LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency

[OneZero]

Sorry, but I have unintentionally oversimplified the problem of proving TRICARE coverage for US military retirees.  The complication arises because at age 65 military US military retirees will lose their overseas TRICARE benefits unless they make Medicare part B contributions (approx $170/month, minimum), which can be deducted from Social security pension.. Since Medicare does not cover US citizens overseas, some military retirees will be tempted to not make those payments, and thus forego TRICARE coverage.

 

All we need is a few bad apples getting BOI approval for TRICARE, to later be caught without coverage, and BOI would perhaps throw up their hands and not want to be bothered with the TRICARE approval headache.

 

What is needed is a simple way for US military retirees to get downloadable documentation that their TRICARE coverage is indeed CURRENT.  I can not access the the DS Logon milconnect site because it no demand from me a US address & ph# for enhanced identity verification.

 

In order to not further highjack this thread, and to keep pertinent TRICARE replies focused in one central location, the special/unique problem for US military retirees to prove TRICARE coverage deserves it's own dedicated thread. 

[khunjeff]

On 1/30/2023 at 1:44 PM, ThailandRyan said:

From what I was told if I left the country just prior to my 1 year then returned the clock would reset and a new 1 year time frame would start, this was told to me on the day the inserted my LTR Visa back in October by the BOI LTR staff.

This is also what I was told by both immigration and BoI on the day the visa was stamped into my passport, so I have no doubt that it is accurate. And it makes perfect sense - it's just the 90 day report rule, but for one year instead.

 

Unfortunately, BoI and immigration have created confusion by using poor wording in their instructions. Almost all of the material they hand out says that you have to notify immigration of your address "every year", which is misleading at best. 

[mudcat]

The TM95 has one clear reference the need to report if resident for more than a year and what I consider a clarifying statement that a report is due each year

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by Rimmer
PDF attachment with personal details removed

[lexxy]

In sydney EVISA was not available and we were able to attain stickers which state a ten year visa. How can this be now terminated after 5 years if we do not meet conditions?

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by lextsy

[mudcat]

Sorry, here is the blank TM95

TM.95 blank.pdf

[aublumberg]

1 hour ago, lextsy said:

In sydney EVISA was not available and we were able to attain stickers which state a ten year visa. How can this be now terminated after 5 years if we do not meet conditions?

 

 

Don't worry, the stamp you will get when entering Thailand will have 5 years only. Was the same for my visa issued by Royal Thai Consulate in Hong Kong.

[lexxy]

21 minutes ago, aublumberg said:

Don't worry, the stamp you will get when entering Thailand will have 5 years only. Was the same for my visa issued by Royal Thai Consulate in Hong Kong.

Understand but after 5 years? Or 4.5 years….. if the sticker says 10 years how can they reject a visa issued for 10 years. 
 

if right now all I have is a sticker to give to immigration, how will they know or not know once 5 years pass….. maybe they don’t even know yet.

 

What is printed on the Evisa? 

Edited February 1, 2023 by lextsy

[ThailandRyan]

Noticed yesterday that the LTR/BOI log-in page now has a Print Digital Work Permit added on the left side below the signature box.  Has anyone been able to open up the digital work permit by using the tab? All I get is a Blank page that opens up.  When I updated my housekeepers work permit here in HH the work permit office wanted a copy of my work permit, which I told them I do not have.  Their response was yes you do and it was issued through the BOI.  I explained to them that I was on an LTR-P wealthy pensioner Visa and had declined the work permit, but they were insistent that I had been issued one at the BOI.  I asked them to show me the WP number, but they said the system only showed that a digital work permit had been processed.  This was 2 weeks ago, and I have yet to contact BOI.

 

[lexxy]

On 1/12/2023 at 11:54 AM, Misty said:

Congratulations, that's great news.  Glad to hear the LA Consulate was quick to complete the LTR e-visa. 

 

From here it works pretty much as you state.  Keep a print-out of the e-visa in your passport, as that is the LTR e-visa - unlike other LTR visas, there's no stamp you'll get.  And no fancy sticker coming in the mail. Immigration will only put a small arrival stamp in your passport listing the type of visa, arrival date, and how long you can stay (essentially 5 years). 

 

LTR visa holders can use the Fast Track queue at the airport. Even in Fast Track, the IO may need to consult with colleagues or superiors about how to handle the LTR e-visa, since it's relatively new and few people have them.  But so far in this thread, no one has reported trouble or much delay in going through Immigration.

 

 

Just wondering, is there any reference to state we can use fast track?

[aublumberg]

2 hours ago, lextsy said:

Just wondering, is there any reference to state we can use fast track?

It's listed on the BoI LTR website. At Suvarnabhumi itself one of the categories to use Fast Track is 'Smart Visa' (also BoI administered), it doesn't specifically state 'LTR' on the posters but I've traveled in and out a couple times and no problem. If challenged say you have "Smart Visa LTR" or something.

[Pib]

2 hours ago, lextsy said:

Just wondering, is there any reference to state we can use fast track?

Several references on BOT LTR visa website...below are two.

 

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

 

 

 

https://ltr.boi.go.th/documents/LTR_Phuket_260865_EN.pdf

[Misty]

6 hours ago, lextsy said:

Understand but after 5 years? Or 4.5 years….. if the sticker says 10 years how can they reject a visa issued for 10 years. 
 

if right now all I have is a sticker to give to immigration, how will they know or not know once 5 years pass….. maybe they don’t even know yet.

 

What is printed on the Evisa? 

The e-Visa has the "Date of grant," "Visa must be used by (a date 10 years later)," and "Length of stay in Thailand - 5 year(s)"

[Misty]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Noticed yesterday that the LTR/BOI log-in page now has a Print Digital Work Permit added on the left side below the signature box.  Has anyone been able to open up the digital work permit by using the tab? All I get is a Blank page that opens up.  When I updated my housekeepers work permit here in HH the work permit office wanted a copy of my work permit, which I told them I do not have.  Their response was yes you do and it was issued through the BOI.  I explained to them that I was on an LTR-P wealthy pensioner Visa and had declined the work permit, but they were insistent that I had been issued one at the BOI.  I asked them to show me the WP number, but they said the system only showed that a digital work permit had been processed.  This was 2 weeks ago, and I have yet to contact BOI.

 

Hi Ryan thanks for the heads up - yes, I just went to the site and opened the "Print Digital Work Permit" tab and got a two page pdf "Copy of Electronic Work Permit".  The LTR unit had given me a paper print out when it was issued, but it wasn't clear so this version is better. 

[Pib]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Noticed yesterday that the LTR/BOI log-in page now has a Print Digital Work Permit added on the left side below the signature box.  Has anyone been able to open up the digital work permit by using the tab? All I get is a Blank page that opens up.  When I updated my housekeepers work permit here in HH the work permit office wanted a copy of my work permit, which I told them I do not have.  Their response was yes you do and it was issued through the BOI.  I explained to them that I was on an LTR-P wealthy pensioner Visa and had declined the work permit, but they were insistent that I had been issued one at the BOI.  I asked them to show me the WP number, but they said the system only showed that a digital work permit had been processed.  This was 2 weeks ago, and I have yet to contact BOI.

 

I expect the HH work permit office is really just seeing something saying you are authorized a digital permit since having a LTR visa but the permit was never issued since you declined it.  Basically it just saying you are authorized a work permit with your LTR visa "if" you should follow-thru and apply for the digital work permit which you did not do.    

 

Same for me for my LTR Pensioner visa  When I click the Print Digital Work Permit nothing pulls up....just a blank white screen....surely because I declined the permit during the LTR application process.

 

 

[spongeworthy]

Can anyone who has applied for the LTR, or is otherwise aware, clarify something for me? My understanding is that you need to provide some sort of documentation showing that your employer outside of Thailand had income or profit of 10(?) million USD over the last year or two. Has anyone working for a private company applied for the LTR and been asked for such documents? I guess I'm not quite able to wrap my head around why they believe a private company would provide such information to a employee who has no need to know, let alone a foreign government.

[Pib]

I notice the Bangkok Immigration website now shows the requirements to extend an LTR visa (guess this means getting the 2nd 5 years on the visa).  Basically you just need your passport, BoI approval/endorsement letter, and a STM8 form. See paragraph 38 at below immigration webpage.

 

Gosh knows when the BoI will publish on their website the procedures to get the 2nd 5 years since it will not be until mid 2027 (around July 2027) that initial recipients of a LTR visa (i.e., those who were first issued an LTR visa in Sep 2022) will need to apply for the 2nd 5 years.  But I expect (guess) the procedure will be very similar to the initial application with the exception of no fee to pay.   

 

And maybe, just maybe, since the procedure is now listed on the Immigration website that getting the 2nd 5yrs will not require a trip to the BoI Once Stop Service Center Immigration at Chamchuri Square in Bangkok Instead...get the 2nd 5 years at your local immigration office as long as you have the BoI approval/endorsement letter. 

 

Maybe that is BoI's and Immigration's long term plan since the LTR visa program is new...still a work in process.   Heck, maybe the long term plan is to even provide the "initial" stamps (i.e., 10 years visa stamp and 1st 5 years permitted to stay stamp) at any immigration office as long as you have the BoI approval/endorsement letter which an immigration office would be able to confirm with your printed copy and within the immigration magic computer system.   

 

The again, maybe the extension procedure is listed even in those cases where only one immigration office (like the BoI immigration office) can issue an extension....don't know....I'm guessing.  

 

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/visa-extension/#1663059245307-70ae5f8b-e773

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by Pib

[lexxy]

2 hours ago, spongeworthy said:

Can anyone who has applied for the LTR, or is otherwise aware, clarify something for me? My understanding is that you need to provide some sort of documentation showing that your employer outside of Thailand had income or profit of 10(?) million USD over the last year or two. Has anyone working for a private company applied for the LTR and been asked for such documents? I guess I'm not quite able to wrap my head around why they believe a private company would provide such information to a employee who has no need to know, let alone a foreign government.

My friend works for a privatised national company which does publish their financials but otherwise not sure how this works without asking company accountant.

 

2 hours ago, Pib said:

I notice the Bangkok Immigration website now shows the requirements to extend an LTR visa (guess this means getting the 2nd 5 years on the visa).  Basically you just need your passport, BoI approval/endorsement letter, and a STM8 form. See paragraph 38 at below immigration webpage.

 

Gosh knows when the BoI will publish on their website the procedures to get the 2nd 5 years since it will not be until mid 2027 (around July 2027) that initial recipients of a LTR visa (i.e., those who were first issued an LTR visa in Sep 2022) will need to apply for the 2nd 5 years.  But I expect (guess) the procedure will be very similar to the initial application with the exception of no fee to pay.   

 

And maybe, just maybe, since the procedure is now listed on the Immigration website that getting the 2nd 5yrs will not require a trip to the BoI Once Stop Service Center Immigration at Chamchuri Square in Bangkok Instead...get the 2nd 5 years at your local immigration office as long as you have the BoI approval/endorsement letter. 

 

Maybe that is BoI's and Immigration's long term plan since the LTR visa program is new...still a work in process.   Heck, maybe the long term plan is to even provide the "initial" stamps (i.e., 10 years visa stamp and 1st 5 years permitted to stay stamp) at any immigration office as long as you have the BoI approval/endorsement letter which an immigration office would be able to confirm with your printed copy and within the immigration magic computer system.   

 

The again, maybe the extension procedure is listed even in those cases where only one immigration office (like the BoI immigration office) can issue an extension....don't know....I'm guessing.  

 

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/visa-extension/#1663059245307-70ae5f8b-e773

 

This is still what is confusing me. The sticker I have in my passport as i attached above is a 10 year multiple entry visa.. I will be back and forward 15 times before the 5 years is up. Now i understand they will stamp me for 5 years and when that expires ill return and will i get denied another stamp? The sticker is still valid as multiple entry... Assuming its denied or something is said and i need to do something with BOI what is the artefact from BOI which is required as the sticker already has 10 year period in it...

 

Specficially as per below:

1) I enter on Feb 10 and get a 5 year stamp either finishing on 6th Jan 2028 or 10th feb 2028..

2) Everytime i re-enter being a multiple entry the stamp will always have the same end date..

3) If i arrive on the 1st Jan 2028 will i only have 5 or 39 days to exit the country or if the time to the last is below a year ill get 5 years?

4) If i reapply to BOI and get the extension, what apart from the below sticker will i be exactly showing immigration as my sticker states 10 years.

 

[Pib]

On 1/16/2023 at 5:18 PM, Pib said:

 

Update: I contacted BoI via their online contact form asking about the info in Misty's post regarding Tricare and similar type U.S. govt sponsored policies.   I got a quick response  shown below.  Now the response only mentioned Tricare vs also saying similar type U.S. govt sponsored coverage like I know a lot of U.S. govt or U.N. retirees have opened ended type medical coverage policies (i..e, no end date) sponsored by the government agency they retired from and the coverage is through a civilian insurance company.   That opened ended coverage basically renews automatically....and I think in those types of polices the members receive some type of policy coverage sheet/letter that closely resembles what a standard civilian insurance policy reflects with the exception of a end date.  Anyway, here is BoI's response.

 

Sure wish Tricare had been acceptable in Oct/Nov 2022 when I applied.  Now as I mentioned in a much earlier post in this thread BoI didn't flat-out reject my Tricare by saying such in an LTR online notification or email; it's just my application Status changed to "Request for Additional Docs" one day and in the area of the application/Docs Upload area there was just a comment which basically saying a Heath insurance policy with at least 10 months remaining OR Thailand social security coverage OR self insure is required.   To me that was a nice way of saying "No, your submitted Tricare docs are not good enough, so please submit one of above type docs.  And that is when I went the self insure route.

 

But unfortunately, as I have Tricare as a military retiree of many years, I do not know what document they are talking about which shows the Tricare insurance will renew annually.   The only document I'm aware of you can get saying you are enrolled in Tricare is a one page benefits letter you can download from the military "DEERS" system which stands for Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System if you have a milConnect online acct.  I guess a person could also get the letter maybe by contacting DEERS via phone or in person, but I got mine by going online. 

 

This DEERS benefits letter is very generic in nature (snapshot below), lists your name and enrollment date up to six years earlier, but no where does it talk the coverage will renew itself annually.  A typical military type benefits letter that uses very generic wording.   See snapshot at bottom.

 

HOWEVER, there are variations of Tricare....such as Tricare for Life,  Tricare Prime, Tricare Select/Overseas, etc., which is meant for different groups of military active and reserve duty, retirees, etc.  "And there are several Tricare contractors involved in managing the worldwide Tricare program"...like a couple different contractors for people living in the U.S., a contractor for those living overseas, etc., and that is the contractor each enrollee will deal with when arranging medical care and filing a claim. There is "not" just one Tricare contractor the millions of Tricare enrollees worldwide will deal. See a list of the various contractor and partners at this Tricare weblink:  https://www.tricare.mil/About/Partners

 

The contractor that enrollees who live outside the U.S. and/or have Tricare for Life would probably deal with the WPS contractor based in Wisconsin who I think is a subcontractor to the SOS contractor.  And if you log onto your WPS online acct, which is basically just for filing a claim,  there is no such benefit letter available....I've been using the WPS claims portal for many years.     BUT MAYBE, other Tricare contractors on their websites do offer some type of coverage/benefits coverage letter that does talk auto renewal.  I plan to call WPS in the near future to ask abut such a letter, but I will be surprised to no end if there is such a letter they can provide saying I'm enrolled in Tricare for Life/Overseas and it automatically renews annually.  

 

More research to do I guess....maybe even go visa BoI in the near future  see if they would show me a redacted version of the letter they are talking about....the type of letter they are satisfied with.   I'm sure there are many military retirees with Tricare coverage monitoring this thread.  So, if you know what Tricare coverage letter BoI is referring to that says your Tricare coverage renews annually (versus some general info Tricare website/booklet that talks such) then please share that info.  It may boil down to some of the Tricare contractors might provide a coverage letter that provides the info BoI is looking for....a letter totally unrelated to the generic DEERS benefit letter.  I sure hope this don't end up being a situation where only those Tricare enrollees with certain contactors can get the type of letter BoI is looking for.  

 

Example of Tricare Benefits letter available from "DEERS"

 

 

Update to above regarding ways to receive the Tricare Benefits letter by "calling" and requesting the letter.  You can receive it via email within hours of requesting it.  See below related thread on how to do it....for details.

 

 

[JimGant]

On 2/1/2023 at 11:44 PM, lextsy said:

I enter on Feb 10 and get a 5 year stamp either finishing on 6th Jan 2028 or 10th feb 2028..

Ok. Sifting thru data on this thread, it looks like Imm knows LTR visas warrant five year permission of stay stamps, not ten. On page 20 of that long "LTR Visa is Now...." thread, ThailandRyan shows us the ink stamps he got from BoI when issued his LTR visa. Besides the 10 year visa stamp, there's a five year permission of stay stamp (with an "until" date expiring when the five year renewal process is due, i.e., five years from date of issue). And a re-entry stamp, also for five years and also expiring on the "until" date of five years. Thus, easy for Imm at the border to figure out what permission of stay to stamp, being highly familiar with re entry stamps, where the "until" date is used for the "until" date on the new permission of stay stamp.

 

But what about a sticker visa obtained outside Thailand? Look here to see aublumberg's Hong Kong issued sticker:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1265383-ltr-visa-is-now-available-for-long-term-residency/page/23/

 

Looks like lextsy's, right? His had an issue date of Oct 18, 2022 and an expiration date of 17 Oct 2032.

 

Now, look what happened when aublumberg entered Thailand a week or so after visa issue:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1265383-ltr-visa-is-now-available-for-long-term-residency/page/29/

 

He was stamped in for five years, beginning on the date he entered Thailand, not five years from date of issue of the visa. Had he a reentry permit like Ryan, whose LTR was issued in Bangkok, Imm at the airport would have had an experienced situation on when the five year permission stamp's "until" date should be.

 

Anyway, lextsy, when you enter Thailand, don't be overly alarmed on what your five year permission of stay's stamp "until" date is -- whatever it is, no problems with either. As Ryan pointed out, 60 days before your five year anniversary comes due, you'll get a notice from BoI about the renewal requirement. Whatever your permission of stay says at the time, would be irrelevant. [Now, when there's less than five years left on your visa, and you're still getting stamped in for five years -- well, yeah, that would need to be fixed.]

 

 

[digitalnotmad]

 

Hi all,

 

I got the LTR - Work From Thailand Professional category very recently. This thread helped me in many ways to get an idea about LTR visa and background process. I'd like to show my gratitude by registering as a new member and provide any support for fellow expats aka Farangs.

I'm working for a publicly listed company in US so I only had to get employment verification letter from employer and letter was not addressed to LTR unit or any other gov org in Thailand. It was just a general letter.

 

Let me summarize my experience which might help future applicants.

 

Processing time : 1 month - due to year end holidays, Police report and Insurance waiting time, etc

Applied : Mid Dec 2022

Received BOI approval : Mid Jan 2023

Application summary : * Writing steps taken from the timeline poster attached to this post which is also displayed in https;!! ltr,boi,go,th below the Qualification endorsement section.

 

Step 1 : Fill in the form and submitted online with all scanned documents via portal (visa,boi,go,th replace comma with dot ????  )

Step 4 : Requested police report and insurance which was notified via email + notification bell on the portal page if you login to portal (top left)

Step 5 : Qualifications approved, which was notified via email + notification bell, Requesting to make an appointment (choose from drop down list of )Thai embassy/country or OSS @Bangkok. Chosen Thai embassy of a neighbour country where I was holidaying. You can choose e-visa option if your passport is allowed to apply online (www,thaievisa,go,th)

Step 6 : BOI approval letter which is addressed to the above Thai embassy to issue the LTR visa, Status in the portal changed to 'Complete' and the approval letter can be viewed by pressing 'view' button.

No Steps 7,8,9 as Visa will be issued outside Thailand.

Next : Make an appointment to the Thai embassy asap to apply visa (to secure the earliest date)

Print BOI approval letter

Next : Go to Thai embassy on Appointment date/time with passport + printed BOI approval letter. Take a Visa application form and fill it in, paste passport sized photo on application and hand over to Embassy counter with visa fee in cash (50k Baht or equivalent). Get the visa collection paper which has a collection date is printed.

Next : Visit embassy and collect passport, Check Visa sticker and make sure Visa is LTR Type T with 10yrs later ending date.

Next : Reached immigraiton at land crossing border checkpoint, Filled the arrival card (filled the departure section slip (T.M.6)as well in capital letters), None of the officers knew how to process, escorted to the Supervisor inside a room and he called someone internal and was given some instructions. Officer stamped passport page opposite to Visa sticker with permission to stay with a date of 5years. Asked me to keep departure card (T.M.6) has to keep securely and escorted me out of the immigration gate.

Next : Take bus to hotel and start work from Thailand.

 

https;!! ltr,boi,go,th home page shows as 'Tax exemption for overseas income' for WFT Professional.

I'm still searching about paying tax and Permanent Establishment confirmation. I hope I don't need to pay inome tax in Thailand or double tax, because there is a DTA already in place with my country. I have to stay more than 183 days in Thailand and see what will happen.

 

If you have questions pls and happy to answer them whenever I can. Let's help each other Farangs.  Cheers and good luck for your application!

Edited February 5, 2023 by digitalnotmad

[ThailandRyan]

39 minutes ago, digitalnotmad said:

 

Hi all,

 

I got the LTR - Work From Thailand Professional category very recently. This thread helped me in many ways to get an idea about LTR visa and background process. I'd like to show my gratitude by registering as a new member and provide any support for fellow expats aka Farangs.

I'm working for a publicly listed company in US so I only had to get employment verification letter from employer and letter was not addressed to LTR unit or any other gov org in Thailand. It was just a general letter.

 

Let me summarize my experience which might help future applicants.

 

Processing time : 1 month - due to year end holidays, Police report and Insurance waiting time, etc

Applied : Mid Dec 2022

Received BOI approval : Mid Jan 2023

Application summary : * Writing steps taken from the timeline poster attached to this post which is also displayed in https;!! ltr,boi,go,th below the Qualification endorsement section.

 

Step 1 : Fill in the form and submitted online with all scanned documents via portal (visa,boi,go,th replace comma with dot ????  )

Step 4 : Requested police report and insurance which was notified via email + notification bell on the portal page if you login to portal (top left)

Step 5 : Qualifications approved, which was notified via email + notification bell, Requesting to make an appointment (choose from drop down list of )Thai embassy/country or OSS @Bangkok. Chosen Thai embassy of a neighbour country where I was holidaying. You can choose e-visa option if your passport is allowed to apply online (www,thaievisa,go,th)

Step 6 : BOI approval letter which is addressed to the above Thai embassy to issue the LTR visa, Status in the portal changed to 'Complete' and the approval letter can be viewed by pressing 'view' button.

No Steps 7,8,9 as Visa will be issued outside Thailand.

Next : Make an appointment to the Thai embassy asap to apply visa (to secure the earliest date)

Print BOI approval letter

Next : Go to Thai embassy on Appointment date/time with passport + printed BOI approval letter. Take a Visa application form and fill it in, paste passport sized photo on application and hand over to Embassy counter with visa fee in cash (50k Baht or equivalent). Get the visa collection paper which has a collection date is printed.

Next : Visit embassy and collect passport, Check Visa sticker and make sure Visa is LTR Type T with 10yrs later ending date.

Next : Reached immigraiton at land crossing border checkpoint, Filled the arrival card (filled the departure section slip (T.M.6)as well in capital letters), None of the officers knew how to process, escorted to the Supervisor inside a room and he called someone internal and was given some instructions. Officer stamped passport page opposite to Visa sticker with permission to stay with a date of 5years. Asked me to keep departure card (T.M.6) has to keep securely and escorted me out of the immigration gate.

Next : Take bus to hotel and start work from Thailand.

 

https;!! ltr,boi,go,th home page shows as 'Tax exemption for overseas income' for WFT Professional.

I'm still searching about paying tax and Permanent Establishment confirmation. I hope I don't need to pay inome tax in Thailand or double tax, because there is a DTA already in place with my country. I have to stay more than 183 days in Thailand and see what will happen.

 

If you have questions pls and happy to answer them whenever I can. Let's help each other Farangs.  Cheers and good luck for your application!

Congratulations and wishing you the best.

[Pib]

3 hours ago, digitalnotmad said:

 

Hi all,

 

I got the LTR - Work From Thailand Professional category very recently. This thread helped me in many ways to get an idea about LTR visa and background process. I'd like to show my gratitude by registering as a new member and provide any support for fellow expats aka Farangs.

I'm working for a publicly listed company in US so I only had to get employment verification letter from employer and letter was not addressed to LTR unit or any other gov org in Thailand. It was just a general letter.

 

Let me summarize my experience which might help future applicants.

 

Processing time : 1 month - due to year end holidays, Police report and Insurance waiting time, etc

Applied : Mid Dec 2022

Received BOI approval : Mid Jan 2023

Application summary : * Writing steps taken from the timeline poster attached to this post which is also displayed in https;!! ltr,boi,go,th below the Qualification endorsement section.

 

Step 1 : Fill in the form and submitted online with all scanned documents via portal (visa,boi,go,th replace comma with dot ????  )

Step 4 : Requested police report and insurance which was notified via email + notification bell on the portal page if you login to portal (top left)

Step 5 : Qualifications approved, which was notified via email + notification bell, Requesting to make an appointment (choose from drop down list of )Thai embassy/country or OSS @Bangkok. Chosen Thai embassy of a neighbour country where I was holidaying. You can choose e-visa option if your passport is allowed to apply online (www,thaievisa,go,th)

Step 6 : BOI approval letter which is addressed to the above Thai embassy to issue the LTR visa, Status in the portal changed to 'Complete' and the approval letter can be viewed by pressing 'view' button.

No Steps 7,8,9 as Visa will be issued outside Thailand.

Next : Make an appointment to the Thai embassy asap to apply visa (to secure the earliest date)

Print BOI approval letter

Next : Go to Thai embassy on Appointment date/time with passport + printed BOI approval letter. Take a Visa application form and fill it in, paste passport sized photo on application and hand over to Embassy counter with visa fee in cash (50k Baht or equivalent). Get the visa collection paper which has a collection date is printed.

Next : Visit embassy and collect passport, Check Visa sticker and make sure Visa is LTR Type T with 10yrs later ending date.

Next : Reached immigraiton at land crossing border checkpoint, Filled the arrival card (filled the departure section slip (T.M.6)as well in capital letters), None of the officers knew how to process, escorted to the Supervisor inside a room and he called someone internal and was given some instructions. Officer stamped passport page opposite to Visa sticker with permission to stay with a date of 5years. Asked me to keep departure card (T.M.6) has to keep securely and escorted me out of the immigration gate.

Next : Take bus to hotel and start work from Thailand.

 

https;!! ltr,boi,go,th home page shows as 'Tax exemption for overseas income' for WFT Professional.

I'm still searching about paying tax and Permanent Establishment confirmation. I hope I don't need to pay inome tax in Thailand or double tax, because there is a DTA already in place with my country. I have to stay more than 183 days in Thailand and see what will happen.

 

If you have questions pls and happy to answer them whenever I can. Let's help each other Farangs.  Cheers and good luck for your application!

 

 

Update:   Known LTR Visa Approvals as of 5 Feb 2023 "based only on posts in this thread I saw." Added in bold text "digitalnotmad" who recently received his LTR Work From Thailand visa...he applied mid Dec 2022 and got BoI approval notice mid Jan 2023.  See his post above for details.  Congrats to digitalnotmad!!!

 

Poster & Date Final Approval Notice Rec'd

1.   BKKNono  -  15 Sep 2022

2.  ashkale  - 28 Sep 2022

3.  ThailandRyan  - 28 Sep 2022

4.  pepper402  - 29 Sep 2022

5.  gajah  - 30 Sep 2022

6.  Alotoftravel  - 4 Oct 2022

7.  James7  - 4 Oct 2022

8. & 9.  Misty (and family member)  - 4 Oct 2022

10.  mudcat  - 4 Oct 2022

11. & 12.  stuarty (and wife) - 4 Oct 2022

13.  Boomer6969  - 5 Oct 2022

14.  aublumberg - 12 Oct 2022

15.  JJJJJJJJ  -  8 Nov 2022

16.  F Groenen - 22 Nov 2022

17.  smic - 28 Nov 2022

18.  Paul3456 - 30 Nov 2022

19.  anotherexpat4444 - 7 Dec 2022

20.  User3847385 - 8 Dec 2022

21. & 22.  Zuman - 16 Dec 2022 (and Mrs Zuman on 27 Dec 2022) 

23. lextsy - 21 Dec 2022

24. Pib - 23 Dec 2022

25. Saraburi121 - 23 Dec 2022

26. khunjeff - 26 Dec 2022

27. TaiMaiTai - 4 Jan 2023

28. digitalnotmad - mid Jan 2023

 

[digitalnotmad]

After getting LTR-T visa now I'm gonna find about opening a Thai bank account and buying a motorbike with 10% down payment. Will let you guys know how it goes in next few weeks. Obviously no plan to bring and deposit large sum of money, just for the living only.

[Oorinara]

On 2/1/2023 at 7:28 PM, Pib said:

Several references on BOT LTR visa website...below are two.

 

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

 

 

 

https://ltr.boi.go.th/documents/LTR_Phuket_260865_EN.pdf

I reentered thru BKK airport fast track lane (by using another eligibility) on 3 Feb 2023 and found the fast track signboard now lists LTR as one of eligible users.

[Oorinara]

On 1/21/2023 at 4:57 PM, Oorinara said:

17% Personal Income Tax (PIT) for High Skilled Pro (HSP)

 

Decree 743/2022 says 17% PIT on “assessable” income

https://ltr.boi.go.th/documents/Royal-Decree-743.pdf
 

In turn, generally progressive tax rates applicable to “taxable” income.

”Taxable” income = “Assessable” income - deductions - allowances (such as eligible insurance premium, Retirement Mutual Fund and Provident Fund)

https://www.rd.go.th/english/6045.html

 

Wondering if anyone knows 17% PIT for HSP on “assessable” or “taxable” income. Many thanks! 

I find 17% PIT for HSP is on “assessable (read: gross)” income, with neither deduction nor allowances such as Provident Fund and Retirement Mutual Fund.

 

So it’s not simply comparable with progressive tax rate which is based on “taxable (read: net)” income.

[Misty]

In case it helps others, this is just a quick update on what the correct "Admitted until" date should be for LTR e-visa holders. 

 

Background:  I first entered Thailand using my LTR e-visa last year, and then departed and re-entered a second time over the holidays. I received two different "Admitted until" dates.  My LTR e-visa was granted on 25 Oct 2022, the first admitted until date was 9 Nov 2027 (Suvarnabhumi) and the second admitted until date was 25 Dec 2027 (Don Muang).  My passport expires before either of those dates.

 

The LTR unit has since explained that the correct "Admitted until" dates is the first one (9 Nov 27), or the date that I first entered Thailand using the LTR e-visa.  Apparently it doesn't matter that my passport will expire before then.

 

I brought my passport to the LTR unit to get the incorrect stamp fixed.  They prepared some paperwork for the One Stop Service Immigration office to make the correction.  The new correct date is highlighted in blue in the passport. The LTR unit also gave me copies of the paperwork to show airport IOs in the future.

 

Apparently I'm not alone in having this issue. The LTR unit is working to make sure IOs at airport entries understand what to stamp, and also trying to get other people's stamps corrected as well.

[JJJJJJJJ]

In that case, the 5 years begins the date you first entered Thailand. For example, if your visa is from 1 Oct 2022 to Sep 30 2032. The first day you entered Thailand is 1 August 2023, then your admitted until will be 31 July 2028, is that right?  

[Misty]

3 minutes ago, JJJJJJJJ said:

In that case, the 5 years begins the date you first entered Thailand. For example, if your visa is from 1 Oct 2022 to Sep 30 2032. The first day you entered Thailand is 1 August 2023, then your admitted until will be 31 July 2028, is that right?  

Yes, that's how I understand it.

[ThailandRyan]

48 minutes ago, Misty said:

Yes, that's how I understand it.

That is also why when I left and then returned from the Philippines I was stamped in for the original 5 years  as I had a stamp in my passport for reference unlike the E-Visa you folks have. So yes there was and is some confusion by the I/O's at the airport.  Minor teething problems in my view. 

 

However, my LTR log on page still shows in step 7. I need it to move o to the issued before I can reopen the LTR to add my soon to be wife as a dependant...ugh. looks like I need to call them again since we are staying in Hua Hin until the 26th when we return to the Bangkok condo.

[aublumberg]

On 12/30/2022 at 12:30 PM, Boomer6969 said:

I got one while on marriage extensions, from Bangkok Bank. But the asked me to secure the 200000 THB credit limit with a fixed term deposit account.

Thank you @Boomer6969, have explored this further and it ended up being fairly straightforward with Bangkok Bank (Visa, 500k) and UOB (Mastercard, 900k) apart from the three dozen or so pages with signatures each time.