🇹🇭 How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
Thailand welcomes digital nomads, retirees with pensions, and affluent investors with their Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, also called the Long Term Residence Visa (LTR visa), which represents an incredible opportunity to settle in the country for a full decade.
This program is designed to encourage ‘high-potential’ individuals to live in their country by offering various tax benefits and other incentives. However, Thailand’s criteria for acceptance have been criticized as being too restrictive and out of reach for many digital nomads.
Nevertheless, this article will highlight the five most important steps when submitting your Thailand Digital Nomad Visa application.
Before you depart make sure you're covered...
Lau
What is a Digital Nomad Visa
A digital nomad visa is a unique residency visa that enables digital professionals to live and work remotely in a certain country. It allows digital professionals to experience life abroad while having the flexibility to claim temporary residence in another country.
As digital nomadism continues to gain popularity as a way of life, digital nomad visas are becoming increasingly available in many countries around the world.
Requirements for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
The criteria for eligibility for this visa may be a source of dissatisfaction for numerous digital nomads as Thailand carefully selects who can obtain a visa.
The LTR visa program is designed to bring in specific foreign individuals, who will likely contribute significantly to domestic spending and investment, thus boosting the Thai economy.
📄 Valid Travel Document
To obtain your visa, your passport must remain valid for six months beyond the collection date.
🚑 Medical Insurance
It is mandatory to have a minimum coverage of $50,000 whilst living in Thailand.
On top of these requirements, this visa is eligible if you meet one or more of the following...
💵 Earn $80,000 Annually
You must meet the income threshold for the last two years.
🎓 Earn $40,000 Annually and hold a Master’s Degree
If you don’t earn $80,000 annually but hold a Master’s degree and have made at least $40,000 a year for the past two years, you’re eligible.
💻 Work Remotely for a Publicly Traded Company
You must demonstrate three years of continuous employment with a publicly traded corporation or a company that has generated at least $150 million in annual revenue for the last three years.
🤑 One Million Dollars in Financial Assets
You must demonstrate that your financial assets meet the minimum requirement.
💰 $80,000/year Retirement Income
If you’re fifty years or older and have a reliable source of retirement income, such as a pension.
🇹🇭 Invest $500,000 in Thailand
Investing in Thai government bonds, acquiring property in Thailand, or making foreign direct investments.
5 Most Important Steps when Applying for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
To secure a digital nomad visa for Thailand, you must submit your application online and attend an in-person appointment at the Royal Thai embassy or consulate.
It is strongly advised to consult with a professional immigration lawyer to accurately ascertain your eligibility and obtain the required documents for the Thailand digital nomad visa.
Because the visa selection process is so stringent and only a few applicants meet its criteria, it’s paramount that you ensure you are eligible before submitting your application.
💥 Step 1: Gather all the required documents
Before submitting your application, it’s essential to collect all the required documents and convert them into digital formats. Depending on your applicant category, different documents may be required.
To make it easier, here’s a breakdown of the categories and associated documentation required for each. Additionally, always check the official Thailand digital nomad visa website for an up-to-date list of documentation needed.
🟢 #1 Work-from-Thailand Professionals ($80k+ or Masters & $40k+)
- Copy of valid Passport (first page and all pages with Thai visa stamps)
- A Passport-Sized Photograph
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Evidence of employment experience in the related field of at least five years within the last decade before submission. For example, a letter of reference from a past employer.
- Evidence of university certificate (Master’s Degree or above if applicable)
- Document of Health Insurance Protection
- Evidence of employment.
- Financial evidence showing an income in the current year (bank statement)
- Documentation of annual personal income tax return from the last two years
- Copy of work permit
🔵 #2 Wealthy Global Citizens ($1million in assets or $500k to invest)
- Copy of valid Passport (first page and all pages with Thai visa stamps)
- A Passport-Sized Photograph
- Document of Health Insurance Protection
- Proof of ownership and value of your assets through effective declarations.
🟠 #3 Wealthy Pensioners
- Copy of valid passport (first page and all pages with Thai visa stamps).
- A Passport-Sized Photograph
- Document of Health Insurance Protection
- Proof of income in the current year, e.g. pension
👨👩👧 Dependents are spouses or kids of the individual applying for the digital nomad visa.
- Copy of valid passport (first page and all pages with Thai visa stamps)
- A Passport-Sized Photograph
- Document of Health Insurance Protection
- Documentary proof of family relationship (such as marriage or birth certificate)
✔️ Step 2: Submit an online application
After you have gathered and digitized all your documents, it is time to progress to the next stage. You can submit your online application for a long-term visa through the Long-Term Residents Visa Thailand website.
⏳ Step 3: Wait for Approval
You will be informed of your application and document status within 20 days.
🛂 Step 4 – Attend Your Visa Appointment
After your application and documents have been approved, you must make an appointment with either a Thai embassy, consulate abroad or Immigration offices in Thailand within 60 days to receive your visa.
A visa fee of 50,000 Baht per person (approximately $1,494/ €1390) must be paid.
✅ Step 5 – Collect your Digital Work Permit
Those working in Thailand may collect their digital work permits at the Department of Employment at a “One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permits” in Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok.
A processing fee of 3,000 Baht (roughly $89 / €83) per year is required to keep your digital work permit valid and up-to-date.
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance
For those of you who like summary tables, we've put the most important information of Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa below.
Income Requirement $40,000 annually with Masters’s degree / $80,000 annually without Duration of Visa Ten years Cost of Visa $1,494 (€1390) Processing Time 20 days Family Allowed on Visa Yes Ease of Applying 7/10 Tax Obligations Yes, when spending more than 183 days Global Peace Index Ranking 103/163
🐒 Why Thailand is a great place for Remote Workers
Thailand is an ideal destination for digital nomads due to its diverse culture, vibrant cities, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine.
Additionally, the cost of living in Thailand is highly affordable compared to many other countries, making it a great place to stretch your money further.The country also boasts a modern infrastructure with reliable internet connection speeds ideal for digital nomads.
All of this combines to make Thailand a perfect place for digital nomads to explore whilst earning an income online.
Time to start packing!
Lau
F.A.Q
Do digital nomads in Thailand pay taxes?
For those who remain in Thailand for six months or less, you will be exempt from paying any taxes. Moreover, if you are employed by a company outside of Thailand, you won’t be liable for any taxes. After six months, you can take advantage of favourable tax incentives, such as a lower tax rate of 17%.
Is it legal to work remotely in Thailand?
Yes, working remotely in Thailand with a valid Digital Work Permit is legal.
How to work as a digital nomad in Thailand?
To work remotely in Thailand, you must meet the specific criteria and apply for a Digital Nomad Visa. This requires submitting documents such as proof of income, a passport-sized photograph and a health insurance policy guaranteeing full coverage during your stay in Thailand. Once your application is approved, you must make an appointment with either a Thai embassy or consulate.
Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, Thailand does offer digital nomad visas. However, The criteria for eligibility for this visa may be a source of dissatisfaction for numerous digital nomads. Thailand carefully selects who can obtain a permit to stimulate the local economy with new businesses and startup ideas.
Who qualifies for a digital nomad visa?
Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals, Highly-Skilled Professionals and their spouses and dependents.
How long can digital nomads stay in Thailand?
After being granted Thailand’s digital nomad visa, you can stay for five years. You can extend this visa for five years if you meet the requirements for eligibility.
Can you bring your spouse and dependents on a digital nomad visa?
Yes, this visa allows applicants to bring their spouse and dependents along. However, they must apply for their own visa, and there is a limit of four dependents per visa.