Investment Visa in Thailand: How to obtain the LTR Visa under the Wealthy Global Citizen category

Businessman checking documents on his phone — Thailand Investment Visa

What legal framework governs Thailand’s Investment Visa program and the prestigious LTR Visa scheme? 

 Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 and supplementary ministerial regulations established the Long-Term Resident Visa, a strategic 10-year residency visa attracting high-worth foreign executives, entrepreneurs, and retirees. Administered through the Board of Investment’s One Start One Stop division, this type of Investment Visa in Thailand exemplifies the country’s ambitions to cultivate prosperous global partnerships, recruit exceptional expertise, and strengthen Bangkok’s position as Southeast Asia’s preeminent commercial crossroads. Applicants demonstrating exceptional net worth and substantive Thai investments may qualify for the distinguished “Wealthy Global Citizen” class within the LTR Visa.

This legal framework enables the BOI to assess applicants’ eligibility for the Investment Visa in Thailand, endorse successful applications, and coordinate with the Immigration Bureau and the Revenue Department for visa issuance and tax-related privileges. For individuals possessing significant global assets and who have invested in Thailand, the “Wealthy Global Citizen” category within the LTR Visa scheme presents itself as one of the most compelling options.

Table of Contents

What is the Investment Visa in Thailand, and what LTR Visa categories does it include? 

Definition and Categories of the LTR Visa 

Designed to entice five elite professions, the Long-Term Resident Visa grants renewable decade-long residency to following categories: 

  • The Wealthy Global Citizens
  • Wealthy Pensioners
  • Work-from-Thailand Professionals
  • Highly-Skilled Professionals, and
  • Dependents such as spouses and children of the primary applicant.

Advantages of the Wealthy Global Citizen Category 

Among these, the Wealthy Global Citizen category presents a uniquely relevant opportunity for individuals maintaining substantial global financial holdings, having materially invested in Thailand’s growth, and accessing a dependable income flow This category of the Investment Visa in Thailand offers a series of advantages that are especially attractive to investors. It accords a renewable decade-long visa, eliminates the usual 90-day reporting instead for an annual submission, and permits expedited immigration handling at international airports. Additionally, it extends multiple re-entry privileges and the right to work in Thailand by way of a digital work permit. Finally, it grants a consistent 17% private earnings tax rate for certified professionals, embodying a sizeable tax incentive.

Taken together, these attributes render the Wealthy Global Citizen category strongly appealing for overseas nationals who have put money into or mean to invest in Thai property, government bonds, or publicly listed companies. It stands as one of the most favorable forms for an Investment Visa in Thailand.

What are the eligibility necessities for the Wealthy Global Citizen LTR Visa in Thailand? 

Financial Criteria for this investment visa in Thailand 

To be qualified for this type of Investment Visa in Thailand under the Wealthy Global Citizen class, applicants must fulfill an array of cumulative conditions. First and foremost, the applicant must possess worldwide assets valued at minimum one million US dollars. These assets must be of a financial character, as cryptocurrencies, collectibles, high-end goods, and gold futures are expressly excluded.

Secondly, the investment allocation must demonstrate a committed outlay of no less than five hundred thousand US dollars within the Thai marketplace. Financial placements can take the form of government bonds with a minimal maturity of five years in duration, real estate holdings like condominiums or villas with leasehold or usufruct rights in perpetuity, or equity stakes in publicly traded corporations recorded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Ventures sanctioned by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission for risk capital investments are also recognized.

Health insurance and Solvency Requirements for this Investment Visa in Thailand 

Ultimately, the candidate needs to furnish proof of medical insurance that safeguards no less than fifty thousand US dollars for healthcare costs incurred within Thailand boundaries and valid for no less than ten continuous months. Alternatively, the applicant may display evidence of incorporation into the Thai social security system or submit a bank statement reflecting a maintained balance of at least one hundred thousand US dollars held without interruption for the past twelve consecutive months.

All of these prerequisites must be entirely satisfied before submitting an application seeking endorsement for qualification for the Investment Visa in Thailand as a Wealthy Global Citizen.

What documents are required to apply for the Investment Visa in Thailand as a Wealthy Global Citizen?

Personal Identification and Health Records needed for this Investment Visa In Thailand 

Those seeking for this Investment Visa in Thailand must provide a copy of their current passport. It must have a minimum of six months remaining validity and at least two blank pages for stamps. The PDF scan should comprise the biodata page and any pages containing Thai immigration stamps. These scanned pages must be collated and ordered chronologically into a single document. For holders of a TM.47 form, a separate scan is also necessary. In some instances, old passports may be requested for confirmation as well. Ensuring the passport remains undamaged is imperative, as any water damage, missing sections, or unofficial notations could potentially cause rejection at the appointment.

Applicants for the Investment Visa in Thailand under the Wealthy Global Citizen category must also furnish a recent passport-style photo taken against a white backdrop. It should show the applicant dressed formally for business. The image must have been taken within the past six months and exclude eyewear, headwear, or extras. The file size cannot surpass two megabytes.

Furthermore, foreigners must furnish proof of health insurance or funds sufficient to cover any health expenses. Three options exist in this regard. 

  • To start, one may present a healthcare plan that guarantees a minimum of $50,000 coverage for hospitalization and treatment in Thailand, remaining valid for no less than ten months.
  • Secondly, one can exhibit official documentation of Thai social security benefits providing equivalent protection.
  • Thirdly, a financial document or bank statement is accepted proving a continuous $100,000 minimum deposit spanning at least a year’s time. Investment portfolios do not qualify under this condition.

All records must be furnished in Thai or English, and any translations require notarization. Should health insurance particulars be unavailable upon submission, a signed Document Request Acknowledgement Form can substitute temporarily, with the final policy to be delivered once the application reaches the “Governmental Review” stage. 

Those entering Thailand prior to July 1, 2022 or at a land border checkpoint necessitating a TM.6 card must also furnish a copy of said identification.

Proof of investment and Financial Assets 

Applicants looking to obtain an Investment Visa in Thailand must furnish one of the following documents:

  • Government bonds with a five-year maturity provide a straightforward path to fulfilling this requirement.
  • Equity shareholders enjoying long-term involvement also have compliant options, such as share registers validated by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission or correspondence from a broker corroborating over twelve months of stock holdings on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
  • Owners of freehold property simply need submit title deeds and purchase contracts, while those leasing land long-term require documentation from the Department of Land.
  • Meanwhile, beneficiaries of villa rights or properties with leasehold or usufruct provisions must tender authenticated sales contracts and land records demonstrating their entitlements.

In addition to domestic assets, applicants for this Investment Visa in Thailand must evidence global holdings totaling a minimum of one million US dollars. Acceptable stores of wealth involve standard investment vehicles; however, cryptocurrencies, tokens, precious metal futures, religious talismans, artworks, fashion items, timepieces, and jewelry do not qualify. 

All materials presented must utilize either Thai or English or arrive with certified translations into one of those languages.

Lastly, prospective applicants may need to furnish further records to endorse the lack of a criminal history. One choice is a letter of verification from the national government of the candidate’s place of citizenship or residence and dated within the past three months. Another is a police clearance certificate released by the Police Clearance Certificate Center operated by the Royal Thai Police. This documentation could potentially be handed in later in the handling, given the applicant fills out a signed Document Request Acceptance Form. When the application reaches the stage of “Consideration by Government Bodies,” the final form of this document will be requested.

Get expert legal guidance.

CONTACT US

What is the application process for the Investment Visa in Thailand under the LTR Visa Wealthy Global Citizen Scheme?

The process to get an Investment Visa in Thailand under the LTR Visa Wealthy Global Citizen program involves three main stages.

  • First Step: the submission of the documents

 In the preliminary stage, the candidate must electronically submit all supporting papers through the BOI’s dedicated online platform for LTR Visa applications. The Board of Investment will then assess the submission for completeness and compliance. During this phase, further records may be asked for by the BOI if it views the initial submission as incomplete or requiring extra substantiation. Provided it’s satisfactory, the BOI passes the application to the pertinent government organizations for assessment.

  • Second Step: the letter of endorsement 

Once all the documents submitted by the applicant have been validated by the LTR Officer, the applicant for this Investment Visa in Thailand will receive a letter of endorsement which may allow proceeding to the  visa issuance appointment. Relying on whether the individual is applying from inside Thailand or from abroad, the meeting may occur at a Thai Consulate, Embassy, or Immigration Bureau, within a period of  2 months after the reception of the letter of endorsement. At this appointment, the involved applicant submits their lengthy passport and any outstanding records. The visa is then issued and affixed to the applicant’s passport during the meeting.

  • Third Step: the post-approval requirements

The final stage involves post-approval steps, such as residence notification and, when applicable, the issuing of a digital work permit. The applicant must report their address within a brief fifteen days of entering Thailand. If the individual intends to be employed, the work permit is processed simultaneously with the visa.

The entire procedure for the Investment Visa in Thailand, from preliminary application to visa issuance, typically takes between six to eight weeks. Delays may arise if documentation is incomplete or if further verifications are necessary.

Conclusion

For affluent people with established global assets and a commitment to investing in Thailand, the Investment Visa in Thailand under the Wealthy Global Citizen class offers a unique and powerful immigration solution. It provides long-term residency, favorable tax treatment, and enhanced mobility and business rights within the Kingdom. With advantages such as exemption from frequent immigration reporting, simplified re-entry, and eligibility to apply for a work permit, the visa significantly reduces administrative barriers. Nevertheless, the process is legally intricate, and the documentation necessities are strict and specific. Therefore, expert legal assistance is essential to navigate the eligibility verification, document preparation, and submission process.


FAQ

This visa is intended for foreigners with at least US$1 million in global assets, who have invested a minimum of US$500,000 in Thailand (real estate, bonds, stocks), and who can provide proof of health insurance or sufficient resources to cover their medical care. It is designed for wealthy individuals who wish to settle permanently in Thailand and benefit from an attractive tax environment.

Beneficiaries receive a 10-year renewable visa, expedited processing at border checkpoints, exemption from 90-day reporting requirements (annual reporting), and a 17% tax rate on qualified professional income. They may also obtain a digital work permit.

Eligible assets:

  • Five-year Thai government bonds,
  • Real estate registered with usufruct or long-term lease,
  • Shares in companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET),
  • Investments in funds approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand.
  • Cryptocurrencies, luxury items, and speculative contracts are excluded.

 

The procedure consists of three steps:

  • Submission of the application via the BOI portal, with preliminary evaluation of the documents.
  • Receipt of a letter of approval, followed by an appointment at the embassy, consulate, or immigration office.
  • Post-approval formalities, including registration of address and, if necessary, issuance of a digital work permit.

The entire process usually takes 8 to 12 weeks, provided that all documents are complete and compliant. Delays are possible in the event of missing documents or additional checks.