Move to Thailand
There are four serious long-stay routes into Thailand and they suit completely different lives. The cheapest one caps you at 180 days a trip. The most expensive one gives you no work rights at all. We have watched people find that out late.
The four routes
Below is the comparison people usually have to assemble themselves. Then the detail. Then we introduce you to a licensed partner who files it.
| Term | Cost | Income test | Work rights | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTR | 10 yrs (5+5) | Application fee | ~USD 80k | Yes, digital permit | BOI process is slower |
| Privilege | 5–20 yrs | ฿650k–฿5m | None | No | Pay after approval |
| DTV | 5 yrs | ฿10,000 | Light | Foreign employers only | 180 days per entry |
| Retirement | 1 or 5 yrs | Low | ฿800k banked or ฿65k/mo | No | Age 50+, insurance required |
Figures last verified August 2026.
If you can meet the LTR thresholds, it is the best visa in Thailand and it is not close. Privilege exists for people who cannot, or who would rather not prove it.
Why come through us
Buyers, retirees and remote workers — all four of these routes. We know which partner handles which route well, and what the current processing times actually are. The introduction costs you nothing.
Eligible travellers still arrive visa-free for 60 days. The four routes below are for people who want to stay.
Figures from Fulcrum Global, published 2026.
The routes
01 · 10 years, issued 5 + 5
The Board of Investment route: ten years, work rights, and a 17% tax rate for professionals who meet it. Broadly around USD 80,000 a year or equivalent assets. Four doors — global citizen, pensioner, remote professional, highly skilled.
Best for: high earners who want work rights and the 17% tax treatment
02 · 5 to 20 years
The membership once called Elite. From ฿650,000 at Bronze to ฿5,000,000 at Reserve, paid after approval. No income test, no age floor — and no work rights, which is the trade. The concierge handles the reporting.
Best for: people who would rather write a cheque than assemble a file
03 · 5 years, ฿10,000
The most affordable long stay, aimed at remote workers. Each entry is 180 days, so it suits someone who already travels rather than someone settling. Remote work for a foreign employer is allowed.
Best for: remote workers who leave the country regularly anyway
04 · 1 year, or 5 years
Age 50 and over. ฿800,000 in a Thai bank or ฿65,000 a month, plus Thai-compliant health insurance. Continuous stay, with 90-day reporting. The longer O-X sits at higher thresholds.
Best for: over-50s who do not need to work here
The introduction