If you’re a resident of Thailand and want to stay here long-term, there are a few different options for you. Besides the usual Marriage, Retirement, and Elite visas there are also some less popular options such as a Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa that was recently announced to encourage investment in the country.
The LTR Visa is open to wealthy global citizens, retired expats with significant assets, work-from-home professionals, and high-potential skilled workers from a range of countries around the world. It offers a package of benefits and tax incentives that is expected to attract high-potential foreigners to Thailand and stimulate the economy.
Those eligible for the LTR Visa will have a number of immigration obligations that must be met, including reporting on income, assets, and family members. However, the requirements are not as stringent as some of the other long-stay options, such as the Retirement visa.
Aside from the reporting obligations, a major benefit of the LTR Visa is the fact that it can be used multiple times. This is due to the fact that it is a non-immigrant visa category O and can be extended for five years at Immigration Office. This makes the visa one of the most flexible long-stay options available for those seeking to live in Thailand.
As with all Thailand visas, the process for obtaining the LTR Visa depends on the specific embassy or consulate where you reside. Therefore, it’s a good idea to visit or call the Thai diplomatic representation in your home country to learn more about what is required.
The process will likely involve a trip to the embassy or consulate to submit the application, along with the following documents:
A passport that is valid for at least six months and has at least two blank visa pages. A return ticket that proves your intention to leave the country at the end of your stay in Thailand. A completed and signed Thailand visa application form. A photograph that meets the size and specifications as stipulated in the Visa Application Guidelines.
Once you’ve submitted your visa application and the required documents, it will take up to 10 working days for the embassy or consulate to review and process your application. Once your visa is approved, you will be able to pick it up at the embassy or consulate. If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice from the embassy or consulate and a copy of your passport will be returned to you by mail.
If you aren’t sure which long-stay visa is right for you, you should consider getting help from an experienced visa consultant who can guide you through the process of applying for a Thailand long-stay visa. Using an expert can help you avoid mistakes that could lead to delays or even denial of your visa, which would require you to re-apply and possibly incur additional costs and time to correct.
Aside from avoiding mistakes, hiring an experienced visa consultant can also make the entire process much faster and easier, which will save you both time and money in the long run. Thailand long stay visa