Thailand LTR Visa for Dependents: Complete Guide (2026)

What Is the LTR Visa for Dependents?

The Dependents category of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa allows the family members of a qualified LTR Visa holder to obtain the same 10-year residence permit in Thailand. This fifth category was built into the LTR programme from its launch in September 2022, recognising that attracting high-potential individuals to Thailand also means accommodating their families.

The legal framework is the same as for the other categories: the Notification of the Ministry of Interior under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), administered by the BOI under the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977). The dependent visa is tied to the main LTR holder's qualification and remains valid as long as the main holder's visa is in force.

Under the January 2025 Cabinet resolution, the scope of eligible dependents has been significantly expanded. Previously, dependents were limited to a maximum of four persons consisting of the spouse and children under 20. The updated policy allows an unlimited number of dependents and extends eligibility to parents and other legal dependents. However, this expansion will only take effect upon a formal announcement by the Ministry of Interior and the Immigration Bureau, which has not yet been issued as of April 2026.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent?

Current Rules (in Force)

Under the current regulations, the following family members may apply as dependents of an LTR Visa holder:

The legal spouse of the LTR holder, evidenced by a valid marriage certificate. Same-sex spouses are recognised following the Marriage Equality Act (effective 22 January 2025).
Children under 20 years of age, including legitimate children, adopted children, and stepchildren. Once a dependent child turns 20, the LTR dependent visa automatically becomes invalid.

Expanded Rules (Announced, Not Yet in Effect)

The January 2025 Cabinet resolution approved the following expansions, which will take effect upon a separate Ministry of Interior announcement:

No limit on the number of dependents per main LTR holder (previously capped at 4)
Parents of the LTR holder eligible as dependents
Other legal dependents (e.g. individuals under guardianship)

Benefits for Dependents

Dependents enjoy the same visa duration as the main LTR holder (10 years, structured as 5+5), unlimited multiple entry, annual reporting instead of 90-day reporting, fast-track airport immigration, and facilitation at TIESC, One Bangkok. Dependents also benefit from the foreign income tax exemption under Royal Decree No. 743 (B.E. 2565).

Required Documents

Personal Documents

Passport with no less than 6 months validity and at least 2 blank pages, scanned as a PDF including biodata page and all Thai Immigration stamps in chronological order
Passport-size photograph on white background (max 2 MB), formal attire, no glasses or accessories, taken within 6 months
TDAC for those entering after 1 May 2025, or TM.6 card for those entering before 1 July 2022 or via land border

Consent Form for Sponsorship

A signed Consent Form for Sponsorship of a Dependent, confirming the relationship with the main LTR applicant and that the main applicant will be fully responsible for the dependent's financial support, accommodation, health care, and all necessary expenses during their stay in Thailand. This form can be downloaded from the LTR Visa website under Application Forms.

Medical Certificate (Case-by-Case)

If requested, a medical certificate from a hospital or medical centre indicating that the applicant requires assistance with daily living activities from a primary caregiver. Must not be older than 6 months.

Evidence of Relationship

For a spouse:

Marriage certificate valid in the country where the passport was issued. A copy must be no older than 6 months. If the marriage certificate was issued more than 6 months before the application date, the applicant must: (1) have it notarised by the consulate or embassy of their country of nationality, (2) have the notarised certificate legalised by their country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and (3) have the legalised certificate further certified by the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

For a child:

Legitimate child: birth certificate
Adopted child: birth certificate, adoption certificate, and court order of adoption
Stepchild: birth certificate, court order of adoption (if the main LTR applicant is the stepparent), and marriage certificate between the child's parent and the main LTR applicant

Evidence of Health Insurance

The dependent must provide one of the following:

Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage for hospitalisation and medical treatment, with at least 10 months remaining coverage
Thai Social Security (SSO) coverage
A bank deposit of at least USD 25,000 (note: this is lower than the USD 100,000 required for main applicants), held for at least 12 months

This may be deferred with a Document Request Acknowledgement Form.

Application Process

Each dependent must create a separate account on the BOI's LTR Visa portal and submit their own application, linked to the main LTR holder's application. The process follows the same steps: preliminary check, qualification review, endorsement, and visa issuance.

The dependent's application is assessed alongside the main applicant's qualification. If the main applicant's LTR Visa is terminated or revoked, the dependent's visa will also be affected.

Fees

Each dependent pays the full LTR Visa fee of THB 50,000 per person for the 10-year visa. This is in addition to the main applicant's fee. If the dependent also requires a Digital Work Permit, the standard THB 3,000 per year plus THB 100 per application fee applies.

Important Notes on Children

Under the current LTR Visa policy, only children under 20 years of age are eligible as dependents. Once a dependent turns 20, the visa automatically becomes invalid. This means families should plan ahead: a 17-year-old who obtains an LTR dependent visa will have it expire on their 20th birthday, not at the end of the full 5-year or 10-year term.

At that point, the child would need to obtain their own visa, either by qualifying independently for an LTR category (if they meet the income or employment criteria), or by switching to another visa type such as an education visa, work visa, or the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV).

Practical Tips

Marriage certificates older than 6 months cause frequent delays. If your marriage certificate is not recent, begin the legalisation chain (embassy notarisation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, Thai MFA certification) well in advance. This can take several weeks, particularly if your country of nationality does not have a consulate in Thailand.

For adopted children or stepchildren, ensure all court orders and adoption certificates are properly translated and certified. The BOI cross-references these documents carefully and may request additional evidence of the relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my unmarried partner apply as a dependent?

Under the current rules, only legal spouses (evidenced by a marriage certificate) qualify. Unmarried partners do not qualify as dependents. However, same-sex marriages are now recognised in Thailand following the Marriage Equality Act (effective 22 January 2025), so legally married same-sex spouses are eligible.

My child will turn 20 next year. What happens?

The dependent LTR Visa will automatically become invalid when the child reaches 20 years of age. The child would then need to secure their own visa independently. We recommend planning well in advance to ensure a smooth transition.

Can my parents join me as dependents?

This has been approved in principle by the Cabinet in January 2025, but will only take effect upon a formal announcement by the Ministry of Interior. As of April 2026, this announcement has not yet been issued. We are monitoring the situation and will update our clients as soon as the expanded dependent rules come into force.

Does each dependent need their own health insurance?

Yes. Each dependent must independently satisfy the health insurance requirement. The bank deposit alternative for dependents is USD 25,000 (lower than the USD 100,000 required for main applicants).

Does each dependent pay THB 50,000?

Yes. The THB 50,000 visa fee applies per person, regardless of whether they are a main applicant or a dependent.

What if the main LTR holder's visa is cancelled?

The dependent's visa is tied to the main holder's qualification. If the main holder's LTR Visa is terminated or revoked, the dependent's visa may also be affected. Dependents would then need to secure their own visa independently or depart Thailand.

Why Choose Juslaws & Consult?

Juslaws & Consult has over 22 years of experience helping international families navigate Thai immigration. We handle the dependent application alongside the main applicant's case, ensuring that all relationship documentation, translations, and legalisations are properly prepared. Our team works in English, French, German, and Thai.

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