What the LTR is
The Long-Term Resident visa is Thailand's attempt to attract high-end talent and investment. Its hallmarks: ten years (5+5), multiple entries, a fee around €1,300, and two comforts its holders value above all: the immigration report drops from every 90 days to once a year, and there's a fast lane at airports and for paperwork. For anyone thinking long-term, it removes the annual renewal and the constant admin of other routes.
The four categories
| Category | Who it's for | Key requirement (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree | High-income retirees | ~80,000 USD/year (≈ €6,400/month) |
| High-earning remote worker | Remote employees of solid companies | ~80,000 USD/year + an established employer |
| Highly-skilled professional | Strategic sectors | Contract in a target sector + tax perks |
| Wealthy global citizen | Large investors | ~1 million USD in assets + investment in Thailand |
The exact thresholds change by profile (some accept a lower income bracket if there's investment or insurance involved), so the fine figure is verified case by case. The underlying idea stays constant: the LTR is for people who earn a lot or have a lot.
The tax perk, without overselling it
Beyond the convenience, some LTR categories bring favorable tax treatment (for example, a reduced rate for the highly-skilled professional track, or specific rules on foreign income). It isn't a universal exemption and it doesn't turn the LTR into a tax haven: it still operates within the general framework — the 180-day rule and the remittance rule — that we cover in the tax guide. For a crypto investor, what usually matters more is the capital gains exemption, which doesn't depend on the visa.
LTR or DTV: the clear math
| LTR | DTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 years (5+5) | 5 years |
| Stay | Continuous, annual report | 180 days/entry + 90-day report |
| Requirement | ~€6,400/month or ~1M USD | ~€13,000 in savings |
| Fee | ≈ €1,300 | ≈ €270 |
| Fits | High income/net worth | Nomads, freelancers, most people |
How we process it
Like the other routes, it's step 1 of what we do: assessment on the first call (free), checking that your profile fits a category, preparing the file, and follow-up. You pay the fee at cost; our moving fee is fixed, 1.200 €, whichever route it covers. Not sure whether LTR, DTV or something else is yours? The visa test gives you a steer in a minute.
Frequently asked questions
What is the LTR and how long does it last?
A 10-year (5+5) residency visa for high earners, with multiple entries, an annual report instead of every 90 days, and a fast lane. Fee around €1,300.
What income does it require?
Depends on the category: retiree and high-earning remote worker require around 80,000 USD/year (~€6,400/month); wealthy global citizen, around 1 million USD in assets. Verified case by case.
LTR or DTV?
Above ~€6,400/month, the LTR pays off. Below that, the DTV gets you almost the same for €270 versus €1,300. Most nomads and freelancers are a better fit for the DTV.