country for 10 years.

Add up the fees over 10 years for the DTV visa (5 years x 2)...vs the one time 10 year LTR visa.
Angelo ***********
@James *******
There is no mentioning about "no income tax". And "pensions" are under Thai tax law: not income.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
here's what I find...
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
The LTR VISA IS tax exempt for foreign sourced income.

AND a reduced 17% tax on income inside Thailand.
Dennis *********
@James *******
Wrong. LTR category "Highly skilled professionals" has 17% but no exemption on foreign sourced income. The other categories have the exemption but not the 17% preferential rate.
Dennis *********
@James *******
"Wrong" refers to your answer saying that both apply
Anonymous ******************
@James *******
yeah I get it. I got the DTV because we don't stay in Thailand for longer than 180 days anyway, so we avoid the tax issues. 90 day report isn't a huge deal for me either as you can do it online.

I qualify for both, and it makes sense if you never leave, but if you're a wealthy pensioner or someone like that most likely you're leaving periodically for vacations, business, etc anyway.
Aliz ****
Please can someone explain what "intellectual property ownership" means? 🙏
Johannes *****
@Aliz ***
A patent or something similar. A copyright, for example, will not be accepted!
Aliz ****
thanks guys. it's such a strange requirement...
John **********
@Aliz ***
normally that means an patent
James *********
Also the fee is a steal and only paid if approved?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Michael *******
For "Wealthy Global Citizens", some people can give me informations on what "investment" mean, if i buy 500k$ thai bond ? , if i buy 5 condo of 100k$ each ? , can i mix the 2 ways ?! (200k thai bond, 3 condo for 300 examples ?).

The main problems of this , i hear that i need to do the investment before, and apply for the visa after .. and you can still be declined the visa .. ( invest 500k to get a visa cancelled look not good .. )
Dennis *********
@Michael ******
Bonds: no. 5x 100k RE: yes.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
payment for the LTR visa is after it's approved.
Michael *******
@James *******
yes, I mean the 500k investment, not the visa fee... I will stay with dtv for now, but I will be happy to get feedback of somebody who did it.
John **********
@Michael ******
investment in condos needs pre approved and must be bought from the developer
Sébastien *********
@Michael ******
and you need to imvest in new project if i understand well also .... but new project are overpriced 😅
Dennis *********
@Sébastien ********
No such requirement
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sébastien ********
Correct as to a New project approved by the Thai Board of Investment.
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Look at the Wealthy Pensioner...

What is your age?
Michael *******
@James *******
less than 50
Malcolm *****
The vast majority of people are not able to qualify for this visa
Martin **************
@Mal****
which is kind of the point. They want talent and wealthy people in.
Dany ********
@Malcolm ****
because they earn peanuts or?
Mike **********
@Dany *******
because the requirements make no sense. Iirc they projected 250k people a year to get these, and never even got 10.
Andi ***********
@Malcolm ****
That's why the DTV is way more popular. Thailand has something for everyone which is great.
Ben ********
Thanks for sharing this. What makes it the best option?
Dany ********
@Ben *******
its a true longterm visa and beeing seen like that. would it even qualify for permanent residency after x years?
James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
not possible as you have not paid Thai income tax for employment in Thailand. Let's ask
@Sebastien **************
as he does hold Permanent Residence in Thailand....AND a legal expert.
Sebastien ***************
@James *******
thanks.
@Dany *******
there are 5 categories to apply for PR in Thailand. I know it well, I have it.

I wrote a little bit about them here and the numbers were checked today. PR is opened now until 15th May and this is rare. It normally opens around December each year.

Here’s the text:

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James ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sebastien **************
thanks again for your helpful replies. 👍
Expat **********
@Ben *******
No 90 day reporting. Only yearly reporting. No yearly visit to immigration for extension renewal. No income tax liability on foreign income remittances to Thailand (wealthy pensioners). No need to exit the country for 10 years.