Thailand: Long-Term Resident Visa and SMART Visa Program Requirements to Be Relaxed

Update – February 12, 2025: The proposed changes to the Long-Term Resident Visa have now taken effect. In addition to the changes mentioned below, the Thai government also removed the work experience requirement for both the Work-From-Thailand Professionals and Highly-Skilled Professionals tracks.

January 17, 2025: Based on a cabinet proposal, the Thai government is set to introduce key changes to the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa and SMART Visa programs to streamline processes and enhance Thailand's appeal to foreign professionals and investors. Once the proposed changes are approved, the USD 80,000 annual personal income requirement for LTR visas will be removed from the "Wealthy Global Citizens" track, which applies to those with significant investments and stable financial status in Thailand. For "Work-from-Thailand" applicants, the employer's required revenue threshold will be reduced from USD 150 million to USD 50 million over three years, facilitating easier access for professionals in technology and digital sectors. Additionally, restrictions on the number of dependents for LTR Visa holders will be eliminated, allowing spouses, parents, children, and legal dependents to be included without the previous cap of four. In the SMART Visa program, overlapping visa categories will be phased out to reduce confusion and prioritize the LTR Visa for high-potential foreigners. Lastly, the SMART-T (Talents), SMART-I (Investors), and SMART-E (Senior Executives) categories will be removed, leaving only the SMART-S (Start-up) category for established startups. The changes are expected to go into effect in March 2025.