LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency

[K2938]

49 minutes ago, Pib said:

Poster & Date Approval Notice Rec'd

1.  ThailandRyan  28 Sep

2.  pepper402  29 Sep

3.  gajah  30 Sep

4.  mudcat  4 Oct

5.  Misty   4 Oct

6. & 7.  stuarty (and wife) 4 Oct

8.  Boomer6969   5 Oct

9.   BKKNono  15 Sep

10.  Alotoftravel  4 Oct

11.  aublumberg 12 Oct

12.  James7  4 Oct 

13.  ashkale 28 Sep

Thanks for this very useful list.  May I suggest that you maybe sort this by date as this would just make it a little easier to read.  Thank you. 

[Billpro785]

Thanks Ryan,

Have completed it and now says 'pending payment". I would assume I wait until it is approved ? 

[stuarty]

Pending payment means you have to pay now or they will not process 

[Pib]

Regarding every year address reporting for the LTR Visa, I expect the BOI will implement similar reporting methods as for the BOI SMART Visa which also requires address reporting just once a year.    A couple of methods are allowed for a SMART Visa: 

 

(1) reporting in person to BOI OSS or authorizing someone to report on your behalf.

 

(2) By mail. 

 

See below BOI SMART Visa webpage.  Now the SMART Visa uses the TM91 address reporting form....we've already seen the LTR Visa will use the TM95 form.  

 

And hopefully LTR Visa webpage information will grow to include a lot of the details and FAQ type information like on the SMART Visa webpage.  Heck, there is even a popup message on the SMART Visa website saying if you have a hard time opening a bank acct with a SMART Visa just contact BOI and the BOI in turn will contract the bank headquarters to explain things.

 

https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/smart/pages/how-to-manage.html

https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/smart/index.html

Edited November 5, 2022 by Pib

[Misty]

1 hour ago, Billpro785 said:

In the process of applying now, have the docs to show the 80K USD for the 2 years and the medical insurance, but stuck on the lines 3 and 4 . What did you guys submit for that ? 

Hi Billpro, your screenshot is from the Thai e-visa website. 

 

Have you already applied for the LTR program on the BoI's site?  If not, you'll need to start the application there:  https://visa.boi.go.th/register      

 

Once the BoI approves your application (they say 20 working days after application), they will upload #5 to your online vault and then you can apply for the actual LTR e-visa by complete #4 (download & sign) and #5 above, and then pay for the e-visa.

[Misty]

25 minutes ago, Billpro785 said:

Thanks Ryan,

Have completed it and now says 'pending payment". I would assume I wait until it is approved ? 

To apply for the LTR e-visa, you will need to uplaod the BoI Notification letter from the https://visa.boi.go.th/register site application.  No payment is needed to do that.

 

Do you have the BoI letter already?

 

Only after you complete the LTR application and get the BoI Letter can you go to the Thai e-visa site and apply for the LTR e-visa.

[Pib]

@Billpro785

I think you may have the cart before the horse. 

 

As Misty pointed out you need to get approved for an LTR Visa by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) before you can apply to have the stamp issued at a Thai embassy.   

 

Applying for a LTR Visa approval is a completely separate process from applying for issue of the LTR Visa stamp at a Thai embassy.

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

49 minutes ago, stuarty said:

Pending payment means you have to pay now or they will not process 

Stuarty, that must be for those folks outside of Thailand.  I never paid here in Thailand until I was approved and met with the LTR/BOI Unit at the OSS where the Visa stamp was placed into my Passport at Immigration, which is on the opposite side of the Chamchuri Square building from the LTR/BOI Unit.

[stuarty]

39 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Stuarty, that must be for those folks outside of Thailand.  I never paid here in Thailand until I was approved and met with the LTR/BOI Unit at the OSS where the Visa stamp was placed into my Passport at Immigration, which is on the opposite side of the Chamchuri Square building from the LTR/BOI Unit.

I think you are right. I applied for visa at London embassy. It’s clear you must pay the visa fee upfront in that case before they will proceed 

[Misty]

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Stuarty, that must be for those folks outside of Thailand.  I never paid here in Thailand until I was approved and met with the LTR/BOI Unit at the OSS where the Visa stamp was placed into my Passport at Immigration, which is on the opposite side of the Chamchuri Square building from the LTR/BOI Unit.

It works similarly when you're outside of Thailand. You don't pay anything during the LTR application process on the BoI site.

 

Then, if you are approved and receive the BoI's Notification letter, you can start the process to get the actual visa. If you are outside Thailand, it could be in the form of either an e-visa (if your location qualifies) or going to the embassy/consulate in person (if your location doesn't qualify for e-visa).  If you are inside Thailand, you make an appointment and go to the BoI's immigration site.

 

In all 3 cases (both inside and outside Thailand), you have to pay before you get the actual visa or e-visa.  But not before that.

[gt162]

Is it better to apply for LTR-WP visa in the states or wait until moved to Thailand?

 

Only difference I see is Visa fee is 60,000 baht in USA vs 50,000 in BKK.

 

https://thaiembdc.org/ltrvisa/

 

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by gt162

[anrcaccount]

13 hours ago, Billpro785 said:

In the process of applying now, have the docs to show the 80K USD for the 2 years and the medical insurance, but stuck on the lines 3 and 4 . What did you guys submit for that ? 

You're on the wrong site.

 

You first need to be approved by the LTR, and once you have received your letter of notification of qualification endorsement, you can then proceed to affix visa , using the E Visa site in your screenshot in some cases.

 

[Boomer6969]

12 hours ago, flyDelight said:

So it's basically governmental prostitution ????

We should have a "most stupid comment of year" award.

[Pib]

14 hours ago, gt162 said:

Is it better to apply for LTR-WP visa in the states or wait until moved to Thailand?

 

Only difference I see is Visa fee is 60,000 baht in USA vs 50,000 in BKK.

 

https://thaiembdc.org/ltrvisa/

 

 

All depends on your situation....do you need the LTR visa in your passport before arriving Thailand or can wait to after you enter Thailand on another type of Visa/visa exempt..  It's a two step process

 

1st step process is to apply and get approved at the BOI LTR website....and during that application process you tell them if approved whether you want to get the LTR issued (put in your passport) at the BOI Immigration in Bangkok (requires an appointment) or at a Thai embassy.   Step 1 is the key step....the most important step....not getting approved in step 1 means there is no step 2.

 

If your LTR application is approved you then can move on to the 2nd step in getting the approved LTR paid for and issued at BOI Immigration in Bangkok or a Thai embassy some around the world where you would probably use the e-visa system.   You have 60 days from the date of the  LTR Endorsement letter (i..e, approval) to apply for the visa issuance.

 

As mentioned the 1st step is the most important...that is, applying for and getting approved for an LTR visa.  The 2nd step of apply for/paying for it within 60 days of LTR approval is more of an administrative, sweeping-up operation.  Basically, you've been approved--now take step 2 and pay for the visa issuance.   If you can wait to pay/get the approved LTR entered in your passport at BOI then the fee is Bt50K versus a possibly higher fee (due to embassy used exchange rate) at a Thai embassy where you may have to use the e-visa system.   But if you need/want the visa in your passport "before" arriving Thailand in order to get into Thailand then you pretty much must have it issued at a Thai embassy.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by Pib

[aublumberg]

Just to share that for leaving the country Fast Track also works fine. The signage has "Smart Visa" and "Long Stay" but the security staff at Suvarnabhumi seems knowledgeable enough to recognise the LTR visa when you say it and it worked fine for me despite only flying premier coach today and not showing my APEC card ... Of course this was an advertised LTR feature all along, just sharing that it work. No need to go one level up for security, just stay on the same level as airline check-in and use Fast Track. 

[Northwest87]

9 hours ago, Pib said:

As mentioned the 1st step is the most important...that is, applying for and getting approved for an LTR visa.  The 2nd step of apply for/paying for it within 60 days of LTR approval is more of an administrative, sweeping-up operation.  Basically, you've been approved--now take step 2 and pay for the visa issuance.   If you can wait to pay/get the approved LTR entered in your passport at BOI then the fee is Bt50K versus a possibly higher fee (due to embassy used exchange rate) at a Thai embassy where you may have to use the e-visa system.   But if you need/want the visa in your passport "before" arriving Thailand in order to get into Thailand then you pretty much must have it issued at a Thai embassy.

 

 

Something else to consider is that for getting a visa on entry you normally need a return ticket; I don't know if airlines would refuse you boarding at the departing airport without a proper visa coupled with a one-way ticket, but this could be trouble at the port of entry , couldn't it? Depending of where you fly from and your class of travel, the difference in price between a one-way and a return ticket could cover the extra 10 or 15 thousand bahts you'd pay for LTR issuance at your local embassy or consulate. Something to think about...

Edited November 6, 2022 by Northwest87

[K2938]

8 hours ago, Northwest87 said:

Depending of where you fly from and your class of travel, the difference in price between a one-way and a return ticket could cover the extra 10 or 15 thousand bahts you'd pay for LTR issuance at your local embassy or consulate. Something to think about...

If this turns out to be a problem, you can just buy a temporary flight out of Thailand for $14 USD at https://onwardticket.com/ or buy a rail or bus ticket out of Thailand for even less. Much cheaper than the extra 10k or 15k THB for the local embassy/consulate

Edited November 7, 2022 by K2938

[pepper402]

For those of you unable to revise your application with a new passport:  A friend of mine talked to a BOI representative today and he suggested (until the developers can fix this)  that you submit a new application.  If your application was previously approved, attach the exact same documents.  Also, on my application, I check "single" and it converts it to "widower" (hope that's not an omen)

[Misty]

Has anyone heard if digital work permits are now being issued?  Due to IT glitches, the BoI said they would start issuing them at the end of October.  Just wondering if anyone has received one yet.

[gt162]

On 11/6/2022 at 1:27 AM, Pib said:

All depends on your situation....do you need the LTR visa in your passport before arriving Thailand or can wait to after you enter Thailand on another type of Visa/visa exempt..  It's a two step process

 

1st step process is to apply and get approved at the BOI LTR website....and during that application process you tell them if approved whether you want to get the LTR issued (put in your passport) at the BOI Immigration in Bangkok (requires an appointment) or at a Thai embassy.   Step 1 is the key step....the most important step....not getting approved in step 1 means there is no step 2.

 

If your LTR application is approved you then can move on to the 2nd step in getting the approved LTR paid for and issued at BOI Immigration in Bangkok or a Thai embassy some around the world where you would probably use the e-visa system.   You have 60 days from the date of the  LTR Endorsement letter (i..e, approval) to apply for the visa issuance.

 

As mentioned the 1st step is the most important...that is, applying for and getting approved for an LTR visa.  The 2nd step of apply for/paying for it within 60 days of LTR approval is more of an administrative, sweeping-up operation.  Basically, you've been approved--now take step 2 and pay for the visa issuance.   If you can wait to pay/get the approved LTR entered in your passport at BOI then the fee is Bt50K versus a possibly higher fee (due to embassy used exchange rate) at a Thai embassy where you may have to use the e-visa system.   But if you need/want the visa in your passport "before" arriving Thailand in order to get into Thailand then you pretty much must have it issued at a Thai embassy.

 

 

Once LTR-WP visa is issued, how long do I have to use it?

[stuarty]

1 hour ago, gt162 said:

Once LTR-WP visa is issued, how long do I have to use it?

Mine says valid for 10 years. Length of stay 5 years. So I take that to mean there will be a review of your status/qualifications after 5 years. No mention of when I must make initial entry to Thailand, but I'm going in December.

[Pib]

This 8 minute The Examiner Youtube video on the LTR and LTR land ownership is fresh....approx 2 days old as of today/9 Nov.  Several quotes of senior govt personnel such as the Interior Minister regarding the LTR in how it has so far drawn a "mild" and "lukewarm" response, "disappointing" results and accepted the LTR goals may have to be adjusted, only 1,300 applications received since 1 Sep with most being from the US and UK, etc.

 

 

[Pib]

On 10/29/2022 at 9:16 AM, Pib said:

For those who have LTR application processing or already approved approximately how long was it "from the day you submitted your application" until you saw some type of tangible status change in your LTR online acct and/or got a notification/email from BOI asking for more docs or something along those lines.  Just some type of status change that indicated your application was actually being reviewed/processed "versus just setting in a BOI rep's inbox" pending processing.

 

I submitted my application earlier this week and the only change I've noticed is the day after I submitted the application the staff name changed from StaffBOI1128 to StaffBOI004.  I'm assuming this was just movement of application from the master inbox that receives all new application to a specific BOI rep inbox.  Other than that my application just shows a Status of "Pending" and under the LTR menu the popup message that says "Visa is process considering, Please check the status tab."

 

I know the BOI says they will process your application within 20 "business" days which is around a calendar month. From review of this thread (a couple of times) it seems to be a couple of weeks before a person sees some tangible change that  his/her application is under serious evaluation....actually moving along the assembly line.  Thanks.

 

On 10/29/2022 at 10:15 AM, K2938 said:

I would take this as a positive, not negative sign.  If there were major immediately obvious fatal flaws with your application, they would have told you by now.  So no news is good news at this point of time.  They are doing whatever needs to be doing.  No reason to worry.

Since my application has now been in the system for 10 business days I called the BOI yesterday to check on it status since I had not seen any online status change or got any email since submitting it.  The BOI rep took my application number, put me on hold for about 2 minutes, and when coming back online said the application had not been looked at yet.....and how I will be notified via online notification and email of any issues, additional docs needed, etc.   I then asked if the BOI is still processing application within 20 business days and the rep said yes.  A nice, honest, and professional conversation, but it sounds like my application is still in their "inbox" so to speak.

[anrcaccount]

1 hour ago, Pib said:

This 8 minute The Examiner Youtube video on the LTR and LTR land ownership is fresh....approx 2 days old as of today/9 Nov.  Several quotes of senior govt personnel such as the Interior Minister regarding the LTR in how it has so far drawn a "mild" and "lukewarm" response, "disappointing" results and accepted the LTR goals may have to be adjusted, 

 

 

They're either going to have to adjust the goals, or the conditions of the LTR if they want to get more applications- choose one.

 

I think the nature of the applicants( as seen on this thread ) are not the target market they were aiming for. People not already residing in Thailand were the target.

 

What's occurred initially is applicants are more those already in Thailand,  who are looking for a different visa solution.

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, anrcaccount said:

They're either going to have to adjust the goals, or the conditions of the LTR if they want to get more applications- choose one.

 

I think the nature of the applicants( as seen on this thread ) are not the target market they were aiming for. People not already residing in Thailand were the target.

 

What's occurred initially is applicants are more those already in Thailand,  who are looking for a different visa solution.

 

 

I would have to agree with your assessment of the first LTR applicants being from in the country. However, since many of us have obtained them in the country and have friends outside of the country who have just found out about this, I think it will start to have an uptick from outside, especially from the US.

Edited November 9, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[Pib]

1 minute ago, anrcaccount said:

They're either going to have to adjust the goals, or the conditions of the LTR if they want to get more applications- choose one.

 

I think the nature of the applicants( as seen on this thread ) are not the target market they were aiming for. People not already residing in Thailand were the target.

 

What's occurred initially is applicants are more those already in Thailand,  who are looking for a different visa solution.

 

 

Due to "face saving" being so strong in Thailand I doubt the government will seriously consider any possible adjustments until well after the next election when new HiSo's will be in most high level government positions.  Those new HiSo's can recommend changes without losing face...they can say the initial requirements were a good start but the new-and-improved requirements are much better....will increase the economy by a zillion baht.   

[anrcaccount]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I would have to agree with your assessment of the first LTR applicants being from in the country. However, since many of us have obtained them in the country and have friends outside of the country who have just found out about this, I think it will start to have an uptick from outside, especially from the US.

Yes, would agree. It might be a slow burn.  

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, anrcaccount said:

Yes, would agree. It might be a slow burn.  

Yes, but it will he hard for Thailand to admit they overshot the goal they set as IMHO they will not ever see but maybe only 5% to 10% of their estimated 1 million visas issued.

[pepper402]

Frustrating...   I submitted a new LTR application with exactly the same documents and information as my previous application which was approved except for a new passport.   I just received this:   Dear LTR Applicant, Your application is on process. In this regard, we would like to request additional information/documents as follows: 1. Please show official certificate of pension fund from your government.   What is an "official certificate of pension fund"?  I previously submitted a letter from my pension administrator which was accepted.  I don't have a government pension.   I have a feeling if I stamped my letter with "Official Certificate" that it would be accepted.

[mrmagyar]

1 hour ago, anrcaccount said:

They're either going to have to adjust the goals, or the conditions of the LTR if they want to get more applications- choose one.

 

I think the nature of the applicants( as seen on this thread ) are not the target market they were aiming for. People not already residing in Thailand were the target.

 

What's occurred initially is applicants are more those already in Thailand,  who are looking for a different visa solution.

 

 

There's an enormous gulf of people between the 'Work from Thailand' and 'Wealthy Global Citizen' that just seems bizarrely, but deliberately, excluded.

 

If you're willing to give a 10 year visa to someone earning $80k per year (working for a large company only) then you're obviously satisfied that this is a sufficient amount of funds to reside in the country.

 

Why then require that the Wealthy Global Citizen must invest $500k? Surely it would suffice for them to show assets of $1m (plus income of $80k, if you like). This equates to 12.5 years of earnings from the WFT crowd. Why make them jump another hurdle?

 

Similarly with the WFT. Why mandate that the company must have combined 3 year revenue of $150m? Revenue does not pay the bills. Surely any company earning $1m+ per year in profits would make more sense, as a sufficiently substantive enterprise.

 

I think the new Bali visa (proof of $130k gets you 10 years) has really set a new bar and that the Thai official references it in that recent Thaiexaminer article suggests that they're perhaps already taking note.