LTR Approved-Canceling current VISA extension

[scoutman360]

I have been pre-approved for the LTR Visa but was surprised to read the next step is to get my current VISA canceled and then get a permission to stay until the LTR VISA is issued. How do I do this?

 

There is no appointment category in the Thailand Immigration system for canceling VISAs.

Since my non-O extension was issued at CW, do I go there? What section? L or C?

Will the same officer who cancels my VISA be the one to give me permission to stay until my new VISA is issued? Or, must I book 2 appointments?

Is there a form for this?

[SHA 2 BKK]

You get it cancelled on the same day you get your LTR Visa.  I take it you are in Thailand.   It’s all done at the One Stop Shop which I think has now moved to One Bangkok.  
 

First go to the BOI LTR office with all your paperwork.  You will have the approval and I think some other letter.   The BOI staff will guide your through.   Immigration at the One Stop Shop will cancel your old visa and insert your LTR. 
 

No more 90 Day reports and of course no taxation on funds remitted AFTER you get the VISA.   Well done. 

[BrandonJT]

Congrats! It's a great visa to have.  Make sure at the airport (both departure and arrival) if you want to use fast track, have your passport open to your LTR visa, and tell them "BOI" because if you just say LTR they will be very confused.  I've even been rejected before but just forced the point and they waved a supervisor over who let me in.

If you ever plan to use any land borders, expect a longer than usual wait while they try to figure out what your visa is.

Per the BOI stats just today, there are still less than 6000 total LTRs issued.

[oldcpu]

30 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Congrats! It's a great visa to have.  Make sure at the airport (both departure and arrival) if you want to use fast track, have your passport open to your LTR visa, and tell them "BOI" because if you just say LTR they will be very confused.  I've even been rejected before but just forced the point and they waved a supervisor over who let me in.

If you ever plan to use any land borders, expect a longer than usual wait while they try to figure out what your visa is.

Per the BOI stats just today, there are still less than 6000 total LTRs issued.

 

For the OP - congrats.

 

Re airport fast track, a week ago I returned to Phuket Thailand from a visit to Australia. 

 

It used to be there was no 'fast track' line in Phuket International airport terminal at immigration, and at that time I would simply go to the Thai citizen line (which would have the shortest line). That worked ok.

 

But on this last visit they had a big sign at the entrance to the Thai citizen line noting it was the Thai line, and the sign noted it was also the fast track line, and they even in smaller print an entry noting it was also the line for LTR visa holders. 

 

- - -

 

Re: the OP's question, it has been answered.  The staff at the BoI office will politely guide one through the process for their Type-O visa to be cancelled 'on the spot' practically, and also guide one through the remainder of the process.  I was favourably impressed by how this was handled by BoI.

[ELBE1]

18 hours ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

You get it cancelled on the same day you get your LTR Visa.  I take it you are in Thailand.   It’s all done at the One Stop Shop which I think has now moved to One Bangkok.  
 

First go to the BOI LTR office with all your paperwork.  You will have the approval and I think some other letter.   The BOI staff will guide your through.   Immigration at the One Stop Shop will cancel your old visa and insert your LTR. 
 

No more 90 Day reports and of course no taxation on funds remitted AFTER you get the VISA.   Well done. 

Yes , cancellation of old visa and new LTR visa stamps should be done on the spot when picking up your new visa. In case of any doubts pls check with the very friendly and supportive LTR BOI visa hotline by phone or by email.

[Srikcir]

BOI office (same floor as Immigration) - Chumchuri square18th Floor 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Conveniently located near Samyan MRT station

LTR Visa has a dedicated window in Immigration.

Phone: 02 209 1100

[Presnock]

19 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

I have been pre-approved for the LTR Visa but was surprised to read the next step is to get my current VISA canceled and then get a permission to stay until the LTR VISA is issued. How do I do this?

 

There is no appointment category in the Thailand Immigration system for canceling VISAs.

Since my non-O extension was issued at CW, do I go there? What section? L or C?

Will the same officer who cancels my VISA be the one to give me permission to stay until my new VISA is issued? Or, must I book 2 appointments?

Is there a form for this?

Wou should contact the BOI prior to the date to get your LTR and ask them if they can arrange for your current visa to be cancelled at the same time.   I was on a retirement O and they set that up for me when I got my LTR and immigration at BOI cancelled my Retirement O visa.  Had no problems...just did my 1st year notice of address at BOI and spent less than 10 minutes total thee as it was a breeze too.  Congrats on the LTR, in my mind/case, the perfect fit!  My retirement visa was done in Chiang Mai but the Immigration at BOI cancelled it.

[Presnock]

6 minutes ago, Presnock said:

You should contact the BOI prior to the date to get your LTR and ask them if they can arrange for your current visa to be cancelled at the same time.   I was on a retirement O and they set that up for me when I got my LTR and immigration at BOI cancelled my Retirement O visa.  Had no problems...just did my 1st year notice of address at BOI and spent less than 10 minutes total thee as it was a breeze too.  Congrats on the LTR, in my mind/case, the perfect fit!  My retirement visa was done in Chiang Mai but the Immigration at BOI cancelled it.

BOI and immigration have moved to a new location - now at 6th and 7th floors, One Bangkok (MRT Lumphini)  PARADE Zone, Rama 4 Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.  I believe the phone nrs are still the same and on their correspondence with you they most likely have this new address versus the old address in ChumChuri Bldg.,  Good luck

[placnx]

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

[scoutman360]

6 hours ago, Presnock said:

Wou should contact the BOI prior to the date to get your LTR and ask them if they can arrange for your current visa to be cancelled at the same time.   I was on a retirement O and they set that up for me when I got my LTR and immigration at BOI cancelled my Retirement O visa.  Had no problems...just did my 1st year notice of address at BOI and spent less than 10 minutes total thee as it was a breeze too.  Congrats on the LTR, in my mind/case, the perfect fit!  My retirement visa was done in Chiang Mai but the Immigration at BOI cancelled it.

I sent them this question today, and they replied within the hour. They said my Non-O will automatically be canceled when the new visa is issued (whatever that means). I will ping them again after I get the appointment date. I am going to love this visa. No more stress at CW every year from section L. 

[BrandonJT]

9 hours ago, Srikcir said:

BOI office (same floor as Immigration) - Chumchuri square18th Floor 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Conveniently located near Samyan MRT station

LTR Visa has a dedicated window in Immigration.

Phone: 02 209 1100

This is incorrect, both offices have now moved to One Bangkok.

[BrandonJT]

4 hours ago, placnx said:

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

The only office to pickup the LTR visa if you want to get it in Thailand is in Bangkok.

[Tomio]

I received my LTE almost a year ago but I received mine through the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. I've entered Thailand twice using my LTE and both times immigration seemed confused. The second time I showed them my approval letter from the Consulate and it reduced the confusion a bit but I still foresee confusion in the future

 

[scoutman360]

10 minutes ago, Tomio said:

I received my LTE almost a year ago but I received mine through the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. I've entered Thailand twice using my LTE and both times immigration seemed confused. The second time I showed them my approval letter from the Consulate and it reduced the confusion a bit but I still foresee confusion in the future

 

Thanks! It seems the LTR is a great thing to have, but one must expect complications from Immigration officials that don't understand it. 

[Presnock]

11 hours ago, placnx said:

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

 

7 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The only office to pickup the LTR visa if you want to get it in Thailand is in Bangkok.

 

11 hours ago, placnx said:

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

you can contact the BOI by email or phone (just google BOI LTR and you can get the contacts) can do all on line once, register, then when all approved, you will have to come to BKK to the BOI tp pay for an receive LTR and they will arrange for cancellation of whatever visa you were on.  Is easy to do and the BOI crew are very helpful and speak English well.

[Presnock]

6 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

Thanks! It seems the LTR is a great thing to have, but one must expect complications from Immigration officials that don't understand it. 

The LTE and LTR are not the same.  I have not heard of any real problems with the LTR which for someone with the same simple finances I have, a super easy visa to arrange for and provide documentation without having to go out of my house - all on computer until time to get LTR visa - then yearly addfress check too simple less than 10 minutes.  LTR is cheaper too and different benefits especially no taxation on foreign income.

[Presnock]

6 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

Thanks! It seems the LTR is a great thing to have, but one must expect complications from Immigration officials that don't understand it. 

Don't really see any problem with immigration as the visa is really straight forward.  

[Presnock]

11 hours ago, placnx said:

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

LTR is done online - only pick up at BOI in BKK where you must pay for it!

[Presnock]

17 hours ago, ELBE1 said:

Yes , cancellation of old visa and new LTR visa stamps should be done on the spot when picking up your new visa. In case of any doubts pls check with the very friendly and supportive LTR BOI visa hotline by phone or by email.

do not have to go to BOI in BKK, all can be done online from whereever, only need to go to BOI when receiving the visa.   Any problems, can phone or email BOI crew which is extremely efficient and friendly and the speak ENGLISH well.  

 

On 4/17/2025 at 7:39 PM, SHA 2 BKK said:

You get it cancelled on the same day you get your LTR Visa.  I take it you are in Thailand.   It’s all done at the One Stop Shop which I think has now moved to One Bangkok.  
 

First go to the BOI LTR office with all your paperwork.  You will have the approval and I think some other letter.   The BOI staff will guide your through.   Immigration at the One Stop Shop will cancel your old visa and insert your LTR. 
 

No more 90 Day reports and of course no taxation on funds remitted AFTER you get the VISA.   Well done. 

 

[placnx]

Next question: There is a health insurance requirement, or alternatively a USD 100,000 sort of guarantee. Since I'm 79 years old, is this insurance obtainable? In the alternative, if anyone has done this, please explain the procedure of transfer (to BOI?) and are there certain specified investments such a Thai government bonds?

[scoutman360]

6 hours ago, placnx said:

Next question: There is a health insurance requirement, or alternatively a USD 100,000 sort of guarantee. Since I'm 79 years old, is this insurance obtainable? In the alternative, if anyone has done this, please explain the procedure of transfer (to BOI?) and are there certain specified investments such a Thai government bonds?

Yes. But at your age you may find it difficult to get insurance. However, there is a USD 100,000 option seasoned for at least 1 year. You will find everything here:

https://ltr.boi.go.th/

If you have any questions, send them an email. They are surprisingly alert and quick to reply.

 

For the "Wealthy Pensioner" option, see below taken from the website link above:

 

 A. Health insurance policy (travel insurance NOT accepted) covering the entire course of stay in Thailand and providing at least 50,000 USD for hospitalization and medical treatment in Thailand with no less than 10 months of remaining coverage

OR

B. Evidence showing valid social security benefits insuring hospitalization and medical treatment in Thailand

OR

C. Financial evidence or bank statement (Investment portfolio NOT accepted) showing a deposit of no less than 100,000 USD which has been held and maintained for no less than 12 months at the time of application Note: Documents must be in Thai or English only, translated documents must be notarized Item A. can optionally be submitted later, in which case the applicant must submit a signed Document Request Acknowledgement Form in place of the actual document If chosen to do so, insurance documents will later be requested by the relevant government authority once the application status has been updated to: Consideration By Government Agencies

[BrandonJT]

15 hours ago, Presnock said:

Don't really see any problem with immigration as the visa is really straight forward.  

Out of about 10 entries since I've had my LTR, I'd say only 2 of them were "normal."  Every other time they've spent an incredibly long time inspecting my visa, my passport, and their computer, or had to call a supervisor over.  In one case the supervisor had to call their supervisor over, who seemed annoyed by them and told them to let me in. There are less than 6000 LTR visas issued.  Most immigration officers have never seen one.

 

I had to wait over an hour at a DLT office once while they tried to decide if my visa qualified me for a 2 year or 5 year license renewal.  I would definitely expect complications.  But it's not anything bad, and having the LTR makes it all worth it.

[Presnock]

5 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Out of about 10 entries since I've had my LTR, I'd say only 2 of them were "normal."  Every other time they've spent an incredibly long time inspecting my visa, my passport, and their computer, or had to call a supervisor over.  In one case the supervisor had to call their supervisor over, who seemed annoyed by them and told them to let me in. There are less than 6000 LTR visas issued.  Most immigration officers have never seen one.

 

I had to wait over an hour at a DLT office once while they tried to decide if my visa qualified me for a 2 year or 5 year license renewal.  I would definitely expect complications.  But it's not anything bad, and having the LTR makes it all worth it.

yes, I agree with you, especially on your final comment - the benefits definitely make the LTR worth the cost.  The immigration hassles will probably lessen too as more folks continue to get the LTR and then exit/return from outside Thailand.  Thanks for your experiences to at least help us prepare if we travel.

[oldcpu]

On 4/19/2025 at 3:55 PM, placnx said:

Next question: There is a health insurance requirement, or alternatively a USD 100,000 sort of guarantee. Since I'm 79 years old, is this insurance obtainable? In the alternative, if anyone has done this, please explain the procedure of transfer (to BOI?) and are there certain specified investments such a Thai government bonds?

 

For the $100k in health insurance, I used the equivalent $100k US$ (but in Euros) that i have in cash in a Thai foreign exchange account (euros).

 

I previously tried two different Canadian accounts (which had the equivalent $100k US cash) but the accounts allowed stock trading so those were rejected by BoI.  The $100K US$ equivalent needs to be cash in an account anywhere in the world where one can not trade stocks.  I do NOT believe one can use Thai government bonds for health insurance, but you can check with BoI.

 

Since I went for the $40K / year income LTR-WP visa approach (which requires $250K US$ equivalent investment in Thailand) I ended up buying 2-million THB in Thai bonds to make up part of that $250k US$ equivalent.

 

[oldcpu]

21 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Out of about 10 entries since I've had my LTR, I'd say only 2 of them were "normal."

 

 

Its getting better IMHO.  My first two entries to Phuket international on the LTR-WP stirred up some interest, as the IO at the airport called over other IOs to look at my passport.  This was the 'Thai citizen line' (Phuket at that time had no dedicated fast track line) so I went through the Thai line as it was MUCH shorter than the foreigner line.  My Thai wife noted she overheard the IO talking in Thai - most had never seen an LTR visa before.

 

My last entry to Phuket (less than a month ago) and there was a huge sign at the Thai citizen line, noting it was also a Fast Track/Priority line and in the smaller print it had an entry notating it was also for LTR visa holders (in addition to being for Thai citizens).  I mostly breezed through the line this time, with the IO having no issue with my LTR visa , and nor did the IO call over other IOs to look at the Visa.

 

I note the foreigner lines were all painfully long on all occasions. 

 

The LTR visa is getting better known now.

[Presnock]

On 4/18/2025 at 7:40 PM, placnx said:

Is there an office to do LTR in Chiang Mai? 

do it on line from where ever.  You register with the BOI for an LTR and they open an accout.  They inform you what documentation to upload when you open your account.  If they need extra documents they advise you.  They speak English well and are very helpful.  If you have any questions about the documentation, ask and if I can help you which the BOI is looking for, then I will advise you on whether or not to chat with the BOI folks.  If you are not American, then I might not be able to help you.  Good luck anyway, as this is a beneficial visa, easy to do from your home computer and not necessary to get any banking info.

[eastbaybob]

I have my appointment to pick my visa up I just want to confirm the documents that I need to bring.  I know I need the STM 8, the TM 94, the approval notice, the appointment letter and receipt, passport copy. Then the BOI asked me to bring all my marriage papers. Is there anything else I need?

[kimothai]

I just came through immigration this afternoon (21 Apr) with LTR about 2 years old for the second time.  It was very fast, like it was no big deal.  The only slowdown was the line when a Chinese guy decided to take a picture of the immigration boot that had a sign "no photography".  He was quickly grabbed by an IO and forced to delete off phone.  I also noticed that the entry sign to "fast track" also contained the LTR nomenclature which I hadn't noticed before but that was almost a year ago.

[scoutman360]

4 hours ago, eastbaybob said:

I have my appointment to pick my visa up I just want to confirm the documents that I need to bring.  I know I need the STM 8, the TM 94, the approval notice, the appointment letter and receipt, passport copy. Then the BOI asked me to bring all my marriage papers. Is there anything else I need?

There is a long procedure list on the BOI website which details everything. I missed a few things written there and send them an email with questions (using the Contact form on the home page). They were quick to reply.