It was announced for more than a year by the Thai government, it is finally accessible to qualified professionals, digital nomads and wealthy retirees: the long-stay visa (long-term resident visa, LTR) is tailor-made to attract candidates for expatriation to the “land of smiles”, explains the South China Morning Post.
According to Chayotid Kridakon, adviser to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, this new visa will promote investments – real estate and others – as well as the country’s economic recovery. “The validity period of the LTR [dix ans] is probably the longest that can be offered and this new visa corresponds to a request from the many expatriates who have already worked in Thailand for a long time”, indicates for his part Duangjai Asawachintachit, secretary general of the Board of Investment.
Thailand already offered a “golden visa” to wealthy expatriates. Foreign professionals, for their part, had until now in principle to apply for a work visa valid for one year. The new visa should spare them multiple appointments with the immigration services, the possible recourse to a lawyer as well as the obligation to block a sum of money in a Thai bank, underlines the South China Morning Post.
According to foreign chambers of commerce, the new visa regime will make Thailand a destination of choice for many professionals. The government hopes in particular to encourage recruitment in the electric vehicle, electronics and digital industries, three sectors that it intends to develop in particular over the next few years.