Thailand Revises Long-Term Resident Visa Rules: Key Details
In January 2025, Thailand's Cabinet approved significant updates to the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa program, aiming to attract skilled professionals, investors, and affluent individuals to bolster the nation's economic growth and global competitiveness.
Key Changes to the LTR Visa Program:
- No Minimum Income Requirement: The revised rules eliminate the previous minimum income threshold for applicants, focusing instead on cumulative wealth and investment within Thailand.
- Reduced Corporate Revenue Threshold: Foreign companies sponsoring visa applicants now need to demonstrate a corporate revenue of $50 million over the past three years, down from the previous $150 million requirement.
- Expanded Eligibility for Skilled Professionals: The program now includes professionals from additional sectors such as disaster and risk management, alongside existing fields like science and technology.
- Increased Flexibility for Dependents: LTR visa holders can now bring an unlimited number of dependents, including parents and other legal dependents, without the previous cap of four dependents.
- Simplified Work Experience Requirements: The program has relaxed the requirement for professionals to have five years of work experience in a relevant field, easing the application process for top talent.
- Eligibility for Subsidiary Employees: Employees of subsidiaries of multinational corporations are now eligible for the LTR visa, provided the parent company can demonstrate financial stability.
Benefits of the LTR Visa:
The LTR Visa offers a 10-year residency, digital work permits, and personal income tax benefits, among other perks. More than 6,000 applicants have already availed of this facility, with Europeans making up the largest group.
These updates aim to create a more inclusive and competitive visa program, aligning with Thailand’s strategic goal to attract foreign talent and investors by simplifying processes and offering more comprehensive benefits.