Do I have this correct - Minimum unearned or passive income of 80,000 USD per year at the time of application. If annual passive income is between 40,000 USD and 79,999 USD, an additional investment of 250,000 USD in assets (such as Thai government bonds, direct investment in companies registered in Thailand, or Thai real estate) is required? For the LTR Wealthy Pensioner the add-on investment is out of reach. Perhaps the O-A visa would be better -= how to set up a bank account?

The real question is
Why not contact the LTR (Long Term Resident) division of the BOI (Board of Investment) directly and ask?

They are who you apply thru, they are good at getting back to people with concise answers. you can contact them thru their website or their dedicated f/B page (they sometimes answer f/b faster) or you can call them as well

Website where you apply for the visa
https://ltr.boi.go.th/

F/B page for LTR
https://www.facebook.com/LTRVisaThailand

I have the pensioner LTR. The requirement is $80,000/yr passive income and they will ask for a tax return for the previous year or two. If you don't have pension income of $80,000/yr then they will ask for documents concerning what you think is passive income.

You mentioned the OA. I had one of those too. I would recommend that you pursue an O visa rather than an OA. The OA has a health insurance requirement. Otherwise the O and OA have identical requirements for a 1 year extension. There is no need for your visa and health insurance be tied together. Having said that, note that the LTR also has an insurance requirement.

If you are 50 years or older, the non-immigrant O-visa is the easiest option; especially if you can deposit 800k baht in a Thai bank, preferably a 12-months fixed account from which you annually can withdraw interest. With a non-O visa, you are free to chose which health insurance you need – or self-insured, if that is preferred – and apart from the 800k baht deposit, how much you wish to "invest" in Thailand.

Apply for the Non-O visa in your home country and enter with a 90-days stamp. With the long-term visa, you can open a Thai bank account and deposit the required 800k baht. The deposit needs to matrure for two months before you can apply for extension of stay for one year, which need to be done approx. one month before the end of your initial 90-days permitted stay.

You repeat annually for one-year extensions, which at present costs 1,900 baht plus circa 200-baht fee to the bank for confirmation letter and signed bank-statement for the financial deposit. Quite easy to extend stay yourself without use of service-agent.

The 10-year LTR visa does not require annual extensions.

Rather it requires an extension after the initial five years in order to get the full 10-year permission. The cost of that extension I believe is built into the initial cost of the 10-year LTR visa.

Also note that the O-A visa requires 90-day notifications during its one-year term while the LTR visa requires 1-year notifications.

There are also some unique tax and non-tax benefits with the LTR not found with the Non O-A that should be considered.

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

On 1/22/2026 at 12:53 PM, Srikcir said:

The cost of that extension I believe is built into the initial cost of the 10-year LTR visa.

To add to this, it also me comes with a multiple reentry permit good for the duration of the visa.

On 1/19/2026 at 9:51 AM, Martyp said:

I have the pensioner LTR. The requirement is $80,000/yr passive income and they will ask for a tax return for the previous year or two. If you don't have pension income of $80,000/yr then they will ask for documents concerning what you think is passive income.

You mentioned the OA. I had one of those too. I would recommend that you pursue an O visa rather than an OA. The OA has a health insurance requirement. Otherwise the O and OA have identical requirements for a 1 year extension. There is no need for your visa and health insurance be tied together. Having said that, note that the LTR also has an insurance requirement.

I hear that you do have the wealthy pensioner LTR. Do you know whether one can get the Thai Tax Residence Certificate in case of zero tax paid?
I mean, if all income is remittances, with the exemption, one would declare the remittances and then pay zero tax (assuming no Thai income and 180 days in Thailand). Can one obtain the Tax Residency Certificate also with no tax paid? I could find many cases of pensioners from UK/Germany that get the Tax Residency Certificate with zero tax paid due to tax credits and Double Taxation Agreements: it seems similar to me, but I ask whether you know for sure. Thanks

On 1/18/2026 at 4:36 AM, Tod Daniels said:

The real question is

The answer to the real question is that it's a rip off, bordering on a scam.

38 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The answer to the real question is that it's a rip off, bordering on a scam.

The LTR is the best visa in Thailand currently. How could you remotely consider it a scam? You don't even pay anything until AFTER you are approved, which means you lose nothing to find out if you are eligible. Every other visa you apply for and pay for and then they can deny it and you are out your money.

Or are you just upset you don't qualify so just disparage it to make yourself feel better?

4 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The LTR is the best visa in Thailand currently.

Exactly.

I'm jealous of folk that have a LTR.

I don't quite qualify for the 80k USD income. Probably could if included assets/super etc.

Now on retirement extensions income method is also a comfortable fit so not too fussed.

Bottom line is the LTR is excellent option to live in Thailand.

6 hours ago, gavitronic said:

I hear that you do have the wealthy pensioner LTR. Do you know whether one can get the Thai Tax Residence Certificate in case of zero tax paid?
I mean, if all income is remittances, with the exemption, one would declare the remittances and then pay zero tax (assuming no Thai income and 180 days in Thailand). Can one obtain the Tax Residency Certificate also with no tax paid? I could find many cases of pensioners from UK/Germany that get the Tax Residency Certificate with zero tax paid due to tax credits and Double Taxation Agreements: it seems similar to me, but I ask whether you know for sure. Thanks

Sorry, I don’t know

On 1/18/2026 at 11:36 AM, Tod Daniels said:

The real question is
Why not contact the LTR (Long Term Resident) division of the BOI (Board of Investment) directly and ask?

They are who you apply thru, they are good at getting back to people with concise answers. you can contact them thru their website or their dedicated f/B page (they sometimes answer f/b faster) or you can call them as well

Website where you apply for the visa
https://ltr.boi.go.th/

F/B page for LTR

Whilst I will ask this question of BOI, I would appreciate an opinion on whether my UK investments in Premium Bonds and Cash ISA's totalling £95k (THB 4m) will be acceptable in lieu of taking out health insurance.

51 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Whilst I will ask this question of BOI, I would appreciate an opinion on whether my UK investments in Premium Bonds and Cash ISA's totalling £95k (THB 4m) will be acceptable in lieu of taking out health insurance.

An opinion doesn't matter. Only the BOI can tell you if it will be acceptable or not. Even if 1 million people have the opinion that it is acceptable.

23 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

An opinion doesn't matter. Only the BOI can tell you if it will be acceptable or not. Even if 1 million people have the opinion that it is acceptable.

Valid point...............but there is nothing wrong in seeking the opinion of those who may have had experience - otherwise, what is the point of ASEAN NOW as a forum?

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

Whilst I will ask this question of BOI, I would appreciate an opinion on whether my UK investments in Premium Bonds and Cash ISA's totalling £95k (THB 4m) will be acceptable in lieu of taking out health insurance.

My guess is NO. I was told by BOI the $100k had to be in a bank savings account only. I had enough cash in each of the following: cash in my Fidelity brokerage acct, cash in bank CDs (certificates of deposit), and cash in my IRA acct. BOI said none of those options were acceptable.

If you want an answer from an official source, you should email BOI.

24 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

My guess is NO. I was told by BOI the $100k had to be in a bank savings account only. I had enough cash in each of the following: cash in my Fidelity brokerage acct, cash in bank CDs (certificates of deposit), and cash in my IRA acct. BOI said none of those options were acceptable.

If you want an answer from an official source, you should email BOI.

I have, but it is interesting to hear real life experiences while I wait for a reply.

15 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The LTR is the best visa in Thailand currently. How could you remotely consider it a scam? You don't even pay anything until AFTER you are approved, which means you lose nothing to find out if you are eligible. Every other visa you apply for and pay for and then they can deny it and you are out your money.

Or are you just upset you don't qualify so just disparage it to make yourself feel better?

I consider it a scam because I don't trust the Thai authorities.

I do meet the criteria, but I don't even move the 800,000 baht here for my annual extension. I use an agent. Not only does it make economic sense, because the 800,000 baht back in Australia is earning 5%, which more than covers the agent's fee, but the money is is not in a 3rd World Country.

This is the criteria for "wealthy pensioner." That's someone over 50 years of age, which would be most retired expats here.

In case of pension and/or personal income below USD 80,000/year but not less than USD 40,000/year, applicants must have evidence of investment in Thailand in the applicant’s name that has a value of not less than USD 250,000, in any of the following:
• Thai Government bonds with over 5 years of remaining maturity
• Direct investment in a Thai limited company or a Thai public company or investment in a company which operates as a venture capital company or a private equity trust under the Thai SEC or certified by the relevant Thai government agency
• Real estate

Who would $250,000USD into a country that does not even have a reasonable pathway to citizenship????

You can't even own land in your own name here.

They could "pull" the visa at anytime, or freeze the accounts / assets.

Is a Cyprus style "haircut" not possible in Thailand? What about another Asian Financial Crisis? What about a war with Cambodia? What about another military coup? Etc, etc.

I don't want ANY of my money tied up in a country where I have no rights.

I could go on, but it's not for me. I don't have anything that I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport and leave Thailand within 2 hours, should I have to, or need to, and my losses would be minimal. This is by design.

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Bottom line is the LTR is excellent option to live in Thailand.

I disagree, and I have posted my reasons in a recent post.

The criteria needed leaves more of one's funds exposed, as they must be invested in Thailand.

For me, the safest way of residing in Thailand is the method that requires NO INVESTMENT in Thailand. Currently, that is the retirement visa / extension, using an agent for the 800,000 baht.

For the record, I can meet the criteria for the LTR.

I can understand the view of those that are interested in the LTR, but I chose not to chase the carrot on a stick that Thailand is dangling in front of expats.

6 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The criteria needed leaves more of one's funds exposed, as they must be invested in Thailand.

Does not require investment in Thailand. Annual income of 80k USD is an option.

In any event you have your opinion.

Many would disagree. Up to You

BTW: Desire to not have large funds tied up in Thai Bank does not compel one to use an agent.

I use income method for annual extensions (retirement) and transfer well more than 65k and those funds you live off.

Agent has nothing to do with it.

Personal choice... you opt to use agent

10 hours ago, Martyp said:

Sorry, I don’t know

I fail to see why you would need a no taxes paid certificate if your income is totally tax free IAW the LTR. I also believe that a no-taxes-paid certificate would be issued by the Thai Revenue Department, not the BOI and that would mean you need to get a Thai tax ID from the Revenue Department and add extra reporting IMHO.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Does not require investment in Thailand. Annual income of 80k USD is an option.

You are correct. Apologies. I am in error.

Taken from Siam Legal.

Wealthy Pensioner

• Age 50 or older and retired status

• Pension and/or regular personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year at application

• If income is between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 per year, must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property

• Investment of at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property

• Health insurance covering at least USD 50,000 in medical expenses in Thailand, or social security benefits covering treatment in Thailand, or deposits of at least USD 100,000 held for 12+ months

• No employment requirements

When I initially looked into the visa some time ago, I thought all the above criteria had to be met. Obviously, I rushed through it. Revisiting the criteria just now, I can see if you have an income over $80,000USD, there is no need to meet any other of the other criteria.

It does seem a little odd because a retiree could have a share portfolio, for example, returning great dividends, and over $80,000USD a year, then a crash happens and they earn well under $80,000USD a year.

I still stand by my point for those in the $40,000 to $80,000 demographic, and the others. That's a big call to move $250,000 into Thailand just for a visa.

Can someone give me some examples of what "passive income" is? I am not quite at the 80K mark and have CDs in the US of 140K+. I would prefer to keep these funds in the US rather than invest in financial instruments in Thailand. How can I move my CDs to a "passive income" option? Thanks.

1 hour ago, fallonwm said:

Can someone give me some examples of what "passive income" is? I am not quite at the 80K mark and have CDs in the US of 140K+. I would prefer to keep these funds in the US rather than invest in financial instruments in Thailand. How can I move my CDs to a "passive income" option? Thanks.

Passive income is not "earned" ie not from working.

In my case I have 2 pensions plus dividends as passive income

2 hours ago, fallonwm said:

Can someone give me some examples of what "passive income" is? I am not quite at the 80K mark and have CDs in the US of 140K+. I would prefer to keep these funds in the US rather than invest in financial instruments in Thailand. How can I move my CDs to a "passive income" option? Thanks.

Passive income would be things like; pensions, social security, interest from bank savings, CDs, money market funds, and stock dividends, etc. Rental income is probably considered passive income also. You can browse the LTR webiste below for more information.

https://ltr.boi.go.th

On 1/23/2026 at 11:04 PM, gavitronic said:

I hear that you do have the wealthy pensioner LTR. Do you know whether one can get the Thai Tax Residence Certificate in case of zero tax paid?
I mean, if all income is remittances, with the exemption, one would declare the remittances and then pay zero tax (assuming no Thai income and 180 days in Thailand). Can one obtain the Tax Residency Certificate also with no tax paid? I could find many cases of pensioners from UK/Germany that get the Tax Residency Certificate with zero tax paid due to tax credits and Double Taxation Agreements: it seems similar to me, but I ask whether you know for sure. Thanks

I have a good mind to get the tax residence certificate next year (for 2026) in spite of my LTR WP visa. In order to get one you need to have paid some income tax in TH. I know because I tried to get one in Chonburi last year without having paid any income tax for 2024, and was refused one. I had paid 10% witholding dividend tax on my Thai stock but this apparently didn't count as "having paid income tax".

The way to go is to contrive to pay some taxes, say 2000 baht, by transferring around 10k euros in the middle of the year (instead of in early January which would make the transfer tax-free according to the BOI's latest guidance). Declare the sum through the eFiling, pay the tax, then use the receipt of tax payment to get your tax residence certificate. You'll also need a travel record from immigration for the tax year. The travel record will show you've been in Thailand for at least 6 months.

In the unlikely event TRD asks me "why the hell did you file taxes through tax-exempt as per LTR visa?" my reply will be that I declared this particular remittance because it took place in the middle of the year and was money earnt during the tax year, unlike the other remittance effected on January 2nd which was money from previous years "savings".

On 1/24/2026 at 4:27 PM, KhunHeineken said:

You are correct. Apologies. I am in error.

Taken from Siam Legal.

Wealthy Pensioner

• Age 50 or older and retired status

• Pension and/or regular personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year at application

• If income is between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 per year, must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property

• Investment of at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property

• Health insurance covering at least USD 50,000 in medical expenses in Thailand, or social security benefits covering treatment in Thailand, or deposits of at least USD 100,000 held for 12+ months

• No employment requirements

When I initially looked into the visa some time ago, I thought all the above criteria had to be met. Obviously, I rushed through it. Revisiting the criteria just now, I can see if you have an income over $80,000USD, there is no need to meet any other of the other criteria.

It does seem a little odd because a retiree could have a share portfolio, for example, returning great dividends, and over $80,000USD a year, then a crash happens and they earn well under $80,000USD a year.

I still stand by my point for those in the $40,000 to $80,000 demographic, and the others. That's a big call to move $250,000 into Thailand just for a visa.

other criteria too does have to be met...must have health insurance guaranteeing 50K USD for hospitalization or the 100K deposit but if you really need the data, check with the BOI as they speak English very well and they are very helpful in answering questions, either by phone or by email. In addition, they have been those that meet and greet, go through documents prior to providing same to the officers that actually approve or disapprove so they are well aware of what the officials are looking for and they can explain to one considering the LTR very well as they wish to help one get this visa. For some, the perfect visa such as me, and maybe for others, not so perfect. There are other benefits too and if you check the BOI website. you can see those such as no 90-day reports (yearly advise either in person or by agent your current address) and each time you and return, that 1-year report is moved until 1 year from your return date, plus no taxes on foreign income, and if you get a work permit too and work in Thailand, better tax rate. Best of luck.

1 hour ago, JackGats said:

In the unlikely event TRD asks me "why the hell did you file taxes through tax-exempt as per LTR visa?" my reply will be that I declared this particular remittance because it took place in the middle of the year and was money earnt during the tax year, unlike the other remittance effected on January 2nd which was money from previous years "savings".

TRD might require a full income tracking 10 years history proving that your remittance is truly not tax exempted. Failing to provide satisfying documentation could result in not getting the tax certificate plus a fine for fraudulent tax filing and wasting their precious time.

I'm obviously kidding, though...

6 hours ago, Presnock said:

other criteria too does have to be met...must have health insurance guaranteeing 50K USD for hospitalization or the 100K deposit but if you really need the data, check with the BOI as they speak English very well and they are very helpful in answering questions, either by phone or by email. In addition, they have been those that meet and greet, go through documents prior to providing same to the officers that actually approve or disapprove so they are well aware of what the officials are looking for and they can explain to one considering the LTR very well as they wish to help one get this visa. For some, the perfect visa such as me, and maybe for others, not so perfect. There are other benefits too and if you check the BOI website. you can see those such as no 90-day reports (yearly advise either in person or by agent your current address) and each time you and return, that 1-year report is moved until 1 year from your return date, plus no taxes on foreign income, and if you get a work permit too and work in Thailand, better tax rate. Best of luck.

Thanks for the information, but I'm not in the market for this visa. They system I have been using has been working fine for some years now. I also have privacy issues with handing over my financials for this type of visa, but that's just me. I know others have no problem with this.

It probably should be called a "Wealthy Retiree Visa" because wealthy retirees, from some countries, such as mine, have an amount of money / income that excludes them from receiving a pension, thus, they are known as self funded retirees.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Thanks for the information, but I'm not in the market for this visa. They system I have been using has been working fine for some years now. I also have privacy issues with handing over my financials for this type of visa, but that's just me. I know others have no problem with this.

It probably should be called a "Wealthy Retiree Visa" because wealthy retirees, from some countries, such as mine, have an amount of money / income that excludes them from receiving a pension, thus, they are known as self funded retirees.

right, I agree that not every visa fits perfectly with each and every person. I feel that the LTR is perfect for me and I had a retirement O for almost 20 years and never had any problems with that one either and if all else does fail before my 10 years are up, I would go back to the O visa.

On 1/24/2026 at 3:38 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Who would $250,000USD into a country that does not even have a reasonable pathway to citizenship????

Who? Someone who spots an excellent foreign freehold on the coast of Thailand, with an incredible sea view, with excellent beach access, at a fabulous purchase price, but insane rental prices meaning it makes far more sense to purchase, as opposed to rent. My Thai condo has gone up 70% in value since my Dec-2016 purchase. Rental prices for the same condo have tripled thou.

So that's who.

On 1/24/2026 at 3:38 PM, KhunHeineken said:

You can't even own land in your own name here.

One can own foreign freehold condominiums in one's name.

On 1/24/2026 at 3:38 PM, KhunHeineken said:

They could "pull" the visa at anytime, or freeze the accounts / assets.

Hypotheticals such as this ( "pull" or modify a visa) apply to all visas. The Type-O and OA can also be changed at any time. Health insurance requirements could be changed and required from Type-O visa. All speculation, all hypothetical, just the same as any LTR visa hypotheticals.

On 1/24/2026 at 3:38 PM, KhunHeineken said:

I don't want ANY of my money tied up in a country where I have no rights.

Each to their own approach.

On 1/24/2026 at 3:38 PM, KhunHeineken said:

I could go on, but it's not for me. I don't have anything that I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport and leave Thailand within 2 hours, should I have to, or need to, and my losses would be minimal. This is by design.

I suspect it a surprise to many (which I suspect includes you) that there are some who 'just like Thailand', who have 'Thai family' (due to marriage) and the amount of money for the LTR is relatively trivial compared to one's actual wealth. Because of family, climate and social aspects we like, Thailand has advantages, and leaving Thailand in a hurry, despite any investment here, is simply not an issue.

Staying in Thailand incurs no more 'relative' risk (to those person's finances) than any a visa held by others. So obtaining an LTR visa for those is too is by design.

Each to their own, and their own financial situation.