Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa: How to Apply

Digital nomads, retirees with pensions, and wealthy investors can now apply for the Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa and live in the country for 10 years.

This is incredible news, especially for those digital nomads who have fallen in love with this beautiful and affordable country. With digital nomad hotspots like Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Bangkok, Thailand has been a long-time favorite destination for remote workers. 

Officially called the Long Term Residence Visa, it is very exclusive, though. Unlike other digital nomad visas available, the Thailand Long-Term Residence visa is very selective with strict requirements. 

If you’re searching for a more traditional digital nomad visa, the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, or Destination Thailand Visa, allows remote workers to stay in the country for 180 days with one renewal opportunity. The visa is valid for five years.

The main benefits of receiving Thailand’s new Long-Term Residence visa are the potential for a 10-year residency in the country and a lower tax rate. Rather than paying a possible 35% tax rate, digital nomads will only pay 17% in taxes. 

Applicants may bring their spouse and dependents on the Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa. However, there is a limit of four dependents per visa.

Thailand joins Indonesia in offering a haven for digital nomads to gain residency with a new digital nomad visa in this part of the world. 

Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa Requirements

Many digital nomads may be disappointed with the requirements needed to be eligible for this visa. Thailand is being very selective about who can receive the visa in hopes of boosting the local economy with new business and innovative startups. 

To be eligible for this visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of collecting the visa
• Earn $80,000/year – You must meet the income requirement for the last two years
• Health Insurance – You must have health insurance coverage of at least $50,000 in Thailand
• Work as a Remote Employee – You must work for at least three years at a publicly traded company or a company that generates at least $150 million in annual revenue
  • You may also qualify if you earned no less than $40,000/year for the last two years and hold a Master’s Degree if you fall under this category

OR

• $1 Million in Financial Assets – You may apply if you can prove your financial assets meet the minimum required amount 

• Invest $500,000 in Thailand – You may invest in Thai government bonds, Thai property, or foreign direct investments

OR

• Retired with a $80,000/year Income – If you’re over the age of 50 and have a stable income like a pension, you can apply

As you can see, there aren’t many requirements to be eligible for Thailand’s Long-Term Residence Visa. However, this visa is more directed towards wealthier investors, retirees, and employees.

Steps to Apply

To apply for the Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa, you will submit your application online but will also attend a visa appointment at a Thai embassy or consulate.

Please keep in mind that we recommend working with a professional immigration lawyer to verify your eligibility and the documents you must provide for the Thailand Long-Term Residence visa.

As the visa is very selective of the applicants and only a few people meet the eligibility requirements, it’s important to verify that you meet the requirements.

Step 1: Gather Documents

Before submitting your application, it’s important to gather all of the necessary documents and digitize them.

Since there are multiple categories of eligible applicants, each category requires different documents. We will break them down below. You can always reference the official Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa website for the complete and updated lists of required documents here.

If you are eligible for the Work from Thailand category, you will need the following documents:

• Copy of Passport (including Thai entry stamps if applicable)
• Passport-Size Photo (3×4 cm)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Proof of previous employment in your related field for at least five years
• Master’s Degree (if applicable)
• Health Insurance Policy
• Proof of Employment
• Proof of Income from the Current Year
• Annual Personal Income Tax Return from the last two years
• Employment Certificate

For Wealthy Global Citizens holding financial assets of at least $1 million and investing at least $500,000 in Thai property, government bonds, or foreign direct investment, you will need the following documents:

• Copy of Passport (including Thai entry stamps if applicable)
• Passport-Size Photo (3×4 cm)
• Health Insurance Policy
• Annual Personal Tax Return from the Last Two Years
• Proof of Asset Ownership
• Employment Certificate
• Evidence of Investments

If you fall under the Wealthy Pensioner category and have a stable yearly income as a retiree, you will need the following documents:

• Copy of Passport (including Thai entry stamps if applicable)
• Passport-Size Photo (3×4 cm)
• Health Insurance Policy
• Proof of Income
• Employment Certificate
• Evidence of Investments (if applicable)

If you plan to bring dependents to Thailand with you, they will each need to provide the following documents:

• Copy of Passport (including Thai entry stamps if applicable)
• Passport-Size Photo (3×4 cm)
• Health Insurance Policy
• Evidence of Family Relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
• Employment Certificate

Once you have collected and digitized all of your documents, you can move forward with the next step.

Step 2: Submit Application

You can submit your Thailand Long-Term Residence Visa application right online through the official website.

Within 20 days, you will receive an answer about whether your application and documents were approved.

Step 3: Attend Visa Appointment

Once your application and documents are approved, you have 60 days to attend an appointment at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad or Immigration Offices in Thailand to collect your visa.

You will be expected to pay a visa fee of 50,000 Thai baht per person, which is roughly $1,370 USD.

Step 4: Collect Your Digital Work Permit

For those working in or from Thailand, you will need to collect your Digital Work Permit at the Department of Employment One Stop Shop Center for Visa and Work Permits located in Bangkok.

You will need to pay a yearly fee of 3,000 Thai baht, or roughly $83 USD, to maintain this permit.

Thailand for Digital Nomads

When you think of the digital nomad lifestyle, you probably picture someone sitting on a beach with a laptop, drinking from a coconut. Usually, this white sandy beach is located on one of the many gorgeous islands of Thailand. 

Thailand is considered to be a major digital nomad hotspot thanks to its extremely affordable cost of living, super fast wifi, ease of transportation, and friendly culture. 

Thousands, if not millions, of digital nomads have found peace and productivity while living and working remotely in Thailand. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene beaches of Koh Samui to the jungles and mountains in Pai, there is a setting for everyone in Thailand. 

With warm, tropical weather year-round, it’s perfect for those who enjoy being outdoors and exploring nature. Let’s also not forget the delicious cuisine and street food you can enjoy for less than $1! 

Whether you’re a backpacking digital nomad on a budget or a remote entrepreneur who wants to optimize your income, Thailand is the perfect place to do both.