Thailand Digital Nomad Visa: All You Need to Know

Thailand provides digital nomads with an incredible backdrop for their varying remote work. With stunning scenery, enticing food and an intriguing culture, it’s a country where the past meets the present in an almost perfect fusion. To be part of it whilst still working though requires you to hold a specific visa. The Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, also known as the Destination Thailand Visa, or DTV is a relatively new visa put in place to give remote workers the opportunity to immerse themselves in all Thailand has to offer.

Read on to see how you can make Thailand your new temporary home, what steps you need to take to secure a digital nomad visa, and what it means for you once you are there.

The digital nomad visa in Thailand is known as the DTV or Destination Thailand Visa and allows non-Thai workers to base themselves in the country for periods of up to 6 months over five years. However, once a year the visa can be extended for an additional fee for a further 180 days.

Announced in May 2024, the DTV is specifically aimed at remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads. The visa allows remote workers to enjoy all the wonders of Thailand whilst still keeping up with the day (or night) job. Easy to apply for and open for holders to bring their spouse or children, it’s a visa that is enticing for many.

With five-year validity, it’s a digital nomad visa that encourages repeat stays, but it does come with caveats as we’ll soon explain.

Before you set your sites on entering “The Land of Smiles” you’ll need to know whether you meet the eligibility requirements for a digital nomad visa in Thailand.

To be granted the DTV in Thailand you’ll need to be at least 20 years of age.

In addition to being at least 20 years old, you’ll need to have sufficient funds to support your stay. This amount is currently set at £11,000, roughly the equivalent of 500,0000 THB. Proof of this must come via a current bank statement or a letter of sponsorship.

With a digital nomad visa in Thailand, you are unable to work for a Thai company and instead must have proof of employment from a company based in your home country or have a professional portfolio that showcases work as a remote worker, digital nomad, freelancer or foreign talent.

You’ll also need a decent international health insurance policy to be eligible for the DTV. For comprehensive cover that ensures eligibility, speak to our team and we can advise on the best possible policy for your stay.

The Thai government will also want to see that you have somewhere you can live for the time you are in Thailand so try to wrap up accommodation as quickly as possible.

Perhaps one of the most important elements. The passport. With this you can’t leave your own country let alone gain access to another. Ensure your passport is valid. Remember, you’ll also want it to remain valid for your return.

Perhaps interestingly is the fact that you can also apply for this form of visa if you plan to engage in what are known as “Thai Soft Power” activities. The above requirements will all apply to some degree, but you’ll also need proof that you plan to engage in specific Thai cultural activity for at least six months.

Should you not be working as a digital nomad or remote worker, you can still qualify for the DTV visa by taking part in “Thai Soft Power” activities. These are classes, training or placements that help to enhance Thailand on an international standing. These could include:

As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to prove that the specific course, treatment or event lasts at least six months to be eligible for this version of the visa.

With the boxes ticked for meeting the age requirements, sufficient savings in the bank account and work in place, you can begin the process of applying for a digital nomad visa in Thailand. You cannot do this in Thailand itself and should apply via the Thai embassy in the UK directly or complete an online application via the Thai government E-Visa website. You can only apply in the country where you are legally registered.

Before heading online or visiting the embassy, collate all the information we mentioned above. This will save you plenty of time when it comes to completing the application.

Then ensure you have an up-to-date photo taken within the last six months and have valid proof of address ready to upload. With all fields complete and all documents uploaded, you can submit your application and await the outcome.

It can be quite a fast process. The more thorough you are with your information; the fewer questions will need to be asked. On average though, you can expect an application to take around 2-4 weeks for processing and approval. However, should there be parts of the application missing or a lack of sufficient information, it could take considerably longer. In some cases, an application can be processed and approved in as little as 48 hours, but we wouldn’t recommend leaving it that late.

The Thailand digital nomad visa has five-year eligibility, but stays are capped at six months. You can extend the visa once a year for an extra 180 days, allowing you almost a full year of living in Thailand. You’ll then have to leave the country but can return for a further 180-day stay and repeat the process until the 5-year eligibility expires. Should you wish to extend your stay, you’ll need to speak to the immigration bureau once you are in Thailand. Each extension will be at a further cost to the initial fee, and this is currently set at approximately £45.

You only become a tax resident in Thailand if you live in the country for more than 180 days per year. There is currently a double taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK, so you won’t pay tax twice on any earnings.

The cost for the Thai digital nomad visa varies depending on which country you are applying from. Should you be applying from the UK, the cost is £300. You pay this fee upon application.

Yes, they can, although there are also requirements that must be met here too. Should you wish for your spouse or child to join you in Thailand, you will need proof of the relationship via a marriage certificate, birth certificate or adoption certificate. In addition, where a child is under 16 years of age, you’ll need copies of utility bills, parents’ passports and parents’ bank statements.

Thailand is a world full of wonder and deserves to be enjoyed. To help you with your application for a digital nomad visa, secure the correct insurance with Expatriate Group today. Our comprehensive expat insurance policies ensure you are fully covered for your time away. Why not contact us today to get a no-obligation quote?