Thailand recently introduced the long-term resident visa (“LTR Visa”) to four categories of foreigners (“Eligible Foreigners”) who are wealthy global citizens (“WGC”), wealthy pensioners (“WP”), work-from-Thailand professionals (“WTP”), and highly-skilled professionals (“HSP”) and their spouses and children (“Dependents”).  The Notification of the Ministry of Interior Re: Approval for Some Categories of Foreigners to Reside in Thailand on a Special Case Basis under the Economic and Investment Stimulus Measures to Attract High Potential Foreigners to Thailand dated 25^th May 2022 (“MOI Notification”) sets out the key terms and conditions of the LTR Visa.  The requirements for the Eligible Foreigners are set out in Notification of the Board of Investment of Thailand (“BOI”) No. Por 2/2565 Re: Qualifications, Rules and Conditions for Special Visa under the Economic and Investment Stimulus Measures to Attract High Potential Foreigners to Thailand dated 30^th June 2022 (“BOI Notification”).

Major Requirements Applicable to Dependents under the BOI Notification

(1)   a legitimate spouse or legitimate children (below 20 years of age);

(2)   a minimum health insurance coverage of USD50,000 for at least 10 months or a social security benefit covering medical treatment in Thailand, or a minimum cash deposit in Thailand or abroad of USD25,000 for at least 12 months; and

(3)   maximum 4 Dependents can apply for the LTR Visa under the same category as the LTR Visa holder.

Application

Each Dependent can register himself or herself and then file an application for a qualification endorsement letter (“QEL”) online or on site with the BOI or the Thai Embassy or the Thai Consulate abroad or any other place as specified by the BOI.  The applicant will be notified of the result of the application for the QEL within 20 working days.  The applicant who is granted the QEL must apply for the LTR Visa with the Thai Embassy or the Thai Consulate or the Immigration Office in Thailand within 60 days from the issuance date of the QEL and pay the application fee of THB50,000.

Benefits for Dependents LTR Visa Holder

(1)   10-year visa with multiple entries (5 years plus one extension of 5 years);

(2)   Fast-track service at international airports in Thailand;

(3)   Annual immigration report in place of the 90-day report;

(4)   Exemption from the Thai-foreigner employment ratio of 4:1;

(5)   Digital work permit for a legitimate spouse (to be issued by the OSS in Bangkok or a Provincial Labor Office); and

(6)   Right to change the LTR Visa to another type of visa subject to the rules and regulations of the Thai Immigration Bureau.

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