Thailand's innovative Digital Nomad Visa beckons remote workers and freelancers with its enticing blend of stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and a conducive environment for work and leisure.
Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?
As of the current date, Thailand does not have a designated digital nomad visa. Nevertheless, a noteworthy development took place in September 2022 with the introduction of a new long-term work visa, offering potential advantages for digital nomads aspiring to establish prolonged residency in Thailand.
What type of visa for digital nomad in Thailand?
Since the inception of the Thai Elite Visa in 2003, Thailand has actively endeavored to attract foreign nationals for work and residency. The initial success of the Thai Elite Visa has endured, making it a favored choice among digital nomads to this day. Concurrently, the Thai government has introduced two additional visa options tailored for digital nomads. As a result, those seeking to live and work in Thailand now have a selection from the Thai Elite Visa, Smart Visa, and Long-Term Resident Visa.
Length of a digital nomad visa in Thailand
The digital nomad visa for Thailand offers a duration of up to ten years, with the possibility of renewals. Individuals have the option to initially secure a five-year visa and subsequently extend it for an additional five years.
Where can I go to get a digital nomad visa in Thailand?
To obtain a Digital Nomad Visa in Thailand, you can apply at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country or in a country where you are a legal resident. Visit the official website of the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the respective location to find detailed information about the application process, required documents, and any specific guidelines. Additionally, you may also contact the embassy or consulate directly for up-to-date and accurate information on obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa.
Digital nomad visa in Thailand: requirements
Ensure that you have all the necessary documentation ready for your Digital Nomad Visa issuance appointment:
- Bring your passport along with photocopies.
- Present a valid notification letter from the Board of Investment to the Immigration Bureau.
- Fill out the TM. 90 form, printed on both sides.
- Provide two copies of the STM.6 Form, printed on both sides.
- Have the acknowledgment form of penalties for a visa overstay printed on one-sided paper.
- Include the acknowledgment form of practices for recipients of the Digital Nomad Visa, printed on one-sided paper.
- Bring one passport-size photo (4 cm x 6 cm).
How to apply digital nomad visa in Thailand?
The application process for digital nomads is a systematic procedure that demands careful attention to detail. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Initiate the process by applying online through the official Digital Nomad Visa website.
- Ensure that your qualifications align with the criteria specified by the Office of the Board of Investment.
- Once your qualifications are verified, you'll receive both technical and non-technical endorsements. The Digital Nomad Visa unit will issue a letter of qualification endorsement.
- Armed with the qualification endorsement letter, proceed to file for a Digital Nomad Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Consulates.
- After obtaining the result of the qualification endorsement, make an appointment for the visa issuance on the designated website.
- Attend your appointment with all the necessary documents filled out and signed.
- Upon approval of your visa, pay the required visa fee per person before collecting your new visa.
- Collect your visa either at the Immigration at OSS in Thailand or at a Thai embassy or consulate closest to you.
Digital nomad visa in Thailand: tax and processing time
The processing fee is approximately 10,000 Baht ($2760) per year for visa permission. The application timeline spans around 30 working days, and once approved, you have a 60-day window to collect your visa.
Thailand digital nomad visa on Reddit
Bob from NY says: "During my time in Bangkok from 2016 to 2019, only one person in my friend circle held a legitimate work visa, engaging in corporate responsibility work. The rest of us, a collection of artists and unconventional individuals, navigated the city with repeated tourist visas, occasionally resorting to education visas. It was a period before the pandemic, and although my expat friends had diverse hustles, none were specifically "digital nomads." Nonetheless, I was aware of the presence of many digital nomads in the city."
