The Cabinet on 13 January 2025 approved the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)’s proposal seeking to improve the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa program by adjusting qualifications, criteria, and conditions to attract more global talent to work in Thailand.

The program was launched in September 2022 and targets four categories, namely highly skilled professionals, work-from-Thailand professionals, wealthy global citizens, and wealthy pensioners. It offers up to 10 years of stay in Thailand, access to a digital work permit, and personal income tax privileges among other benefits.

The approved changes include an expansion of the list of target sectors for the category of highly skilled professionals to include lecturers in higher education and vocational institutions, aimed at enhancing knowledge and skill transfer to Thai personnel. 

The requirement for a minimum of five years of work experience in a relevant field for highly skilled professionals and work-from-Thailand professionals will be removed. The corporate revenue requirement for overseas-based employers of work-from-Thailand professionals will be lowered from USD 150 million to USD 50 million. This will provide greater opportunities for employees of both established multinationals and promising startups.

As for wealthy global citizens, emphasis will be shifted from income requirements of USD 80,000 a year to asset-based criteria, requiring stable assets and long-term investments in Thailand of at least USD 500,000. In addition, the rights for dependents, including parents and other eligible family members, will be expanded.

As of the end of 2024, the BOI has already granted LTR visas to more than 6,000 applicants. Europe leads the list with 2,500 recipients, followed by the United States (1,080), Japan (610), China (340), and India (280).

BOI Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi believes that the improvement of the LTR Visa program will further enhance Thailand's position as a global hub for investment and high-potential talent. He said that smooth visa procedures are an essential part of Thailand’s focus on the ease of doing business.