Does anyone here have the LTR Visa - I am thinking of changing over from the annual extensions and 90 day reporting circus.

 

How long did it take for approval and what tips and advice is anyone able to provide.

 

Related question - what company or broker do you have medial insurance with (if any).

 

Might help if you indicated which LTR visa you were talking about.  The requirements are quite different for the varying types. Someone who has one that you are not applying for would not have much advice for you regarding the application process.

 

There's also a 150 page, 3-year old thread with a lot of information that you can look at, or ask a question in rather than starting a new post.

 

 

4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

- I am thinking of changing over from the annual extensions and 90 day reporting circus

There is a wealth of information on the net. 

Includes sites and even videos. 

Google "LTR Thailand" and do some research. 

Here is just one result as an example. 

 

LTR Visa Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa Thailand https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-long-term-resident-ltr-visa#

 

If you feel that you can meet the criteria then form list of specific questions..

Your OP really just seems a tyre kicking exercise. 

 

Here is example of the many threads on AseanNow.. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1345219-ltr-visa-stoked/

 

Be aware the financial requirements cannot be fudged. 

7 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Does anyone here have the LTR Visa - I am thinking of changing over from the annual extensions and 90 day reporting circus.

 

How long did it take for approval and what tips and advice is anyone able to provide.

 

Related question - what company or broker do you have medial insurance with (if any).

 

 

 

Reference tips ..

 

Timing to apply for the LTR for Income Proof: Depending on your LTR visa type, you may need to prove a certain level of annual income, and to do that, the Thai BoI (who provide the financial approval part for the LTR ) may ask for tax returns from the source country of your income, to prove an an annual income.  In the case of the LTR-WP visa, you may be able to get around that with appropriate paper work showing a pension, but that may take a few iterations to get BoI to approve.  If you go the route proving income via foreign income tax assessments, then timing could come into play.

 

In Jan-2023 i applied for an LTR-WP visa, and I provided year 2020 and 2021 tax returns.  That was not good enough for BoI. They wanted my 2022 returns, where I could not realistically obtain that until the ~March-2023 or April-2023 time frame. That added extra time for me to get the LTR-WP.

 

In hindsight, if i wanted a quicker approval, I should have applied for the LTR-WP in May-2023, after having received an April-2023 tax assessment (for a year 2022 return) from the source country of my income.

 

Health Insurance:  Also for health insurance, i went the $100k US$ equivalent cash in a bank account to self insure (as I did not believe BoI would accept my Cigna International/Global health insurance).  As it turned out, BoI would NOT accept $100k cash in any sort of account where one could trade equities. It had to be in a proper bank account in cash. I went through a few needless iterations with BoI until i no longer stubbornly refused but reluctantly accepted i had to show the cash in an actual bank account.

 

As it turns out thou, my approach was not the best reference self health insurance.   i subsequently learned from a forum member, who was kind enough to share, that i could have instead obtained a custom letter from Cigna International for health insurance, that would have the detail in the letter to show Cigna insurance met the requirements to BoI's satisfaction.  So in 2028 when i re-prove my finances, I plan to switch to using my Cigna health insurance with such a 'custom' letter that meets the Boi requirements.

 

Phone - don't email IMHO:  Also, i found if one has questions, simply pick up the phone and call BoI. They have staff who speak English. I found the email query route rarely worked.

 

Plan on the worst for timing to get the LTR:  I recommend you plan for the worst length of time needed to get the LTR. I took a conservative approach. I renewed my Type-O non-immigrant visa permission to stay in Dec-2022, and in January-2023 I applied for the LTR-WP visa.  I did not actually get my LTR visa until June-2023 !  ... That was MUCH longer than most, but given my permission to stay in Thailand was good until Dec-2023, I felt no time pressure.  Something for you to keep in mind. 

A flop and a tricky scheme. Flop due to the absurd bureaucratic handling. Even when you submit them all proof of funds, medical coverage etc. some illiminated mind will respond with another absurd request made up on the day. They have definately not met with the expected numbers of qualified people, submitting for this Visa. 

 

Tricky because even once obtained, it seems that one needs to requalify and go through part of the absurd submissions each year,  by what was understood. Things may have changed  so this rule could have changed. But at this stage it's definately not a hassle free visa for 5 years.

 

Besides who wants to even say in Thailand full time just to get cramped with some new absurd tax rule to racket foreigners on their pensions or earnings earned abrod. 

2 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Tricky because even once obtained, it seems that one needs to requalify and go through part of the absurd submissions each year,  by what was understood. Things may have changed  so this rule could have changed. But at this stage it's definately not a hassle free visa for 5 years.

Now you're just making things up.  No one has to do anything every year except for the 1-year report (replacing the 90 day report).

15 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Might help if you indicated which LTR visa you were talking about.  The requirements are quite different for the varying types. Someone who has one that you are not applying for would not have much advice for you regarding the application process.

 

There's also a 150 page, 3-year old thread with a lot of information that you can look at, or ask a question in rather than starting a new post.

 

 

Good point - my bad.

Wealthy Pensioner - I have been doing to research for a while now.

 

I am after tips and advice from anyone that has been through the process, because the online information is very 'generic' and seems very open to interpretation by BOI. 

Example - there is not much mention of the option to have money 'globally' instead of in Thai banks, instead of the rip off health insurance - but I have it in writing from BOI. 

Many other such conflicting and confusing rules and regulations - as is the Thai way.  

 

 

 

12 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

 

Reference tips ..

 

Timing to apply for the LTR for Income Proof: Depending on your LTR visa type, you may need to prove a certain level of annual income, and to do that, the Thai BoI (who provide the financial approval part for the LTR ) may ask for tax returns from the source country of your income, to prove an an annual income.  In the case of the LTR-WP visa, you may be able to get around that with appropriate paper work showing a pension, but that may take a few iterations to get BoI to approve.  If you go the route proving income via foreign income tax assessments, then timing could come into play.

 

In Jan-2023 i applied for an LTR-WP visa, and I provided year 2020 and 2021 tax returns.  That was not good enough for BoI. They wanted my 2022 returns, where I could not realistically obtain that until the ~March-2023 or April-2023 time frame. That added extra time for me to get the LTR-WP.

 

In hindsight, if i wanted a quicker approval, I should have applied for the LTR-WP in May-2023, after having received an April-2023 tax assessment (for a year 2022 return) from the source country of my income.

 

Health Insurance:  Also for health insurance, i went the $100k US$ equivalent cash in a bank account to self insure (as I did not believe BoI would accept my Cigna International/Global health insurance).  As it turned out, BoI would NOT accept $100k cash in any sort of account where one could trade equities. It had to be in a proper bank account in cash. I went through a few needless iterations with BoI until i no longer stubbornly refused but reluctantly accepted i had to show the cash in an actual bank account.

 

As it turns out thou, my approach was not the best reference self health insurance.   i subsequently learned from a forum member, who was kind enough to share, that i could have instead obtained a custom letter from Cigna International for health insurance, that would have the detail in the letter to show Cigna insurance met the requirements to BoI's satisfaction.  So in 2028 when i re-prove my finances, I plan to switch to using my Cigna health insurance with such a 'custom' letter that meets the Boi requirements.

 

Phone - don't email IMHO:  Also, i found if one has questions, simply pick up the phone and call BoI. They have staff who speak English. I found the email query route rarely worked.

 

Plan on the worst for timing to get the LTR:  I recommend you plan for the worst length of time needed to get the LTR. I took a conservative approach. I renewed my Type-O non-immigrant visa permission to stay in Dec-2022, and in January-2023 I applied for the LTR-WP visa.  I did not actually get my LTR visa until June-2023 !  ... That was MUCH longer than most, but given my permission to stay in Thailand was good until Dec-2023, I felt no time pressure.  Something for you to keep in mind. 

Thank you very much - that is greatly appreciated and exactly what I wanted to know.  3 years is a long time in politics and Thailand so am looking for more up to date information.

 

Like you - I have found they do not like emails at all (common in Thais) so I got around that by just sending another contact message asking question/s - they always answer within a day or so.

 

The health insurance is a serious no-no for me. I refuse to pay 120K+ PA for a policy that meets LTR requirements (Pacific Cross) and all the others are about the same, unless I cut it down to basically nothing and then it is still 50K a year - complete scam.  I self-insure and have over 1 million baht in bank accounts in Thailand, but they want 3 million and they want it to have been in there for 2 years.  BOI stated I can get around that by having 100K US in bank accounts both in Thailand or globally. The problem with that is that for me that is a large amount of money getting no interest and what little interest is paid is taxed in Australia - unlike in my Superannuation Accounts. 

 

I recently sent a question online pointing out that the money I would pay in insurance over 10 years for LTR, is about the same as buying a Thai Elite Visa - and they do not demand I have health insurance.  I also pointed out that IF I am a wealthy pensioner as per their income and financial rules, then surely I have enough money to pay any medical bills - as I have been doing for over 10 years already.  No answers so far (none expected).

 

I figured the income tax year alignment would be an issue - but that is able to be 'got around' as you say.  Could I ask about non-taxable income - will they accept other forms of income as per their rules and do you know what they will and will not accept.  I have heard they are getting almost zero new business, so they are being very 'relaxed' - but that does not mean Immigration will approve anything not exactly correct. 

 

Could I ask - when you get the annual extension, do you go to their Bangkok Office or do you get it done in the local Province Office. Could you advise what is required - is it quick and easy or do you have to provide the same/more proof of income and insurance documents again? 

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

There is a wealth of information on the net. 

Includes sites and even videos. 

Google "LTR Thailand" and do some research. 

Here is just one result as an example. 

 

LTR Visa Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa Thailand https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-long-term-resident-ltr-visa#

 

If you feel that you can meet the criteria then form list of specific questions..

Your OP really just seems a tyre kicking exercise. 

 

Here is example of the many threads on AseanNow.. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1345219-ltr-visa-stoked/

 

Be aware the financial requirements cannot be fudged. 

Thanks Jack - I should have said - I am after wealthy pensioner and have been researching for a while now. Been anoying them by asking questions most of this year 🙂

 

11 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

A flop and a tricky scheme. Flop due to the absurd bureaucratic handling. Even when you submit them all proof of funds, medical coverage etc. some illiminated mind will respond with another absurd request made up on the day. They have definately not met with the expected numbers of qualified people, submitting for this Visa. 

 

Tricky because even once obtained, it seems that one needs to requalify and go through part of the absurd submissions each year,  by what was understood. Things may have changed  so this rule could have changed. But at this stage it's definately not a hassle free visa for 5 years.

 

Besides who wants to even say in Thailand full time just to get cramped with some new absurd tax rule to racket foreigners on their pensions or earnings earned abrod. 

I am hoping they are being more reasonable these days - rumours say so.

 

Good point about the income tax situation - that and health insurance is why I have been hesitating lodging the application. I figure when they release their new 'global taxation' system, having pulled their heads in about that idiotic move they made in late 2023, then we will know if things are bad or are OK.  They will without a doubt screw it up - they cannot even build bridges, tunnels or roads in this country without screwing up, so the chances of a creating a new global taxation system that is good are minimal. Especially given they will refuse to obtain input and advice from any non-Thai global taxation experts - but they will pay millions to a few 'uncles' to provide consultation and implementation reports.    

12 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

 

Reference tips ..

 

Timing to apply for the LTR for Income Proof: Depending on your LTR visa type, you may need to prove a certain level of annual income, and to do that, the Thai BoI (who provide the financial approval part for the LTR ) may ask for tax returns from the source country of your income, to prove an an annual income.  In the case of the LTR-WP visa, you may be able to get around that with appropriate paper work showing a pension, but that may take a few iterations to get BoI to approve.  If you go the route proving income via foreign income tax assessments, then timing could come into play.

 

In Jan-2023 i applied for an LTR-WP visa, and I provided year 2020 and 2021 tax returns.  That was not good enough for BoI. They wanted my 2022 returns, where I could not realistically obtain that until the ~March-2023 or April-2023 time frame. That added extra time for me to get the LTR-WP.

 

In hindsight, if i wanted a quicker approval, I should have applied for the LTR-WP in May-2023, after having received an April-2023 tax assessment (for a year 2022 return) from the source country of my income.

 

Health Insurance:  Also for health insurance, i went the $100k US$ equivalent cash in a bank account to self insure (as I did not believe BoI would accept my Cigna International/Global health insurance).  As it turned out, BoI would NOT accept $100k cash in any sort of account where one could trade equities. It had to be in a proper bank account in cash. I went through a few needless iterations with BoI until i no longer stubbornly refused but reluctantly accepted i had to show the cash in an actual bank account.

 

As it turns out thou, my approach was not the best reference self health insurance.   i subsequently learned from a forum member, who was kind enough to share, that i could have instead obtained a custom letter from Cigna International for health insurance, that would have the detail in the letter to show Cigna insurance met the requirements to BoI's satisfaction.  So in 2028 when i re-prove my finances, I plan to switch to using my Cigna health insurance with such a 'custom' letter that meets the Boi requirements.

 

Phone - don't email IMHO:  Also, i found if one has questions, simply pick up the phone and call BoI. They have staff who speak English. I found the email query route rarely worked.

 

Plan on the worst for timing to get the LTR:  I recommend you plan for the worst length of time needed to get the LTR. I took a conservative approach. I renewed my Type-O non-immigrant visa permission to stay in Dec-2022, and in January-2023 I applied for the LTR-WP visa.  I did not actually get my LTR visa until June-2023 !  ... That was MUCH longer than most, but given my permission to stay in Thailand was good until Dec-2023, I felt no time pressure.  Something for you to keep in mind. 

PS - I note your avatar is an Intel C4004 CPU - the first Intel chipset and the start of the modern CPUs.  Were you in IT back in the 70s?  I started in 1974 when I did a few courses on Fortran and DOS - started worked with large Telco and ended up moving to IT&T Sales in early 80s - retired in 2013.      

DUPLICATED POST 

26 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I am after wealthy pensioner and have been researching for a while now.

Yep... I looked into it. Short of the 80usd per annum income. 

Anyway ignore one post earlier bagging the LTR. 

For those that have obtained one the universal reports are basically best thing they ever did. 

One report of guy using good company in Bangkok to assist. 

This the company charged something like 50k.

Most others, canned that using an agent was good option and that the process was not difficult. 

For others don't misinterpret the word "agent" 

The agent/company cannot get around the 80usd.

 

Good luck . 

 

BTW. Just my opinion I would completely disregard taxation concerns. 

Didn't concern me when the tax was first hit the news and still does not. 

30 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yep... I looked into it. Short of the 80usd per annum income. 

Anyway ignore one post earlier bagging the LTR. 

For those that have obtained one the universal reports are basically best thing they ever did. 

One report of guy using good company in Bangkok to assist. 

This the company charged something like 50k.

Most others, canned that using an agent was good option and that the process was not difficult. 

For others don't misinterpret the word "agent" 

The agent/company cannot get around the 80usd.

 

Good luck . 

 

BTW. Just my opinion I would completely disregard taxation concerns. 

Didn't concern me when the tax was first hit the news and still does not. 

 

Thanks - the only issue I have left now is the health insurance.

 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

The health insurance is a serious no-no for me. I refuse to pay 120K+ PA for a policy that meets LTR requirements (Pacific Cross) and all the others are about the same, unless I cut it down to basically nothing and then it is still 50K a year - complete scam

My policy cost 22,875 Baht per annum with AXA Insurance, a LTR approved provider. I am age 68. I just ran the cost for someone age 70, and it came out the same. I have the 2MM coverage policy.

 

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

The health insurance is a serious no-no for me. I refuse to pay 120K+ PA for a policy that meets LTR requirements (Pacific Cross) and all the others are about the same, unless I cut it down to basically nothing and then it is still 50K a year - complete scam.  I self-insure and have over 1 million baht in bank accounts in Thailand, but they want 3 million and they want it to have been in there for 2 years.  BOI stated I can get around that by having 100K US in bank accounts both in Thailand or globally. The problem with that is that for me that is a large amount of money getting no interest and what little interest is paid is taxed in Australia - unlike in my Superannuation Accounts. 

 

You are correct. if you do not want to purchase health insurance that meets their criteria, and if you do not want to position the equivalent of $100k US in cash in a bank account (anywhere in the world) seasoned for 2 years, then you are out of luck in regards to the LTR visa (from a Health Insurance perspective).  In that case, IMHO you should consider instead a Type-O non-immigrant visa, and after obtaining that, you will be in the situation every year of having to renew your permission to stay on the Type-O visa.  I found that constant one-year permission to stay on a Type-O/OA visa renewal fatiguing. Others claim they renew with no issue.  And some like me find the Type-O/OA visa permission to stay 1 year renewal tiresome, and some even they pay an agent to do all the Type-O/OA visa permission to stay paper work with immigration for them (in essence they provide the agent a limited power of attorney to do the visa permission to stay renewal on their behalf).

 

Note the type-OA visa, if one is going for a 1 year permission to stay renewal in Thailand,  the Type-OA has a health insurance requirement, where the health insurance pretty much must come from the Thailand branch of a health insurance company.

 

Self insurance is NOT allowed on the type-OA. 

 

And to the best of my knowledge, superior health from a foreign branch of a health insurance company is not acceptable for the type-OA visa.  .... So from that perspective, an LTR health insurance requirement is far superior where on an LTR visa:

 

(a) one can use foreign health insurance IF one gets a letter from the foreign health insurance company with the appropriate/exact words needed to be accepted by BoI, or

(b) one simply proves $100k US equivalent (in any currency) in pretty much any Bank in the world as long as the money has been seasoned in cash long enough.

 

That is why MANY on this forum, go for a Type-O visa (with subsequent annual extensions) where the Type-O (unlike the Type-OA) has no health insurance requirements.

 

In my case, for the LTR-WP visa, I did not know of a way to use a 'custom letter' from my European health insurance, so i went the self health insurance route.

 

For my self health insurance, i did not want to use the money i had in Thailand (in a foreign currency account) as i had plans to spend that money elsewhere (which as it turned out was a mistake)  - and given I was (inappropriately) not confident of the taxation aspects of bringing money into Thailand, the money I already had in Thailand was also money i brought into Thailand as a non-resident many years prior (hence it was not taxable by Thailand), and I did not want to use that money for self health insurance.   

 

But things did not work out as I planned.

 

I first tried an equity account in Canada, that had the pre-requisite amount in cash.  Because it was an equity account BoI refused to accept that account as self health insurance.

 

I then tried a Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Account (emphasis on 'saving' so i thought it would be accepted).  This is an official Canadian government approved/legislated savings plan. it had the pre-requisite seasoned amount. BUT one can trade equities with that 'saving's plan' and BoI would not accept that.   

 

I then thought to try money in an account in Europe, but the paper work for that account was in German language -which meant i likely would have to pay to have the paperwork officially translated to English language.  ... 

 

So in the end, I stopped my stubbornness, and used the money I had in Thailand for self health insurance (which was accepted by BoI) ... and I restructured my finances elsewhere to achieve that which I had planned for my Thai account now being 'tied up' for use as self health insurance.

 

As noted, my approach was not the best for Self Health insurance.  i do have excellent global health insurance from Cigna which is heavily subsidized by my former employer as part of a European pension (and it provides health insurance for myself and my wife). The amount I pay is 'capped' at about 200-euros/month , no matter how old i get. My former employer (and pension provider) pays for the rest ( ie my former employer in fact pays even more than 200 euros  per month ) - so as noted, in 2028 I intend to try to obtain a custom letter from Cigna so I no longer have to tie up money in a Thai bank account for self health insurance.

 

I think i am in a fortunate financial situation that these amounts, which cause some to step back and say too much ... too much ... too much ...  are relatively not that large compared to my equity accounts, where I do well with equity investments.    And from my view, the amounts in cash, are a financial reserve, if things in my equities go south, I can change my living strategy and use those cash funds to attempt to recover.

 

NOTE, if you have the pre-requisite money in Australia, in cash in an Australian bank account (even in Australian $ ), you can use it as your self health insurance. OK? Unlike money in the Bank for a Type-O/OA visa (if going the 400k THB or 800k THB Type-O/OA route) money which has to be in Thailand.  For the LTR visa the money nominally need not be in Thailand for things such as Self health insurance (of course a clear exception is that for some LTR visa variants one must invest money in Thailand). And further, for Australia and self-health insurance, given English is the spoken language in Australia, you do not have to pay someone to translate the document from a European language (such as German) to English.

 

Re; health insurance ... Every one is different, but I highly recommend having health insurance when in Thailand.  All it takes is one accident, and suddenly one can have major medical expenses .... But each to their own.

 

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I recently sent a question online pointing out that the money I would pay in insurance over 10 years for LTR, is about the same as buying a Thai Elite Visa - and they do not demand I have health insurance.  I also pointed out that IF I am a wealthy pensioner as per their income and financial rules, then surely I have enough money to pay any medical bills - as I have been doing for over 10 years already.  No answers so far (none expected).

 

Policy is policy.  I've lived in a few countries in my life time, and experience is as an average Joe, i have never been able to change the policy of 'city hall' (so to speak).

 

 

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I figured the income tax year alignment would be an issue - but that is able to be 'got around' as you say.  Could I ask about non-taxable income - will they accept other forms of income as per their rules and do you know what they will and will not accept.  I have heard they are getting almost zero new business, so they are being very 'relaxed' - but that does not mean Immigration will approve anything not exactly correct. 

 

i am not up on the detail here.  i have read of some approaches, but perhaps others can chime in before I start pontificating.

 

 

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

Could I ask - when you get the annual extension, do you go to their Bangkok Office or do you get it done in the local Province Office. Could you advise what is required - is it quick and easy or do you have to provide the same/more proof of income and insurance documents again? 

 

Annual extension?

 

Perhaps this is your wording. There is no annual extension for the LTR visa. Typically, when referring to the word extension (in the context of a Type-O or Type-OA visa) , for the annual extension one must reprove one's finances.  In the case of the LTR visa, one must reprove one's finances only at the 5-year mid point.  

 

Now there is an annual report.  Note in the case of the type-O and type-OA visas, one has to report every 90 days !!  In the case of the LTR visa, this annual report is only once every year.

 

There are LTR visa HATERS who claim every year an LTR visa holder must reprove their finances. That is 100% BS designed to hit at people like you.  I obtained my Visa in June-2023. This is September 2025. I have NOT had to re-prove my annual finances.

 

But in terms of reporting to immigration (90-days for Type-O/OA visas and every year for LTR visa)  each time you leave Thailand and re-enter, you pass through immigration on your way into Thailand, and that is considered to satisfy a report to immigration, and the counter restarts (ie starts counting the 90-days for type-O/OA, or starts counting the 1-year for LTR).

 

Now if you never leave Thailand, i think most people with an LTR visa, go to Bangkok once per year for their annual report. My having typed that, I know a few people on an LTR visa have reported they could simply go to their provincial immigration office and do their LTR visa one year report there.  But I do not believe all local (provincial) immigration offices support that yet for the LTR visa, so depending on your Thailand province, you may have to go to Bangkok to do an annual report. Again .... in an annual report, there is no re-proof of Finances needed. Do not let the envious naysayers convince you otherwise. They are full of hateful BS.

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

PS - I note your avatar is an Intel C4004 CPU - the first Intel chipset and the start of the modern CPUs.  Were you in IT back in the 70s?  I started in 1974 when I did a few courses on Fortran and DOS - started worked with large Telco and ended up moving to IT&T Sales in early 80s - retired in 2013.      

 

I started using computers in 1972 (fortran), but my first computer of my own was not until very early in 1981, and I bought a used !!! Apple-II+ with a 6502 processor.  It had 48kB of RAM, two floppy drives with 128kb each (no monitor - I had to buy a TV to use as a monitor) , and that Apple-II+,  for me, at that time, it felt like a powerhouse. 

 

Buying that used Apple-II+ computer was one of the smartest things i have done in my life, as using it refreshed my computer knowledge and that refreshed knowledge helped me time and time again in my working career.

21 hours ago, oldcpu said:

I started using computers in 1972 (fortran), but my first computer of my own was not until very early in 1981, and I bought a used !!! Apple-II+ with a 6502 processor.  It had 48kB of RAM, two floppy drives with 128kb each (no monitor - I had to buy a TV to use as a monitor) , and that Apple-II+,  for me, at that time, it felt like a powerhouse. 

 

Buying that used Apple-II+ computer was one of the smartest things i have done in my life, as using it refreshed my computer knowledge and that refreshed knowledge helped me time and time again in my working career.

Thanks for that - very interesting story - us older guys with 'core' IT experience are rare.  The kids (<30) these days have no idea how IT&T actually works - they are like girls were back then about how cars work.  All good - these days it is so easy - but they have no understanding how they work and why they often dont. 

 

My first computer was also in the early 80s - it was an old IBM mainframe terminal and was what they basically turned into a PC (and then later dumped as a bad idea - bigger mistake than rejecting the Beatles). I had to buy a hard drive from a then very rare computer parts store to load on MS-DOS and it was the size of a half brick and weighed as much, and was 40MB !!  That was huuuuuuuuge 😁 

 

22 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

 

You are correct. if you do not want to purchase health insurance that meets their criteria, and if you do not want to position the equivalent of $100k US in cash in a bank account (anywhere in the world) seasoned for 2 years, then you are out of luck in regards to the LTR visa (from a Health Insurance perspective).  In that case, IMHO you should consider instead a Type-O non-immigrant visa, and after obtaining that, you will be in the situation every year of having to renew your permission to stay on the Type-O visa.  I found that constant one-year permission to stay on a Type-O/OA visa renewal fatiguing. Others claim they renew with no issue.  And some like me find the Type-O/OA visa permission to stay 1 year renewal tiresome, and some even they pay an agent to do all the Type-O/OA visa permission to stay paper work with immigration for them (in essence they provide the agent a limited power of attorney to do the visa permission to stay renewal on their behalf).

 

Note the type-OA visa, if one is going for a 1 year permission to stay renewal in Thailand,  the Type-OA has a health insurance requirement, where the health insurance pretty much must come from the Thailand branch of a health insurance company.

 

Self insurance is NOT allowed on the type-OA. 

 

And to the best of my knowledge, superior health from a foreign branch of a health insurance company is not acceptable for the type-OA visa.  .... So from that perspective, an LTR health insurance requirement is far superior where on an LTR visa:

 

(a) one can use foreign health insurance IF one gets a letter from the foreign health insurance company with the appropriate/exact words needed to be accepted by BoI, or

(b) one simply proves $100k US equivalent (in any currency) in pretty much any Bank in the world as long as the money has been seasoned in cash long enough.

 

That is why MANY on this forum, go for a Type-O visa (with subsequent annual extensions) where the Type-O (unlike the Type-OA) has no health insurance requirements.

 

In my case, for the LTR-WP visa, I did not know of a way to use a 'custom letter' from my European health insurance, so i went the self health insurance route.

 

For my self health insurance, i did not want to use the money i had in Thailand (in a foreign currency account) as i had plans to spend that money elsewhere (which as it turned out was a mistake)  - and given I was (inappropriately) not confident of the taxation aspects of bringing money into Thailand, the money I already had in Thailand was also money i brought into Thailand as a non-resident many years prior (hence it was not taxable by Thailand), and I did not want to use that money for self health insurance.   

 

But things did not work out as I planned.

 

I first tried an equity account in Canada, that had the pre-requisite amount in cash.  Because it was an equity account BoI refused to accept that account as self health insurance.

 

I then tried a Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Account (emphasis on 'saving' so i thought it would be accepted).  This is an official Canadian government approved/legislated savings plan. it had the pre-requisite seasoned amount. BUT one can trade equities with that 'saving's plan' and BoI would not accept that.   

 

I then thought to try money in an account in Europe, but the paper work for that account was in German language -which meant i likely would have to pay to have the paperwork officially translated to English language.  ... 

 

So in the end, I stopped my stubbornness, and used the money I had in Thailand for self health insurance (which was accepted by BoI) ... and I restructured my finances elsewhere to achieve that which I had planned for my Thai account now being 'tied up' for use as self health insurance.

 

As noted, my approach was not the best for Self Health insurance.  i do have excellent global health insurance from Cigna which is heavily subsidized by my former employer as part of a European pension (and it provides health insurance for myself and my wife). The amount I pay is 'capped' at about 200-euros/month , no matter how old i get. My former employer (and pension provider) pays for the rest ( ie my former employer in fact pays even more than 200 euros  per month ) - so as noted, in 2028 I intend to try to obtain a custom letter from Cigna so I no longer have to tie up money in a Thai bank account for self health insurance.

 

I think i am in a fortunate financial situation that these amounts, which cause some to step back and say too much ... too much ... too much ...  are relatively not that large compared to my equity accounts, where I do well with equity investments.    And from my view, the amounts in cash, are a financial reserve, if things in my equities go south, I can change my living strategy and use those cash funds to attempt to recover.

 

NOTE, if you have the pre-requisite money in Australia, in cash in an Australian bank account (even in Australian $ ), you can use it as your self health insurance. OK? Unlike money in the Bank for a Type-O/OA visa (if going the 400k THB or 800k THB Type-O/OA route) money which has to be in Thailand.  For the LTR visa the money nominally need not be in Thailand for things such as Self health insurance (of course a clear exception is that for some LTR visa variants one must invest money in Thailand). And further, for Australia and self-health insurance, given English is the spoken language in Australia, you do not have to pay someone to translate the document from a European language (such as German) to English.

 

Re; health insurance ... Every one is different, but I highly recommend having health insurance when in Thailand.  All it takes is one accident, and suddenly one can have major medical expenses .... But each to their own.

 

 

Policy is policy.  I've lived in a few countries in my life time, and experience is as an average Joe, i have never been able to change the policy of 'city hall' (so to speak).

 

 

 

i am not up on the detail here.  i have read of some approaches, but perhaps others can chime in before I start pontificating.

 

 

 

Annual extension?

 

Perhaps this is your wording. There is no annual extension for the LTR visa. Typically, when referring to the word extension (in the context of a Type-O or Type-OA visa) , for the annual extension one must reprove one's finances.  In the case of the LTR visa, one must reprove one's finances only at the 5-year mid point.  

 

Now there is an annual report.  Note in the case of the type-O and type-OA visas, one has to report every 90 days !!  In the case of the LTR visa, this annual report is only once every year.

 

There are LTR visa HATERS who claim every year an LTR visa holder must reprove their finances. That is 100% BS designed to hit at people like you.  I obtained my Visa in June-2023. This is September 2025. I have NOT had to re-prove my annual finances.

 

But in terms of reporting to immigration (90-days for Type-O/OA visas and every year for LTR visa)  each time you leave Thailand and re-enter, you pass through immigration on your way into Thailand, and that is considered to satisfy a report to immigration, and the counter restarts (ie starts counting the 90-days for type-O/OA, or starts counting the 1-year for LTR).

 

Now if you never leave Thailand, i think most people with an LTR visa, go to Bangkok once per year for their annual report. My having typed that, I know a few people on an LTR visa have reported they could simply go to their provincial immigration office and do their LTR visa one year report there.  But I do not believe all local (provincial) immigration offices support that yet for the LTR visa, so depending on your Thailand province, you may have to go to Bangkok to do an annual report. Again .... in an annual report, there is no re-proof of Finances needed. Do not let the envious naysayers convince you otherwise. They are full of hateful BS.

Thanks mate - very much appreciated - great advice for me and all who read it.

I am going to check out the insurance further - one poster said he pays only 22K a year and is older than me.

 

I have more than enough money in Australia invested - but the BOI stated it must be in a 'savings' account for the last 2 years.  They are so seriously annoying and ignorant (those who make up these things) - WTF would any 'wealthy pensioner' place 100K USD equivalent in a savings account for 12 months ????  

 

I am happy to go to Bangkok once a year to report - the tinpots in this Province would be a waste of time and no doubt would not have a clue. 

 

Can you confirm that the 1 Year LTR reporting period re-sets when you leave and re-enter - save me scrolling through the confusing and conflicting documents.  I am aware the 90 days resets when you leave/renter - same as for my existing Non-O Visa.  

 

I think to get the 5 year extension you will have to prove you have maintained the required level of income and finances and insurance and any other requirement for the full 5 years.  I saw a 'condition' note somewhere stating that.     

On 9/2/2025 at 11:50 AM, JohnnyBD said:

My policy cost 22,875 Baht per annum with AXA Insurance, a LTR approved provider. I am age 68. I just ran the cost for someone age 70, and it came out the same. I have the 2MM coverage policy.

Thanks - I will check that out - much appreciated.

3 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

Can you confirm that the 1 Year LTR reporting period re-sets when you leave and re-enter - save me scrolling through the confusing and conflicting documents.  I am aware the 90 days resets when you leave/renter - same as for my existing Non-O Visa.  

 

Yes, the 1 year LTR 'annual reporting' resets when you leave and re-enter.  Like the Non-O, on the LTR when you re-enter you see an immigration officer at the Thailand 'border' (or airport) immigration entry point. They see that you have an LTR visa, they check to see when your LTR was issued and they add 5 years to that, and on your entry stamp (in your passport) they stamp your re-entry back into Thailand. And of course they have any previous re-entry stamps in your passport as guidance.    A few times I have had the IO call over another IO to get instruction as to how to handle the LTR aspect in the passport.

 

When the airport/border IO gives me my passport back, I always take extra time to, very carefully check what they scribble in ( @ the stamp location)  for the permission to stay, to ensure they get it right. Once I confirm they put in the correct permission to stay date, I give a polite wai to the immigration officer and enter Thailand. That usually gets a smile or a nod in return , but they have never complained about me taking an extra 20-seconds to 30 seconds to scrutinize what they put in my passport upon re-entry.

 

I obtained my LTR visa in June-2023.  I have been out/in of Thailand about 1/2 dozen times since, and I have never gone to immigration to do a 1-year report. The exit/entry counts as the 1-year report.  My permission to stay in Thailand expires in June-2028, which is my 5-year point, and maybe 1/2 year before then I will start the process to re-prove my finances.  My passport also expires around that time, so I am also into passport renewal territory, and that should make the renewal process a bit more complex in terms of how i go about it. 

33 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

Yes, the 1 year LTR 'annual reporting' resets when you leave and re-enter.  Like the Non-O, on the LTR when you re-enter you see an immigration officer at the Thailand 'border' (or airport) immigration entry point. They see that you have an LTR visa, they check to see when your LTR was issued and they add 5 years to that, and on your entry stamp (in your passport) they stamp your re-entry back into Thailand. And of course they have any previous re-entry stamps in your passport as guidance.    A few times I have had the IO call over another IO to get instruction as to how to handle the LTR aspect in the passport.

 

When the airport/border IO gives me my passport back, I always take extra time to, very carefully check what they scribble in ( @ the stamp location)  for the permission to stay, to ensure they get it right. Once I confirm they put in the correct permission to stay date, I give a polite wai to the immigration officer and enter Thailand. That usually gets a smile or a nod in return , but they have never complained about me taking an extra 20-seconds to 30 seconds to scrutinize what they put in my passport upon re-entry.

 

I obtained my LTR visa in June-2023.  I have been out/in of Thailand about 1/2 dozen times since, and I have never gone to immigration to do a 1-year report. The exit/entry counts as the 1-year report.  My permission to stay in Thailand expires in June-2028, which is my 5-year point, and maybe 1/2 year before then I will start the process to re-prove my finances.  My passport also expires around that time, so I am also into passport renewal territory, and that should make the renewal process a bit more complex in terms of how i go about it. 

 

 

but you have to do the tm30 every time you enter in Thai or don't need?

thanks

1 minute ago, marino28 said:

 

 

but you have to do the tm30 every time you enter in Thai or don't need?

thanks

 

As soon was we get back to our Phuket home, after any travel (both inside and outside of Thailand) my wife fills in an online TM30 for me.

 

Is it required?  ... I think every Thai immigration make up their own legal interpretation here ... sadly.  So while I believe it is only likely needed of one leaves Thailand and returns to Thailand, I believe some rouge (?) immigration offices may also require it if one leaves their Thailand home and stays elsewhere in Thailand overnight and then returns.  Nominally for internal travel in Thailand, a TM30 should not IMHO be required, but This Is Thailand and sometimes policy in place-A is different than place-B.

 

57 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

As soon was we get back to our Phuket home, after any travel (both inside and outside of Thailand) my wife fills in an online TM30 for me.

 

Is it required?  ... I think every Thai immigration make up their own legal interpretation here ... sadly.  So while I believe it is only likely needed of one leaves Thailand and returns to Thailand, I believe some rouge (?) immigration offices may also require it if one leaves their Thailand home and stays elsewhere in Thailand overnight and then returns.  Nominally for internal travel in Thailand, a TM30 should not IMHO be required, but This Is Thailand and sometimes policy in place-A is different than place-B.

I believe the latest TM30 changes made in June 2020 mean it is only required when first arriving in the country, and when leaving and re-entering the country, or when changing your long term living location. However, as you said, some Provincial tin-pot general 'officer' could well decide you need it when leaving and re-entering the Province.  To avoid that complication when we check into a hotel anywhere here in Thailand, we both book and check-in the wife's name only.  If they want my ID - I let them see/copy my Thai driver's licence - I refuse to provide Passport (just in case they report me).  So far over they have all accepted my Thai driving licence for ID - except one place that demanded my Passport. The wife asked to speak to the Boss, saying I refused, and the Boss actually listened (a Thai woman - a Thai male would have been too offended). She then 'gently' told the admin person (newbie?) that a Passport is only needed for a Tourist and not for a long-term Visa married Falang that lives with his Thai wife, and that for ID purposes a driving licence with a photo is OK.  It was all smiles and wais after that, and I did the same and apologised for being 'trouble' (that is how to play here - as we all know/learn). 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I believe the latest TM30 changes made in June 2020 mean it is only required when first arriving in the country, and when leaving and re-entering the country, or when changing your long term living location.

The June 2020 change effectively meant a new TM30 was required only for change of ongoing address.

 

Not required for travel outside of province or travel abroad.

Still few immigration offices ignored that. 

 

In recent times some genius decided to try and sync online reporting to TM30.

Hence need "report in person" after travel abroad.

Just another Thai train wreck.

I just received my LTR visa (wealthy pensioner) this year and I will share my points you should pay attention to.

 

1. I don't know why people pay an agent. An agent will ask for the same information that is clearly listed on the BOI website....which all docs must be uploaded to their website (not presented in person). Who can't do that themselves?

 

2. Every time I had a question, the BOI was quick to reply by email, usually within 2 hours. They are VERY helpful.

 

3. It was required to provide them a copy of my U.S. tax return. I emailed them specifically about this. They said, "It must be only 1 year from the past 3 years for wealthy pensioner option".

  

4. Because my U.S. tax return copy showed my complete Social Security number, I blacked out the last 4 digits, every page. There are many free PDF editing tools online to help you do this.  PLEASE do this since this information can be used for fraud. The BOI had no problem with my return. I read on this forum that they mostly look at your 1099 forms. Just upload everything. 

  

5. Regarding health insurance. Very important you follow their guildlines that your insurance policy must show at least 10 months left on your policy. I had a problem with this since mine was about to expire. I asked my insurance provider to please send me the renewal bill ASAP, which they didn't. So, I opted to pay for a cheap Thailand policy that met the LTR requirements. 

 

6. In 5 years you must upload all the same docs again to receive the next 5 years. The BOI told me again the tax return must be 1 year from the past 3 years, but health insurance must be shown continuous. 

 

I hope that helps. I have no regrets and consider this one of the best things I have done in my life. 

 

6 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

I hope that helps. I have no regrets and consider this one of the best things I have done in my life. 

Excellent post. 

I haven't read/seen a negative report regarding those fortunate to have obtained a LTR. 

Wish I had one. 

8 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

 

4. Because my U.S. tax return copy showed my complete Social Security number, I blacked out the last 4 digits, every page. There are many free PDF editing tools online to help you do this.  PLEASE do this since this information can be used for fraud. The BOI had no problem with my return. I read on this forum that they mostly look at your 1099 forms. Just upload everything. 

 

 

I did this as well to all my uploaded documents that had my full social security number.  BOI accepted the documents just fine.

On 9/1/2025 at 11:42 PM, Middle Aged Grouch said:

A flop and a tricky scheme. Flop due to the absurd bureaucratic handling. Even when you submit them all proof of funds, medical coverage etc. some illiminated mind will respond with another absurd request made up on the day. They have definately not met with the expected numbers of qualified people, submitting for this Visa. 

 

Tricky because even once obtained, it seems that one needs to requalify and go through part of the absurd submissions each year,  by what was understood. Things may have changed  so this rule could have changed. But at this stage it's definately not a hassle free visa for 5 years.

 

Besides who wants to even say in Thailand full time just to get cramped with some new absurd tax rule to racket foreigners on their pensions or earnings earned abrod. 

one reason that the BOII may keep asking for "one more document" is that they are familiar with those that actually approve the LTR for someone and the folks at the BOI have had to keep asking until they know for sure that the officials will accept whatever.  I had a similar situation with the health insurance coverage - my health insurer provides "unlimited" coverage for hospitalization anywhere in the world - BOI said that I had to have a letter from the insurer that specifically said "coverage of 50K USD for hospitalization - they acdepted that immediately.  As for proof of income, I first gave them the IRS form 1099R which is ike the civilian W2 form which shows one's income and taxes taken out by the govt (in in the case of the 1099, health insurance too is covered here) but the BOI wanted my 1040 tax filing forms for the two previous years which the officials can easily understand.   There as far as I know no requirement for a million USD in investments for the wealthy pensioner anyway.  Once I did provide those three documents, plus P/P info etc, less than a month later I had my LTR.  I have done the first year report - took a lot less than 10 minutes at the BOI immigration office.  They didn't ask for a TM.30 (but I had that just in case and the IO laughed and said thanks). Signed the 90-day form with the 90-days x'd out and 1 year date for next report.  Too easy after 20 years of yearly retirement o extension of stay and no more 90-day reports.  Like the 90-day report, if one on an LTR does leave the country, then upon reeturn the next reporting date is ONE YEAR from that date of return to Thailand.  For me anyway, the perfect Visa for the least amount of funds and ease in reporting requirements other than some that just ignore some requirements.  Best of luck!

I am going to wait and maybe apply for LTR in the future (probably not).  There are a few reasons if anyone is interested in knowing why it does not suit me:-

 

They want 'approved' health insurance which for me is a no no - although I have found what one person claimed they use is OK for 25K PA but the coverage is extremely poor and it basically means 50K for the LTR Visa and another 300K for useless insurance (with annual increases). We self insure and have done so for over 10 years - I am not keen paying out 'dead money' for 10 years insurance coverage that might not pay out if something bad happens. Especially given I have car insurance that covers medical expenses in a car accident.  I do not want to be put in a position whereby I lose my LTR because I made a medical claim and now my next annual premium post 70 is 200+K. 

 

The new incoming Thailand global taxation system is a worry.  Under the current LTR Visa, income taxation is exempted on money brought into Thailand under the current Tax Laws. But will that be 'over-written' when the new Tax Laws mean all income earned globally is taxable income, whether remitted into Thailand or not.  I just cannot see the Thai Govt being able to give Expats free taxation on money earned overseas, when they are taxing Thais on their money earned overseas.  Plus providing details of my income and investments overseas, including taxation returns, is required to get approval for the LTR - will that data be provided to TRD when the new Tax Laws start.

 

The current 'state of play' with regards to who will be the new PM and when there will be an election is also a major concern. It is not just someone like Anutin who could become the PM (anti-Expat reputation) it is also Peoples Party becoming the Government and what they will do.  There are 'progressives' I know that would welcome a change away from the 'military-elite' aligned Parties, but I know that with their raft of reforms they have in mind (including a great deal more social welfare) will require a lot more taxes to be collected. If that comes to pass, then rest assured the taxation of wealthy Expats will be an easy target and easily justified to the Media and People. That doing something like that will drive Expats away is not something they will think about much - until after most of us have gone (as per the 180 on taxing all remitted income).  I am not saying that will happen - it is a concern that I have - and I do not think for one minute that previous change was reversed because of the impact it had on Expats.

 

When it was first announced in 2022 the BOI claimed 1 million 'customers' within 5 years - they have 6000 (according to media report). They have lowered the bars and made it easier in some regards, but I would not be surprised if the whole program was canned in 2027 (and/or changed) and brought in under the Immigration Police to manage and control going forward. It is not unusual, in fact it is expected, that the Thai Govt keeps making ad-hoc knee-jerk changes to the Immigration rules and regulations without any thinking or care about what the impacts the changes will have for Expats.

 

Both my Wife and I are Aussie Citizens and can return at any time, and therefore we do not have to stick it out and just suck it up - whatever they do. Not 'risking' enough money on an LTR Visa and Health Insurance to buy a brand new top of the range golf clubs, let along the possible income taxation ramifications, seems to me to be the best way forward for myself.  I am going to wait and see how things play out over the next few years before re-considering LTR - I might regret that decision but I might not.