Thailand LTR visa for professionals

Remote workers employed by well-established overseas companies: a public company listed on a stock exchange, a private company with at least three years of operation and combined revenue of USD 50 million over the last three years, or certain wholly owned subsidiaries of such companies. Requirements are average personal income of USD 80,000 a year over two years (USD 40,000 to 80,000 with a master's degree), five years of relevant experience, and the same health insurance rule.

Professionals or experts in targeted industries working for businesses, higher education institutions, research centres or specialised training institutes in Thailand, or for Thai government agencies. Requirements include average personal income of USD 80,000 a year over the past two years (USD 40,000 to 80,000 with a master's degree or higher in science and technology, and government employees are exempt), at least five years of experience in the targeted industries during the last ten years (PhD holders and government staff exempt), and health insurance of at least USD 50,000, Thai social security, or USD 100,000 kept in the bank for 12 months.

Apply online for the qualification endorsement at ltr.boi.go.th; agencies such as the Immigration Bureau and BOI review it and notify the result within 20 working days, followed by a pre-approval step of one to three working days. With the endorsement letter, valid 60 days, apply for the visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate through the e-Visa system or at the One Stop Service Center in Bangkok. Highly-skilled holders then request the work permit via the LTR system (THB 3,000 a year).

LTR holders receive a ten-year renewable visa (five years, then five more if qualifications are kept), report to immigration once a year instead of every 90 days, are exempt from re-entry permits, can obtain a digital work permit, and Highly-Skilled Professionals pay a flat 17 percent personal income tax. All conditions, including income, employment and insurance, must be maintained during the visa.