Thailand Digital Nomad visa is now available as “Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)”

Apply for the visa online from the Official Thai E Visa site https://www.thaievisa.go.th/visa/dtv-visa

I will update this with processing times as soon as I hear back

Finally, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is available, and many people have already had their applications granted! This exciting new visa is specifically designed for digital nomads and remote workers, allowing them to live and work in Thailand.

At the end of 2023, Thailand’s immigration policies and visas were not particularly welcoming to remote workers. The requirements seemed to favor wealthy retirees or individuals in specific technical roles sponsored by large corporations, leaving little room for digital nomads seeking extended stays. However, in a bid to stimulate the economy, Thailand has now introduced the DTV, following the lead of forward-thinking nations like Malaysia. This new visa acknowledges the evolving digital landscape post-COVID and provides a more accessible pathway for remote workers to live and work in Thailand.

My Application Experience

I applied for the DTV on September 5, 2024, (with a super cheap flight booked on the 25th Sept) through the official Thai e-visa website.

The process was straightforward, and I paid a processing fee of 3,000 HKD while applying in Hong Kong.

Required Documents

To successfully apply for the DTV, I submitted the following documents:

  • Passport photo page: A clear copy of my passport’s biodata page.
  • Letter of Employment: I included a letter from my co-shareholder stating that I am authorized to work remotely for my company.
  • Bank Statement: A PDF bank statement showing that I have at least 500,000 THB (approximately 107,670 HKD) in my account.
  • Proof of Residence: I submitted my Hong Kong ID (Permanent HKID) as proof that I am currently residing in Hong Kong.

I have already used many Visa on Arrivals on trips to-and-from Langkawi and KL, and had a 6 month Tourism visa this year.

Key Features of the Destination Thailand Visa

The DTV offers numerous advantages for digital nomads:

  • Long Validity: The visa is valid for five years with multiple entries.
  • Extended Stay: Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days, with the option to extend for another 180 days once per year.
  • Family Inclusion: The visa permits holders to bring their spouse and children under the age of 20.
  • Cultural Activities: (Different supporting documents apply) The DTV covers various activities, including learning Muay Thai, Thai cooking, attending seminars, and participating in sports and medical treatments.
  • Target audience: digital nomad / remote worker / foreign talent / freelancer seeking “workation”

Do I need to pay tax on my foreign income as a DTV Visa Thailand holder?

Anyone staying for over 180 days in a calendar year is deemed a tax resident and is subject to income tax on their worldwide income, including foreign-sourced income.

Can you get around this with double taxation agreements between your primary country of residence and Thailand or using a foreign Ltd? Maybe. For foreign companies, income generated from activities outside Thailand is generally not subject to Thai corporate income tax, as long as the company does not have a permanent establishment (PE) in Thailand. If your business is registered in Hong Kong, for instance, and you keep your income there without transferring it to Thailand, you may not be liable for Thai income tax on that income.