Thailand: new long-term visa rules for high net worth individuals and professionals

Thailand seeks not only to attract highly qualified personnel, but also to create comfortable conditions for living and working in the country, which in turn will strengthen the kingdom's position as a leading global center for investment and innovation. With the new Long Term Visa rules, new opportunities are opening up for foreign residents, making Thailand an even more attractive destination for those seeking new horizons in their careers and lives.

Key changes to the Long Term Visa, developed by the Board of Investment (BOI) office, include:

Expansion of the list of targeted sectors for highly skilled professionals. New fields such as risk and disaster management and integrated innovation are now available to foreign workers, significantly increasing the number of visa applicants.

Elimination of the requirement of five years of work experience in therelevant field for applicants in the categories of Highly Skilled Professionals and Professionals working from Thailand. This simplifies the visa process and makes it more affordable.

Reducing the corporate income for overseas employers sponsoring applicants in the “Professionals Working from Thailand” category from US$150 million to US$50 million over the past three years.

Elimination of the minimum annual income of US$80,000 for the “Wealthy Global Citizens” category . The focus now shifts to overall wealth and investment in Thailand.

Abolition of limits on the number of dependents. Previously the maximum number of dependents was four, now spouses, parents, children and legal dependents of permanent resident visa holders can be included.

Applicants should carefully read the new long-term visa rules and conditions before applying. While the process has been simplified and opportunities expanded, compliance with all requirements and regulations remains critical to successful visa application.

Stay up-to-date on all visa policy changes and get up-to-date travel planning advice by following the news at Visa-Navigator.com.