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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. With eligibility assessed through the Board of Investment’s One Start One Stop division — while the visa itself is issued by the Immigration Bureau — 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 qualified 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 scheme stands as one of the most compelling options.
Although the Immigration Act does not establish a standalone visa formally called the “Investment Visa Thailand,” this expression is widely used in practice to describe the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa—particularly its Wealthy Global Citizen category—because its eligibility criteria require a substantial qualifying investment in Thailand. For this reason, the term “Investment Visa Thailand” has become the commonly accepted designation for this investment-based pathway within the LTR framework, even though the visa itself legally belongs to the LTR scheme.
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What is the Investment Visa in Thailand (LTR Wealthy Global Citizen category), 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, freehold condominium units registered at the Land Office, 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
Applicants seeking this Investment Visa in Thailand must provide a clear copy of their current passport with at least six months of remaining validity and a minimum of two blank pages. The PDF scan must include the biodata page and all pages bearing Thai immigration stamps, arranged chronologically in a single file. In some cases, previous passports may also be requested to verify travel history. Passports must be in good condition, as water damage, missing sections, or unofficial markings may result in rejection at the visa appointment.
Candidates applying for the Investment Visa in Thailand under the Wealthy Global Citizen category must also submit a recent passport-style photograph taken against a white background. The image must be taken within the past six months, show formal business attire, exclude eyewear or headwear, and remain under two megabytes in file size.
Foreigners must further provide proof of health insurance or sufficient financial resources to cover medical expenses in Thailand. Three types of evidence are accepted:
A health insurance policy covering at least USD 50,000 for treatment and hospitalization in Thailand, valid for a minimum of ten months;
Confirmation of enrolment in the Thai social security system providing equivalent medical benefits;
A bank statement demonstrating a maintained balance of at least USD 100,000 over the past twelve consecutive months. Investment portfolios are not accepted for this requirement.
All documentation must be presented in Thai or English, and any translations must be notarized. If the insurance policy is not available at the time of submission, applicants may temporarily provide a signed Document Request Acknowledgement Form, with the final policy required once the application reaches the Governmental Review stage.
Applicants who entered Thailand before 1 July 2022 or who were issued a TM.6 arrival card at a land border checkpoint must also upload a copy of this document. However, TM.47 forms are no longer required for LTR applicants, as LTR holders are subject to annual—not 90-day—residence reporting.
Proof of Investment and Financial Assets
Applicants seeking the Investment Visa in Thailand (LTR Wealthy Global Citizen category) must provide documentation proving a qualifying investment of at least USD 500,000 in Thailand. Only certain types of investments are admissible under BOI and Immigration Bureau regulations:
1. Government Bonds: Government bonds with a maturity of at least five years may be used to meet the investment requirement. Applicants must provide a purchase certificate and supporting documentation issued by the relevant financial institution.
2. Shares Listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET): Long-term shareholders may submit official confirmation from a licensed broker or statements certified by the Securities and Exchange Commission, demonstrating continuous ownership of listed shares for at least twelve months.
3. Freehold Condominium Units: Owners of freehold condominium property may provide the title deed (Chanote or Nor Sor 4 Jor), the sale and purchase agreement, the payment receipts, and proof of transfer registration at the Land Office (e.g., Tor Dor 13).
Important: Only freehold condominium units qualify as real-estate investments. Leasehold interests, land leases, villa rights, and usufruct arrangements are not eligible as qualifying investments under the LTR Wealthy Global Citizen category.
4. Proof of Global Assets: In addition to the Thai investment, applicants must demonstrate global financial assets totaling at least USD 1 million. Acceptable assets include standard financial instruments such as cash, fixed deposits, securities, and regulated investment portfolios.
Cryptocurrencies, digital tokens, precious metal futures, collector items, artworks, luxury goods, watches, and jewelry do not qualify.
All documentation must be submitted in Thai or English, or accompanied by a certified translation.
Criminal Background Documentation
Applicants may also be asked to provide documentation confirming a clean criminal record. Two forms are accepted:
A police clearance or criminal record certificate issued by the national authorities of the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence, dated within the past three months; or
A police clearance issued by the Royal Thai Police’s Police Clearance Certificate Center.
If unavailable at the initial submission stage, applicants may temporarily provide a signed Document Request Acceptance Form. The final certificate must be uploaded once the application reaches the Consideration by Government Bodies stage.
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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 (LTR Wealthy Global Citizen category), 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 individuals with significant global assets and a long-term interest in Thailand, the Investment Visa in Thailand under the Wealthy Global Citizen category offers a highly attractive residency pathway. It provides long-term stability, favourable tax advantages, and simplified immigration procedures — including annual reporting, multiple re-entry privileges, and eligibility for a digital work permit. These features make it one of the most efficient solutions for investors seeking both comfort and legal certainty in the Kingdom.
While the program is advantageous, the application process remains technical and documentation-heavy. Ensuring full compliance with the BOI review and Immigration Bureau requirements is essential to avoid delays or rejections.
At Benoit & Partners, our legal team assists high-net-worth applicants from initial eligibility assessment to final visa issuance, ensuring a smooth, secure and fully compliant process. If you are considering the Investment Visa in Thailand, our firm would be pleased to provide tailored guidance and a clear strategy for your long-term relocation or investment plan. You may book a consultation with our legal team.
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.