LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency

[Presnock]

12 hours ago, JackGats said:

I am 99% sure the 1-year reporting requirement works like the 90-day reporting, only with 1 year instead of 90 days. Every time you come back to Thailand the clock gets reset. It would make little sense if it were otherwise.

that is correct based on what others have also noted and one from the website of the BOI.  Good luck, take care, stay safe.  BE HAPPY.

[oldcpu]

18 hours ago, JackGats said:

My understanding was that it needed to be cash over 12 months, never mind which kind of account (current account, savings account, brokerage account). It then became an issue of showing at least 12 statements of account for at least 12 consecutive months up to the present.

As pointed out - this was not the case when I applied.

 

For self health insurance, I tried two different accounts, both easily exceeded the $100K US cash equivalent. One was a 'pure' trading account, and despite exceeding the cash requirement, it was rejected as it was a trading account.

 

I then tried (what in Canada is called) a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). ... sort of like a USA 401k, where that 'Savings plan' account also had the prerequisite cash by a large margin (multiples). That was also rejected by BoI.

 

In the end I pointed to a Foreign Currency Account in Thailand bank, that had the prerequisite amount and that was accepted.  I did not want to use that Thai bank account initially, as I wanted to be able to tap into that account (and lower it below the $100k US equivalent).  However, since I now use that account (for the $100K US$ self health insurance accepted now by BoI) I have restructured my finances a bit, such that I don't have to touch money in that account.   But I am curious to learn (maybe in 4 more years time) if that restructuring on my part was really necessary.

Edited May 5 by oldcpu

[oldcpu]

On 5/4/2024 at 8:17 AM, Presnock said:

I am only telling you my experience and meetings with the BOI reps.  In my passport is a note indicating that I am to report where I am living once a year.  If it does not apply to you, I am not concerned, just wanted you to know what I have been instructed by the BOI folks.  good luck stay safe

 

As has been pointed out , when one exits and re-enters Thailand, that resets the 1 year clock.

 

As for reporting where you live once per year, when you re-enter Thailand, you still must do an online TM-30 which indicates to immigration where you are staying. 

 

There is nothing new there.

[Presnock]

6 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

As has been pointed out , when one exits and re-enters Thailand, that resets the 1 year clock.

 

As for reporting where you live once per year, when you re-enter Thailand, you still must do an online TM-30 which indicates to immigration where you are staying. 

 

There is nothing new there.

if you check out the response of SHA 22 BKK, where there is included the info in the BOI website about this subject - includes reporting to the BOI immigration the tm.30  info plu plus plus.

[oldcpu]

9 hours ago, sabaiguy said:

My understanding is that if you leave the country within the year, return get new one year stamp. No need for reporting.  Wrong?

 

Just a clarification, If you have the LTR visa, and you leave the country within the year, and you return, you do NOT get a one year stamp. Rather you get a "permission to stay" stamp, which has (1) your re-entry date, and (2) your permission to stay date (repeated), where the permission to stay date is the same as the previous 'permission to stay' date in your passport when you obtained the LTR visa.

 

For example, I obtained my LTR-WP visa in June 2023, with a permission to stay stamped for me to stay until 5-June-2028 (also with a multiple re-entry stamp valid to 5-June-2028). 

 

I subsequently departed Thailand 28-Aug-2023, and when I re-entered on 30-Sep-2023 (with a permission to stay again hand written in the entry stamp, until 5-June-2028), and this re-entry stamp meant I did not have to report again to immigration until 30-Sep-2024 !

 

I subsequently departed Thailand 11-March-2024, and when I re-entered on 21-April-2024 (with a permission to stay again hand written until 5-June-2028), and this  re-entry stamp meant I did not have to report again to immigration until 21-April-2025.

 

Possibly a mute point/clarification - but I want to try to be exact.

[oldcpu]

6 minutes ago, Presnock said:

if you check out the response of SHA 22 BKK, where there is included the info in the BOI website about this subject - includes reporting to the BOI immigration the tm.30  info plu plus plus.

 

Yes - that response of SHA 22 BKK is relevant for reporting if after 1 year, one has still not left the country.  Then one must fill in those appropriate forms as the 1-year reporting "counter" was never reset.

 

However if one exits and returns, as has been noted, the clock/clock for 1 year restarts counting from the beginning again.

 

Still, my understanding, and I would be happy to be proven wrong with a pointer to an official document, NONE OF THAT exempts an LTR visa holder from having to complete a TM-30.  TM-30s are still, as far as I can determine required when one re-enters the country. And that TM-30 lists where one is staying.

 

The confusing aspect for many of us with regard to TM-30s, is each immigration office appears to interpret the TM-30 requirement differently.  Since as LTR visa holders, we have much less interaction with immigration, it is likely (?) this "TM-30" aspect is not a big thing and will never arise as an issue if not completed.   In my case, I am very conservative, so I did (have my Thai wife for me) fill in an online TM-30 when I returned to Thailand a couple of weeks ago.

[Presnock]

4 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

Yes - that response of SHA 22 BKK is relevant for reporting if after 1 year, one has still not left the country.  Then one must fill in those appropriate forms as the 1-year reporting "counter" was never reset.

 

However if one exits and returns, as has been noted, the clock/clock for 1 year restarts counting from the beginning again.

 

Still, my understanding, and I would be happy to be proven wrong with a pointer to an official document, NONE OF THAT exempts an LTR visa holder from having to complete a TM-30.  TM-30s are still, as far as I can determine required when one re-enters the country. And that TM-30 lists where one is staying.

 

The confusing aspect for many of us with regard to TM-30s, is each immigration office appears to interpret the TM-30 requirement differently.  Since as LTR visa holders, we have much less interaction with immigration, it is likely (?) this "TM-30" aspect is not a big thing and will never arise as an issue if not completed.   In my case, I am very conservative, so I did (have my Thai wife for me) fill in an online TM-30 when I returned to Thailand a couple of weeks ago.

 

4 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

Yes - that response of SHA 22 BKK is relevant for reporting if after 1 year, one has still not left the country.  Then one must fill in those appropriate forms as the 1-year reporting "counter" was never reset.

 

However if one exits and returns, as has been noted, the clock/clock for 1 year restarts counting from the beginning again.

 

Still, my understanding, and I would be happy to be proven wrong with a pointer to an official document, NONE OF THAT exempts an LTR visa holder from having to complete a TM-30.  TM-30s are still, as far as I can determine required when one re-enters the country. And that TM-30 lists where one is staying.

 

The confusing aspect for many of us with regard to TM-30s, is each immigration office appears to interpret the TM-30 requirement differently.  Since as LTR visa holders, we have much less interaction with immigration, it is likely (?) this "TM-30" aspect is not a big thing and will never arise as an issue if not completed.   In my case, I am very conservative, so I did (have my Thai wife for me) fill in an online TM-30 when I returned to Thailand a couple of weeks ago.

The response was a BOI explanation of the yearly report and included in the first sentence that one was to do the TM.30 at the BOI immigration office or I guess who ever is doing the report pluse the

other requirements.  Yes I think that 99.9% of the forum users don't have a very good opinion of the TM30 reporting and I am included in that too but since I will go my yearly report at the BOI office, they have their own immigration office there and they so far took good care of us without any problems.  The requirement of the BOI was to report one's current local address with the other documentation and 

that was also how it was explained to me when I received the stamps in March of this year.  But, I only pass on MY experience in these issues since I am only responsible for myself and no one else.  

take care, enjoy the heat!

[oldcpu]

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

 

The response was a BOI explanation of the yearly report and included in the first sentence that one was to do the TM.30 at the BOI immigration office or I guess who ever is doing the report pluse the other requirements. 

 

I read that - but that was for the documents needed if one does not leave the country and has to do a 1-year report at BoI.

 

The other half of that was to do with a Thai driver's licence application (either TM-30 or legal document with regard to property where one is staying - I can't recall exact words).

 

Still, I do believe none of that exempts the LTR visa holder from having to do a TM-30 when re-entering Thailand.

 

 

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Yes I think that 99.9% of the forum users don't have a very good opinion of the TM30 reporting

 

Agreed - the requirement to submit a TM-30 is fuzzy at best - perhaps even worse than fuzzy.

 

 

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

take care, enjoy the heat!

 

Yes - take care also.  And the heat !!  After 6 weeks in New Zealand and Australia, the humidity and heat when we arrived back in Thailand 2 weeks ago hit us like a red hot brick wall.

 

Thank God that we invested in solar panels last summer, so we can turn on our A/C a LOT more than normal, and still have a 0 THB electrical bill.

.

[Ben Zioner]

13 minutes ago, Presnock said:

The response was a BOI explanation of the yearly report and included in the first sentence that one was to do the TM.30 at the BOI immigration office

Amusing that one, BOI have reinvented perpetual movement. I live in Surin, and would need to spend on night in Bangkok to do my TM30, going back to Surin I would need yet another TM30, so off to Bangkok again, etc..

[oldcpu]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Amusing that one, BOI have reinvented perpetual movement. I live in Surin, and would need to spend on night in Bangkok to do my TM30, going back to Surin I would need yet another TM30, so off to Bangkok again, etc..

Indeed.

 

I think thou most immigration offices don't require a TM30 for one's internal to Thailand travel if one always returns to one's normal Thai residence. I think it also possible (?) to postal mail a TM30 in addition to doing online.

 

I believe it's only when one returns to Thailand from being outside of the country that a few (?) more immigration offices want a TM30 filed.

 

Which brings up an interesting thought .. at present for most of the LTR visa holders, we deal with BoI and the immigration in the same building and floor in Bangkok. Does their TM30 requirements supercede any of our local immigration office requirements ( if different). I suspect this is a very mute question as this is all pretty minor.

Edited May 5 by oldcpu

[Ben Zioner]

1 hour ago, oldcpu said:

Indeed.

 

I think thou most immigration offices don't require a TM30 for one's internal to Thailand travel if one always returns to one's normal Thai residence. I think it also possible (?) to postal mail a TM30 in addition to doing online.

 

I believe it's only when one returns to Thailand from being outside of the country that a few (?) more immigration offices want a TM30 filed.

 

Which brings up an interesting thought .. at present for most of the LTR visa holders, we deal with BoI and the immigration in the same building and floor in Bangkok. Does their TM30 requirements supercede any of our local immigration office requirements ( if different). I suspect this is a very mute question as this is all pretty minor.

I attempting to be facetious with that TM30 thing..

 

In fact the on-line system works quite well, I came back from Bangkok yesterday and reported my address this morning. 

 

Also, I used my new passport number and this din't cause any problem either. 

[SHA 2 BKK]

5 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

I attempting to be facetious with that TM30 thing..

 

In fact the on-line system works quite well, I came back from Bangkok yesterday and reported my address this morning. 

 

Also, I used my new passport number and this din't cause any problem either. 

I’m in Singapore at the moment.  I am my own “landlord” so can file my TM 30 online.  
 

1.  As an LTR Visa holder when I return to Thailand my reporting “clock” will reset to one year from now entry (similar to the 90 Day “clock” for other visas.  
 

2.  I will do my TM 30 online.  This time I will print and take a screenshot as I need that piece of paper from immigration at Chamchuri Square to renew my drivers licence.  I have heard told me though that one doesn’t need to do another TM 30 if the residence stays the same even if travel outside Thailand but better safe than sorry. 

[Ben Zioner]

9 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

I’m in Singapore at the moment.  I am my own “landlord” so can file my TM 30 online.  
 

1.  As an LTR Visa holder when I return to Thailand my reporting “clock” will reset to one year from now entry (similar to the 90 Day “clock” for other visas.  
 

2.  I will do my TM 30 online.  This time I will print and take a screenshot as I need that piece of paper from immigration at Chamchuri Square to renew my drivers licence.  I have heard told me though that one doesn’t need to do another TM 30 if the residence stays the same even if travel outside Thailand but better safe than sorry. 

My wife tells me that for license renewals the proof of residence isn't needed. 

[stat]

On 5/3/2024 at 7:10 PM, SingAPorn said:

look above 🤞

Again nothing written about a yearly check. NADA.

 

It was pointed out several time that to maintain your 10 year visa you must satify the requirements after 5! years.  If in the meantime for whatever reason (I cannot imagine one) you get another visa your LTR visa goes up in smoke. The only thing you have to do is do a 1 year report similar to the 90 day report and this only if you have not left the country. Fairly easy I would say and very little hassle.

Edited May 5 by stat

[oldcpu]

3 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

My wife tells me that for license renewals the proof of residence isn't needed. 

 

In Phuket a couple of years ago,  I needed 'proof of residence' for my Thai driver's license renewal.  However they were happy with my 'Yellow Book' (showing my condo ownership/residence) and with 'Pink-ID' (and my passport) and they did not ask for a TM-30.

[sabaiguy]

14 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

I read that - but that was for the documents needed if one does not leave the country and has to do a 1-year report at BoI.

 

The other half of that was to do with a Thai driver's licence application (either TM-30 or legal document with regard to property where one is staying - I can't recall exact words).

 

Still, I do believe none of that exempts the LTR visa holder from having to do a TM-30 when re-entering Thailand.

 

 

 

Agreed - the requirement to submit a TM-30 is fuzzy at best - perhaps even worse than fuzzy.

 

 

 

Yes - take care also.  And the heat !!  After 6 weeks in New Zealand and Australia, the humidity and heat when we arrived back in Thailand 2 weeks ago hit us like a red hot brick wall.

 

Thank God that we invested in solar panels last summer, so we can turn on our A/C a LOT more than normal, and still have a 0 THB electrical bill.

.

You're a "Wealthy Pensioner" don't have to worry about running the AC.

[SHA 2 BKK]

12 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

My wife tells me that for license renewals the proof of residence isn't needed. 

Oh that would be most handy!   I have done the renewal “course” online and will go and get a Medical Certificate and see how I go without proof of residence.  I might take my Condo purchase docs just in case.   Will report back. 

[Ben Zioner]

13 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

Oh that would be most handy!   I have done the renewal “course” online and will go and get a Medical Certificate and see how I go without proof of residence.  I might take my Condo purchase docs just in case.   Will report back. 

You might take note of @oldcpu's post. I checked with wifey, and at renewal she was with me, with her blue book and my yellow book. Sorry if I mislead somehow.

 

Now, some local immigration offices might just be happy to issue a certificate, for a fee. Chamchuri will never hear about it.

Edited May 6 by Ben Zioner

[oldcpu]

9 hours ago, sabaiguy said:

You're a "Wealthy Pensioner" don't have to worry about running the AC.

 

I never worried about running the A/C, even before we had solar panels ...  I am a lucky guy as my Thai wife is careful with our money - but given we are not poor, most times she is far too careful, as before we had solar panels she did not want to switch on the A/C much  (which I see as silly as we can't take our money with us, and we have no children to bequeath the money too ) ... but now have solar panels, she is now very happy to turn on the A/C a LOT more .    So yes - I am very happy now we have solar panels - given the current heat in Thailand.

 

 

[khunjeff]

15 hours ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

I have heard told me though that one doesn’t need to do another TM 30 if the residence stays the same even if travel outside Thailand but better safe than sorry. 

 

The rule has been pretty clear for about four years now: no need to do a TM-30 when returning home after domestic travel, and no need to do one when returning from overseas if you're going back to your habitual residence and you're still on the same multiple-entry visa or reentry permit (which would be the case for any LTR holder). 

 

The problem, of course, is that individual offices (or even officers) often ignore the policies handed down by HQ, so you're forced to follow whatever nonsense they've invented.

[Presnock]

15 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

My wife tells me that for license renewals the proof of residence isn't needed. 

sounds almost too logical but as long as the address on the license is the same then that should be correct

[Presnock]

On 5/3/2024 at 11:44 PM, SingAPorn said:

I also wonder if those comming over to Thailand under a ltr-wealthy pensionner , could suddenly get a tax claim to pay in Thailand even if they do not live in Thailand more then the critical 180 days ?

well, if under 180 days one would not be a tax resident so no tax or under the person's DTA maybe it would be exempt but I doubt they will rescend the royal decree  about foreign earned income exempt.

[JohnnyBD]

When you get a LTR (wealthy pensioners) visa, are all monies remitted to Thailand exempt from income taxes, such as; pensions, dividends, interest & capital gains from investments? I read somewhere that only pensions and gains from property are exempt. Thanks.

Edited May 6 by JohnnyBD

[mania]

14 hours ago, khunjeff said:

The problem, of course, is that individual offices (or even officers) often ignore the policies handed down by HQ, so you're forced to follow whatever nonsense they've invented.

 

AKA: "Do You Know Who I AM?" Syndrome 🙄

[sabaiguy]

14 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

I never worried about running the A/C, even before we had solar panels ...  I am a lucky guy as my Thai wife is careful with our money - but given we are not poor, most times she is far too careful, as before we had solar panels she did not want to switch on the A/C much  (which I see as silly as we can't take our money with us, and we have no children to bequeath the money too ) ... but now have solar panels, she is now very happy to turn on the A/C a LOT more .    So yes - I am very happy now we have solar panels - given the current heat in Thailand.

 

 

Hope you didn't take offense.  Just f*****g with you . I won't be a "Wealthy Pensioner" until next week when I have my appointment.  I have 4 AC's so understand your concerns.  In my corner of Thailand (Chiang Rai) don't see a lot of home solar panels.  A lot of mini-solar powering for outdoor lighting etc. 

[SHA 2 BKK]

7 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

When you get a LTR (wealthy pensioners) visa, are all monies remitted to Thailand exempt from income taxes, such as; pensions, dividends, interest & capital gains from investments? I read somewhere that only pensions and gains from property are exempt. Thanks.

Royal Decree 743 says the following about remittances and their tax free status for LTR (WP). 
 

“Section 5 Income tax under Part 2 of Chapter 3 in Title 2 of the Revenue Code shall be
exempted for a foreigner categorised as Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, or Work-
from-Thailand Professional who is granted a Long-Term Resident Visa under immigration law for
assessable income under section 40 of the Revenue Code derived in the previous tax year from
an employment, or from business carried on abroad, or from a property situated abroad, and
brought into Thailand.”

 

So as long as its previous years income you are pretty much covered.

[Middle Aged Grouch]

LTR is absolutely not worth applying considering all the bureaucratic hassle, all the absurd documents they ask day to day or invent and the fact that every year one has to show all the updated absurd documents for insurance etc asked and thus making this LTR definately not a hassle free for 10 years. In fact one pays a hefty amount just to be harassed each year, with the risk of the visa being cancelled if one is not in Thailand when they decide on the date you must do the annual reporting (that replaces the 90 day reporting). Your conception of annual reporting seems to widely change from when they ask for the reporting even if you show up after one calender year. Don't waste time in submitting as you will go through lots of hassle, and each time further documents will be asked on absurd grounds. Definately not worth the money and trip. In fact if you can, look at other countries in Asia for a retirement visa if you plan just to stay in winter.  Forget Thailand, no more worth it with all the absurd red tape and the possiblity that they will tax your foreign pension or at best require to file all kinds of paperwork and thus one will just be speinding the entire stay running back and forth for getting all their paperwork done.

[SHA 2 BKK]

6 minutes ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

LTR is absolutely not worth applying considering all the bureaucratic hassle, all the absurd documents they ask day to day or invent and the fact that every year one has to show all the updated absurd documents for insurance etc asked and thus making this LTR definately not a hassle free for 10 years. In fact one pays a hefty amount just to be harassed each year, with the risk of the visa being cancelled if one is not in Thailand when they decide on the date you must do the annual reporting (that replaces the 90 day reporting). Your conception of annual reporting seems to widely change from when they ask for the reporting even if you show up after one calender year. Don't waste time in submitting as you will go through lots of hassle, and each time further documents will be asked on absurd grounds. Definately not worth the money and trip. In fact if you can, look at other countries in Asia for a retirement visa if you plan just to stay in winter.  Forget Thailand, no more worth it with all the absurd red tape and the possiblity that they will tax your foreign pension or at best require to file all kinds of paperwork and thus one will just be speinding the entire stay running back and forth for getting all their paperwork done.

Wrong on so many counts but hey whatever floats your boat mate.  

[JimGant]

1 hour ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

LTR is absolutely not worth applying considering all the bureaucratic hassle, all the absurd documents they ask day to day or invent and the fact that every year one has to show all the updated absurd documents for insurance etc asked and thus making this LTR definately not a hassle free for 10 years.

Does this mean we'll not enjoy your sage wisdom at our annual black tie get-togethers? Don't know whether to cry or puke....

[JohnnyBD]

11 hours ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

“Section 5 Income tax under Part 2 of Chapter 3 in Title 2 of the Revenue Code shall be
exempted for a foreigner categorised as Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, or Work-
from-Thailand Professional who is granted a Long-Term Resident Visa under immigration law for
assessable income under section 40 of the Revenue Code derived in the previous tax year from
an employment, or from business carried on abroad, or from a property situated abroad, and
brought into Thailand.”

 

So as long as its previous years income you are pretty much covered.

Thanks for posting. Just to clarify, I assume "previous years income" means if I get a LTR WP in 2025, then 2024's income is exempt, and 2025, and future years too. Is that correct?  Also, I don't see anything about company pensions, stock dividends, bank interest or capital gains from abroad in the decree. Maybe it's spelled out in more detail in Sec 40 of the Revenue Code. I will try to research Sec 40. If you get time, can you please elaborate on those different income streams, whether they are exempt also. Thanks for your reply.

Edited May 7 by JohnnyBD