For UK residents, the LTR Visa process is a two-stage journey. First, you deal with the Board of Investment (BOI) in Bangkok (online) for your “Qualification Endorsement.” Once you have that golden ticket, you transition to the Royal Thai Embassy in London (via the e-Visa portal) to have the actual visa issued.

As of March 2026, the London Embassy has fully digitized this process. You no longer need to visit South Kensington in person for the visa itself—everything is “stickerless.”

1. Stage One: The UK Document “Legalization” Trail

Before you even touch the BOI portal, your UK documents must be made “legally recognizable” to Thai officials. This is the most time-consuming step for UK residents.

The 3-Step Legalization Chain

1. Solicitor Certification: Original documents (like your degree or private pension letters) must be certified by a UK Solicitor or Notary Public.
2. FCDO Apostille: The certified documents must be sent to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Milton Keynes. They attach an “Apostille” (a paper certificate) that confirms the solicitor’s signature is genuine.
   • Cost: £45 per document (Standard) or £35 (e-Apostille, if applicable).
3. Thai Embassy Attestation: Finally, the Apostilled document must be “Attested” by the Royal Thai Embassy London.
   • Cost: £10 per document.
   • Turnaround: Usually 3–5 working days.

Pro Tip: In 2026, the BOI is increasingly accepting e-Apostilles for digital-native documents (like HMRC tax summaries), which can save you weeks of postage time.

2. Stage Two: The BOI Endorsement (The “Brain”)

You submit your legalized UK documents to the BOI LTR Portal.

• The Wait: 20 business days is the official target, but for UK applicants in 2026, we are seeing average turnarounds of 12–15 business days.
• The Result: You receive a Notification of Qualification Endorsement. This PDF is valid for 60 days. If you don’t issue your visa within this window, you must restart the entire endorsement process.

3. Stage Three: The London e-Visa Portal (The “Body”)

Once you have the BOI Endorsement, you head to www.thaievisa.go.th. This is where you pay the actual visa fee and receive your travel authorization.

The “Stickerless” Workflow:

1. Account Creation: Create a profile. Your “Current Location” must be set to United Kingdom.
2. Visa Selection: Select “Long-Term Resident Visa” and choose your specific category (e.g., Wealthy Pensioner).
3. The London Fee (2026): The fee for the 10-year Multiple Entry LTR at the London Embassy is currently £1,500 (approx. 67,000 THB).
   • Note: This is slightly higher than the 50,000 THB fee if issued inside Thailand, due to exchange rate buffers set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Uploads: You will upload your BOI Endorsement Letter, your Passport Biodata page, and a Proof of Address in the UK (Council Tax bill or Utility bill).

4. 2026 Embassy Processing Times

The Royal Thai Embassy London typically processes LTR e-Visas within 5 to 10 working days.

• No Passport Submission: You do not send your physical passport to the Embassy.
• The e-Visa Result: You will receive an email with a PDF. This is your visa. You must print this out and carry it with you when you fly.

5. Summary of Costs for a UK Resident (Single Applicant)

Step	Item	Estimated Cost
Legalization	FCDO Apostille + Embassy Stamp (per doc)	~£55
Endorsement	BOI Processing	£0 (Free)
Visa Fee	Royal Thai Embassy London	£1,500
Digital Work Permit	If applicable (paid later in Thailand)	~£70/year

Strategy Recommendation: The “In-Country” Pivot

If you are already in Thailand on a Tourist Visa or DTV, you can choose to have your LTR issued at the One-Stop Service Center (OSSC) in Bangkok instead of London.

• The Benefit: You pay 50,000 THB (saving about £350 vs. London fees) and get the physical 10-year stamp in your passport the same day.

Once you have received your BOI Qualification Endorsement, you have exactly 60 days to issue your visa. For UK residents, you must choose between two distinct workflows: issuing the visa via the Royal Thai Embassy in London (online) or at the One-Stop Service Center (OSSC) in Bangkok.

Here is the 2026 technical breakdown for both paths.

1. Option A: Overseas Issuance (London e-Visa)

This is the standard path if you are currently in the UK. The process is entirely digital; you do not need to visit the embassy in South Kensington.

The e-Visa Workflow:

1. Platform: Access www.thaievisa.go.th.
2. Selection: Choose “Long-Term Resident Visa” (Category: P, T, or L depending on your track).
3. Documentation: You must upload:
   • The BOI Endorsement Letter (PDF).
   • Your Passport biodata page.
   • Proof of UK Residence: A recent utility bill or council tax statement showing your name and UK address.
4. The “London Fee” (2026): The fee is approximately £1,500 (roughly 67,000 THB). The Embassy uses a fixed exchange rate that is historically higher than the “In-Country” price.
5. Result: You receive an e-Visa PDF via email. Print this out; it is your official entry document.

2. Option B: In-Country Issuance (OSSC Bangkok)

If you are already in Thailand (e.g., on a Tourist Visa, DTV, or 60-day exemption), you can “switch” to the LTR at the One-Stop Service Center (OSSC) located at One Bangkok (Lumphini).

The OSSC Workflow:

1. Appointment: Schedule your visit through the BOI LTR portal once your endorsement is approved.
2. The “Bangkok Fee”: You pay exactly 50,000 THB (~£1,150) at the immigration counter.
   • Note: Payment must be made in Cash or via Thai Mobile Banking (QR). International credit cards are often not accepted at this specific counter.
3. The Stamp: Unlike the London e-Visa, the OSSC will place a physical 10-year visa sticker in your passport on the spot.
4. Digital Work Permit (DWP): If you are in the “Work-from-Thailand” or “Highly Skilled” category, you will process your DWP at the same time in the same building.

3. 2026 Comparative Summary: London vs. Bangkok

Feature	Royal Thai Embassy (London)	OSSC (Bangkok)
Method	100% Online (e-Visa)	In-Person Appointment
Visa Fee	£1,500 (~67,000 THB)	50,000 THB (~£1,150)
Passport	No physical sticker (Digital)	Physical Sticker in Passport
Processing	5–10 Working Days	Same-Day (1–3 Hours)
Address Proof	Required (UK Utility Bill)	Not Required

4. Final Compliance Warning: The 60-Day Clock

Regardless of which location you choose, the BOI Endorsement Letter expires exactly 60 days from the date of issue.

• If you apply via London, you must pay the fee and receive the e-Visa within those 60 days.
• If you apply in Bangkok, you must have your OSSC appointment and pay the 50,000 THB within those 60 days.

Failed Deadlines: If you miss the 60-day window, the BOI system automatically “cancels” your qualification. You will be required to resubmit your entire application, including all legalized documents and P60s, for a new review.

Summary of Next Steps

If you are currently in the UK, the London e-Visa is the most convenient route, despite the higher fee. If you are already in Southeast Asia, flying into Bangkok to use the OSSC will save you approximately £350 in government fees.