Overview
The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is Thailand's premium long-stay route, introduced in 2022 and managed by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI). It offers a 10-year residence visa issued in two 5-year tranches, targeting high-net-worth individuals, qualified pensioners, experienced remote professionals, and globally skilled workers in specific fields.
LTR holders get significant administrative simplifications over standard non-immigrant visa holders:
- Annual reporting to immigration instead of the standard 90-day reporting
- Multiple re-entry included without separate re-entry permits
- Work permit facilitation for those working in Thailand (or full exemption from work permits for some categories)
- Potential 17% flat income tax rate for qualifying Highly Skilled Professionals
- Advertised overseas income tax exemption for some categories (subject to BOI conditions)
Four LTR categories
1. Wealthy Global Citizen
For high-net-worth individuals with passive investments globally.
Key eligibility criteria:
- Personal assets of at least USD 1 million
- Annual income of at least USD 80,000 for the past 2 years
- Investment in Thailand of at least USD 500,000 in government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai real estate
2. Wealthy Pensioner
For retirees aged 50 and above with stable passive income.
Key eligibility criteria:
- Age 50+
- Annual pension or passive income of at least USD 80,000, OR
- Annual income of at least USD 40,000 plus either health insurance with minimum USD 50,000 coverage or a Thai bank deposit of at least USD 250,000
3. Work-from-Thailand Professional
For remote professionals employed by foreign companies. This is the most relevant category for Israeli tech professionals.
Key eligibility criteria:
- Employed by a publicly listed company or an established company with revenues of at least USD 150 million (or an equivalent company by BOI criteria)
- Annual income of at least USD 80,000 for the past 2 years, OR
- Annual income of at least USD 40,000 with a master's degree or above, or with a patent, or with USD 100,000 investment in Thailand
Work authorization: Work-from-Thailand Professionals do NOT receive a Thai work permit under LTR — their employer is abroad and work is performed remotely. No Thai work permit is required for this category.
4. Highly Skilled Professional
For specialists and executives in sectors targeted by Thailand's national strategy (healthcare, science and technology, digital industries, advanced manufacturing, and others).
Key eligibility criteria:
- Employment by a Thai-based organization in a qualifying sector
- Annual income of at least USD 80,000
- Relevant degree and/or professional certification in the target sector
Work authorization: Highly Skilled Professionals who work for a Thai entity must apply for a work permit, but the LTR program provides facilitated processing, typically 3–5 business days once the BOI endorsement is in place.
Application process
The LTR application is a two-stage process:
Stage 1: BOI endorsement:
- Create an account on the BOI LTR system at ltr.boi.go.th
- Submit your application with all required documents
- Processing time: 20 working days after a complete file is submitted
- If approved, receive a BOI endorsement letter
Stage 2: Visa issuance:
- Submit the BOI endorsement letter to a Thai embassy or consulate (or apply through TIESC in Bangkok if already in Thailand)
- Processing time: 1–3 working days for pre-approval; standard e-Visa processing applies if applying from abroad
- Receive the 5-year LTR visa (renewable for a further 5 years)
Visa fee: USD 1,600 (consulate fee); 50,000 THB if collected at BOI's Thailand International Expatriate Service Center (TIESC) in Bangkok.
Required documents
Core requirements across all categories (additional category-specific documents apply):
- Valid passport
- Recent passport-size photo
- Proof of current address
- BOI endorsement letter
- Financial proof specific to the chosen category (asset statements, income evidence, investment records)
- Health insurance documents (amounts vary by category; minimum USD 50,000 for some)
- Criminal background check
- Employment contract, company registration, or equivalent depending on category
Consult the official BOI LTR portal (ltr.boi.go.th) for the current document checklist for your specific category, as requirements are updated periodically.
Tax benefits
The BOI advertises specific tax benefits for LTR holders:
- 17% flat personal income tax rate for Highly Skilled Professionals working in Thailand
- Advertised overseas income tax exemption for Work-from-Thailand Professionals and Wealthy Global Citizens (subject to BOI conditions and Thai Revenue Department interpretation)
Thailand's standard 180-day tax residency rule applies: spending 180 or more days in Thailand in a tax year makes you a Thai resident for tax purposes. LTR-specific benefits do not automatically override general tax obligations. Confirm the current position with a Thai tax advisor and a cross-border specialist, especially as Israel has no tax treaty with Thailand.
Dependents
Spouses and children under 20 of the LTR holder qualify for dependent LTR status. Dependents share the holder's 10-year validity, annual reporting privilege, and multiple re-entry rights. Some dependent categories (such as SMART O) may include limited work rights. Confirm current rules with BOI before relying on this.
Official sources
- LTR Visa (BOI): ltr.boi.go.th
- LTR visa page (Thai Consulate LA): thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org
- Thai e-Visa portal: thaievisa.go.th
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. LTR eligibility criteria, fees, and benefits are subject to change by the BOI. Consult a licensed immigration attorney and a qualified tax advisor before making decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only.