Thailand is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations for a reason. The country boasts an exciting mix of cultural richness, tropical climate, and a welcoming environment for digital nomads. In particular, the lower cost of living and countless coworking spaces are a huge draw for digital nomads from all walks of life. I mean, who hasn’t fantasized about sipping on a coconut while working remotely from a laptop under the Thai sun, with the bustling street markets in the background?
In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about the Thailand digital nomad visa. We’ll not only cover everything visa-related, but we’ll also give you a glimpse of what life looks like in Thailand by going over the pros and cons, cost of living, taxes, and more. Ready to live your best life in the Land of Smiles?
Does Thailand Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
In June of 2024, Thailand finally announced a long-anticipated digital nomad visa. The country has been a haven for remote workers for years now, particularly in the Chiang Mai region. But, until this announcement, most digital nomads could only stay for 30 days at a time.
The new visa is officially called the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and is geared towards remote workers, freelancers, and business owners. This new DTV has quickly become one of the most attractive digital nomad visa programs in the world.
As the Thai government announced the visa recently, they have not started accepting applications yet. But we expect you’ll be able to start applying at the end of 2024 or at the beginning of 2025.
Here are some quick facts about the Thai digital nomad visa:
- It allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per year.
- You can extend the visa up to five times, allowing you to stay in Thailand for up to five years (180 days per year).
- You must have 500,000 THB in savings (equal to around $14,000 USD).
- You can apply if you work remotely, own a remote business, or want to engage in “Thai Soft Power” activities such as Muay Thai training, cooking classes, music festivals, etc.
- The visa application fee costs 10,000 THB, which equates to around $280 USD.
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, there is no wonder why Thailand is a sought-after spot for digital nomads. Known colloquially as “The Land of Smiles”, Thailand is full of friendly people, delicious food, bustling cities, and amazing scenery.
The new Destination Thailand Visa allows remote workers to fully embrace the country’s charm and stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per year. This visa is essentially an expansion of Thailand’s tourist visa as it is not classified as a residence visa. That said, the current tourist visa only allows you to stay in the country for 30 days, so it is a significant change.
Requirements for Destination Thailand Visa
Let’s take a look at some of the requirements for the Thailand digital nomad visa.
- You must have at least 500,000 THB ($14,000 USD) in your bank account
- You must prove you are working remotely for a non-Thai company (employment contract, employment certificate, freelancer portfolio, or proof of owning a business
- Alternatively, you can prove that you are attending a “soft power” event or course in Thailand, such as Muay Thai training, cooking classes, medical treatment, attending a festival, and more.
- You must be 20 years old or older
Who Can Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
Seems like relatively relaxed qualifications, right? But what nationalities qualify for the visa? And who may not be eligible?
To be honest, there really are no restrictions on what nationalities can apply for the visa. As long as you meet the other requirements, you should be able to apply for the visa.
That said, here are a few restrictions:
- You cannot be a Thai citizen
- You cannot apply if you work for a Thai company
- You cannot stay in Thailand for more than 180 days per year
- You cannot apply if you are under 20 years old
Documents Needed to Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
Let’s take a look at all of the documents and forms you’ll need to apply for the Destination Thailand Visa as a remote worker.
- Scan of the biodata page of your passport
- Passport-sized photograph (must be less than 6 months old)
- Proof of address showing your current location
- Proof of finances must be no less than 500,000 THB ($14,000 USD). This can be in the form of a bank statement or a sponsorship letter.
- Proof of work outside of Thailand. This can be an employment contract or certificate, a freelancer portfolio, or proof you own an active foreign business.
How to Apply for the Destination Thailand Visa: Step-by-Step Guide for Digital Nomads
As the Thailand government has not started accepting Destination Thailand Visa applications yet, these are just the basic steps to apply for the visa that you’ll need to keep in mind for the time being.
Step One: Make Sure You Qualify
First things first, scroll back up to make sure you qualify for the visa in the first place. There’s no point in wasting time and money if you do not meet the basic qualifications. As mentioned, you will need to be at least 20 years old, have at least 500,000 TBH ($14,000 USD) in your bank account, and cannot be a Thai citizen. If you meet these requirements, head over to the next step!
Step Two: Prepare All Documents
Ensure you have everything you need to prove your financial and work situation. You’ll also need to provide a passport, passport-sized photos, and proof of address.
Step Three: Apply for the Visa
While the Thai government has not started accepting applications, you will likely need to apply for the visa on the Thai e-Visa portal or at your home country’s embassy. At this point, you’ll pay the application fee of 10,000 THB or $280 USD.
Step Four: Get Accepted!
And that’s it! Now, all you have to do is wait to get your visa approved, and then you can fly out to Thailand to live as a digital nomad for up to 6 months per year!
How to Extend the Thai Digital Nomad Visa
While there is no official information stating how one can extend the Thailand digital nomad visa, also called the Destination Thailand Visa, it is possible to extend this visa. You can technically extend this visa up to 5 times for a total of 5 years.
But keep in mind that you still can only stay in the country for up to 180 days per year. This means you will never be a full resident of Thailand since you stay in the country for less than half a year each time. But this is a good thing for tax reasons, which we’ll get into more below!
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa Cost
The Destination Thailand Visa costs 10,000 THB, which is around $270 USD.
Destination Thailand Visa Processing Timeframe
As mentioned, Thailand digital nomad visa applications are not being accepted yet. But generally, Thai visas take around 30 days to accept from the date of submission. Make sure you supply all the documents needed from the get-go in order to avoid any delays.
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa Alternatives
Here are the alternative visa options digital nomads can choose from if they either want to stay in Thailand for longer or are not eligible for the digital nomad visa.
SMART Visa Program
Thailand’s SMART Visa program is tailored to attract investors, executives, highly skilled manpower, and startup entrepreneurs in several key industries within Thailand. There are 5 different types of the SMART Visa: T, S, I, E, and O. Although the application process is the same, they each have separate requirements. Depending on the type of SMART Visa you get, your visa may be valid for six months to 10 years. Applying for the visa costs THB 10,000 (USD $281) per visa year (payable in cash).
Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR)
Another great alternative to the Thailand digital nomad visa is the long-term resident (LTR) visa. Released in 2022, this 10-year visa is aimed at wealthy expats and digital nomads. The aim is to help drive up the Thai economy. There are four categories of long-term resident visa holders:
- Wealthy global citizens
- Wealthy pensioners
- Highly-skilled professionals
- Digital nomads
Advantages of this visa include a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand, only 1 year reporting at immigration (as opposed to every 90 days), permission to work digitally in Thailand, tax exemption for overseas income, and multiple re-entry permit. To qualify for this visa, you’ll need a personal income of at least 80,000 a year with at least 5 years of work experience. Unfortunately, due to the requirements, the LTR visa will only apply to a very specific demographic of remote workers.
90 Day Non-Immigrant B Visa (Short Term)
The 90-Day Non-Immigrant B Visa is ideal for digital nomads from Australia, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Europe looking for a short-term stay in Thailand. It requires a valid passport, a business invitation letter, and a fee of THB 2,000 (USD $56).
To apply for this visa, you’ll need to demonstrate financial stability, and you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Work in a Thai company
- Be on a paid internship for a Thai company
- Work in a Thai educational institution
- Conduct business
- Invest in Thailand with a face value of no less than THB 3 million (USD $84,500)
Elite Visa
Also called the Privilege Entry Visa, the Thailand Elite Visa is a popular alternative for digital nomads and expats wanting to live in Thailand. This visa allows multiple access to the Kingdom for 5, 10, or 20 years, depending on what membership they get. Other perks of this “membership” include lounge access and VIP immigration.
Anyone can apply for the Thailand Elite Visa, as long as they are not a Thai citizen. The applicant should also pass a criminal background check and must not have overstayed in Thailand in the past.
As for how much this visa costs, it depends on the membership you get:
- Gold Membership (5-year visa): THB 900,000 or roughly USD $25,000
- Platinum Membership (10-year visa): THB 1,000,000 or roughly USD $28,000
- Diamond Membership (20-year visa): THB 2,400,000 or roughly USD $34,900
Can You Live in Thailand as a Digital Nomad on a Tourist Visa?
Officially, no. You cannot live and work in Thailand on a tourist visa – even if you’re a digital nomad working online for a foreign company or for foreign clients. Many digital nomads in the past have overlooked this rule and worked as digital nomads despite this being illegal. However, the Thai government is increasing its efforts to prevent this kind of unauthorized work, and penalties can include fines or being deported from the country. Yikes!
While there is no way to really police this unless you actively and publicly announce that you are working as a digital nomad during your stay in Thailand, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, it’s always better to be lawful when visiting other countries.
Remember: You are a guest!
To be able to work in Thailand as a digital nomad without breaking the law, get a visa!
Tax Requirements for Digital Nomads in Thailand
Wherever in the world you move to, you need to have an understanding of the tax requirements. In Thailand, as with most other places in the world, you only become a tax resident when you stay in the country for more than 180 days in a year. That means digital nomads coming to Thailand on a digital nomad visa will not be subject to paying taxes in Thailand since the visa is for a maximum stay of 6 months.
However, if you plan to stay longer with a different visa, as a tax resident, your income earned in Thailand is subject to taxation.
As a tax resident, your income is taxed according to Thailand’s progressive tax rate, which ranges from 0% to 35%, depending on how much you earn.
Pro tip: Double-check whether there’s a double tax agreement between Thailand and your home country. This way, you can avoid paying taxes in two different countries. And if your country does not have a double tax agreement… well… our advice? Stay fewer than 180 days in Thailand.
Is Thailand a Good Place for Digital Nomads?
Absolutely! What is not to love? The land of smiles is stocked full of delicious food, serene beaches, and bustling cities. Additionally, Thai people are truly some of the kindest people in the world. Digital nomads will feel right at home in Thailand. It is no wonder that Chiang Mai is often considered to be one of the first digital nomad destinations!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable cost of living. It’s no secret that Thailand has a low cost of living, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads on a budget who would like to grow their savings. | Visa restrictions. Unfortunately, there’s no real Thailand digital nomad visa at the moment, so staying long-term in Thailand might be a bit more difficult than other destinations. |
| Social life. There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Thailand, including meetups, yoga classes, pubs, clubs, and more – it’ll be super easy to make friends in Thailand. | Language barrier. Thai is a very different language than English, so if you don’t speak it, you might struggle a bit. But don’t let this dissuade you from learning the local language! |
| Digital nomad amenities. As Thailand is a very popular destination for digital nomads, there are plenty of digital nomad amenities to make your life easier here, including tons of coworking spaces and cafes with good wifi access. | Extreme weather. Thailand’s weather is made up of extremes. The weather is hot and humid all year round, and the rainy season can bring forth a lot of heavy downpours and thunderstorms. |
| Amazing food. Thai food is famous around the world for a reason! You’ll be able to enjoy dishes such as drunken noodles, pad thai, tom yum, and more! Plus, Thailand is incredibly vegetarian-friendly. | Touristy. Thailand is a popping tourist destination, which can be annoying during the dry season. Accommodation prices tend to rise around this time, too. |
Best Places to Live in Thailand for Digital Nomads
So, you’ve weighed your pros and cons and have decided that you want to make the move to Thailand. Congratulations! Now that you’ve bought your ticket, it’s time to choose where to go. Here are some of the best places to live in Thailand for digital nomads:
Bangkok
Of course, one of the best places to live in Thailand as a digital nomad is the capital city, Bangkok. There’s a reason this city consistently ranks as one of the best cities for digital nomads around the world. What draws people to this bustling city is its great quality of life. Digital nomads will have a field day choosing from the many coworking spaces, wifi hotspots, amazing food, and good public transportation.
A city that never sleeps, Bangkok has an incredibly vibrant nightlife as well. There’s something for everyone – from street parties to rooftop bars. You will definitely not be bored living in this city, with plenty to do every weekend! In addition to the nightlife, you can explore the gorgeous temples and palaces and eat delicious street food.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the OG digital nomad hubs, sporting a remote work community well before the post-pandemic boom! If you want to live in a city but want to avoid Bangkok’s craziness, Chiang Mai is a great choice. The cost of living is much lower here than it is in Bangkok, which is a great draw for digital nomads on a budget. Thanks to the relatively large but close-knit expat and digital nomad community, you’ll be able to make friends almost instantly. Chiang Mai is also a great jumping-off point for discovering northern Thailand and its gorgeous nature. The weather is much more pleasant here than in the islands as well.
Just like Bangkok, Chiang Mai boasts endless coffee shops and coworking spaces – perfect for digital nomads. You’ll also find plenty of elephant sanctuaries in the area.
Koh Phangan
Are you after a laid-back island vibe with a low cost of living and great nightlife? The small Thai island of Koh Phangan might be for you! Koh Phangan is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in Thailand for a reason. You’re never too far from nature here, as the island boasts gorgeous beaches and dense jungles. The blue waters are perfect for beach and water activities, such as snorkeling and swimming.
While small, the island boasts a bustling digital nomad community, with plenty of cafes and coworking spaces catering to digital nomads from all over the world. You’ll find a variety of events throughout the week, so meeting like-minded people will be a breeze. Of course, Ko Phangan is famous specifically for its Full Moon Party, if that’s your thing.
Krabi
Krabi is a region in the southwestern part of Thailand. The region is home to Koh Lanta, Krabi town, as well as tons of amazing beaches and nature. Does working along the coast surrounded by thick jungles and gorgeous ocean views sound like the right fit for you? Krabi offers all this while providing a large community of like-minded people who work together while enjoying the simple life. The main place that expats stay is in Krabi town. From there, you can explore the islands, hike, see temples, explore caves, and relax on the beaches. The Krabi airport comes in clutch as well, making it easier to move around to other destinations in Thailand and Asia.
The cost of living is relatively low here – especially compared to the islands such as Phuket and Koh Phi Phi.
Phuket
The largest island in Thailand, Phuket, is a great digital nomad destination for tropical beach lovers. The island attracts a lot of tourists, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great base to explore the rest of southern Thailand, and the airport on the island makes it easier to explore other destinations around the country or even the entirety of Asia.
You’ll find everything you need here, from shopping malls, motorbike rentals, healthcare, gyms, grocery stores, and even public transportation. As one of the best islands for digital nomads in Thailand, Phuket boasts a wide variety of coworking spaces and cafes – all with super-fast wifi. The lively nightlife is a huge draw to the island as well.
Cost of Living in Thailand for Digital Nomads
Wherever you live in the world, one of the first considerations when it comes to the cost of living is accommodation. Although Thailand may be more affordable than other popular digital nomad destinations, this is the case for this country, too. So, what can you expect regarding accommodation, and how much should you budget for it?
Well, there’s a huge range of accommodation in Thailand, and how much you spend is entirely up to you. For example, you can pay as little as USD $250 to $500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. However, if you want to live a bit more luxuriously, you can spend $1,000. Note that living on the islands costs a bit more than living in Chiang Mai, for example, but, nevertheless, you can easily find accommodation that fits most budgets – especially outside of the tourist high season.
Food is also as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. While some digital nomads might be able to spend as little as THB 5,000 per month, others can spend as much as THB 20,000 (in USD, that’s $140 to $550 a month). But most digital nomads will probably spend around THB 10,000 total per month (USD $280). This vast range is because many digital nomads don’t cook at all in Thailand. In fact, most will instead opt to eat out for every meal. And, especially if you mix in some Western food in there, you can definitely spend much more than you would cooking at home.
As a top tip: Grocery stores are not where you get a bargain in Thailand! Instead, go to the local markets.
Healthcare in Thailand for Digital Nomads
While healthcare may not be something you generally think about, it’s an absolutely crucial part of living somewhere. For digital nomads in Thailand, it’s imperative that you have health insurance to help with medical costs. In fact, a Thai visa requires applicants to have health insurance with a minimum of $50,000 coverage.
Check out our list of the 10 best insurance options for digital nomads!
The public healthcare system in Thailand does not cover medical costs for digital nomads, emphasizing the importance of having adequate health insurance.
The cost of healthcare for digital nomads in Thailand can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of healthcare facility chosen, insurance coverage, and individual health conditions. Here’s a breakdown of some of the costs associated with healthcare for digital nomads in Thailand.
The average cost of personal health insurance is around THB 50,000 per year (approximately THB 4,200 per month or around USD $120 per month). But you can pay as little as THB 25,000 per year (approximately THB 2,100 per month or around USD $60 per month) for those aged 25 years old.
But if you happen to pay for something out-of-pocket, don’t worry too much; prices are much cheaper than in Western countries. For example, a doctor’s appointment may cost around USD $15 to $50 or THB 550 to 1,800.
Best Coworking Spaces in Thailand
There are plenty of coworking spaces in Thailand to choose from. Here are some of the best ones:
- The Great Room – Gaysorn Tower (Bangkok) – from THB 8,000 (USD $225) a month for hot desking or THB 950 (USD $26) for a day pass. Breathtaking views of the skyline, great location, fast wifi, 24/7 access, exclusive events, and more.
- Yellow Coworking Space (Chiang Mai) – THB 5,990 (USD $170) a month, THB 13,900 (USD $390) for 3 months, or THB 429 (USD $12) for a day pass. Shared and private office spaces, recreational zones, YouTube streaming rooms, event areas, English-speaking staff, and more.
- Inner Space Coworking (Koh Phangan) – THB 350 (USD $10) per day, THB 1,600 (USD $45) per week, or THB 4900 (USD $138) per month. 24/7 access, high-speed wifi, chill areas, office equipment, 4K projector, and more.
- KoHub (Koh Lanta, Krabi) – THB 400 (USD $11) per day, THB 2,000 (USD $56) per week, THB 6,500 (USD $183) per month, THB 11,500 (USD $323) per 2 months, and THB 16,000 (USD $450) per 3 months. High speed internet, 24/7 access, various rooms, ergonomic chairs, free coffee, tea, and water, and more.
- Let’s Work (Phuket) – THB 500 (USD $14) per day, from THB 1,750 (USD $50) per week, from THB 3,500 (USD $98) per 10 days, and from THB 5,000 (USD $140) per month. HHigh-speedinternet, free printing, unlimited coffee/tea/water, networking and social events, and more.
How to Find a Place to Live in Thailand
One of the first things you will be figuring out after you step foot in Thailand is finding a place to live. Here are some of the things you should look out for to find digital nomad-friendly accommodation:
- Strong internet connection: A digital nomad is just a traveler without a good wifi connection! If the internet is included in your rent, make sure it is fast and strong enough to handle the work you have to do.
- Location: Some digital nomads prefer being in the middle of the action, while others prefer to be in the outskirts. Consider your own preferences when finding a place to live in Thailand.
- Furnishings: Most Thai accommodations will come already furnished, but make sure to assess the quality of the furnishings. If a bed is too old, for example, you might be dealing with some back problems down the line.
- Kitchen: Many apartments and condos in Thailand don’t come with full kitchens. If you like to cook at home and don’t expect to eat out for every meal, you should filter your searches to find a place to live with a full kitchen.
- Washing machine: Another luxury you may not always get in a Thai apartment or condo is access to a washing machine. While not having one at home is not always a dealbreaker for most digital nomads, note that you will need to pay to use a communal one or to use a laundry service.
Where to Find a Place to Live in Thailand
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, how do you find a place to live? Well, there are a few different methods.
Word of Mouth
This method is best if you already happen to know someone who lives in the area you want to move to in Thailand. If you know someone, hit them up! Use your contacts, and ask them for insider knowledge and tips. They’ll know which condos are best and which should be avoided. They may even know someone who might be leaving just as you are coming in to explore Thailand!
Rental Websites
A great way to find an apartment or condo in Thailand is to check out a rental website. The below are the ones we recommend:
Join Facebook Groups
Besides word of mouth and rental sites, a surprising way to find accommodation in Thailand is through Facebook. Check out Facebook Marketplace for your chosen location. Alternatively, the below Facebook groups are a great place to start looking:
- Bangkok condo for sale & rent
- Chiang Mai Real Estate
- Koh Phangan House For Rent
- Krabi / Ao Nang Real Estate [Rent/Sale]
- Phuket Rent and Sale property
Travel Accommodation Sites
Here’s the thing about Thailand: We highly recommend scoping out the place you want to live beforehand. Photos on the internet can be pretty deceiving, and you want to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. For this reason, when you first arrive in Thailand, we recommend using a travel accommodation site for the first week or so. That is, until you find more suitable accommodation.
Trust us, you don’t want to get stuck in an apartment or condo you’ve never visited in person! Unfortunately, we’ve had first-hand experience of ending up in an apartment or condo that was much less ideal! And that was for a 3-month contract! Yikes.
We don’t generally recommend using these sites (for more on this, check out: digital nomad ethics), but they can definitely come in handy! Here are the travel accommodation sites you should check out:
For more info on finding housing as a digital nomad check out our complete guide.
Thailand, a Popular Digital Nomad Destination
Thailand is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations for a reason. The more affordable cost of living, warm weather, delicious food, welcoming culture, and thriving digital nomad community are all big draws for nomads moving to the country. While Thailand may not have a specific digital nomad visa yet, there are several visa options for you.
Not sure if you want to go to Thailand? Check out other digital nomad visas, including ones for Croatia and Brazil. And when you’re ready to head out on your adventure, read our digital nomad packing list.
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