LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency

[Thailand J]

I didn't shop around. I bought health insurance for LTR visa from AXA, the only company I called. The premium depends on the insurer's age and the deductible. In the picture below , Plan 1 with 2M maximum benefit is good enough for LTR visas. I needed at least 10 months left on the policy at the time of visa approval, so I started the application without health insurance, and bought the policy when BOI asked for it.

 

 

[Richard007]

Hello everyone, I have read all 100 pages of this very interesting thread, so thanks to all of the contributors!

I just applied this week for the LTR WP visa.  I assume that all of my documents look good to BOI, since my status changed from “Pending” to “Consideration by Government Agencies” less than two days after submitting my application and I did not receive any requests for more documents / information.

To those of you who have received LTR WP approval recently (within the last 6 months), how long did it take you to go from “Consideration by Government Agencies” (Step 4) to visa approval (Step 8)?  Also, please note if your process was delayed at any point by requests for additional documents that you then had to gather and submit.  This information will be very helpful to us "newbies".  Thank you!

[Thailand J]

2 hours ago, Richard007 said:

To those of you who have received LTR WP approval recently (within the last 6 months), how long did it take you to go from “Consideration by Government Agencies” (Step 4) to visa approval (Step 8)?

From my experience in Nov 2023, it took 6 days from Step 4 to Step 8.

The day after the status changed to " Consideration by Gov Agencies" (step 4) I was requested to submit insurance certification.

Almost immediately after I had submitted that, I receive a  request to submit insurance policy. 4 days after that I was able to make an appointment online to get the visa.

 

[Pib]

3 hours ago, Richard007 said:

I just applied this week for the LTR WP visa.  I assume that all of my documents look good to BOI, since my status changed from “Pending” to “Consideration by Government Agencies” less than two days after submitting my application and I did not receive any requests for more documents / information.

 

Going from Pending to Review by Govt Agencies just means the application was received, registered and "got thru the BOI front door".....it really does not mean that your key docs like income, health coverage, etc., have been closely looked at. But now that the application has moved to the Consideration by Govt Agencies your application and associated docs will be closely reviewed.   Good luck.

[Richard007]

Thanks for your comments Thailand J and Pib.  I will post how it goes for me including timeline and document requests as I think this will be useful information for future applicants.

[Schorsch0815]

On 4/16/2024 at 2:18 PM, Pib said:

 

A LTR visa cannot be issued if you currently have a visa/extension of stay.   So, what must happen is your current visa must be cancelled and then the LTR visa can be issued.   

 

For an extension of stay the BOI immigration can cancel the extension (or at less they use to like when I got my LTR visa issued in late 2022) like say you are currently on a Non O or OA Retirement extension of stay the BOI Immigration office will/can cancel that extension and then they issue/stamp in the LTR visa.  If you are currently on say a Non O or OA "Marriage" extension of stay the BOI immigration office can also cancel that also "but will require a copy of your Thai spouse ID (signed by wife) can and a fresh KorRor 2 just like you would provide if you were renewing a Marriage Extension of Stay....basically the BOI immigration office wants to ensure the Thai spouse is aware you are switching visa types.  

 

Now regarding the cancellation of a visa (not an extension of say but a visa which has had no extensions) I'm not sure if the BOI immigration can cancel that....you would need to ask them.

 

When I got my LTR Pensioner visa issued in late 2022 I was on a Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay.  Before going to BOI to have the LTR issued/stamped into my passport I made copies of the wife's Thai ID, Thai passport, and got a fresh KorRor 2....had the spouse self-certify (i.e, sign) the Thai ID/passport.  The wife also went along since we live in Bangkok.  BOI Immigration cancelled my extension of stay and issued the LTR visa in a combo action...that is, Non O extension of stay cancelled....and then a few minutes later the LTR visa issued/stamped into my passport.

 

I expect BOI immigration prefers an current visa/extension of stay to be cancelled "before" you arrive to have the LTR visa issued....just less work for them.  And I expect there may be some types of visa (as there are many types of visas) they require the issuing IO to cancel.    

 

HOWEVER, BUT, maybe things have changed since late 2022 when I got my LTR visa issued in regards to if BOI immigration will cancel a visa/extension of stay issued by another immigration office.   Maybe BOI immigration now absolutely require the "issuing IO" to cancel the current visa/extension of stay but I expect it really just a preference and BOI immigration will still cancel a visa/extension of stay at their office and then a minute later issue the LTR visa.

 

What kind of visa/extension are you currently on?

 

 

Edit:  After posting above I found my LTR approval notification instructions from late 2022 and below is a partial quote regarding the cancellation of a visa I might currently be on.  You could arrange to have the BOI immigration office to cancel your current visa an issue the LTR visa same day/same time of LTR visa issuance.   As mentioned above I just had BOI immigration cancel my current visa extension of stay during my same visit to get the LTR visa issued.    I can't say for sure BOI immigration will still cancel a visa/extension issued by another immigration office....before they would prefer the issuing office did it but the BOI immigration office would still do it when required....my gut tells me they will still do it when you request in advance that's what you want to do.   

 

Partial Quote from my LTR Approval Notice

IMPORTANT:
If you are currently on a Thai visa category which needs to be cancelled before
receiving LTR such as Non-B, Non-O (spouse visa), Smart Visa, Non-O (except for
Non-O Retirement visa), please terminate the current visa while asking the
immigration officer to allow extra days of permission to stay after the cancellation or
arrange for the visa cancellation on the same day as the appointment date at the
immigration office where you got your current visa from.

For further information about current visa termination, please contact the immigration
office where you got the current visa from or contact the LTR Screen staff in-charge
for guidance if you wish to get the LTR visa and terminate the current visa on the
same day

End Quote.

 

 

I entered Thailand with a  Non-O Retiree visa (60 days I think) two years ago and I have had two annual extension of stay since. 
 

It’s my understanding that the extension of stay doesn’t affect the visa. So the visa itself is expired, it is just the basis on which the extension of stay was/is granted. Hence there is no visa that can be cancelled. 
 

My LTR got approved today. In the email BOI informs:

 

: If you are currently on a Thai visa category which needs to be cancelled before receiving LTR such as Non-B, Non-IB, Non-F, Smart Visa, Non-O (except for Non-O Retirement visa, Thai Spouse, Guardian), please terminate the current visa while asking the immigration officer to allow extra days of permission to stay after the cancellation or arrange for the visa cancellation on the same day as the appointment date at the immigration office where you got your current visa from. 
 

 

So it’s my understanding that Non-O retirement and / or extension of stay don’t need cancellation. 
 

If anyone here has different information please let me know. I would hate to make the trip to Bangkok twice …

 

 

[Lost Nomad]

Wealthy Pensioner LTR April 2023 - March 2024 time frame for income details.

 

 4-4-24: Submitted the following information

 

• Explanation memo:  Describes monthly pension, dividend calculations, and insurance coverage.  I also translated this into Thai using Google Translate in an effort to make things easy to understand for the BOI staff.

 

• Income documentation

1. April 2023 - March 2024 OPM summary of payments to show pension income
2. Vanguard 3-31-23, 12-31-23, 3-31-24 monthly statements to show April 2023-March 2024 dividend calculation.  Account numbers and anything non-dividend related was redacted.
3. IRS Form 1040 for 2023 with line 3b (ordinary dividends) and line 5a (pensions and annuities) highlighted.  SSN and banking info redacted.

 

• Medical insurance documentation:

1. Verification of coverage memo from AFSPA (FEHB medical).
2. April 2024 OPM annuity statement showing latest monthly insurance premium
3. Select pages of annual brochure showing inpatient/outpatient coverage

 

4-11-24:  Received email from BOI requesting 2023 form 1099 for pension. 15 day limit to respond.

 

4-23-24:   Sent the following supplemental information

1. 2023 OPM 1099-R (pension)
2. 2023 Vanguard 1099-R (dividends)

4-24-24 Received email from BOI stating LTRWP##### has been endorsed.  Instructions are to update information and select location to pay fee.  Nothing was asked about medical insurance.  I need to make flight reservations and add that info. 

 

Questions for the group:

1. If I choose to pay THB 50K at the BOI do I need to do this within 60 days of 4-24-24?
2. Will they still accept cash? I don't have a Thai bank account yet.
3. If I instead choose to pay for the e-visa in the US do I still need to arrive in Thailand within 60 days?

It's cheaper to pay in BKK, but the e-visa (USD 1600) might be worth the extra expense if it allows me to arrive later in 2023.

 

 

Edited April 24 by Lost Nomad
update to questions

[frankstraube]

On 4/19/2024 at 7:12 PM, Thailand J said:

I didn't shop around. I bought health insurance for LTR visa from AXA, the only company I called. The premium depends on the insurer's age and the deductible. In the picture below , Plan 1 with 2M maximum benefit is good enough for LTR visas. I needed at least 10 months left on the policy at the time of visa approval, so I started the application without health insurance, and bought the policy when BOI asked for it.

 

 

 

"Plan 1 with 2M maximum benefit is good enough for LTR visa"

 

I am also interested in AXA health insurance but not sure about plan 1 or 2 and the deductible. Do you mean Plan 1 with 200 000 deductible is OK ?

[Misty]

5 hours ago, Lost Nomad said:

Questions for the group:

1. If I choose to pay THB 50K at the BOI do I need to do this within 60 days of 4-24-24?
2. Will they still accept cash? I don't have a Thai bank account yet.
3. If I instead choose to pay for the e-visa in the US do I still need to arrive in Thailand within 60 days?

It's cheaper to pay in BKK, but the e-visa (USD 1600) might be worth the extra expense if it allows me to arrive later in 2023.

 

1. Yes, I think you're supposed to make an appointment at the BOI within 60 days of receiving the approval letter.  You may be able to get this extended if you request it.

2. As of Dec 2023 they were still accepting cash for the LTR visa itself. If you get a digital work permit, however, it's a different cashier and they would only accept credit card or phone app bank transfer.

3. If you choose the e-visa in the US, you'll get a pdf of the visa and there's no 60 day limit for entry.

 

Just a note on e-visas:  if you later want to switch to another type of visa these can be problematic.  The LTR e-visa is good for 10 years (rather than the standard 90 days for most visa types). So you'd have to get the e-visa cancelled by the Thai embassy or consulate that issued it.  It can be done, but the process is complicated and long.  I had an LTR e-visa initially, but when I became eligible for an LTR visa with a lower income tax rate, it was financially worthwhile to switch.  Eventually I was able to do so, but had I not gone the LTR e-visa route initially and instead gotten my LTR visa issues in Bangkok, the LTR unit in Bangkok could have handled cancelling the old visa, and the  switch would have been much easier.

 

 

[Pib]

12 hours ago, Schorsch0815 said:

 

I entered Thailand with a  Non-O Retiree visa (60 days I think) two years ago and I have had two annual extension of stay since. 
 

It’s my understanding that the extension of stay doesn’t affect the visa. So the visa itself is expired, it is just the basis on which the extension of stay was/is granted. Hence there is no visa that can be cancelled. 
 

My LTR got approved today. In the email BOI informs:

 

: If you are currently on a Thai visa category which needs to be cancelled before receiving LTR such as Non-B, Non-IB, Non-F, Smart Visa, Non-O (except for Non-O Retirement visa, Thai Spouse, Guardian), please terminate the current visa while asking the immigration officer to allow extra days of permission to stay after the cancellation or arrange for the visa cancellation on the same day as the appointment date at the immigration office where you got your current visa from. 
 

 

So it’s my understanding that Non-O retirement and / or extension of stay don’t need cancellation. 
 

If anyone here has different information please let me know. I would hate to make the trip to Bangkok twice …

 

 

BOI Immigration will be able to cancel the Non O Extension of Stay you are on....or at least they would in late Dec 2022 when I got my LTR issued.   I was on a Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay at the time....I had got the original Non OA in 2008 and had done Extensions of Stay for 2009 thru 2022 (14 Extensions of Stay....12 of them Retirement and the last 2 Marriage).  BOI cancelled the Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay I was on (but required wife's Thai ID and a fresh Kor Ror 2) and then a few minutes later issued the LTR Pension visa.

 

[JimGant]

Here's a copy of my email to BoI ref visa cancellation. And their reply. This was back in July:

 

Quote

This quote is in one of your guidance documents: "....contact the LTR Screen staff in-charge for guidance if you wish to get the LTR visa and terminate the current visa on the same day"

My understanding is, it's a package deal that old visa is cancelled at the same appointment as my issuance of my LTR visa. Is this correct?

My current visa is a Non Imm O- A, with a retirement extension.

Please advise if I need to do something about visa cancellation prior to
my LTR appointment.....

 Their reply:

 

Quote

The requirement to cancel your current visa before obtaining the LTR Visa depends on the type of visa you are currently holding. In most cases, the officer will notify you in advance if it is necessary to cancel your existing visa before applying for the LTR Visa.

 

Regarding the O-A visa, it is not necessary to cancel it before coming to obtain the LTR Visa. You can proceed with obtaining the LTR Visa even if your O-A visa is still active in your passport.

So, advised to do nothing, I did nothing prior to attending my appointment. I guess, during somewhere leading up to the LTR visa stamp in my passport, some bureaucratic voodoo occurred, which I didn't witness, that made my extension vanish. Anyway, don't worry about having to make two trips to Bangkok. You're covered, I'm sure. 

[Pib]

 

Just saw a new Notice in red text when first going to the LTR Visa website.  See link/snapshot at bottom.   Some cryptic talk in how you could lose you current LTR visa...such as switching to visa OR failing to maintain your LTR visa period.   

 

Personally, I'm not sure what the second reason of "failing to maintain your LTR visa period" really means.  Maybe, repeat, maybe that means not maintaining LTR income/health coverage/etc., requirement during the LTR visa...or maybe failing to renew your passport.  Yeap, that part is cryptic to me.

 

And even the first reason of switching visas to enter Thailand leaves me scratching my head.....why would someone want to change visas if they have an LTR visa.   But I'm sure some weird situations arise with some folks which might explain what is really meant.  

 

 

https://ltr.boi.go.th/index.html#what

[White Rabbit]

16 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

Just saw a new Notice in red text when first going to the LTR Visa website.  See link/snapshot at bottom.   Some cryptic talk in how you could lose you current LTR visa...such as switching to visa OR failing to maintain your LTR visa period.   

 

Personally, I'm not sure what the second reason of "failing to maintain your LTR visa period" really means.  Maybe, repeat, maybe that means not maintaining LTR income/health coverage/etc., requirement during the LTR visa...or maybe failing to renew your passport.  Yeap, that part is cryptic to me.

 

And even the first reason of switching visas to enter Thailand leaves me scratching my head.....why would someone want to change visas if they have an LTR visa.   But I'm sure some weird situations arise with some folks which might explain what is really meant.  

 

 

https://ltr.boi.go.th/index.html#what

 

That makes sense to me. Another type of visa would collide of course and not "re-newing" the visa after the first 5year have expired would make the existing LTR visa void. No surprises or opaque moments here. One could read into the wording that there's the usual competition between gov agencies going on (immi and BOI in this case but it really is a worldwide phenomenon) but I once was told by a wise woman not to assume... and she was right as usual. 

[Thailand J]

12 hours ago, frankstraube said:

I am also interested in AXA health insurance but not sure about plan 1 or 2 and the deductible. Do you mean Plan 1 with 200 000 deductible is OK

Plan 1 has a maximum benefit per disability of 2M which is above the $50,000 BOI requirement, so Plan 1 is acceptable. BOI does not care about the deductible,  it can be any amount of your choice.

I bought the policy just to meet LTR visa requirement, so I picked the highest deductible at a lower cost.

[Lost Nomad]

14 hours ago, Misty said:

 

1. Yes, I think you're supposed to make an appointment at the BOI within 60 days of receiving the approval letter.  You may be able to get this extended if you request it.

2. As of Dec 2023 they were still accepting cash for the LTR visa itself. If you get a digital work permit, however, it's a different cashier and they would only accept credit card or phone app bank transfer.

3. If you choose the e-visa in the US, you'll get a pdf of the visa and there's no 60 day limit for entry.

 

Just a note on e-visas:  if you later want to switch to another type of visa these can be problematic.  The LTR e-visa is good for 10 years (rather than the standard 90 days for most visa types). So you'd have to get the e-visa cancelled by the Thai embassy or consulate that issued it.  It can be done, but the process is complicated and long.  I had an LTR e-visa initially, but when I became eligible for an LTR visa with a lower income tax rate, it was financially worthwhile to switch.  Eventually I was able to do so, but had I not gone the LTR e-visa route initially and instead gotten my LTR visa issues in Bangkok, the LTR unit in Bangkok could have handled cancelling the old visa, and the  switch would have been much easier.

 

 

Thanks Misty.  I don't plan on needing to switch visas in the future so the issue is my arrival date in Thailand with the THB 50K < USD 1600 consideration.  I sent an email to the BOI to confirm if 6-21-24 would be the latest valid date if paying in BKK.  I didn't ask if they could extend the date.

[JimGant]

Has anyone successfully done an annual report (TM95) by mail?

[oldcpu]

On 10/1/2023 at 9:24 AM, oldcpu said:

I recently returned to Phuket after 1 month outside Thailand, traveling in Europe.

 

I could not find a 'Fast Track' line at the Phuket International Airport, so my Thai wife and I entered the Thai line, which I note had no one in line waiting to clear immigration.  This was in stark contrast to the line to clear immigration for non-Thai, which was very long.  I venture a 30 minute or longer wait in line to clear immigration.

 

 

Once again, I left Phuket and then returned to Phuket, this time after a 6-week visit to New Zealand and Australia (myself having an LTR-WP visa).

 

Again - I did not spot a 'Fast Track' line in Phuket airport immigration (at arrivals), but I was with my Thai wife, so we entered the Thai line area, which again had no one waiting in line.  The foreigner line thou was not as bad this time, maybe only a 5 to 10 minute wait for any in the foreigner line.

 

There were two booths side by side for the Thai line, and I went through one and my wife through the other booth. 

 

The IO looked at my LTR visa, looked again, and then looked again, then looked again.  Then they knocked on the glass window to another adjacent IO booth (likely a more experienced IO in that booth) and showed them through the glass my LTR visa stamp.  The IO in the other booth stated "LTR" plus some Thai, and that IO quickly came around to the booth where I was waiting, and gave the IO in my booth, what I believe to be some instructions.  The IO in the booth where I was waiting then very carefully stamped my entry into Thailand, and hand filled in the 'permission to stay' date (which was the same date as my previous permission to stay date ... just 4 years from now).  

 

When I received my passport back, I took a quick look, confirmed the 'permission to stay date' was correct, and I gave the IO a polite wai, to which he wai'd back ... and I was through immigration.

 

It was a bit slow for me to go through as it appears the Phuket IOs still are not all that familiar with the LTR visa.  Still there was a very good level of politeness and effort to be professional.  I am happy how the entry went.

.

[Lost Nomad]

As indicated in my previous post, I received the endorsed email (step 5) and need to update information (step 6).  I sent the BOI an email asking about the latest I can arrive in BKK in order to comply with the  +60 days requirement if paying in BKK.  The BOI response said since I haven't updated my information the clock hasn't started yet.  I hope the endorsed status means my income and medical insurance are good to go, so the only thing I need to update is my projected arrival in BKK date and desired appointment date.  Cash or QR code is acceptable.  The BOI response also confirmed if paying for e-visa than there is no deadline on my arrival in country.

Edited April 26 by Lost Nomad

[frankstraube]

On 4/25/2024 at 11:48 AM, Thailand J said:

Plan 1 has a maximum benefit per disability of 2M which is above the $50,000 BOI requirement, so Plan 1 is acceptable. BOI does not care about the deductible,  it can be any amount of your choice.

I bought the policy just to meet LTR visa requirement, so I picked the highest deductible at a lower cost.

OK thanks.

 

So for me the cheaper Plan 1 with 300 000 bahts deductible will do, at 60 years old it is only 5 865 bahts.

I see there is a big step from 60 to 61 yo, becoming 17 350 bahts.  Meaning that for AXA real health problems begin after 60 years old...

 

On the attestation given by AXA, do they mention the type of Visa (LTR), Plan number, and value of the deductible ?

Edited April 26 by frankstraube

[sabaiguy]

LTR and TM30

     I received my final approval today and instructed to schedule my appointment.  I have a question for those who have actually gone through the appointment process.  Do you have to provide a TM30?  I asked BOI but don't think they quite understood me.  They just responded with the general requirements for a TM30.  I have been coming and staying in Thailand (for various lengths of time) for the last 25 years.  Stay at my house (owned by my wife).  I have never done a TM30 and never asked for one. In fact never heard of it until just a few years ago. Haven't done one on this trip.  So anyone who has had their appointment, did you need the TM30?  I have been in Thailand for almost a week.  Can I still get one if necessary.  Was thinking of getting one as soon as the LTR received. Very much appreciate anyones personal experiences.

[Misty]

9 hours ago, sabaiguy said:

LTR and TM30

     I received my final approval today and instructed to schedule my appointment.  I have a question for those who have actually gone through the appointment process.  Do you have to provide a TM30?  I asked BOI but don't think they quite understood me.  They just responded with the general requirements for a TM30.  I have been coming and staying in Thailand (for various lengths of time) for the last 25 years.  Stay at my house (owned by my wife).  I have never done a TM30 and never asked for one. In fact never heard of it until just a few years ago. Haven't done one on this trip.  So anyone who has had their appointment, did you need the TM30?  I have been in Thailand for almost a week.  Can I still get one if necessary.  Was thinking of getting one as soon as the LTR received. Very much appreciate anyones personal experiences.

 

I've not been asked for a TM30 by the LTR unit or any time while at Chamchuri. Not sure who would ask for it, but if you can get one it probably can't hurt to have it on file, just in case. 

[Ben Zioner]

52 minutes ago, Misty said:

I've not been asked for a TM30 by the LTR unit or any time while at Chamchuri. Not sure who would ask for it, but if you can get one it probably can't hurt to have it on file, just in case. 

But they check thoroughly that you are up to date with the 365.25 days reports. I did a stamp transfer to my new passport last week, and she made sure I had left the country when she couldn't find the report in my paperwork.

 

BTW, there is only one workstation for new passports so it takes 3 to 4 hours. Drop your paperwork before lunch, and pick up in the afternoon.

[stat]

On 4/7/2024 at 6:49 AM, sabaiguy said:

A lot of interesting questions.  I think you are asking the wrong crowd.  I suggest you direct your questions to BOI.   They were responsive to my questions.   Approved for my appointment (final step) two weeks ago.  Now just have to get back to Thailand.

Thanks for your post! Answer from BOI read we will have to see if we can accept bank statements or need to see tax statement which obviously does not work in my case because German tax statements do not show cap gains/dividends as it is withheld at source by the bank etc. Maybe I will be travelling the whole year in order to not pay tax or live in Thailand on OA visa without remitting funds so again no tax statement.

 

 

[stat]

On 4/10/2024 at 2:25 PM, Pib said:

Yes....this is normal.  I submitted my LTR pensioner application by just submitting my latest "monthly" statement from each of U.S. government pensions, a couple of 1099's showing annual distributions of some dividends and a small IRA annual payment along with the bank interest worksheet from my U.S. tax return 1040.  I also includes a two page memo where I explained my annual income with a chart that basically converted my monthly pensions to an annual amount and also explained how one of my pension (a Veterans' Administration) pension was totally/100% tax free and how another pension was partially tax free.

 

I wanted to see if I could get away without submitting my US 1040 tax return because income on the form is significantly less because VA pension is totally non-taxable & non-reportable on a tax form by US law...in fact, the VA does not provide any annual tax form like a 1099.    I wanted to set the stage "if" BOI asked for my tax return, which is a joint return with the wife, and fell a little below $80K that I had already explained why my tax return amounts were very significantly south of the income amounts shown on the monthly pension statements, etc.   And lo and behold the BOI did ask for 1 year worth of tax return....I uploaded that tax return and within just a few hours I could by a status change BOI was now happy I met the income requirement.  I feel the initial income data I provided had really satisfied them, HOWEVER, BUT they still wanted to my tax return as "secondary" document support and maybe also knowing if I had a tax return as a US person who is required to file an income tax return regardless of what country or planet you live on that by providing a tax return I wasn't trying to pull the income wool over BOI eyes, tap dancing regarding my income, etc.  Now come the LTR 5 year renewal review I won't have to worry that my tax return showing a little less than 80K after all the non-taxable/non reportable stuff since I will have been drawing another retirement fixed income benefit which will up my taxable income by a goodly amount.   

 

So, if you want your LTR visa approved you need to provide a tax return since BOI asked for it.    If you feel you need to explain your income because the tax return might reflect a much lower income then include a one or two page memo explaining the situation.  BOI understands a lot about income taxes, tax laws  in other countries, etc...they can figure out when an applicant is trying to make-up income vs really having the income.   And that many applicants submit  applications once they start drawing a pension and don't want to wait until they have 1 or 2 years worth of "income tax return" documentation to provide further proof of the income.  The primary proof for pension/retirement acct type income is still the monthly, quarterly, and/or annual statement you get from that pension paying entity.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your post! In may case I could not show any tax return as my income is not taxable in TH as it would be non remitted capital gains. Apparently there is a lot of discretion with the application that is why I ask the people that have obtained the visa vs BOI will usually tell me the written rules is that they need/want a tax return.

[stat]

On 4/19/2024 at 7:12 PM, Thailand J said:

I didn't shop around. I bought health insurance for LTR visa from AXA, the only company I called. The premium depends on the insurer's age and the deductible. In the picture below , Plan 1 with 2M maximum benefit is good enough for LTR visas. I needed at least 10 months left on the policy at the time of visa approval, so I started the application without health insurance, and bought the policy when BOI asked for it.

 

 

Prices are extremly high IMHO. I paid 69€ / 77 USD per month with unlimited coverage up to age of 65. However limited to 5 years.

[stat]

5 minutes ago, stat said:

You have to live in Europe before buying the health insurance.

 

Edited May 1 by stat

[Ben Zioner]

1 hour ago, stat said:

 BOI will usually tell me the written rules is that they need/want a tax return.

I don't think that's right, BOI know when a tax return should be available. For instance when you apply while living in your home country, or a US citizen. In my case, where I applied after living 7 years in Thailand and as a non US citizen, they understood that I couldn't show a tax return. 

[oldcpu]

4 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

I don't think that's right, BOI know when a tax return should be available. For instance when you apply while living in your home country, or a US citizen. In my case, where I applied after living 7 years in Thailand and as a non US citizen, they understood that I couldn't show a tax return. 

 

I am not convinced BoI know when a tax return should be available - at least NOT in my case.

 

I suspect it depends on more than just one's stay in Thailand for I have been in Thailand since 2019 (and applied for LTR-WP in mid-Jan-2023). 

 

In the case of the Wealthy Pension LTR visa, I suspect the source of one's retirement income plays a factor.   BoI know that for foreigners living in Thailand, that there will likely be withholding tax on one's pension, and then one might (or might not) have to file a tax return for that country.

 

Case in point:  I obtain a small German pension, and the German government sent me a letter asking me NOT to file a tax return to them, as that pension was too small for them to bother for a non-resident of Germany. 

 

However, on the other-hand, I also obtain a similar financial sized Canadian Old Age Security payment, but the Canadian government ALWAYS wants a tax return.  The due date for the Canadian tax submission is end-April for income of the previous year.

 

I applied for LTR-WP visa in mid-January-2023, while tax returns for Canada are not required until end-April-2023.    I did not include my German pension in my proof of income, as I did not need to show that income to prove I met the financial requirements (as I exceeded such with Canadian Old Age Security + a European government organisation pension).  I did include proof of my Canadian Old Age security as part of my  income proof and I provided official government proof of that.  I also included official proof of the European government organisation pension.   I did not include any tax returns immediately as I provided government proof of the incomes.

 

BoI immediately contacted me and asked for the previous two years of tax returns. I replied again with my proof of income, and they again insisted on a tax return.  I had Canadian tax returns for year 2020, and 2021 (which "fortuitously" also note the amount of the total of all my global income - Revenue Canada demands one state their global income) , and I immediately sent Canadian government tax assessments from returns to BoI for 2020 and 2021 (within less than a few hours of BoI asking again for the tax returns).   BoI within a couple of days then asked for a year 2022 tax return !!    This was still mid January and that 2022 tax return was not even due until end-April 2023.  ie not due for more than 3 months !!

 

In the end (it took me time) to get the receipts to prepare and submit a year 2022 tax return to Canada (and get the official Canadian Revenue department official assessment notification) - and provide that to BoI, ...  but frankly, I don't think BoI do know, like you state. Why would they insist if not due for > 3 months?

 

BoI know some things, but I think they get the different details mixed up. 

 

After submitting my 2022 Canadian tax "official" return assessment notice of tax filed (from the Canadian government) proving to BoI I exceeded the global income requirement, BoI then asked for the Tax document for a Canadian Pension !!  I had NEVER mentioned my getting a Canadian government pension and further, I did not YET get a Canadian government pension then (although I was eligible for such).   Rather I had provided ALL the tax paperwork for Canadian Old Age Security. 

 

So I had to then had to write an explanation letter to BoI noting that even thou I was age-69, I had deferred receipt of my Canadian pension to age-70. I also (very very politely) noted again to BoI that I already exceeded the passive income necessary for the LTR-WP visa, and that proof of a Canadian pension should not be necessary.  BoI finally then accepted my income proof.

 

So I am not convinced the BoI know all about different countries and their tax returns - rather I think they have bits and pieces and they make a best guess ... and sometimes they guess wrong ...  - although I do concede they are likely learning this very fast.

 

 

Edited May 1 by oldcpu

[sabaiguy]

20 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

I don't think that's right, BOI know when a tax return should be available. For instance when you apply while living in your home country, or a US citizen. In my case, where I applied after living 7 years in Thailand and as a non US citizen, they understood that I couldn't show a tax return. 

Not sure about that.  In March doing my application I provided 21 and 22 1040's and 1099-R's.  They then asked for my 23 1040.  Had to tell them that US citizens don't have to file 1040's till mid April for 2023 (in my case mid June cause certain counties in Calif. got an extension because of earlier flooding).  Told them I had 2023 1099-R,  which they accepted in lieu of the 1040.

[stat]

On 5/1/2024 at 10:45 AM, Ben Zioner said:

I don't think that's right, BOI know when a tax return should be available. For instance when you apply while living in your home country, or a US citizen. In my case, where I applied after living 7 years in Thailand and as a non US citizen, they understood that I couldn't show a tax return. 

They cannot know all tax details in every country. They know maybe the US rules but they cannot be aware of all small details in the German tax law. My tax statement in Germany can show 0 passive income while I paid millions of EUR in taxes on dividends and capital gains in Germany (withheld at the bank). Even when receiving capital gains from abroad my final tax statement can show zero as it has been set off against losses in other years by the german IRS. There are myriads of implications and rules.

 

My point is simply that I can never be sure that they will accept my LTR application. I understand that they are helpful and willing to learn so I hope for the best. But one cannot never tell with thos Thai visa if you will get one.

 

Simply solution would be to just show a 1 Million and be done.