Digital Nomad Visa For Thailand

Nadia Dardón

Freelance writer

Last update 1 November, 2023

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Quick Visa Facts

Visa length 4 years

Possible to extend? Yes

Who can apply? Anyone in the specific target industries.

Minimum Income Requirements $80,000/year

Time for visa applications Approximately three months

Want to know if you can apply?

Complete a visa quiz and see if you qualify!

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Quick facts about Thailand

Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia located at the center of Mainland Southeast Asia. It shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Thailand is a long-time favorite for many digital nomads, ex-pats, or anyone looking to visit Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Thailand is a magical country with tropical jungles, chaotic cities, and stunning beaches.

If you’re looking for a new destination, Thailand is the place for you.

Capital Bangkok

Form of Government Semi-democratic parliamentary and monarchy

Population 66,171,439

Climate Tropical monsoon

Language Thai

Currency Baht (THB)

8 people in Thailand!

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Living in Thailand as a digital nomad

Thailand offers a unique lifestyle to digital nomads. This country is no stranger to remote workers.

In fact, the city of Chiang Mai is known as the Digital Nomad capital of the world. Many nomads come for the low cost of living, fast internet, great food scene, cafes and coworking spaces, and the nearby airport with excellent connections.

Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped digital nomads from traveling to Thailand, but with borders reopening, many nomads and ex-pats are flocking back.

Attractions and best places to visit

Bangkok

The most attractive place is Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. It is known for having a cosmopolitan feel and vibrant street life.

Bangkok is very different from the rest of the country. The city is full of skyscrapers, very different from the temples and palaces around Thailand. The city’s heart is on the water, with many canals networking throughout the neighborhoods.

Bangkok is famous for its many shopping centers, fantastic street food, and vibrant nightlife. There are also many traditional floating markets and outdoor markets that offer a unique experience of food and other local trinkets.

Chiang Mai

Misty, jungly mountains surround Chiang Mai. It is one of the best destinations for travelers looking for something different. Chiang Mai has ancient constructions, tropical rainforests, and hill trekking.

You can check out Doi Inthanon National Park, which is part of the Himalayan mountain range. There are many remote villages and stunning viewpoints.

Phuket

Phuket is the place to go if you’re looking for beaches. Phuket is located on the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. It is home to the country’s most visited beaches.

You can visit the following beaches:

• Kata Noi beach

• Nai Harn Beach

• Surin Beach

Religious Landmarks

Thailand is a beautiful country, full of many religious and academic landmarks. Spread all over the country. We recommend you visit these sites:

• Wat Pho – in Bangkok, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple.

• Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – in Chiang Mai, a Theravada Buddhist temple.

• Dragon Cave – in Phang Nga, meditation chambers in the mountains.

• Doi Inthanon – in Ban Luang, Thailand’s highest peak.

Digital Nomad Hotspots

Chiang Mai is the most popular destination for digital nomads. It has many coworking spaces and digital nomad communities. They even have educational courses on how to become a digital nomad!

Bangkok is another popular destination for digital nomads. Even though it is the most expensive city in Thailand, it is still an excellent destination for digital nomads looking for city life. Bangkok is becoming a digital nomad hotspot due to its comfortable condos, efficient public transportation, and many up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Cost of Living

Living in Thailand is very affordable, and market prices are similar to the US, with some minor differences.

Even though Bangkok is the most expensive destination in the country, it is still relatably affordable compared to the cost of living in the US.

Housing:

Eating:

Transportation:

SIM Cards:

Digital Nomad Essentials

Internet

Thailand has the seventh fastest fixed internet speed. Their average is 206.81 Mbps. In the big cities, you’ll find many cafes, restaurants, and bars that offer free wifi. Additionally, purchasing mobile data is the best way to stay connected at all times.

Need help applying?

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Visa Overview

The Thai government announced they have plans to create a digital nomad visa. Before the pandemic, most digital nomads used the 60-day tourist visa, with the possibility to extend another 30 days.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a full stop to all digital nomads wishing to visit Thailand. At the start of 2020, it was impossible to enter the country and later became only possible via expensive hotel quarantine schemes.

The pandemic resulted in Thailand’s tourism industry suffering a lot. The Thai government hopes to re-activate the tourism industry and help the economy by welcoming more visitors in 2022 and the future.

This potential impact is why they launched Thailand’s Smart Visa. The government introduced this visa to attract a highly skilled workforce, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs wishing to work or invest in targeted industries in the Kingdom of Thailand. In addition, the Smart Visa will grant up to 4-year permission to stay in Thailand.

To be a work-from-Thailand professional, you need to have earned $80,000/year, or at least two years (there are some exceptions, of course). You must also have at least five years of experience and work for a company with at least $150 million in revenue over three years.

There are five types of Smart Visa:

• Smart T (Talent)

• Smart I (Investor)

• Smart E (Executive)

• Smart S (Startup)

• Smart O (Other)

However, if this visa does not work for you, you can still enter Thailand as a digital nomad with a tourist visa or a long stay visa.

Need help applying?

Mark - Thailand Immigration Lawyer

Book a consultation

Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Thailand

The Smart Visa is only available to specific target industries. They are the following:

• Next-Generation Automotive

• Affluent, Medical, and Wellness Tourism

• Agriculture and Biotechnology

• Aviation and Logistics

• Biofuels and Biochemicals

• Digital

• Medical Hub

• Smart Electronics

• Food for the Future

• Automation and Robotics

• Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Human Resource Development in Science and Technology

• Environmental Management and Renewable Energy

Since there are five different types of Smart Visas, each has different requirements.

Smart T (Talent)

• Experts in science and technology

• Have a monthly salary of 100,000 baht ($2760 approximately)

• Have an employment contract with a one-year expiration date

• Working in the companies in the targeted industry

Smart I (Investor)

• A direct investment of at least 20 million baht

• Applicants must be in the targeted sectors and invest in enterprises that use technology in producing or delivering services.

Smart E (Executive)

• Holders with bachelor’s degrees or above with at least ten years of work experience

• Have a monthly salary of 200,000 baht ($5500 approximately)

• Employment contract with a one-year expiration date

• Being in the targeted sectors and working with organizations that use technology in producing or delivering services.

Smart S (Startup)

• A deposit of 6000,000 baht ($165,560 approximately) that has been retained for at least three months

• Health-care coverage

• Participating in an endorsed incubator, accelerator, or similar program or a joint venture with/or receiving an endorsement from a relevant government agency.

• Within one year, you must either establish a firm in one of the selected industries in Thailand with at least 25% ownership or become a board member.

Smart O (Other)

This visa is exclusive to the legal dependents of the primary Smart Visa holders. Any spouses or kids must apply for this visa.

How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa

The first step is to apply online. You must submit your application on this website.

The next step is to have qualifications according to the criteria specified by the office of the Board of Investment.

Once their qualification has been verified, you will receive technical and non-technical endorsements. Then, the SMART Visa unit will issue a letter of qualification endorsement, which the applicant will bring to the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Consulates to file for a SMART Visa.

Once you get a result of the qualification endorsement, you must make a Smart visa issuance appointment at this website.

When you attend your appointment, you must show all the required documents filled out and signed.

Once your visa is approved, you must pay the visa fee per person before collecting your new visa. In addition, you can collect the visa at the Immigration at OSS in Thailand, the Thai embassy, or the consulate closest to you.

Anyone who wishes to extend their visa must apply for a renewal of qualification endorsement at Smart Visa Extension at least 60 days before the expiry of the SMART Visa.

Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa in Thailand

When you attend your Smart visa issuance appointment, have all the required documents.

• Passport with copies

• Valid notification Letter from the Board of Investment to the Immigration Bureau

• TM. 90 form printed out on both sides.

• Two copies of the STM.6 Form printed out on both sides.

• The acknowledgment form of penalties for a visa overstay printed on one-sided paper.

• The acknowledgment form of practices for recipients of Smart visa printed on one-sided paper.

• One passport size photo (4 cm x 6 cm)

How much does it cost?

The Smart Visa processing fee is approximately 10,000 Baht ($2760) per year for visa permission.

Need help applying?

Mark - Thailand Immigration Lawyer

Book a consultation

Timeline for Applying

The processing time for the Smart visa is approximately 30 working days. Once your visa has been approved, you must collect your visa within 60 days.

Taxes for Thailand digital nomad visa

You only become a tax resident if you spend 180 or more days in the country during a calendar year. Automatically this means that if you stay less than that amount of days, you don’t become a tax resident of Thailand and don’t need to worry about taxes.

However, even if you become a tax resident, there might be some ways to benefit from the Thai tax system.

The reason is that Thailand applies a so-called territorial tax regime. In practice, this means for Thailand that you only pay taxes on income you make within Thailand or bring into the country. Up to 2024, you could even avoid taxes on foreign income altogether if you only brought your income into the country the year after you made it. However, the Thai government announced that this will change as from 2024. Any income brought back into the country will be taxable.

If you’re interested in other digital nomad visa options in Asia, why not check out the visa for Taiwan or Indonesia? Curious about what digital nomad visas you qualify for? Enter your details in our Visa Wizard to find out!

FAQs for Thailand

Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?

Although it is referred to as the Long Term Residence Visa, it is a digital nomad visa that allows people to stay in the country for up to 10 years while paying only 17% tax. The Thailand digital nomad visa is highly selective and has stringent restrictions, in contrast to other accessible options.

What Is the difference between a Thailand digital nomad visa and a tourist visa?

The newly introduced Thailand digital nomad visa allows you to stay for a decade, which was impossible before. With a tourist visa, you could stay in the country only for up to 90 days, or you had to get a Thailand Smart Visa which would allow you to work in Thailand.

Here is what you need to qualify for Thailand digital nomad visa:

• Valid Passport

• Earn $80k per year.

• Medical Insurance.

• To be a remote worker.

You may also be eligible if you made no less than $40,000 per year for the previous two years and possess a Master's Degree, if you have $1,000,000 in financial resources if you retired with an income of $80,000 per year, or if you invest $50000 into Thailand.

On the other hand, to get a tourist visa, you need:

• Valid passport

• Application for a visa.

• One passport-size photo.

• E-ticket or round-trip airline ticket.

• Proof of financial capability is 10000 - 20000 Baht per person or family.

• Proof of accommodation.

What is the length of the Thailand digital nomad visa?

Thailand's digital nomad visa can be ten years long with renewals. You can get five years and extend for another five.

Is it possible to extend the Thailand digital nomad visa? (Yes/No)

Only for another five years after completing a five-year visa, for now.

How long does it take to complete the entire application process?

After you submit your application, you have to wait for 20 working days to get a reply. You have 60 days afterward to pick up your visa in Thailand.

Can you apply for a Thailand digital nomad visa while abroad?

Yes, you have to apply online.

What currency should you pay for a Thailand digital nomad visa with?

If you pick up your LTR visa in Thailand, the processing fee for a 10-year digital nomad visa is 50,000 Baht per person. If you are applying through a Royal Thai embassy abroad or a Royal Thai consulate, you will pay a fee in the local currency of the country where the embassy is located.

How can you pay the visa fee?

You will be prompted to pay for the visa as well as the service cost upon completing the application. A credit card, debit card, or PayPal account are all options for payment.

Will you get a refund for your visa application if you are denied?

The visa fee will not be refunded under any circumstances, so ensure everything you submit is checked and correct.

Can U.S. citizens travel to Thailand without a visa?

US citizens with return tickets and with a tourist passport do not require a Thailand tourist visa; however, they have to apply for a digital nomad visa if they want one.

Useful link: https://ltr.boi.go.th/#pri

Author

Nadia Dardón

Freelance writer

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Nadia Dardón is a freelance writer from Guatemala. In early 2022 she embarked as a digital nomad, traveling through Europe, focusing mostly on the literary history of each country. She has worked fully remotely for the past four years as a reader, writer, and content creator with experience creating pieces for different industries. She also has a personal blog where she writes about her cultural and literary travels.