Q&A on Thai Long Term Visa

The procedure and the conditions for applying for a long-term visa in Thailand can be answered by our Thai law firm in order to support our clients in their initiative to relocate to Thailand. The most frequent questions from our clients have been gathered, and we have provided answers that we hope will be useful to everyone interested in the subject.

Quick Facts
What is a Thai long term visa?	A visa that allows foreign nationals to stay in Thailand for an extended period, usually for purposes like work, retirement, or family.
Types of long term visas	Non-Immigrant visa (Type O, B, ED) Retirement visa, Marriage visa.
Who is eligible for a retirement visa?	Applicants must be over 50 years old and meet financial requirements, such as a minimum income or bank balance.
How long is a Thai long term visa valid?	Typically valid for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal depending on the type of visa and applicant’s circumstances.
What is the financial requirement?	For a long term visa (like retirement visa, for example), applicants need to show proof of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB.
Can a long term visa be extended? (Yes/No)	Yes, many long-term visas, like the non-immigrant visas, can be extended while in Thailand.
Can a long term visa holder work in Thailand?	Work is permitted on certain long-term visas (e.g., Non-Immigrant B visa for business), but generally not allowed on Retirement or Marriage visas.
How to apply for a long term visa?	Application is made through a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or a Thai immigration office inside Thailand.
What documents are needed?	passport, financial proof, medical certificate, official police record.
Can I travel outside Thailand with a long term visa? (Yes/No)	Yes, but you may need to obtain a re-entry permit to avoid visa cancellation when leaving and re-entering Thailand.
Can I switch between long term visa types? (Yes/No)	Yes, it is possible to switch between certain visa types, but you may need to leave Thailand or apply for a new visa depending on the circumstances.
What is the marriage visa?	A visa for individuals married to Thai nationals. Applicants must meet financial criteria and provide proof of marriage.
What is the Non-Immigrant B Visa?	A visa for individuals coming to Thailand for business or employment purposes. Requires sponsorship from a Thai company or organization.
Is health insurance required?	Health insurance is mandatory for some visa types, such as the O-A and O-X retirement visas and the LTR visa, but not for all visa types.
Assistance	Our specialized team of immigration lawyers offer guidance in obtaining such a visa for Thailand.

Who is eligible for a Thai long-term visa?

You can apply for a Thai long-term visa if you are:

a highly skilled professional coming to work in Thailand;
a remote worker, and you have earned at least USD 80,000 per year in the past 2 years;
a high net worth individual, and you can invest at least USD 500,000 in various assets in Thailand, and you also own assets of a minimum of USD 1 million in other countries;
a retiree, and you have a pension or another type of passive income of at least USD 80,000 per year (other income arrangements are also available, and our Thai lawyers can advise you on them);
a dependent of an LTR visa holder (you must be the spouse or child with an age below 20).

NOTE: No matter the immigrant category you are in, health insurance of at least USD 50,000 or a minimum deposit of USD 100,000 is required when filing for the Thai long-term visa.

Are there more types of long-stay visas in Thailand?

Yes, if you want to obtain a Thai long-term visa, there are several options from which to choose, according to the purpose of your travel:

Retirement visa – people aged over 50 who have sufficient retirement funds can go to Thailand with a 90-day non-immigrant visa;
Marriage visa – if you are married to a Thai citizen, you are eligible for a Thailand long-term visa;
Education visa – you apply for this type of visa when you want to study in Thailand, irrespective of the type of educational institution you enrol in;
Business visa – this visa allows you to work for a Thai company or manage a business in Thailand. A legal work permit is obtained alongside this business visa.

What are the advantages of the Thai long-term visa?

The following:

it can be accessed by various categories of immigrants, including digital nomads, although remote workers can also use the dedicated Destination Thailand Visa (DTV);
professionals working in Thailand based on this visa can benefit from a 17% personal income tax rate;
employers can benefit from the exemption of having 4 Thai employees for every foreign worker hired;
income obtained abroad is exempt from taxation in Thailand;
the possibility to travel back and forth to Thailand without additional entry formalities.

What is the validity of a long-term visa for Thailand?

10 years, with the possibility of extension.

What is the Thai long-term visa application fee?

THB 50,000 per person (approx. USD 1,500) when the visa is issued in Thailand; fees abroad may be higher.

What is the main authority that issues long-term visas in Thailand?

LTR applications are filed online with the Board of Investment (BOI); after endorsement, the visa is issued in Thailand or by a Thai embassy/consulate. The documentation can be prepared with the help of one of our attorneys in Thailand.

How long does it take to obtain a Thai long-term visa?

Approximately one month.

Do I also need a work permit if I obtain a long-term visa for Thailand as an employee?

Yes, you must obtain the work permit as soon as you relocate to Thailand.

Can I immigrate with my family based on a long-stay visa in Thailand?

Yes, the main applicant can include up to 4 family members on a single Thailand long-term visa. Usually, one can immigrate to Thailand with a spouse, minor children, but also adult children as long as they have not turned 20 years old.

Is the long-term visa affected by visiting another country?

No. The Thailand long-term visa remains valid for the entire period and, with any exit outside the borders of the Thai kingdom, upon your return to Thailand, LTR holders do not need a re-entry permit (other long-stay visa holders do). For those visas, the re-entry permit can be a single-entry or a multiple-entry permit. Our Thai lawyers can give you more details on the advantages and prices of each type.

Please feel free to contact our law firm in Thailand in order to discuss all questions you may have on the long-term visa in this country.