Thailand Privilege and LTR visaOverview
Thailand does not offer residence by investment in the European sense, but it has two well-established long-stay frameworks. Thailand Privilege, formerly Thailand Elite, is a membership programme run by a subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Members receive a multiple-entry Privilege Entry visa for the length of their membership along with airport, immigration and lifestyle services. There is no investment, income or business requirement; the fee is the qualification, subject to background checks.
The programme was restructured in October 2023, when the current tier structure was introduced and older packages were withdrawn from sale. Today's visa memberships are Bronze at THB 650,000 for five years, Gold at THB 900,000 for five years, Platinum at THB 1,500,000 for ten years, Diamond at THB 2,500,000 for fifteen years and Reserve at THB 5,000,000 for twenty years, the last by invitation only. Tiers above Bronze add annual privilege points redeemable for services, and memberships for family members can be arranged, with pricing confirmed by the programme at the time of application. Thailand Privilege does not itself grant a right to work.
The Long-Term Resident visa, launched in September 2022 and administered by the Board of Investment, is aimed at people who bring wealth, income or expertise. It is issued for five years and can be extended for a further five, for ten years in total. Holders report to immigration annually rather than every 90 days, may obtain a digital work permit (except remote workers), and benefit from fast-track airport service. Under the LTR framework, overseas income of qualifying holders is exempt from Thai tax, and highly skilled professionals may elect a flat 17% personal income tax rate on Thai employment income.
In March 2025 the BOI opened the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center, consolidating visa and work permit services for LTR holders, and dependant rules now recognise same-sex marriages. Thailand Privilege announced revised transfer fees for certain legacy memberships effective 15 June 2026. Neither route leads automatically to Thai permanent residence or citizenship, which follow separate procedures.
Key benefits
- Long-term, multiple-entry stay without employment or business sponsorship
- Thailand Privilege: no income, investment or age requirement, and a simple fee-based structure
- Thailand Privilege: airport meet-and-assist and immigration support services
- LTR: 10-year status with annual instead of 90-day reporting and re-entry permit exemption
- LTR: exemption from Thai tax on qualifying overseas income
- LTR: digital work permit and 17% flat tax option for highly skilled professionals
- Both routes allow family members to accompany the main holder
Requirements
- Valid passport and satisfactory background check
- Thailand Privilege: payment of the membership fee for the chosen tier
- LTR Wealthy Global Citizen: at least USD 1m in global assets and USD 500,000 invested in Thai government bonds, Thai companies or Thai property
- LTR Wealthy Pensioner: aged 50 or over with passive income of at least USD 80,000 a year, or USD 40,000 plus USD 250,000 invested in Thailand
- LTR Work-from-Thailand Professional: income of at least USD 80,000 a year (or USD 40,000 with a master's degree) from an eligible overseas employer
- LTR Highly Skilled Professional: comparable income and work in a BOI-targeted industry
- LTR health cover: insurance of at least USD 50,000, Thai social security, or a USD 100,000 deposit held for 12 months
- LTR investments must be made before the application is submitted
Investment options
Thailand Privilege Bronze / Gold
THB 650,000 / THB 900,000
Five-year memberships; Gold adds 20 privilege points per year.
Thailand Privilege Platinum
THB 1,500,000
Ten-year membership with 35 annual privilege points.
Thailand Privilege Diamond / Reserve
THB 2,500,000 / THB 5,000,000
Fifteen- and twenty-year memberships with enhanced points; Reserve is by invitation only.
LTR Wealthy Global Citizen
USD 1,000,000 assets + USD 500,000 in Thailand
Investment in Thai government bonds, direct investment in Thai companies or Thai property, made before applying.
LTR Wealthy Pensioner
USD 80,000 annual passive income
For applicants aged 50+, or USD 40,000 income plus USD 250,000 invested in Thailand.
LTR professional categories
USD 80,000 annual income
Work-from-Thailand remote workers and highly skilled professionals, with reduced income thresholds for holders of advanced degrees.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Route comparison
We compare Thailand Privilege and the LTR against the client's age, income, assets, work plans and tax position.
- 2
Investment and evidence
For the LTR, qualifying Thai investments are made and asset, income and health cover evidence is prepared.
- 3
Application
Thailand Privilege applications are filed with the membership company; LTR applications are filed through the BOI online system.
- 4
Background check and approval
Immigration background checks are completed and qualification is endorsed.
- 5
Payment and visa issuance
The membership fee or LTR visa fee is paid and the visa is issued in Thailand or at a Thai embassy.
- 6
Arrival and ongoing obligations
We support arrival formalities, annual reporting for LTR holders, work permits where relevant, and future extensions.
Typical documents
- Passport copy and recent photographs
- Completed application forms for the chosen route
- Bank, brokerage and asset statements (LTR wealth categories)
- Evidence of Thai investment: bond holdings, share registers or title deeds
- Pension and passive income statements (Wealthy Pensioner)
- Employment contracts and tax returns (professional categories)
- Health insurance certificate or qualifying bank deposit evidence
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependants, with relationship consent forms
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps clients choose between the simplicity of Thailand Privilege and the tax and work advantages of the LTR, prepares and verifies the supporting evidence, and coordinates Thai investments, banking and property due diligence through trusted local counsel. We advise only through official channels and help clients avoid unauthorised intermediaries. Thai residence is planned alongside the family's wider tax residence, succession and wealth structure, with discretion throughout.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Is Thailand Privilege the same as the old Thailand Elite visa?
Yes. The programme was rebranded and restructured in 2023. Packages sold before October 2023 are discontinued for new buyers, but existing members keep their benefits.
Can I work in Thailand with Thailand Privilege?
No. The Privilege visa is a long-stay visa, not a work authorisation. Employment requires a separate work permit, whereas most LTR categories can obtain a digital work permit.
What counts as a Thai investment for the LTR?
Thai government bonds with at least five years remaining to maturity, direct investment in Thai-registered companies, or Thai property, held in the applicant's name and made before applying.
Are LTR holders taxed on foreign income?
Under the LTR framework, qualifying overseas income of LTR holders is exempt from Thai personal income tax. Individual circumstances should be reviewed with a tax adviser.
Who can be included as dependants on an LTR visa?
A legal spouse, including same-sex spouses, and children under 20, up to four dependants per holder, each with their own health cover.
Does either route lead to permanent residence?
Not automatically. Thai permanent residence is a separate, quota-based application with its own criteria.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
