EABC: Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) Event on 31 August 2022

On 31st August, 2022, EABC led by Mr. Jan Eriksson, Vice President, Mr. Bob Fox, Board member and Chair of Digital Economy / ICT Working Group, and Ms. Warangkana Hicks, Policy Manager of EABC attended the Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) Launching Event organized by Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.

Opening remarks were delivered by M.L. Chayotid Kridakon, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Thailand Trade Representative. The panel discussion on the LTR scheme led by Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment, Mr. Natwut Amornvivat, Vice Chairman of the Digital Council of Thailand, Ms. Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag, Chairwoman of JFCCT and the Agoda country CEO, Mr. Omri Morgenshtern.

The LTR scheme has four categories each with its own target groups and requirements and aims to appeal to foreigners (whether abroad or here in Thailand) to contribute variously to investment, domestic spending, skills transfer and imparting knowledge. There will be many privileges for LTR visa holders which should make living in Thailand more attractive and less bureaucratic.

The LTR scheme does not include a ‘digital nomad’ visa and is not a sinecure for all work permit and visa issues – it is for specific groups each with a wealthier profile. EABC, with collaborators, has been involved in the development of the Smart Visa and now the LTR visa for some years.

LTR Visas are open for application from September 1, 2022. The visa (typically 5+5 years) comes with an ‘automatic’ digital work permit where needed.

You can find more information about the LTR Scheme here: https://ltr.boi.go.th/