Thailand Updates Long-Term Resident Visa Rules, Easing Requirements For Skilled Workers And Investors

• The new regulations make it easier for talented workers, investors, and their families to reside, work, and invest in Thailand.

• The amended rules reduce the minimum income and job experience criteria while increasing dependant eligibility.

Thailand has modified its Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa requirements, which will take effect in February 2025.

The new regulations make it easier for talented workers, investors, and their families to reside, work, and invest in Thailand.

The amended rules reduce the minimum income and job experience criteria while increasing dependant eligibility.

The amended guidelines remove significant hurdles and expand the range of alternatives for anyone interested in settling in Thailand.

The revised standards make it easy for a wide range of people, including specialists, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads, to qualify for the visa.

Changes in the income and work experience requirements

One of the most significant changes is the elimination of the personal income criteria for wealthy global citizens, according to the DAAD Scholarship.  Previously, applicants had to show an annual income of at least USD 80,000 for two consecutive years.  The new criteria do not require applicants to have an income, but they must have steady interests in Thailand.

To be eligible, candidates must have investments of at least USD 500,000 in the country, as well as global assets worth USD 1 million or more.

New opportunities for highly skilled professionals

Another noteworthy difference is that highly qualified professionals no longer need to have work experience.  Prior to this modification, applicants had to demonstrate at least five years of relevant work experience to be eligible for the LTR visa.

This restriction has now been lifted, allowing more people in selected industries, such as education and vocational training, to apply without having to demonstrate their professional credentials.

Simplified requirements for professionals who work from Thailand

The income criterion for firms who hire remote workers in Thailand has been reduced.  In the past, the employer had to show a revenue of USD 150 million during the previous three years.

With the new guidelines, this barrier has been reduced to USD 50 million, making it simpler for individuals working for smaller but more established businesses to qualify.  Furthermore, wholly-owned subsidiaries of eligible firms now match the criterion, and the work experience requirement has been waived.

Increased dependant rights for families

The revised visa also expands the list of eligible dependents.  Previous laws allowed only spouses and children under the age of 20 to accompany the primary applicant, with a maximum of four dependents.

The new rules eliminate this restriction and allow parents and all legal dependents to accompany the principal visa holder to Thailand indefinitely.

Existing criteria for wealthy pensioners

For retirees over 50, the LTR Visa still requires a minimum of USD 80,000 in passive income each year, or USD 40,000 plus a USD 250,000 investment in Thailand.  These requirements remain unaltered with the latest changes.

Several features of the LTR Visa have been modified, but the health insurance and savings policies remain unchanged.  All applicants must have health insurance coverage of at least USD 50,000 for ten months, Thai social security, or USD 100,000 in savings, with an extra USD 25,000 necessary for each dependent.

What these changes mean for applicants

• According to reports, the new visa requirements allow greater flexibility and ease for people who want to live or invest in Thailand.
• With lower income and experience requirements and broader dependant eligibility, the 2025 changes are expected to attract more global talent and entrepreneurs.
• These improvements are intended to reflect Thailand’s efforts to increase its appeal as a destination for long-term residents.
• Applicants are urged to request additional information.  Keep a watch out for statements from the Thai Ministry of Interior about the official implementation of increased dependant rights.