Choosing the Right Long-Term Visa for Your Stay in Thailand
Visas in Thailand should align with the purpose of your visit. There are several main categories suitable for a long-term stay:
- Non-Immigrant B Visa: Often referred to as a work or business visa, this is for those who plan to work or conduct business in Thailand.
- LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident Visa): A visa for high-potential foreigners offering long-term residence in Thailand.
- SMART Visa: Aimed at professionals, investors, and startup entrepreneurs in targeted industries.
- Thailand Privilege (formerly Thailand Elite): A program offering privileged access to long-term residence and premium services for foreign nationals.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): A new visa introduced in July 2024, designed for long-term stays in Thailand, including remote workers and tourists with special interests.
- Investment Visa: For foreign investors who contribute to the Thai economy, including through real estate purchases.
- Retirement Visa: For individuals over 50 years old who wish to live in Thailand in retirement.
- Family Visa: For those who wish to live in Thailand with family members.
- Guardian Visa: For foreigners who are guardians of children studying in Thailand.
- Education Visa: For foreign students studying in Thai educational institutions and for other educational purposes.
Holders of any visa can passively engage in business, such as being shareholders in Thai companies. However, only certain categories of visas grant the right to work in Thailand, usually requiring a work permit.
This overview briefly covers several key visa categories. Detailed posts for each category are available through the links provided below.
Non-Immigrant B Visa
The primary option for foreigners wishing to work in Thailand is the Non-Immigrant B Visa (Non-B), often referred to as a “work visa” when combined with a work permit. The Non-B visa can also be obtained for business trips.
Foreigners typically obtain a Non-B visa from a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand based on documents provided by the prospective Thai employer, which could also be your company if you are starting a business in Thailand.
A key document for processing a work visa is the approval letter (form WP.3) that the Thai employer must obtain from the Department of Employment. Companies approved by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) use a BOI letter instead of form WP.3.
When applying for a visa, it is important to consider the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate. The initial validity of a Non-B visa is 90 days. After entering Thailand, a work permit is issued based on this visa and additional documents, usually for one year.
Foreigners must obtain an extension of stay at a local immigration office before the 90-day visa period expires. This extension is typically granted for one year but may vary depending on circumstances and the employer’s category. Companies with BOI privileges benefit from additional privileges and a simplified extension process.
Learn more about the work visa:
Thailand Work Permit: A Practical Overview
LTR Visa
The LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident) is a program for high-potential foreigners, effective from September 1, 2022. The visa targets four specific groups and their family members:
- Wealthy Global Citizens:
- Assets of at least $1 million
- Annual income of at least $80,000 over the past two years
- Investments in Thailand of at least $500,000
- Affluent Retirees (over 50 years old):
- Annual passive income of $80,000
- Or passive income of $40,000 and investments of $250,000 in Thailand
- Professionals Working from Thailand:
- Annual income of $80,000 over the past two years
- Or income of $40,000 with a master’s degree, intellectual property, or Series A investment
- Employer must be a public or private company with revenues of $150 million over the past three years
- Highly Skilled Professionals:
- Income of $80,000 over the past two years or $40,000 with a master’s degree
- Employed in targeted industries by Thai companies, universities, research centers, or government agencies
- 5 years of experience in the targeted industry (or PhD in a relevant field)
Family members (spouse and children under 20) can apply for the LTR visa with the primary applicant, for up to four people in total.
General Requirements for All Categories:
- Health insurance with coverage of at least $50,000 or social insurance/deposit of $100,000
LTR Visa Benefits:
- 10-year visa (5+5) with the possibility of extension
- Digital work permit
- No requirement for 4 Thai employees per foreign employee
- Annual reporting instead of every 90 days at the immigration office
- Fast track at international airports
- Tax benefits: a 17% tax rate for highly skilled professionals and exemption from tax on foreign income for other categories
For a full guide on the LTR Visa, see the detailed article:
Thailand`s LTR Visa explained
Smart Visa
The SMART Visa program is designed to attract scientists, technology experts, high-level executives, investors, and startup entrepreneurs working in targeted industries (S-Curve Industries).
The SMART Visa is not intended for digital nomads or remote workers; those individuals should consider the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) or the LTR Visa for “Professionals Working from Thailand.”
SMART “T” (Talent) Visa
This visa is for professionals with expertise in science and technology relevant to targeted industries. Requirements include a minimum salary of 100,000 Baht per month (50,000 Baht for certain experts) and an employment contract of at least one year. Benefits include a 4-year renewable visa and exemption from work permit requirements.
SMART “I” (Investor) Visa
For investors in technology-based businesses, this visa requires a minimum investment of 20 million Baht in tech companies or 5 million Baht in a startup/incubator. It provides a renewable 4-year visa with benefits similar to the Talent category.
SMART “E” (Executive) Visa
This visa is for senior executives in tech-based companies. It requires a minimum income of 200,000 Baht per month, a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and at least 10 years of relevant experience. Benefits include a renewable 4-year visa and exemption from certain work requirements.
SMART “S” (Startup) Visa
For entrepreneurs launching a tech startup, this visa requires a 600,000 Baht deposit, health insurance, and establishing a company in a targeted industry within one year. It is renewable for up to 2 years.
For more information on the SMART “S” Visa, refer to this article:
Thailand’s Startup Visa (SMART S): Key Facts and Procedures
Privileges
All SMART Visas offer similar privileges, including:
- Extensions of up to 4 years (except for the SMART “S” Visa)
- No work permit required
- Annual reporting to Immigration at the One-Stop Service Center
- No re-entry permit needed
- Permission for spouses and children to live in Thailand; spouses of SMART Visa holders (with a SMART “O” visa) can work in Thailand without a work permit
- Access to Fast Track services at international airports in Thailand
For the latest updates, visit the Thailand Board of Investment and the Smart Visa website.
Investment Visa in Thailand
Requirements:
- Transfer at least 10 million baht (≈ $300,000) to Thailand and invest it in one of the following instruments:
- Possess a non-immigrant visa
- A letter from the Thailand Board of Investment confirming that the requirements have been met, if applicable.
The visa is issued for a period of one year. Annual renewal is possible as long as the investment requirements are met. Family members of the investor – spouse, children under 20, and parents – can also obtain visas upon proof of kinship.
Holders of investment visas must submit reports on their stay every 90 days and are only entitled to work in Thailand if they have a work permit.
Thailand Privilege (Thailand Elite)
Thailand Privilege (formerly Thailand Elite) is a long-term visa program allowing residence in Thailand for a period ranging from 5 to 20 years or more.
Read more details in the separate article:
Thailand Privilege: The Successor to Thailand Elite
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a new long-term visa launched in July 2024 for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and long-term tourists. The visa is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, allowing stays in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry with the possibility of a 180-day extension.
Main Requirements:
- Financial stability: minimum 500,000 THB in the account.
- Proof of purpose of visit (employment contract, work certificate, invitation).
- Standard documents (passport, photo, application form).
The DTV allows remote work for foreign companies without a work permit. Working for a Thai employer requires a different visa.
For more details, read the separate article:
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Key Facts
Permanent Residency and Thai Citizenship
For more details, read the separate articles:
Thai Permanent Residency
How to Become a Thai Citizen
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
If you have any questions about long-term visas in Thailand, please feel free to email us or use the form below.