Thailand Eases Long-Term Visa Conditions to Draw Wealthy Foreigners and Digital Nomads

[webfact]

Reference file photo courtesy: National News Bureau of Thailand

 

In a strategic shift, Thailand has relaxed the conditions for its long-term resident visas (LTR visas), targeting affluent foreigners and digital nomads as part of a drive to boost the nation’s economy. The Cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned these changes, aiming to attract a more diverse group of foreign residents.

 

Streamlining for Foreign Workers

 

The Cabinet decision follows a proposal from the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), which also recommended scrapping overlapping Smart visa categories in favour of the more versatile LTR visas. Tailored to appeal to high-income earners and remote workers, this move represents a significant shift in Thailand’s immigration policy.

 

One of the most significant adjustments involves relaxing income requirements for digital nomads working in Thailand for foreign employers. The annual revenue requirement for employers has been significantly reduced from approximately 5.4 billion Thai Baht (US$150 million) to 1.8 billion Thai Baht (US$50 million) over three years. This change recognises the evolving landscape of remote work and broadens the scope for foreign talent to contribute economically while residing in Thailand.

 

Appealing to Global Citizens

 

For ‘wealthy global citizens’—an enticing category for high-net-worth individuals—the Cabinet has axed the prerequisite annual income of about 2.9 million Thai Baht (US$80,000) over two years before one can apply for an LTR visa.

 

This move acknowledges that some investment-ready candidates were previously disqualified due to income thresholds, despite their financial contributions aligning with Thailand’s economic goals.

Family-Friendly Adjustments

 

Previously, LTR visas imposed a limit on dependents, capped at four, which has now been lifted. By doing so, the Thai government aims to be more inclusive, aligning LTR visa policies with other visa types that have no such restrictions, thereby making Thailand a more family-friendly destination for prospective residents.

 

Refocusing the Visa Structure

 

The Cabinet’s decision also involves phasing out most Smart visa categories, a move designed to eliminate redundancy and promote the LTR visa as the flagship option for affluent migrants and entrepreneurs. The Smart visa for start-up founders, however, will remain intact, reflecting the government’s commitment to nurturing innovation and new business ventures.

 

In summary, these key revisions in Thailand's LTR visa programme are poised to welcome affluent expatriates and skilled remote workers into its fold, further integrating them into the national economy. By enhancing visa flexibility and aligning it with contemporary work trends, Thailand seeks to cement its status as a premier destination for both leisure and business, inviting global citizens to experience life in the Land of Smiles, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-01-14

 

 

[ikke1959]

Thailand must update their old laws so that foreigners can do volunteer jobs too.. and must be tax friendly, scrap the alcohol control laws, lower the alcohol and foreign food import taxes, and be friendly to foreigners.... That will do more good than easier visa conditions...Don't see a foreigner as an ATM, or a criminal, or someone who will destroy the Thai culture...because that is what is being done now..

[mogandave]

21 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand must update their old laws so that foreigners can do volunteer jobs too.. and must be tax friendly, scrap the alcohol control laws, lower the alcohol and foreign food import taxes, and be friendly to foreigners.... That will do more good than easier visa conditions...Don't see a foreigner as an ATM, or a criminal, or someone who will destroy the Thai culture...because that is what is being done now..

So you think Thailand needs more broke alcoholics that don’t want to spend what little money they have locally?

[Delta Shift]

Never gonna work.

No credible commitment to the rule of law, pretty average infrastructure, massive pollution problem...

Rich people tend to be pretty smart.

My money is on them not coming to live in Thailand anytime soon.

LoS can be happy if it gets low/middle income retirees and young digital drifters.

The mongers era is pretty much over imo.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

In a strategic shift, Thailand has relaxed the conditions for its long-term resident visas (LTR visas), targeting affluent foreigners and digital nomads as part of a drive to boost the nation’s economy. The Cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned these changes, aiming to attract a more diverse group of foreign residents.

Targeting affluent foreigners who have no intention of coming here.

[ikke1959]

7 hours ago, mogandave said:

So you think Thailand needs more broke alcoholics that don’t want to spend what little money they have locally?

Small thinking... local alcoholics don't need a visa and those who are living here already and became alcoholics are a minority.. All the rest are normal people

[jaywalker2]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Targeting affluent foreigners who have no intention of coming here.

Targeting Chinese with families who want to get out of China

[hotchilli]

Just now, jaywalker2 said:

Targeting Chinese with families who want to get out of China

You do have a point there...

Maybe their next strategy will be offering cheap housing for Californians.

[koolkarl]

Stop forcing foreigners to file a tax return if a tax resident and pay taxes on their world income.  This is absolutely essential in

attracting wealthy foreigners.  After all, the Thai government gives absolutely nothing for paying taxes, no health care, no residence

status.

[HaoleBoy]

34 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Stop forcing foreigners to file a tax return if a tax resident and pay taxes on their world income.  This is absolutely essential in

attracting wealthy foreigners.  After all, the Thai government gives absolutely nothing for paying taxes, no health care, no residence

status.

One of the provisions in the "wealthy foreigners" LTR is:

-  Exemption from foreign income tax

As well as 

-  90 days report not required

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/32668/cabinet-approves-long-term-10-year-visa-to-attract-foreigners/?fbclid=IwAR2CSb5wZEKnosRDQjXRhpfWrMsohWDjF_GI63zND-VJVa7j-rEOW5Gb2Us

[Scottie12]

The PM,(no,not Thaksin) was in Phuket last week saying they would make Phuket a destination for wealthy foreigners but that ship has sailed. Construction,traffic,pollution,Russians,high prices,Phuket has shot itself in the foot and there's no going back.

[Hakuna Matata]

Stricter visa rules are required, especially for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and some other countries.

 

 

[mark5335]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

relaxed the conditions for its long-term resident visas (LTR visas),

but still no news regarding the streamlining of Non-O's mentioned last year by ex-PM Srettha

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Stricter visa rules are required, especially for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and some other countries.

 

 

Don't be shy ... let your bigotry shine brightly 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, HaoleBoy said:

One of the provisions in the "wealthy foreigners" LTR is:

-  Exemption from foreign income tax

As well as 

-  90 days report not required

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/32668/cabinet-approves-long-term-10-year-visa-to-attract-foreigners/?fbclid=IwAR2CSb5wZEKnosRDQjXRhpfWrMsohWDjF_GI63zND-VJVa7j-rEOW5Gb2Us

 

Yes, don't forget the income tax reduction to a flat 17% on Thai earnings, that's what persuaded me. 

 

The 90 days report changed to 365 days is another great benefit.

 

As is the use of priority lanes at the airport. 

[Celsius]

I had a friend from my high school days visit me in Bangkok. She flew from Korea after spending some time there. She was complaining about the prices here and how just about everything is more expensive than Korea. She also wasn't impressed with hygiene here, however, she also noted the huge amount of foreigners here compared to Korea.

 

I dunno. I like the mess and Chaos, but forget about the wealthy foreigner. They would be here by now. Thailand gets the refugees.

[Justanotherone]

so rich chinese, russian maffia bringing their illegal gains to spend here

 

20 years here and still not a resident, like most other expats/retirees

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

11 hours ago, Delta Shift said:

LoS can be happy if it gets low/middle income retirees and young digital drifters.

The gov't changes the visa rules so often I can't keep up. Why bother?

 

Other countries in the region like Kampuchea and Vietnam do less flip flop on these matters.

 

Young digital grifters get more bang for their buck in places like Nha Trang in Vietnam anyhow.

[Delta Shift]

11 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

The gov't changes the visa rules so often I can't keep up. Why bother?

 

Other countries in the region like Kampuchea and Vietnam do less flip flop on these matters.

 

Young digital grifters get more bang for their buck in places like Nha Trang in Vietnam anyhow.

 

Absolutely.

Danang is even better than Nha Trang imo.

[spidermike007]

An incredibly simplistic approach to a very complex problem there is a reason why wealthy tourists are avoiding Thailand, and have been for some years now, there are a few here but very few. 

 

Lower luxury taxes to 20%. This would help Thailand to attract some wealthy tourists again. Most wealthy people love to spend real money while on vacation. Contrary to what you think, wealthy foreigners are NOT dumb. They do not enjoy paying for stunningly over priced items, and will wait for their next trip to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Nassau, or Dubai to buy a handbag at what it should cost, rather than what you think foolish people will pay.

 

1. Improve traffic safety.

2. Improve immigration service.

3. Get rid of the toxic army.

4. Address corruption.

5. Pay attention to air quality.

6. Stop treating tourists like dogs. This applies to the govt., not the people.

 

That is just a start. I could go on for days. Do not expect the wealthy tourists to return. They come here once, if they come at all. And they do not return for a dozen good reasons like the lack of top quality service, expertise, shopping, English skills, sommelier service, fairly priced world class wine, high standard F & B, and the list goes on.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

19 minutes ago, Delta Shift said:

Danang is even better than Nha Trang imo.

May be . . . . . but don't advertise it too much!!   😅

[Hanuman2547]

I would have to say that Thailand is just not as attractive as it used to be.  This is keeping many people away and choosing other places to live, work, retire, and vacation at.  

[bkk_mike]

2 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Stricter visa rules are required, especially for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and some other countries.

 

 

Given those countries allow Thais to travel visa-free, not going to happen.

If anything it might be the countries where Thais need to get a visa to visit that might get more restrictive...

[Delta Shift]

27 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

May be . . . . . but don't advertise it too much!!   😅

 

Too late for that I'm afraid :D

Danang is already super popular among smart westerners.

I go there every 2-3 months and it's getting busier and busier.

But fear not. There is still massive room for growth and I don't think prices are gonna up substantially anytime soon.

 

I already have my eyes set on Myanmar.

When the war is over (could be soon from what I've read) and before things get back to normal it's gonna one hell of a destination !

That country seems to be pretty clean compared to dirty Thailand and Vietnam.

Anyways... I'm rambling...

 

[Baht Simpson]

14 minutes ago, Delta Shift said:

 

Too late for that I'm afraid 😄

Danang is already super popular among smart westerners.

I go there every 2-3 months and it's getting busier and busier.

But fear not. There is still massive room for growth and I don't think prices are gonna up substantially anytime soon.

 

I already have my eyes set on Myanmar.

When the war is over (could be soon from what I've read) and before things get back to normal it's gonna one hell of a destination !

That country seems to be pretty clean compared to dirty Thailand and Vietnam.

Anyways... I'm rambling...

 

Myanmar is beautiful and would make a wonderful place to live but there are massive challenges for the next 20 years at least. Any foreigner living there would be a perpetual target at the moment. 

[2long]

Do any of you guys have first-hand experience with the digital nomad thing?

I thought it was show 500k and some evidence of your job for 5 years of up to 180 day stays,

 

This 5.4/1.8 BILLION Baht over three years for the employer sentence in the OP confuses and worries me.

[Will B Good]

 

 

I can’t help but imagine the intense excitement these changes must be causing the incredibly wealthy.

[TimBKK]

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

May be . . . . . but don't advertise it too much!!   😅

what makes Danang so great?

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, koolkarl said:

Stop forcing foreigners to file a tax return if a tax resident and pay taxes on their world income.  This is absolutely essential in

attracting wealthy foreigners.  After all, the Thai government gives absolutely nothing for paying taxes, no health care, no residence

status.

 

That legislation hasn't even been written yet. 

Tax residents only pay tax on assessable income remitted.

 

Would you prefer the US system, paying tax on all worldwide income remitted or not, and annual reporting of all financial accounts worldwide?

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Stricter visa rules are required, especially for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and some other countries.

 

Don't fight it.  If we're lucky, Thailand will implement some of China's visa rules, like......

 

~No 90 day reporting.

 

~Rules followed consistently at all offices.

 

~No re-entry permits needed, unlimited in/out.

 

~No address re-registration when returning from abroad to same residence.

 

~Worldwide taxation effective after 6 years uninterrupted tax resident, but clock resets anytime outside China for 30+ days.

 

~No corruption in the immigration.....oh, we better skip that one!!!!