Thailand has been a popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers for a number of years, and there is now a Thailand digital nomad visa, which makes it easier to stay for longer. The country is full of beautiful beaches and vibrant cities and has great internet infrastructure in many places, making it ideal for digital nomads.
The Thailand Digital Nomad visa is a 180-day visa that can be extended once for a further 180 days. This visa lasts for up to five years and allows for multiple entries to the country. This allows digital nomads to spend an extended period of time, or multiple extended periods of time, in this lovely and scenic country, enjoying the cuisine, coastline and culture.
It is an easy way for digital nomads to spend two or three months per year for five years in Thailand, and this suits many remote workers far more than having to make a visa run every 30 days or so. This visa is officially called the Destination Thailand Visa and is a much more realistic option for most than the Thailand Long-term Residence visa, which offers a ten-year stay but has very stringent requirements.
To be able to apply for a digital nomad visa in Thailand, you have to be over the age of 20.
You must also be able to prove that you work remotely for a foreign company or as a freelancer, and you can do this by providing contract copies or copies of business paperwork such as invoices.
You must also have a certain amount of money in the bank. This is to prove that you can survive financially for six months in the country. At the time of writing, this amount is 13,665 USD or 500,000 Thai Baht.
You will have to be able to prove that you have international health insurance that will cover you for the trip.
It is a requirement that you already have accommodation booked by the time you apply for the visa and that you have travel arrangements, such as flights, in place.
To apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, you can choose to do so through the official website or via the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Whichever of these steps you choose, you should gather together all of the documents you will need before taking the process forward.
You will need a copy of:
Your passport.
Bank statements to prove your financial status.
Proof of your current residence.
An international health insurance policy.
Travel reservations to Thailand.
Address you will be living while in Thailand.
All documents can be in English without translation.
Once you have accumulated your documents, you should submit them either in your interview at the Thai Embassy or consulate, or via their website. There is a fee of around 270 USD to apply for this visa.
Once your visa application has been submitted, you may have to wait up to 15 days for approval, but it may be granted more quickly than this, depending on the size of the backlog they are dealing with.
You will receive an email confirming that your visa has been approved, and you should be sure to show this to the border control officers when you arrive in Thailand.
The chance to stay in one of the world’s most beautiful countries is one of the most significant benefits offered by the visa.
There is also the fact that you will not be asked to pay tax in Thailand for the duration of the visa, even if it is extended.
This is different from most digital nomad visas in that you will normally be considered a “tax resident” of a country after six months of residing there.
When considering moving to Thailand as a digital nomad, it is essential to learn some words of the Thai language. This is true of most countries, and your interactions will be much smoother if you take the time to learn some useful words and phrases before going there.
Choose the location that best suits what you are looking for. Chiang Mai has a vibrant digital nomad scene, so if you want to find kindred spirits, that may be the best bet.
Bangkok or Pattaya may be better suited if you are looking for bustling city nightlife. If you are looking for beautiful beaches, Krabi, Koh Samui, or Koh Lanta may be what you are looking for.
Find the local digital nomad community and make friends. This is a lot easier than it sounds, thanks to all of the coworking spaces that emphasise community, as well as the social media and mobile groups that have sprung up around activities for foreign remote workers.
What is the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, and who is it for?
The Thailand digital nomad visa or the “Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to give it the official name, is designed for remote workers who want to spend longer periods of time in Thailand than would be permitted under the usual 30-day tourist visas. It is specifically aimed at remote workers and these can be employees of foreign companies or freelancers in an appropriate field.
How long can I stay in Thailand with the digital nomad visa?
The DTV visa is 180-days and can be extended for a further 180 days. This is a multiple-entry visa and can be used over a period of five years, which allows for extended trips to Thailand over this period of time. The 180-day visa allows for multiple stays of 180 days, though there is not much information available on ho long you should remain outside Thailand before re-entering.
How much does the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa cost?
Like most visas worldwide, there is an application fee for the Destination Thailand Visa, regardless of whether or not it is granted. The fee is 10,000 Thai Baht and this equates to around $270 USD. The fee should be paid at the time of your application, whether this is done online or at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Can I renew the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa after it expires?
Yes, it is possible to renew the Destination Thailand Visa when it expires. You can choose to extend it after the 180 days in-country once, effectively giving you a whole year in Thailand, or you can wait until the end of the five-year term of the visa and apply again. Five years is a long time when it comes to visas so the landscape may have changed by the time your visa has expired.
What are the tax benefits of the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
The main tax benefit of the Destination Thailand Visa is that it allows the remote worker not to pay any tax in Thailand or interact with their taxation system in any way. This includes if the visa is extended to a year. Anything over six months will often trigger a “tax resident” status in other countries, but this has been avoided, so you will only pay tax in the country you are a tax resident.
Where can I apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
You can apply online for this visa and also at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country. You should ensure that you have all of your documents in order before starting the process to allow it to go as smoothly as it possibly can. There is a list of the documents that you require earlier in this article.
Is there a specific health insurance requirement for the visa?
It is expected that you have international health insurance in place, and you will have to provide proof of this when applying for the visa. Most countries have this as a stipulation so that visa holders are not a burden on their healthcare system in the event of a medical emergency. Be sure that any insurance covers already existing conditions, as these can be costly if something goes wrong and you aren’t covered.
Can I bring my spouse and dependents with me on the visa?
Yes, it is possible to bring your spouse and dependent children (under 20 and unmarried), but each will have to make a separate application showing their relationship to you. They will also need to meet the financial requirements for staying in the country and be able to prove that they have this income or savings.
Typically replies within an hour
I will be back soon
