1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

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:-

 

 

You also posted this in another thread on this forum. I replied to that here:

 

 

 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

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:-

Good luck to you on whatever visa you're using.  The LTR-WP visa may not be a good fit for you based on some of the reasons you mentioned, but it is the best fit for me and many others. I was on yearly extensions, so I had to keep money in a Thai bank earning almost nothing. Now, I keep that money in my home country currently earning 4% interest, which is more than enough to pay the 22,875 Baht per annum premium for the AXA medical insurance. I plan to switch to the $100k in bank method for insurance next year, so that 22,875 expense will go away. Also, the 50k LTR visa fee is equal to 5,000 Baht per annum, and it includes unlimited re-entries. I was paying 5,700 per year (1,900 extensions + 3,800 multiple reentry permit) plus the cost (taxi, bank docs, copies, etc.) and my time to go to IM each year, so I'm saving a little money there. Even if the LTR wasn't tax-exempt, it would still be more cost effective for me than doing yearly extensions. I view the tax-exemption, fast track airport lanes and yearly reporting as lagniappe. The process of applying online was simple, and my pension income was enough to qualify, so I didn't need to show any other finances. I'm happy with my LTR-WP visa.

13 hours ago, Presnock said:

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. 

In my case, I first uploaded my US tax return, which was later red-flagged because they also wanted all the 1099R forms. They also said 1 year tax return is enough for wealthy pensioner option. (Maybe this has changed since you did yours?).  

9 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

In my case, I first uploaded my US tax return, which was later red-flagged because they also wanted all the 1099R forms. They also said 1 year tax return is enough for wealthy pensioner option. (Maybe this has changed since you did yours?).  

Yeah, I did mine in March 2024, gave them the "small" 1099R that OPM sent me but they wanted the previous two years of 100's - easy enough to do as just upload.  But in any case, the BOI folks were very pleasant to work with and being able to provide documentiation from my own files without having to go eslewhere made it a lot easier too.  

21 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

You also posted this in another thread on this forum. I replied to that here:

 

 

 

All good - saw that posting too - great information and advice.

 

21 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

Good luck to you on whatever visa you're using.  The LTR-WP visa may not be a good fit for you based on some of the reasons you mentioned, but it is the best fit for me and many others. I was on yearly extensions, so I had to keep money in a Thai bank earning almost nothing. Now, I keep that money in my home country currently earning 4% interest, which is more than enough to pay the 22,875 Baht per annum premium for the AXA medical insurance. I plan to switch to the $100k in bank method for insurance next year, so that 22,875 expense will go away. Also, the 50k LTR visa fee is equal to 5,000 Baht per annum, and it includes unlimited re-entries. I was paying 5,700 per year (1,900 extensions + 3,800 multiple reentry permit) plus the cost (taxi, bank docs, copies, etc.) and my time to go to IM each year, so I'm saving a little money there. Even if the LTR wasn't tax-exempt, it would still be more cost effective for me than doing yearly extensions. I view the tax-exemption, fast track airport lanes and yearly reporting as lagniappe. The process of applying online was simple, and my pension income was enough to qualify, so I didn't need to show any other finances. I'm happy with my LTR-WP visa.

Cheers Johnny - I did the same calculations and it was all good regarding costs versus benefits as you say. But when the mandatory health insurance comes into it (or 3 million in a Thai bank account) it was touch and go. But now the changing political and inevitably taxation situation, has made me pause.  No rush - I plan to be here a long time - I assume within a few years the situation will become clear. 

6 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 But when the mandatory health insurance comes into it (or 3 million in a Thai bank account) it was touch and go. 

 

That is the first I heard that a foreign bank account (not an equity account, a bank account), with all the money in the account cash, and again I emphasize, the account having no capability to purchase equities, was not accepted.   

 

It makes me wonder if this is a new policy, or if this was specific to you.

 

When I applied for my LTR-WP, BoI noted to me when I querried, they had no issue with my money being in a foreign account. Their issue was that even thou the adequate amount of money was in cash, because it was possible to trade equities with that account, it was disallowed. 

 

Did your account have the capability to allow trading of equities?

.

7 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

But now the changing political and inevitably taxation situation, has made me pause.  No rush - I plan to be here a long time - I assume within a few years the situation will become clear. 

 

IMHO the changing taxation situation, at the very worst, will play no favourites. 

 

Currently there is NO global taxation on any visa, despite any wanna be plans by people in the Thai finance department.

 

Further under LTR-WP visa, money earned after 31-Dec-2023 can be remitted to Thailand now, with no Thai taxation (only the tax of one's income source country need to be considered). The same can NOT be said for Type-O nor Type-OA. Instead for type-O/OA one has to hope DTAs of income source country protects one, and in many cases the DTAs do not protect as much as one might like.

 

Further, having typed that ...

 

I went for the LTR visa independent of any taxation benefits.  The taxation benefits were 'the icing on the cake'. 

 

Again

 

- no 90 day reports required for LTR (only one report per year) - odds are many of us who travel out of Thailand a couple of times per year never have to do another annual report.

 

- no annual reproving of finances (which dependent on the immigration office, reproving finances annually  can be a real PIA).

 

- no having to worry on LTR about changing policy of immigration circumstances forcing type-O annual extensions to buy health insurance from Thailand (yes - that has not happened yet ... but it is just a big a risk, just as anything else that forum members speculate about).

 

- compared to type-OA (where type-OA only accepts health insurance from Thai companies) one can self insure or use foreign health insurance with LTR.  Again, the Type-O could be at risk in the future and suffer with same limitations as type-OA.

 

- LTR being able to use the fast track lane at Thailand international airports (where I note Phuket airports line-ups at times can be 45-minutes to an hour long)

 

- LTR visa's 50,000 THB fee is no more expensive than Type-O/OA plus multiple re-entry costs for Type-O/OA (after 10 years)

 

And the bottom line, which I am pretty sure annoys many, but .. .well ... in the case of the LTR-WP, this is called a Wealthy Pensioner visa, with emphasis on the 'Wealthy", for a reason.  So if the proof of finances, money to buy health insurance, money to keep in the bank to self insure, or money to invest in Thailand is a relatively big expense for one, or  if one does not have more than adequate income to not worry about relatively small financial differences (such as interest), or larger one's such as health insurance, ..  if such aspects of the LTR  are understandably distasteful .. well ...

 

well ... well in that case ... ...  fortunately Thailand has many great visas. In particular the Type-O is a great visa.

 

The Type-O has worked for years, and lets hope it says that way with no one throwing in a health insurance requirement in the future (like they did to the Type-OA).

On 9/2/2025 at 2:01 AM, BrandonJT said:

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).

Not even that, since October 2022, the only thing I've had to do was to move the stamps to my new passport. Every time you leave the country your report gets pushed back by one year.

On 9/4/2025 at 1:57 PM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

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. 

 

Seems your are overthinking something that would cost 50000 Baht...

On 9/1/2025 at 3:36 PM, 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).

 

I got the LTR (WP) last year. Normally it's very easy 

 

The tip or trick is if you have a proper tax return from your home country showing you have the required income.   ( I used my Thai Condo in my name as an asset. Which they took the purchase price regardless of what you think it's worth) 

 

I didn't have a tax return on my income as my passive income (capital gains and dividends) is not Taxable for me which made it slightly more difficult, but BOI was good about it. 

 

I think the avg time is 8 to 10 weeks but I guess that depends on the applicant and the workload. 

 

I must say working with BOI vs immigration is a joy! 

 

I have AIA worldwide mwdical insurance. But again what you get will depend on where you get it.  I got it in my home country before applying. 

 

For me one of the best parts of the visa is that all overseas income is non taxable. So you can sleep at night, and not worry what they may or may not tax this or that... . 

 

On 9/4/2025 at 1:57 PM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

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. 

 

I'm not sure I'd agree with your assumptions  of what may or may not happen.

 

I see you you don't have an LTR so I guess you really don't know. 

 

I have one and it's fantastic. 

 

All overseas income tax free

Use fast lane at entry

No 90 day reporting

Easy to get dependants added on

 

 

And NO you do NOT have to have insurance they have pre approved. I have global insurance I got from my home country. I showed that and it was approved (or never even questioned) 

 

 

On 9/1/2025 at 3:36 PM, 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).

 

I got the LTR (WP) last year. Normally it's very easy 

 

The tip or trick is if you have a proper tax return from your home country showing you have the required income.   ( I used my Thai Condo in my name as an asset. Which they took the purchase price regardless of what you think it's worth) 

 

I didn't have a tax return on my income as my passive income (capital gains and dividends) is not Taxable for me which made it slightly more difficult, but BOI was good about it. 

 

I think the avg time is 8 to 10 weeks but I guess that depends on the applicant and the workload. 

 

I must say working with BOI vs immigration is a joy! 

 

I have AIA worldwide mwdical insurance. But again what you get will depend on where you get it.  I got it in my home country before applying. 

 

For me one of the best parts of the visa is that all overseas income is non taxable. So you can sleep at night, and not worry what they may or may not tax this or that... . 

 

Similar to the earlier posts, I applied for the LTR in late March this year. I ultimately had the LTR visa stamped in my passport in early June. I could have done it by mid May but I was traveling and had to wait until I got back. (1) No need for an agent - easy enough to do it yourself (2) uploaded 2 years of tax returns as well as all 1099’s to show the required amount of passive income (3) edited returns and 1099’s to remove social security numbers as well as account numbers (4) I have health insurance with Allianz International that met BOI requirements. (5) No problems with receiving prompt replies to all my inquiries. After the fact, I learnt of the LTR LINE account which gets you even faster replies to all your queries (6) 2 key reasons for getting the LTR visa - no worries about being taxed on funds transferred into Thailand and because I travel frequently during the year , I will never need to go to immigration office at all nor fill out the yearly notification report (the 90 day report which for LTR is done annually only if you stay continuously in Thailand for a year). Essentially, I have no reporting obligations for the next 5 years. In 5 years, I will need to confirm I meet all LTR requirements and get another 5 years. For 10 years, your cost of 50 K translates to 5K per year close to the 3.8K per year for the standard retirement visa that includes multiple re-entry permits. In my opinion I think it’s a great deal. Good luck.

…

8 minutes ago, DineshR said:

For 10 years, your cost of 50 K translates to 5K per year close to the 3.8K per year for the standard retirement visa that includes multiple re-entry permits. In my opinion I think it’s a great deal. Good luck.

Your math is a little off.  It would be 1900 for the extension, and 3800 for the multiple re-entry permit per year.  So that's actually 57,000 over 10 years. Not to mention other ancillary fees like getting your bank statement and/or bank letter annually, traveling to the immigration office for the extension each year, and some offices now doing home visits even for retirement extensions, where some officers ask for "gas money."

14 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Seems your are overthinking something that would cost 50000 Baht...

OK.  I have been exchanging long and complex points with a few posters - I actually started this post and asked for advice and information - I have been looking into the LTR for most of this year. In the end I decided to not hand over to the Thai Govt all my financial records worldwide in the current political and global taxation situations. It is not the 50K. 

17 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

That is the first I heard that a foreign bank account (not an equity account, a bank account), with all the money in the account cash, and again I emphasize, the account having no capability to purchase equities, was not accepted.   

 

It makes me wonder if this is a new policy, or if this was specific to you.

 

When I applied for my LTR-WP, BoI noted to me when I querried, they had no issue with my money being in a foreign account. Their issue was that even thou the adequate amount of money was in cash, because it was possible to trade equities with that account, it was disallowed. 

 

Did your account have the capability to allow trading of equities?

.

No I miss-spoke so to speak - as I said to another poster.  It must not be in a bank account - it must be in a bank savings account - no terms - no investment - not cash management - etc etc.  In Australia savings accounts are basically 'dead money' - you dont leave money there - anyone with 100K USD in a savings account is wasting a large amount of money. And in my case causing pension, super and taxation problems.   

16 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

IMHO the changing taxation situation, at the very worst, will play no favourites. 

 

Currently there is NO global taxation on any visa, despite any wanna be plans by people in the Thai finance department.

 

Further under LTR-WP visa, money earned after 31-Dec-2023 can be remitted to Thailand now, with no Thai taxation (only the tax of one's income source country need to be considered). The same can NOT be said for Type-O nor Type-OA. Instead for type-O/OA one has to hope DTAs of income source country protects one, and in many cases the DTAs do not protect as much as one might like.

 

Further, having typed that ...

 

I went for the LTR visa independent of any taxation benefits.  The taxation benefits were 'the icing on the cake'. 

 

Again

 

- no 90 day reports required for LTR (only one report per year) - odds are many of us who travel out of Thailand a couple of times per year never have to do another annual report.

 

- no annual reproving of finances (which dependent on the immigration office, reproving finances annually  can be a real PIA).

 

- no having to worry on LTR about changing policy of immigration circumstances forcing type-O annual extensions to buy health insurance from Thailand (yes - that has not happened yet ... but it is just a big a risk, just as anything else that forum members speculate about).

 

- compared to type-OA (where type-OA only accepts health insurance from Thai companies) one can self insure or use foreign health insurance with LTR.  Again, the Type-O could be at risk in the future and suffer with same limitations as type-OA.

 

- LTR being able to use the fast track lane at Thailand international airports (where I note Phuket airports line-ups at times can be 45-minutes to an hour long)

 

- LTR visa's 50,000 THB fee is no more expensive than Type-O/OA plus multiple re-entry costs for Type-O/OA (after 10 years)

 

And the bottom line, which I am pretty sure annoys many, but .. .well ... in the case of the LTR-WP, this is called a Wealthy Pensioner visa, with emphasis on the 'Wealthy", for a reason.  So if the proof of finances, money to buy health insurance, money to keep in the bank to self insure, or money to invest in Thailand is a relatively big expense for one, or  if one does not have more than adequate income to not worry about relatively small financial differences (such as interest), or larger one's such as health insurance, ..  if such aspects of the LTR  are understandably distasteful .. well ...

 

well ... well in that case ... ...  fortunately Thailand has many great visas. In particular the Type-O is a great visa.

 

The Type-O has worked for years, and lets hope it says that way with no one throwing in a health insurance requirement in the future (like they did to the Type-OA).

Glad it fits you well - great decision - but not for me.

22 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

In the end I decided to not hand over to the Thai Govt all my financial records worldwide in the current political and global taxation situations.

But you don't have to do that. You just show proof of a yearly  pension of more than 79999 USD and a health cover of at least 50k. Takes a couple of hours max to apply if your business is in order.

 

The global taxation is a different issue, as the only way to avoid it control residency period so that your are not resident for taxation purpose anywhere. In such case the LTR might well remain useful.

1 hour ago, thjames007 said:

I have AIA worldwide medical insurance. But again what you get will depend on where you get it.  I got it in my home country before applying. 

It seems quite a few people on LTR have this - global insurance from their home country. Maybe I should take a trip back to Australia and get that sorted before returning here.  In Australia medical insurance is very cost effective - unlike in USA where paying large amounts of money for medical insurance is the norm. 

 

Could I ask - any LTR Visa holders here who do not have global insurance from USA.  

1 hour ago, thjames007 said:

All overseas income tax free

Use fast lane at entry

No 90 day reporting

Easy to get dependants added on

And NO you do NOT have to have insurance they have pre approved. I have global insurance I got from my home country. I showed that and it was approved (or never even questioned) 

 

No - no income taxes payable on money remitted into Thailand as per the current Thai tax system. That could change.

Yep _ I get the same - because with Thai wife we come through together.

Yep - winner - 90 day is OK online - but a pain if have to visit (quick and easy though).

No dependents

Seems a lot of LTR holders have global insurance from home country - you American?

 

You forgot annual extension process - simple with LTR (but in Bangkok).

And you forgot multiple leave and entry. 

1 hour ago, thjames007 said:

For me one of the best parts of the visa is that all overseas income is non taxable. So you can sleep at night, and not worry what they may or may not tax this or that... . 

Sorry - see my previous comments. The LTR income tax exemption only applies to taxable income remitted into Thailand.  When the Thai TRD changes to a global taxation system, and the BOI/TRD issues advice that LTR holders are not subject to income taxes on their global income (remitted or not), then I will look again at LTR.  I do not mean to cause concerns - but people asked me why not get LTR due to 'taxation concerns', so I answered.  

 

15 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Not even that, since October 2022, the only thing I've had to do was to move the stamps to my new passport. Every time you leave the country your report gets pushed back by one year.

True - that was confirmed by BOI. It is like the old Retirement Extension - if you left and re-enter within the first 12 months, you got another 12 months extension of permission to stay.  The LTR for wealthy pensioners is like the old O-X system that they created years ago - but with some changes as per BOI requests. 

19 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

But you don't have to do that. You just show proof of a yearly  pension of more than 79999 USD and a health cover of at least 50k. Takes a couple of hours max to apply if your business is in order.

 

The global taxation is a different issue, as the only way to avoid it control residency period so that your are not resident for taxation purpose anywhere. In such case the LTR might well remain useful.

There are 'complications' if your annual taxation and income statements dont line up with the Thai tax year. I bet you are American right - Jan to Dec taxation year - same as Thailand. In Australia and a lot of countries our 'Fiscal Year' does not start Jan 1 - ours is July 1 to June 30 - and all financial reporting, including tax returns, lines up with that.  

I just realised something when checking out things regarding Americans and their health insurance - besides their acceptance of high premiums.  In Australia you cannot get Health Insurance that includes overseas countries.  Health Insurance in Australia, and in a lot of countries especially Europe I believe, is controlled and managed by the Government, and I think one of the main reasons is to ensure we dont have the same premiums that Americans pay. 

 

In Australia the only insurance available for overseas countries is 'travel insurance' - and BOI will not accept travel insurance to meet its requirements for LTR.  You Americans who have global insurance from home are in a good position for the LTR.  Over here getting that is very expensive - probably more than you are paying in USA. 

I looked into the LTR visa and ultimately decided not to puruse.  Similar to others the stumbling block was insurance.  I have coverage back home and would just pay and seek reimbursement later if an issue arose while in Thialand.  The option to purchase a stripped down Thai policy with USD 50,000 coverage was about 60,000 Baht per year due to my age.  Thhe other option is to have USD 100,000 in a bank account earning minimal returns which is a poor choice.  They will not consider investment portfolios or assets as must be in a bank cash account.  Considering the cost to just annually renew the retirement extension, even using an agent, it is more economic than purchasing insurance or having USD 100k sitting idle in a bank account.  Hard to understand why they beleive people fitting the "wealthy pensioners" model would opt to have USD 100k earning essentially nothing in a bank account.  If they allowed brokerage investments I feel more people would opt for the LTR visa.

37 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

The global taxation is a different issue, as the only way to avoid it control residency period so that your are not resident for taxation purpose anywhere. In such case the LTR might well remain useful.

That is an excellent point - and one that I have added to my planning. The ability to travel to any other country/s and not spend more than 180 days in Thailand is the only way to avoid global taxation if/when it comes.  Unless they do exempt LTR Visa holders from income taxes on global income. If the BOI were to somehow get that approved and stamped off, there will be a big increase in LTR Visa holders, because Thailand will become another tax free haven.  With that LTR Visa you stay more than 180 days in Thailand and you are a Thai tax resident and as long as you dont stay too long elsewhere, your global income will remain untaxed.  Nice.  

5 minutes ago, Qman said:

I looked into the LTR visa and ultimately decided not to puruse.  Similar to others the stumbling block was insurance.  I have coverage back home and would just pay and seek reimbursement later if an issue arose while in Thialand.  The option to purchase a stripped down Thai policy with USD 50,000 coverage was about 60,000 Baht per year due to my age.  Thhe other option is to have USD 100,000 in a bank account earning minimal returns which is a poor choice.  They will not consider investment portfolios or assets as must be in a bank cash account.  Considering the cost to just annually renew the retirement extension, even using an agent, it is more economic than purchasing insurance or having USD 100k sitting idle in a bank account.  Hard to understand why they beleive people fitting the "wealthy pensioners" model would opt to have USD 100k earning essentially nothing in a bank account.  If they allowed brokerage investments I feel more people would opt for the LTR visa.

I agree 100% - and as stated before I figure BOI (and most Thai Govt Authorities) have SFA understanding of global finances. I actually asked that question to BOI -  What sort of 'wealthy pensioner' would deposit 100K USD in a low/non-interest earning savings account. They did not answer.  

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. 

well if you read the benefits of the LTR one immediately stands out - NO TAX on FOREIGN EARNED INCOME whether  remitted to Thailand or not so no tax problem to worry about. IMHO.  Besides that, no requireement to go through any submikssions each year - only have to provide current address - agent or wife or tuktuk driver can do it for you and, if you travel outside Thailand during the year, upon return it starts at day one for the next year's report of address.  Took less than 10 minutes to do my first Year's report no requalify at all - possibly at the 5-year mark one might have to show documentatoin of maintaining the basic requirements.  No 90-day reports whatsoever!  Suggest one read the BOI website info re this visa before claiming possible snags.

4 minutes ago, Presnock said:

well if you read the benefits of the LTR one immediately stands out - NO TAX on FOREIGN EARNED INCOME whether  remitted to Thailand or not so no tax problem to worry about.

 

@Middle Aged Grouch IMO that is not true.  LTR visa holders have no tax on foreign earned income that is REMITTED into Thailand, under the current taxation system.  Under the current Thai taxation system, money earned overseas is not taxable unless it is remitted into Thailand (plus other rules regarding year in which earned). 

 

That could all change when Thai TRD implements a global taxation system under which all income, remitted or not, is taxable income. This is the same tax system that the vast majority of countries utilises - all income earned globally by all tax residents is taxable income whether remitted or not. Thailand is moving in that direction - global income will become taxable for all tax residents - with all the allowances and deductions and exemptions to be determined.  That will not affect the vast majority of Expats IMO - but those earning global income (investments, etc) which are the people likely to qualify for an LTR could be affected - could be the operative word.  No guarantees.