Thailand Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
Thailand has long been one of the top hotspots for digital nomads thanks to its tropical climate, fascinating culture, phenomenal food, and low cost of living.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Lanta, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, and a handful of other smaller islands have cult followings among remote workers, expats, and backpackers. Now there’s a digital nomad visa – perfect for remote workers – allowing longer stays in The Land of Smiles.
In this article, we’ll cover exactly what the Thailand digital nomad visa is, the details of the document and how international travelers can apply for it. We’ll then cover alternatives to the nomad visa, the tax implications and the benefits of working in Thailand.
What is the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
Launched in July 2024, the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa – known officially as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – is the perfect solution for remote workers visiting the country.
Available for an initial five years with a maximum of 180 days per entry, the DTV is designed primarily with digital nomads in mind. It’s great for long-term stays for both remote work and what the Thai government calls “Soft Power” activities. These include Muay Thai, Cooking Courses, Medical Treatment, Sports Training, Seminars, etc.
Essentially, this digital nomad visa offers an official solution for a long-term stay in Thailand without the border runs that so many of us have previously relied on.
Who is Eligible for Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa?
The Thailand digital nomad visa comes with relaxed entry requirements – it’s open to most remote workers providing that their stay falls into one of the following three categories:
- Workcation: Required proof of an employment contract, professional freelance portfolio, proof of owning a company, etc.
- Thai Soft Power: Required proof of confirmation to attend any permitted activity (Muay Thai, Cooking, etc.) or an appointment document from a hospital or medical centre.
- Dependent of Primary DTV Holder: A dependent (spouse, offspring, care receiver, etc.) must provide relationship proof such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption
You must also be able to provide adequate liquidity to support yourself during a stay (more on that below) and must be aged 20 or older.
What Are the Requirements for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
When applying for the Thailand digital nomad visa, you must satisfy a short criterion – permitting their visit to the country.
All applicants of the Thailand DTV must be able to provide proof of purpose for their visit to the country. The following additional requirements must be met for a successful application:
- Valid Passport
- Passport Photograph
- Document Showing Current Location
- Proof of financial stability*
*The liquid assets possessed by an applicant must satisfy the minimum amount of 500,000 THB. This may vary depending on the embassy or consulate chosen. This can be proven via bank statements, payslips, or a sponsorship letter.
We suggest gathering all the required documents before starting the application process.
How to Apply for Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa
If you're interested in applying for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, follow the step-by-step guide below to ensure you’re heading in the right direction.
Step 1: Gather All Required Documents
The first step in the process is simply to gather all of the required documents necessary for a successful application. You must provide the following:
- Valid Passport
- Passport Photograph
- Document Showing Current Location
- Proof of financial stability (500,000 THB Minimum)
Note: You must be outside of Thailand – ideally in their country of employment – to apply for the digital nomad visa.
Step 2: Apply for the Thai DTV Visa
There are two methods by which remote workers can apply for a Thai visa – online or via the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai General Consulate.
We recommend applying online for the visa, but this is down to personal preference. To do so, head to the Thai e-Visa portal and locate the Thai DTV application process.
Step 3: Follow the Portal Instructions
The e-Visa portal will provide instructions throughout the process, making it easy to follow and successfully apply for the visa. Upload the aforementioned documents where necessary.
Alternatively, follow the in-person guidance provided by your local Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai General Consulate.
Step 4: Await the Outcome
With the application process completed, it’s now a waiting game for the outcome of the digital nomad visa.
Providing all requirements are satisfied, a positive outcome should be expected within two to three weeks.
Thailand’s Digital Nomads Visa Fees
The Thailand Digital Nomad Visa does come at a cost. Thankfully, it’s one of the more affordable visa options out there – a breakdown can be found below:
- Thai DTV Visa – 10,000 THB
The only additional financial requirement lies in the liquid savings that you must prove to qualify for the visa (minimum of 500,000 THB).
How Long Does It Take for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa to Process?
You should expect to wait a total of two to three weeks to hear the outcome of their DTV application.
What Are the Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Thailand?
Thailand is one of the best countries for digital nomads in the world. From the affordable cost of living and thriving remote work culture to the fantastic food and high-performing healthcare – it’s one of the top destinations for a reason.
Cost of Living
Thailand’s cost of living is one of the most attractive pulls of the country. Although prices have steadily crept up over the last few years, the prices are still much lower than we would expect in Europe or North America.
Outside of Bangkok, Chiang Mai (Thailand’s second city) and the islands are even more affordable. You can live comfortably and enjoy your lifestyle without additional financial pressure.
Remote Work Culture
Location-independent workers have long visited Thailand – bringing fantastic infrastructure with them.
Alongside the countless independent coworking spaces, there are big-name companies and remote work-friendly cafes on every street. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and the larger islands all feature multiple options for coworking and coliving.
There’s a vibrant community of ever-changing nomads from all walks of life. Whether you’re renting an apartment or staying in a hostel – there’s always the chance to meet like-minded travelers on the road in Thailand.
Food and Drink
The food in Thailand is unbeatable – from Pad See Ew to Massaman Curry - the cuisine itself is a good enough reason to visit the country.
Bars, clubs, and pubs are plenty too. There’s a wonderful social scene for both locals and expats. Enjoy world-class cocktail bars and a quiet beer at a rooftop bar, or check out the nightclub scene for a night you’ll never forget.
Healthcare
The healthcare in Thailand is great, ranking the country in 31st place from the 167 territories included in the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index.
We would, however, always recommend that you invest in health insurance before heading off on a remote work trip. Genki is our choice for health insurance as they offer global coverage, regardless of where you live and where you travel.
Are There Any Tax Implications for Digital Nomads Living in Thailand?
Tax implications of the Thailand digital nomad visa heavily depend on your individual circumstances.
According to Thai law, any individual spending more than 180 days in a calendar year is considered a tax resident of Thailand. Despite holding a DTV, individuals will be liable to pay taxes to the Thai government. This includes all foreign income earned whilst living in Thailand.
Tax exemptions are, however, common. If your home country has a Double Tax Agreement with Thailand, this will prevent your earnings from being taxed twice.
As digital nomads, our tax situations can be complicated. We use and highly recommend Heavnn – a tax optimization company catering specifically to digital nomads. It’s a great way to find legal loopholes and set both yourself and your company(s) in a tax-efficient manner.
Other Visa Options Available to Digital Nomads in Thailand
The Thailand digital nomad visa (Destination Thailand Visa) isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, the Thai government actually offers a wide range of tourist visas to suit multiple situations/scenarios:
- Thailand Tourist Visa – A short-term visa issued to visa-required foreigners entering the country for tourism or leisure.
- Thailand Transit Visa – A short-term visa issued to visa-required foreigners entering the country to travel to a third country of destination.
- Thailand SMART Visa – A long-term visa issued to highly skilled foreigners. This encourages high-value individuals to work and invest in one of the ten industries targeted. These include biotechnology, robotics and aviation.
Additionally, the Thai government offers a range of Non-Immigrant Visas. These are issued to foreigners entering Thailand for reasons excluding tourism or leisure. The Non-Immigrant Visa falls under one of five different types:
- Thailand Work Visa – Designed to allow foreigners to live in Thailand and work for a Thailand company.
- Thailand Student Visa – Designed to allow foreigners to study academically at a Thai educational institution.
- Thailand Business Visa – Designed to allow foreigners to travel to Thailand for business purposes. Examples included negotiations, meetings, factory tours etc.
- Thailand Marriage Visa – Designed for foreigners who are married to Thai citizens.
- Thailand Retirement Visa – Designed for foreigners over the age of 50 who wish to retire in Thailand. Individuals must have self-supporting financial means without working. This is also known as the “Ten Year Visa”.
- Thailand Elite Visa – A long-term visa issued to affluent foreigners, offering extended residency and exclusive privileges for luxury living in Thailand.
At the time of writing, citizens of 93 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa. A maximum stay of up to 60 days is enforced (a 30-day extension is possible) for the purpose of tourism and leisure, urgent work or short-term business.
Other Digital Nomad Visa in Asia
Asia is no stranger to digital nomad visas – there’s a whole host of fantastic options out there for international travelers. Check out some of the most popular bulleted below:
- Japan Digital Nomad Visa
- South Korea Digital Nomad Visa
- Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa
- Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa
- Dubai (UAE) Digital Nomad Visa
- Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa
- Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa
- Bali (Indonesia) Digital Nomad Visa
Ready To Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
If you want more digital nomad guides like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming articles straight to your inbox!
You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group if you want to get in touch with other members of our growing digital nomad community!
We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
Freaking Nomads is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free, helpful content. Learn more
Travel tips, hacks, and news
Exclusive travel discounts
Offers and promotions
Digital nomad inspiration
Latest articles form our blog
Comments ()