BOI puts four-year economic value of 12,011 LTR visa approvals at 43bn baht

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa programme has generated an estimated 43 billion baht in economic value over the past four years through visa fees, domestic spending, direct investment and tax revenue from highly skilled professionals, according to the Board of Investment (BOI).

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BOI, said 12,011 people had received approval under the special long-term visa programme during the four-year period. The BOI put the average economic contribution at more than 3.6 million baht per person.

Long-term residents bring overseas spending to Thai businesses

The BOI said wealthy pensioners, high-net-worth individuals and accompanying family members brought overseas purchasing power into the Thai economy. Their long-term residence generates recurring spending on housing, tourism, healthcare, food, transport and other services, providing revenue for businesses and spreading the benefits through different economic sectors.

“Over the past four years, the LTR programme has contributed to the Thai economy in various ways, including investment, work in targeted industries, long-term residence and domestic spending. The BOI will work with partner agencies to continue improving services, both online and through the one-stop Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), to strengthen Thailand’s ability to compete for high-potential talent from around the world,” Narit said.

Pensioners form the largest group of approved LTR applicants

Wealthy pensioners were the largest group in the BOI’s four-year breakdown of approved LTR applicants, followed by dependants. The BOI listed five categories:

• Highly-Skilled Professionals: 1,779 people.
• Work-from-Thailand Professionals, who work in Thailand for overseas employers: 1,043 people.
• Wealthy Global Citizens: 737 people.
• Wealthy Pensioners: 4,561 people.
• Dependants of visa holders in the first four categories: 3,891 people.

LTR applicants must meet category-specific eligibility requirements covering matters such as assets, income, proof of investment, work experience and health insurance, according to the BOI. Relevant agencies also conduct stringent screening to ensure the programme attracts foreign nationals capable of contributing to Thailand.

The BOI said most approved LTR applicants came from major economies. The United States, a leading global technology hub, accounted for the largest number at more than 2,400, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with more than 1,000.

Japanese nationals represented a substantial share of the Highly-Skilled Professionals category, the BOI said. The agency viewed the approval figures as evidence of continued confidence in Thailand among international specialists and investors, despite global competition for talent becoming more intense each year.

The BOI said the LTR programme could accommodate foreign nationals of different nationalities and working arrangements, reflecting the range of professionals, investors and high-spending residents it aims to attract.

Executives account for 54% of two LTR professional categories

Executives account for 54% of approved applicants in the Highly-Skilled Professionals and Work-from-Thailand Professionals categories, while 36% are specialists in various professions, according to the BOI. The remainder are technicians.

The BOI said the two categories were attracting senior personnel with important business responsibilities, including executives involved in planning and decision-making and specialists whose knowledge and experience support technology-intensive industries.

The BOI views the LTR programme as a mechanism for attracting international talent and investors by making it easier for high-potential foreign nationals to live and work in Thailand. The programme targets skilled professionals sought after in the global labour market, alongside investors and people with high purchasing power.

Thailand’s preparations for a new wave of advanced-technology investment make access to highly skilled personnel particularly important, the BOI said. Industries requiring large numbers of such workers include semiconductors and advanced electronics, digital technology and artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, aviation and biotechnology.

The BOI said attracting overseas executives, specialists and workers with specific expertise was an important factor in Thailand’s ability to compete for foreign investment and technology.

BOI launches new online LTR application system

The BOI launched a new online LTR visa application system in September 2026 to accommodate growing applicant numbers and improve the speed and efficiency of processing.

The BOI said the new LTR system was developed to connect data and end-to-end online procedures with four agencies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment and the Revenue Department. The aim is to make the process smoother and improve standards for future cross-agency operations.

Alongside the LTR programme, the BOI facilitates visas and work permits for executives and personnel working for investment-promoted businesses through the BOI Visa, and provides the Smart Visa for start-ups.

The BOI also supports skills development for Thai workers through Skill Bridge and encourages Thai businesses to adopt modern technology under its Business Transformation measure to strengthen their competitiveness.

The BOI said the measures were designed to complement one another through foreign specialist recruitment, Thai workforce development and business upgrading, preparing Thailand for a technology- and innovation-driven economy.