The Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa is a specialized immigration program designed to attract high-net-worth individuals, skilled professionals, retirees, and investors. Launched in September 2022, the LTR Visa provides a 10-year residency with a range of benefits that surpass those of standard visa categories. This program is part of Thailand’s strategy to stimulate foreign investment, enhance knowledge transfer, and support economic development.

The LTR Visa is administered by the Board of Investment (BOI) in coordination with the Thai Immigration Bureau, under the authority of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and related ministerial regulations.

II. Legal Basis and Regulatory Authority

A. Governing Law

B. Responsible Agencies

III. Eligibility Categories

The LTR Visa is available under five distinct categories, each with specific requirements:

1. Wealthy Global Citizens

2. Wealthy Pensioners

3. Work-from-Thailand Professionals (Remote Workers)

4. Highly Skilled Professionals

5. Dependents (Spouse and Children)

IV. Application Process

A. Initial Qualification Submission

B. Eligibility Verification by BOI

C. Visa Issuance by Immigration Bureau

D. Digital Work Permit (Optional)

V. Rights and Privileges of LTR Visa Holders

LTR Visa holders enjoy several advantages over standard visa holders:

PrivilegeLTR VisaStandard Visa
Duration of Stay10 years (5+5)1 year (renewable)
Multiple Entry✅ Yes❌ No (re-entry permit required)
90-Day ReportingAnnual reporting onlyEvery 90 days
Work Permit Requirement❌ Not required (in LTR category)✅ Required for all work
Tax BenefitsPossible 17% flat tax (certain professionals)None
Family Sponsorship✅ Spouse and children includedLimited
Fast-Track Airport Services✅ Yes❌ No
Access to BOI Government Liaison✅ Yes❌ No

VI. Taxation and Financial Compliance

A. Tax Residency

B. Special Flat Tax Rate

VII. Grounds for Revocation

The LTR Visa may be revoked under the following conditions:

Revocation is at the discretion of the Immigration Bureau and may be appealed through administrative channels.

VIII. Comparison with Other Thai Long-Stay Options

FeatureLTR VisaRetirement Visa (O-A/O-X)SMART VisaPermanent Residency
Duration10 years (5+5)1 year (renewable)Up to 4 yearsIndefinite
Work Authorization✅ Yes (certain categories)❌ No✅ Yes✅ Yes
Family Inclusion✅ Yes (spouse, children)❌ No✅ Yes❌ No
90-Day Reporting✅ Annually✅ Every 90 days✅ Annually✅ Annually
Investment Requirement✅ Specific categories❌ None❌ None✅ Minimum capital
Tax Benefits✅ Flat 17% for skilled❌ No✅ Exemptions❌ No

IX. Practical Considerations

X. Conclusion

The Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is a modern immigration option that offers significant flexibility and benefits, combining long-term residency with work authorization and streamlined administrative processes. It reflects Thailand's effort to attract high-value residents who can contribute economically, technologically, or culturally.

The Thai Elite Visa, administered under the Thailand Privilege Card Program, offers long-stay residence to foreign nationals via a model that is structurally distinct from Thailand’s conventional immigration categories. It is issued not through merit-based assessment, but through a contractual relationship with a state-owned enterprise and granted under the discretionary power of Section 17 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

Unlike visas for employment (Non-B), retirement (O-A/O-X), or investment (SMART or LTR), the Elite Visa is fundamentally a privilege-based immigration instrument tied to a financial membership model. The core benefits it offers—particularly its immigration convenience and administrative facilitation—stem from this unique legal foundation.

II. Legal and Institutional Framework

A. Statutory Basis

The visa’s legal authority comes from:

Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), Section 17:
“In special cases, the Minister, by Cabinet approval, may permit any alien or group of aliens to stay in the Kingdom under any conditions.”

This provision permits the issuance of non-standard immigration permissions outside ordinary categories. The Privilege Entry (PE) Visa, which is the technical classification for Elite Visa holders, is issued pursuant to this section.

B. Implementing Authority

The program is administered by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC):

TPC is not an immigration authority; it is a legal service entity operating under Thai civil and commercial law.

III. Membership Tiers and Visa Characteristics

The Elite Visa is available through four membership tiers, each involving a one-time fee and providing varying levels of privileges and validity.

TierFee (THB)Visa ValidityTransferableAnnual Privilege PointsDependents Eligible
GOLD900,0005 yearsNo20No
PLATINUM1.5 million10 yearsYes (once)35Yes
DIAMOND2.5 million15 yearsYes (once)55Yes
RESERVE5 million20 yearsYes (by invitation)120Yes

Each member receives a Privilege Entry (PE) Visa, which is:

IV. Immigration Benefits and Regulatory Simplifications

1. Long-Term Residence Without Standard Eligibility Tests

Elite Visa holders are not required to meet the following conditions, which apply to most other visa types:

2. Simplified Immigration Procedures

3. Delegated Compliance with Immigration Law

While foreign nationals must submit:

Elite members can authorize TPC to complete these on their behalf, minimizing engagement with Immigration offices.

V. Contractual Privileges: The Points System

Membership includes Privilege Points, redeemable for services annually. These are not statutory rights but private contractual entitlements, and they are subject to TPC’s vendor partnerships and policies.

CategorySample Benefits
HealthcareExecutive check-ups at private hospitals (e.g., Bumrungrad, BNH)
TransportAirport limo service, intercity travel assistance
HospitalityLuxury hotel stays, fine dining experiences
Leisure & WellnessSpa access, golf course use, wellness coaching
Personal ServicesConcierge support, interpreters, translation, document pickup

VI. Administrative Facilitation

TPC provides logistical assistance with Thai bureaucratic procedures, such as:

FunctionFacilitation Provided
Thai Driver’s LicenseBooking, document preparation, interpreter service
Bank Account OpeningIssuance of support letters and introductions to select Thai banks
Tax ID Number (TIN)Coordination with the Revenue Department
Document LegalizationCertified translations, notarial assistance, consular liaison

These services ease access but do not exempt the member from legal requirements.

VII. Taxation Considerations

1. Tax Residency Status

Under Thai tax law, a person who resides in Thailand for 183 days or more in a tax year is considered a tax resident. Obligations include:

2. Foreign Income and Section 41 (Revenue Code)

Thailand taxes foreign income only if remitted during the year it is earned. This allows:

Elite Visa holders with income derived abroad can benefit from this framework, provided they structure their finances correctly.

VIII. Dependents and Family Benefits

From Platinum tier onward, members can enroll:

Dependents:

IX. Limitations and Legal Boundaries

1. Employment Prohibition

The Elite Visa does not permit work. It is not a substitute for a work permit. Prohibited activities include:

Violations constitute unauthorized work, leading to:

2. Land and Property Rights

Elite Visa holders are considered foreigners under Thai land law:

There is no enhanced property privilege attached to the Elite Visa.

X. Revocation and Risk Factors

Grounds for Termination

TriggerConsequence
Unauthorized employmentImmediate cancellation and deportation
Overstaying visa or missed reportingRevocation and blacklisting
False information in applicationContract termination without refund
Criminal conviction (in Thailand or abroad)Visa annulled and reentry barred

Membership fees are non-refundable, even in the event of cancellation.

XI. Application Process

Eligibility Requirements

Application Procedure

  1. Submit application to TPC or authorized agent
  2. Background check by Immigration Bureau and Royal Thai Police
  3. Receive conditional approval
  4. Pay full membership fee
  5. Visa affixed at:
    • Thai embassy abroad, or
    • One Stop Service Center in Bangkok

Processing time: 30–90 days

XII. Summary: Benefits and Boundaries

AspectElite Visa
Duration5–20 years (tier-dependent)
Reentry PermitNot required
Work RightsNot permitted
Property RightsCondominium only (no land)
Tax ResidencyAfter 183 days/year
Tax on Foreign IncomeOnly if remitted in same tax year
Visa RenewalAnnual, in-country
Government Liaison ServicesAvailable through TPC
Family AccessYes (Platinum tier and above)
Lifestyle BenefitsVia Privilege Points, contractually specified

XIII. Conclusion

The Thai Elite Visa is a residence mechanism that blends immigration discretion with civil contract law. It provides long-term legal stay in Thailand along with extensive administrative and concierge support. Its privileges are real but limited in scope: it does not authorize employment, guarantee property rights, or lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

As a tool of immigration policy, it functions as a non-merit-based residence privilege available to those who meet financial thresholds and agree to comply with Thai law. For those with international income or flexible mobility, it remains one of the most stable legal residence options in Thailand—provided its restrictions are fully understood and respected.

Consider what you are going to be doing in Thailand and let us apply for a Thai Visa for you online. Its easy and fast. These are the basic visa rules. Speak to us today! These are the basics rules for a Thailand visa in Thailand. The most common Thailand visa being used today is the tourist visa. This visa allows you to stay in Thailand for 2 months once you enter Thailand and can be extended for another 30 days at Thai Immigration for a fee of 1,900 Baht.

This visa is easy to obtain and requires the least amount of documents. Short of a photo and the completing of a form the visa is normally granted. If you are married to a Thai you might want to apply for a marriage visa also known as an “O” visa in Thailand. This visa allows you to stay in Thailand for 3 months and if you meet the financial requirements, you can have it extended in Thailand for 1 year. This visa requires more paperwork than any of the other visa options. You need a copy of your marriage certificate to show that you are married to a Thai national. You also need the ‘house registration papers’ of your wife and a copy of her Thai ID card.

If you are looking for work in Thailand then you need to apply for a “B” Visa or business visa and this requires a copy of the companies registration papers, tax compliance certificates and more depending on the position you are applying for. The retirement visa is another option which requires that you are over the age of 50 when the visa is issued and the extension of the visa in Thailand to a 1 year visa. If you are looking at visiting Thailand then speak to any of our lawyers online or via our toll free US and UK telephone numbers with regards to the options available to you.

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