Every summary of LTR visa costs mentions 50,000 THB and stops there. That number is real. It is the official government fee charged by the BOI. But it is not the total cost of obtaining the LTR visa, and it is not the only ongoing expense of holding one. The true first-year cost of the LTR visa, depending on your route and circumstances, typically runs between 70,000 THB and 250,000 THB or more. This guide breaks that down honestly.
Understanding the full cost picture before you apply matters for two reasons. First, it helps you budget accurately. More importantly, the 50,000 THB government fee is non-refundable. If your application is rejected, you do not get it back. Knowing what you're committing to before you pay is not a minor detail.
The LTR Visa Government Fee: 50,000 THB
BOI Application Fee
The 50,000 THB fee is paid to the BOI through the LTR portal at the point of application submission. It covers the cost of processing your application and the issuance of the LTR visa endorsement letter. It applies to each primary applicant. Dependent visa holders (spouses and children) pay a separate, smaller fee.
Two things matter most about this fee:
- It is non-refundable. If your application is rejected (whether due to missing documentation, not meeting the eligibility criteria, or any other reason), the 50,000 THB is not returned. This is the primary reason to be certain you meet the requirements before submitting.
- It is paid in Thai Baht. The BOI quotes it in THB, and while the USD equivalent is approximately $1,400 at current exchange rates, the actual amount you pay depends on the exchange rate at the time of payment. Budget in THB, not USD.
What the fee does not cover
The 50,000 THB covers the BOI processing and endorsement letter. It does not cover the cost of the visa stamp itself (which is collected separately at a Thai embassy or the Department of Consular Affairs), dependent applications, health insurance, document preparation, or any agent fees. All of those are separate costs.
Agent and Visa Service Fees: 20,000 to 100,000+ THB
Using a visa agent or immigration law firm is entirely optional. The BOI built the LTR portal for self-service applications, and a methodical, organised person who is comfortable handling paperwork can complete the application without professional help. That said, many applicants do use an agent, and there are legitimate reasons to do so.
What does an agent actually do?
A good visa agent handles document review (checking that your evidence meets the BOI's specific formatting and content requirements before you submit), application form completion, document upload, and communication with the BOI if questions arise during review. Some agents include translation and apostille coordination in their service. The most full-service operations handle everything from initial eligibility assessment through to the final visa collection step.
What an agent cannot do: they cannot accelerate the BOI's review process. Once your application is submitted, the BOI timeline is the BOI timeline. The value of an agent is in getting the submission right the first time, not in speeding up what happens after it.
What does it cost?
| Service Level | Typical Fee Range | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Document review only | 10,000–20,000 THB | Check your documents meet BOI requirements before you submit yourself |
| Standard application support | 20,000–45,000 THB | Document review, form completion, portal submission, BOI communication |
| Full-service with translations | 45,000–80,000 THB | All of the above + certified translations, apostille coordination |
| Immigration law firm (full package) | 80,000–150,000+ THB | Legal advice, full document preparation, submission, embassy collection coordination |
Fee ranges based on market rates observed in the Bangkok and Chiang Mai expatriate market at April 2026. Individual firms and agents may price differently. Always get a clear scope-of-work in writing before engaging any agent.
How to find a legitimate agent
The BOI does not maintain an official list of endorsed visa agents, which means the market for LTR visa services is unregulated beyond Thai law firm registration. When evaluating an agent:
- Ask specifically about their LTR visa application success rate and how many applications they have completed
- Get the scope of services in writing: what is included and what is not
- Verify whether the service is provided by a licensed law firm (if you want legal advice, not just administrative support, you need a licensed firm)
- Be wary of unusually low fees, particularly if document translation and apostille coordination would normally be included
Honest agents will tell you upfront if you do not appear to meet the eligibility criteria. If an agent is willing to take your money without first assessing whether you qualify, treat that as a warning sign.
Health Insurance: 15,000 to 60,000+ THB per Year
Health insurance is an ongoing annual cost, not a one-time expense. You need it to qualify for the LTR visa, and you need to maintain it throughout the validity of the visa. The cost varies considerably based on your age, health history, coverage level, and insurer.
BOI Minimum Coverage Requirement
The BOI requires a minimum of 40,000 THB outpatient coverage and 400,000 THB inpatient coverage per year from a BOI-approved insurer. Policies meeting exactly this minimum are the cheapest option but may not provide adequate coverage for real healthcare costs in Thailand, particularly for inpatient treatment at private hospitals in Bangkok.
Most financial advisers working with expats in Thailand recommend inpatient coverage of at least 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 THB per year. The BOI minimum of 400,000 THB would cover a straightforward admission with some room to spare but would be insufficient for anything serious.
Indicative annual premium ranges by age
| Age Range | BOI-Minimum Compliant Policy | Recommended Coverage | Full International Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–44 | 12,000–20,000 THB/yr | 25,000–45,000 THB/yr | 50,000–100,000+ THB/yr |
| 45–59 | 20,000–38,000 THB/yr | 40,000–75,000 THB/yr | 80,000–150,000+ THB/yr |
| 60–70 | 35,000–65,000 THB/yr | 65,000–120,000 THB/yr | 120,000–200,000+ THB/yr |
Premium ranges are indicative, based on non-smokers with no significant pre-existing conditions at April 2026. Age is the single biggest premium driver. Pre-existing conditions, deductible levels, and coverage territory (Thailand-only vs worldwide) also significantly affect price. See the full health insurance guide for a comparison of approved insurers.
If you already have international health insurance
Check two things: whether your insurer is on the BOI's approved list, and whether your current policy meets the minimum coverage thresholds. Many international insurers are approved; some are not, regardless of how good their actual coverage is. If your insurer is not approved, you have the option of taking out a low-cost Thai policy to meet the BOI requirement while maintaining your primary coverage separately. This costs more than a single policy but less than switching your main coverage to an approved provider if that would increase your premiums significantly.
Document Preparation Costs: 5,000 to 25,000 THB
This is the cost category that is most consistently missing from LTR visa cost summaries, and it is a real expense. Depending on your country of origin and which LTR category you're applying under, document preparation involves some combination of:
Apostilles
Many required documents (criminal background certificates, financial statements from regulated institutions, pension award letters) need to be apostilled if they were issued in a Hague Apostille Convention country (which includes the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe). An apostille is a government certification that authenticates the signature or seal on the document for use in another country. The process and cost varies by country. In the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) charges around £30 per document and takes several days by post. In the US, apostille services vary by state; allow 2 to 6 weeks. Budget 2,000 to 8,000 THB equivalent for apostilles across your document set.
Certified translations
Documents not in Thai or English need certified translation. Even documents in English from countries like the US or UK may benefit from formatting annotation if they are not in the specific format the BOI expects. Certified translations in Bangkok typically run 400 to 1,000 THB per page depending on the language pair and complexity. Budget accordingly if you have significant financial documentation or legal papers in other languages.
Bank and financial statements
The BOI may require certified or notarised copies of bank and investment statements rather than standard printouts. Check with your bank in advance. Some institutions provide certified statements free, others charge. International banks may take 2 to 4 weeks to produce documents in the required format.
Ongoing and Renewal Costs: What You'll Pay After Approval
Annual reporting
LTR visa holders report to immigration annually rather than on the standard 90-day cycle. The reporting fee is minimal (a few hundred baht) but the visit itself takes time. Many expats use a visa agent to handle their annual report, particularly if they are not based in Bangkok. Budget approximately 500 to 2,000 THB per year for the reporting process including any agent handling fee.
Health insurance renewals
Your health insurance renews annually. Premiums typically increase with age, so the cost you pay in Year 1 is not the cost you will pay in Year 5 or Year 10. Budget for premium increases, particularly if you are in your 50s or 60s. Some insurers offer multi-year rate locks; worth asking about.
The five-year re-endorsement
At the five-year mark, you go through a re-endorsement process to activate the second five-year block of your LTR visa. This involves demonstrating that you still meet the eligibility criteria (updated financial documentation, valid health insurance, clean criminal record) and paying a re-endorsement fee to the BOI. The fee for re-endorsement is expected to be lower than the initial application fee, but verify the current amount with the BOI closer to your re-endorsement date.
Thai investment maintenance
If you qualified via the Thai investment alternative route (the $250,000 investment for Wealthy Pensioners or the $500,000 investment for Wealthy Global Citizens), you need to maintain that investment for the duration of the visa. If the investment is sold or withdrawn without a qualifying replacement, the basis for your eligibility changes. This is not a fee, but it is an ongoing financial commitment that should be factored into the total cost of holding the LTR visa.
Full LTR Visa Budget Planner: Year 1 Total
The following represents a realistic Year 1 cost estimate for a single primary applicant using the agent-assisted route, taking the example of a Wealthy Pensioner aged 57 based in the UK applying for the first time.
Example: Wealthy Pensioner, Age 57, UK-Based, Agent-Assisted
| Applicant Type | DIY Route (Est.) | Agent-Assisted (Est.) | Key Variable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wealthy Global Citizen, 45, healthy | 75,000–100,000 THB | 115,000–175,000 THB | Complex asset documentation |
| Wealthy Pensioner, 62, UK/US/AU | 75,000–110,000 THB | 140,000–210,000 THB | Insurance premium at age 62 |
| Work-from-Thailand Professional, 35 | 68,000–90,000 THB | 100,000–150,000 THB | Employer documentation complexity |
| Highly Skilled Professional, 40 | 70,000–95,000 THB | 110,000–165,000 THB | Industry credential verification |
Estimates are illustrative based on April 2026 market rates. Exchange rate applied: approximately 35 THB to 1 USD. All amounts in Thai Baht and exclude the Thai investment requirement for those using the alternative qualifying route. Dependent visa costs are not included.
DIY vs Agent-Assisted: Which Makes Sense for You?
The honest answer is that both routes work. The question is which works better for your specific situation.
- You are organised and comfortable with detailed paperwork
- Your income and asset situation is straightforward to document
- Your documents are all in English and from apostille-convention countries
- You have time to research the current BOI requirements thoroughly
- Your income is clearly above the threshold with no ambiguity
- Cost savings are a meaningful priority
- Your financial situation involves multiple asset types or income sources
- You have documents in multiple languages
- Your income sits close to a threshold and you're using the alternative qualifying route
- You prefer to know it's being handled correctly rather than managing it yourself
- You have previously had a Thai visa application rejected
- Your time is more valuable than the agent fee
One practical note: the BOI portal is well-built by Thai government standards, but it is not always intuitive, and the guidance on acceptable document formats is detailed. Read the requirements section of the portal carefully before starting your application. If at any point you are uncertain what is required, it is worth paying for an hour of advice from a qualified immigration adviser rather than guessing and potentially jeopardising a 50,000 THB non-refundable fee.
LTR Visa Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
The government fee is 50,000 THB, paid at application. But the total first-year cost including mandatory health insurance, document preparation, and any agent fees typically runs from 70,000 THB (very simple DIY application, young applicant with low insurance premiums) to 200,000 THB or more (older applicant, agent-assisted, complex documentation from multiple countries). The most commonly overlooked costs are health insurance premiums and document apostille and certification fees.
The fee is paid at the point of application submission through the BOI portal, before the BOI reviews your application and before you know the outcome. It is non-refundable. This is the most important financial point to understand about the LTR visa application process. Do not pay the fee unless you are confident you meet the eligibility requirements and your documentation is in order.
No. Unlike the Thai retirement visa (Non-OA), the LTR visa does not require you to hold a Thai bank account or maintain a Thai bank balance as part of the eligibility criteria. The BOI accepts documentation of overseas income and assets for the qualification assessment. You will eventually need a Thai bank account for daily life in Thailand, but it is not a condition of the LTR visa application itself.
The main recurring costs are your annual health insurance premium and the annual immigration reporting fee (a few hundred baht plus any agent handling fee if you use one). The BOI does not charge an annual fee during the five-year visa block. At the five-year mark, a re-endorsement fee applies. The advantage of the LTR visa over the annual retirement visa is that you are not paying agent fees and government fees every 12 months. The costs are front-loaded at the point of application.
It depends heavily on age. For applicants in their 30s and 40s in good health, a compliant policy can be as low as 12,000 to 20,000 THB per year at the minimum required coverage level. For applicants in their 60s, premiums at a more thorough coverage level commonly run 65,000 to 120,000 THB per year. Age is the single biggest driver of premium cost. The BOI minimum coverage (40,000 THB outpatient, 400,000 THB inpatient) is achievable at the lower end for younger applicants but offers limited protection in practice. Most experienced expats in Thailand carry significantly higher coverage.
Now That You Know the Costs
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