Thailand has been a popular destination for digital nomads for a while now. But what are the visa options available to those looking to spend an extended period of time in the country? How much will it cost? And what are the tax implications?
This post will take a closer look at new Thailand digital nomad visa options. Ready? Let’s start with the basics first.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa
A digital nomad visa is a visa for those who want to work remotely in a foreign country, usually through technology.
In this Digital Nomad Visa FAQ, I have answered the most popular questions about remote work visas. So check them out if you want to dig a little deeper.
Does Thailand Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Thailand doesn’t offer any visa, specifically called a digital nomad or remote work visa. But it has several different visa options, each with its own cost and requirements.
After reading this section, you’ll learn about the best options for digital nomads, slow travelers, and remote workers. Let’s start!
These are some of the most common Thailand visa options:
- 60 to 90-Day Tourist Visa (for short visits)
- 90-Day Business & Investor Visa (for business personnel or investors)
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa (for wealthy citizens and remote workers)
- Thailand Elite Visa (for high-income individuals, including digital nomads)
- 90-Day Non-Immigrant O Visa (for visiting friends & family)
- Non-Immigrant ED Visa (90 days to 12-month visa for education)
- 1-Year Long Stay Visa (for old people aged 50 or over)
- 1 to 4-Year Thailand Smart Visa (for skilled talents, entrepreneurs, or investors)
- 1 to 30-Day Transit Visa (for transit activities or crew)
With so many options available, deciding which Thailand visa is right for you as a digital nomad or a slow traveler can be tough.
The Best Thailand Digital Nomad Visa Options in 2023
I believe four Thailand visa options stand out for digital nomads, freelancers, and slow travelers in 2023:
- 60 to 90-Day Tourist Visa
- 3-Month to 1-Year Business & Investor Visa
- 10-Year Digital Nomad Visa: aka Thailand LTR Visa
- Thailand Elite Visa, aka Privilege Entry Visa
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
1/ 60 to 90-Day Tourist Visa
This Thailand visa option is for those who want to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days at a time. It’s perfect for short trips and requires no special documentation beyond your passport, photos, and proof of onward travel.
There are two ways to get a 60-day tourist visa for Thailand:
- Apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa at your nearest Thai consulate.
- Get a Thailand visa on arrival (VOA) at select airports.
The Thailand tourist visa costs $40 and can be extended once for an additional 30 days. This Thailand visa option is best for those who want to stay in Thailand for a short period and don’t mind doing a bit of paperwork.
2/ 3-Month to 1-Year Business & Investor Visa
This Thailand visa option is for those who want to start a business or invest in Thailand. It allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 12 months and can be renewed indefinitely.
You’ll need a Thailand work permit to get a Thailand business visa. The work permit costs around $1,000 and can be obtained through a registered Thai company.
The Thailand business visa costs $200 and can be extended once for 90 days. This Thailand visa option is best for those who want to start a business or invest in Thailand.
3/ 10-Year Digital Nomad Visa: aka Thailand LTR Visa
This Thailand visa option is for those who want to live and work remotely in Thailand long-term. It allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
You must have a Thailand work permit to get a Thailand LTR visa. The work permit costs around $1,000 and can be obtained through a registered Thai company.
The Thailand LTR visa costs $200 and can be extended once for 90 days. This Thailand visa option is best for those who want to live and work remotely in Thailand long-term.
4/ Thailand Elite Visa, aka Privilege Entry Visa
This Thailand visa option is for those who want to live a luxurious lifestyle in Thailand. It allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 20 years and has several perks, such as access to private healthcare and Thailand Elite Club membership.
To get a Thailand Elite visa, you must have a Thailand work permit. The work permit costs around $1,000 and can be obtained through a registered Thai company.
The Thailand Elite visa costs $2,000 and can be extended once for 90 days. This Thailand visa option is best for those who want to live a luxurious lifestyle in Thailand.
So, there you have it! These are the best Thailand visa options for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and slow travelers in 2023. Which one will you choose?
How to Get Digital Nomad Visa in Thailand?
Thailand offers a range of visa options for digital nomads, remote workers, and internet entrepreneurs. The best Thailand visa option for you depends on your circumstances and needs. Let’s have a look at some of the general steps now.
1/ Choose the Right Visa Option
Several Thailand visa options are available, so it’s essential to choose the right one for you as a digital nomad.
The most popular options are the 60-day tourist visa, the 3-12 month business visa, and the 10-year digital nomad visa. I’d recommend going with the tourist visa, and then you can choose other options.
2/ Fulfill the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Once you’ve decided on the right Thailand visa option for you, it’s
3/ Get Your Documents Ready
The second step is to gather the documents you’ll need to get a Thailand digital nomad visa. These include your passport, photos, proof of onward travel, and Thailand visa application form. But you should return to the specific visa type you want to apply for more information.
Thailand for Digital Nomads
Thailand is already a hotspot for digital nomads and tourists. And that’s for a good reason! Thailand has stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, delicious food, and friendly locals. Not to mention, it’s relatively cheap to live there.
Have a look at the country’s profile now:
I love living in Thailand because you can easily travel around Southeast Asia. The flights are cheap, and there are many direct routes from Thailand to other countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and more.
Overall, Thailand is a great destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and convenient place to live and work. With its wide variety of visa options and online application process, getting a Thailand digital nomad visa is easy now.
Best Places in Thailand for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Thailand has many places for expats, foreign travelers, and digital nomads to live and work. But these are some of my favorite places in Thailand:
Bangkok: Thailand’s capital city is a bustling metropolis with plenty of co-working spaces, cafes, and restaurants. It’s also a great place to meet other digital nomads.
Chiang Mai: This city is located in northern Thailand and is a popular destination for digital nomads. It’s cheaper than Bangkok, has a more laid-back vibe, and is surrounded by nature.
Koh Lipe: This small island in Thailand is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Koh Lipe is a true paradise with clear waters and white sand beaches.
Ko Pha Ngan: This island is best known for its full moon parties, but it’s also a great place to work and live. It’s affordable, has a laid-back atmosphere, and is surrounded by stunning beaches.
Phuket: Thailand’s largest island is a popular tourist destination, but it’s also great for digital nomads and freelancers. It has plenty of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants and is surrounded by beautiful beaches.
So, those are my top 5 places in Thailand for digital nomads and remote workers. But there are many other great options depending on your budget and preferences.
Digital Nomad Cafes and Coworking Spaces in Thailand
There’s no shortage of work-friendly cafes and coworking spaces in Thailand. Let me share some of the top ones right now.
The Hub, Bangkok: This is a popular work-friendly cafe located in the heart of Bangkok. It has various membership options, plenty of desks, and private offices.
Hubba, Thailand: Hubba is a coworking space in Bangkok that offers a collaborative environment enriched with people from different walks of life, different goals, and different ideas.
The space is accessible through the BTS and offers meeting rooms, private offices, power lunches, and monthly events to stimulate growth and innovation.
Hub53, Chiang Mai: It’s a coworking space in Chiang Mai that offers private rooms, meeting rooms, workshop spaces, conference rooms, and Skype rooms. Its real appeal, though, is its awesome co-living arrangements.
FAQs for Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
The digital nomad visa for Thailand is a new visa category and is still in the works. So, there are bound to be some questions about it. Let me answer some of them, and you can also ask yours in the comments below 🙂
1/ Will Thailand beat Indonesia to offer Asia’s first digital nomad visa?
Thailand is certainly in the running to offer Asia’s first digital nomad visa. But honestly, Indonesia wins this race by offering a lucrative Bali’s 5-Year Digital Nomad Visa.
2/ What is the cost of living in Thailand?
The cost of living in Thailand is very affordable, especially compared to Western countries. In Thailand, you can live well on a budget of $1,000 per month.
3/ Is it legal to work remotely in Thailand?
You can freelance in Thailand but need a work permit based on your specific visa type. A tourist visa doesn’t give you the right to work remotely in Thailand, but most digital nomads can work online without any issue.
3/ Can I stay in Thailand for 1 year?
Yes, you can stay in Thailand for one year if you get a multiple entry non-immigrant visa for Thailand. However, you can stay in the country for 90 days and then do a visa run.
4/ Do digital nomads in Thailand pay taxes?
Yes, digital nomads in Thailand do pay taxes. However, the tax rate (17%) is lower than usual (35%). You can also bring your spouse and dependents on the visa.
5/ How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
You can stay in Thailand for not more than 30 days without a visa. And too, if you’re from these 64 Thai visa exemption countries. Otherwise, you cannot stay in Thailand without a visa.
6/ Do digital nomads need work visas?
Digital nomads do need work visas if they want to work in Thailand. But most of them work online without a work visa because they can. Who will stop you from using your laptop?
7/ Which countries don’t need visas for Thailand?
Citizens of these 64 countries don’t need a visa for Thailand. The most notable mentions are Russia, Indonesia, Japan, the US, and the UK.
8/ How much does a visa for Thailand cost?
The Tourist Visa fee is $30.00 (or equivalent) per entry. The Tourist Visa fee is subject to change, so always contact the nearest Thai Embassy or consulate before lodging your paperwork.
9/ Which countries offer digital nomad visas?
Right now, there are over 47 countries that offer digital nomad visas. The most notable mentions are Croatia, Estonia, Chile, Georgia, UAE, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Thailand, and more.
I hope you can choose the best option that can work out as the Thai digital nomad visa.
