Digital Nomad Thailand Visa: Your Key to Remote Work Paradise
Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa helps digital nomads join the global expat community.
What Is Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Thirty two million people can't be wrong — that's how many travellers visited Bangkok's sweltering pandamonium in 2024. Those numbers will be boosted in 2025 by digital nomad's using the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) which was was expanded to include remote workers in July 2024.Previously, eligible activities for the DTV, sometimes known as the 'soft power' visa, were limited to cultural pursuits like Muay Thai, and Thai cooking.The DTV is a multi entry visa which is valid for 5 years and allows stays of six months each time, before holders need to leave and re-enter Thailand. There's no minimum income requirement for Thailand's DTV, unlike Indonesia's digital nomad offering — AKA 'The Bali Visa' — which requires holders to have annual earnings over $60,000.Thailand's DTV simply requires applicants to have savings of at least THB 500,000 (roughly $15,000), and proof of their remote work status via a professional portfolio. This makes the Thai DTV one of the simplest digital nomad visas to apply for worldwide.Who can apply for Thailand’s digital nomad visa?Remote workers from the 93 countries which are eligible for Thailand’s DTV scheme can apply to work remotely in the Southeast Asian country as long as they are over 20 years old. Eligible countries include almost all North American and European states. How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa (Step by Step)The first step to obtaining Thailand's Digital Nomad visa is registering with Thai immigration authorities. Next you need to submit the required documents, such as your proof of funds, employment contract, bank statements, and your professional portfolio. Then just sit back and wait for the approval email to arrive. Costs Associated with the Thailand Digital Nomad VisaThe DTV visa application fee depends on the country you are applying from and ranges from 9,166 baht to 39,240 baht ($310 - $1200). Thai visa pricing works on a reciprocal basis meaning US passport holders only pay $400 while Kiwis face a swingeing 2000 New Zealand Dollar ($1200) charge for the remote work visa. Can you work in Thailand with the DTV?DTV holders are not allowed to work in Thailand. Thailand's digital nomad visa is specifically for working with employers based outside of Thailand and the Thai immigration authorities have a long track record of prosecuting foreigners for working without the right permit.You must get a Non-Immigrant B Visa if you want to work for a company in Thailand. Any foreigner working on a different visa type risks; fines, prison, deportation, and a ban from Thailand.Is the Thailand DTV visa right for you?The short answer is — probably not. For genuine nomads who are moving from country to country the six month Multi Entry Tourist Visa offers plenty of time to see Thailand, and a lower visa fee than the DTV.It also means you won’t stay long enough to potentially qualify as tax resident. But the DTV is the only realistic option for people under 50 who want to work remotely in Thailand for longer than 180 days, Those over 50 are eligible for the Non-Immigrant O retirement visa, which like the DTV prohibits work in Thailand but allows offshore earnings, and the right to open a bank account.The question is whether the DTV represents good value? The visa comes with the obligation to pay up to 35% tax on income remitted into Thailand, but it doesn't even allow the holder to open a local bank account or access local healthcare services. Even if that does seem like a fair price to live out your Thai digital nomad dreams it's probably still better to use the pre existing soft power routes to enter the country rather than the specific remote worker programme.A number of digital nomad DTV applicants have reported being denied visas due to documentation issues and instead found success via Muay Thai or cookery DTVs. This anonymous comment on a Thai visa Facebook group is typical:“I chose the soft power Muay Thai route. Honestly, when I see all the people struggling with the documents they need to provide to prove they are a digital nomad, I wonder why they don't just contact a gym that has DTV experience and provides all the required paperwork, even if you qualify as a freelancer?,” the person said. The person went on to say that their Muay Thai DTV was approved in five working days and didn’t involve any follow up questions from immigration after the documents and visa fee were submitted.Muay Thai gyms on the DTV programme all offer conditioning only programmes which are open to all fitness levels meaning it's an option open to everyone. )
How does Thailand’s digital nomad visa compare to regional and global peers such as Bali, Spain, and Panama?
Thailand’s digital nomad visa is basically just a very generous tourist visa — it allows a long term stay but that's it. Similarly Indonesia’s E33G Digital Nomad Visa, allows the holder to stay for five years but no longer and also isn't a path to residency in Southeast Asia.Spain’s digital nomad visa, however, offers the path to residency in an EU country and while the application process is more complex than the Thai or Indonesian versions it could be worth the extra effort for some people. Panama launched a short-stay visa for remote workers in the middle of the Covid pandemic and with an 18 month limit it is strictly targeted at short term digital nomads and is, unlike Thailand's long term visas, tax free. This offers significant advantages over a tourist visa, according to one Panamanian law firm.“By taking advantage of these favorable tax regulations, digital nomads can optimize their financial situation and retain more of their hard-earned income,” Kraemer Law said.
Other Visa types for digital nomads in Thailand
Multi-entry tourist visaA Thai Multi Entry Tourist Visa allows visitors to stay for up to sixty days at a time, for a maximum period of six months, leaving and reentering as many times as they like. Applicants must apply at a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate for the METV and its main requirement is proof of having $2000 in a bank account for three months.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa
In 2022 the Thai government launched its long term resident visa (LTR) programme which is aimed at bringing high net worth (disposable assets above $1m) and highly skilled remote workers employed by global corporates. The Long-Term Resident Visa (LTV) is a 10- year programme backed by the Thailand Board of Investment. The visa is issued initially for 5 years which can be renewed for a further five.Benefits include annual, instead of 90 immigration reporting, a work permit and immigration support, tax exemption on foreign-sourced income, and a 17% tax cap on Thai sourced earnings, and it enables the holder to work legally for a Thai or foreign company.
Thailand Elite Visa
Thailand launched Asia’s first long term stay programme in 2003 and the Thailand Elite Visa is still available today for periods of five to twenty years. As the name suggests this government-backed visa concierge service doesn’t come cheap.The bronze package offers a five year multi entry visa for 650,000 baht ($20,000), rising to 2.5 million baht ($76,000), for the 15 year Diamond version. The price for the full 20 year visa isn't disclosed.The main advantage the Elite Visa has over the DTV is its documentation and background requirements are more limited. Assuming you can meet the basic DTV requirements there is no obvious reason to spend the large sums needed to get an Elite Visa.
What are the pros and cons of being a digital nomad in Thailand?
Thailand is famous for its sun kissed beaches and wild nightlife but digital nomads flock to Thailand for more mundane reasons than Full Moon Parties. Bangkok has excellent accommodation, a world class transport system and supermarkets stocked with products familiar from home. Smaller towns and cities are equally liveable. And whether it's attempting the Art of the Eight Limbs, marveling at Isaan's rocket festivals, or visiting the idiosyncratic hill tribes, Thailand offers many unique cultural experiences for visitors.The cons are the same faced by digital nomads in other parts of Asia — making friends in a new country is always a challenge and Thai people’s natural reticence can make it more difficult to strike up conversations with locals in Chiang Mai than, say, Medellin. Thailand is a very safe country, with street robberies and muggings almost unheard of but it has a huge problem with road safety. The World Health Authority says Thailand has a road traffic fatality rate of 25.4 per 100 000 people in 2021, one of the highest in Asia and the ninth worst out of 175 countries for road traffic fatalities. The problem is heavily linked to alcohol consumption so take extra care on holidays and festivals.)
Tips for Digital Nomads Moving to Thailand
How to Avoid Overstaying in Thailand
Always make a note of your visa expiry date when entering a country. Thailand levies a fine of 500 thb a day, up to a maximum of 20,000 thb for overstaying a visa for more than 40 days. Longer overstays risk prison, deportation, and a ban from visiting.
90-Day Reporting to Thai Immigration
Thailand requires all long term visa holders to report to immigration authorities every 90 days in person, online, or via an agent. Failure to report results in a 2000 baht fine which can rise to 5000 baht.
Tax Implications for Digital Nomads in Thailand
Tax Residency StatusThe Destination Thailand Visa allows long term stays for remote workers in the popular destination but it also means if you are there for more than 6 months you potentially become tax resident. Anyone relocating to Thailand on a DTV visa should familiarise themselves with tax residency rules as well as visa requirements. Thai Income Tax RatesTax is collected in Thailand by the Revenue Department and the tax year runs from 1 January to 31 December, with tax returns due on 31 March each year. The Revenue Department does not allow extensions on tax return filing. Thailand has eight different income tax bands of 5% increments between 0% and 35%. The top rate of tax applies on all income over four million baht ($125,000). As digital nomads are barred from working in Thailand only its worldwide tax rules, which were updated in 2023, apply according to PWC. “Residents who derive assessable income derived from outside Thailand would only be subject to tax if such income is earned in any tax year starting from 1 January 2024 onwards and is remitted to Thailand, wholly or partially, in the same or a later tax year,” the consultants said.Living in Thailand as a Digital Nomad
Costs you need to consider as a digital nomad in ThailandАccommodation
According to Siam Real Estate an apartment in Bangkok will cost between $250 and $500 a month, while accommodation in smaller towns can be found for as little as $100.Groceries
Thailand has excellent modern supermarkets with prices comparable to Europe and North America. Markets are commonplace and local fruit and vegetables are keenly priced.Utilities
Energy prices are set by the Thai government and with modest AC use bills should be around $50 a month. Water is inexpensive.Gas and public transportation
Gasoline is roughly 30 baht ($1) a liter and a one day pass on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain costs 150 baht ($5).Bars and restaurants
Eating and drinking at roadside restaurants can be very cheap even in Bangkok, with a large beer around $2.50 and plates of Pad Thai or grilled pork neck the same price. Small towns are even cheaper. At the other end of the price range the Michelin Guide lists 189 restaurants in Bangkok including ones where you can spend as much as in London or New York.Coworking spaces: what are the best ones?
Bangkok is full to the brim with coworking spaces. It has ones aimed at artists, others which serve premium coffee, and even a ‘cothinking’ space. But the locals generally don't use them. While the Thai capital was once home to a vibrant network of coworking spaces serving the city's start-up tech community, these mostly closed during Covid. Coffee shops often offer better networking opportunities than coworking spaces which are typically silent by design. Coliving options are available with prices in Bangkok around the 30,000 baht ($1000) mark for an integrated working and living facility with high level of furnishing.)
Top Destinations for Digital Nomads in Thailand
Chiang MaiThe Northern city of Chiang Mai has become a firm favourite among remote workers in recent years drawn to its atmospheric old city and the amenities in the trendy Nimmanhaemin Road area.
Koh Phangan and Koh SamuiA combination of raw jungles, white beaches, and breathtaking sunsets make Thailand's two most famous islands popular destinations for digital nomads. Koh Samui is more upscale than Koh Phangan but both offer a riot of choice for remote workers. But be warned — they are party islands and if groups of bare chested men clutching bottles of Beer Chang isn’t your thing then maybe try Koh Yao instead.
Phuket and Koh LantaAn influx of Russian into since the war in Ukraine has met resistance from long term expats who are complaining about the resulting gridlocked traffic and rocketing prices. Accommodation can be very expensive during peak periods which makes Phuket a destination for deep pocketed digital nomads.
BangkokThe City of Angels, is a bustling megatropolis where 11 million people live either side of the Chao Phraya River that connects the urban to the ocean.Nestled among Bangkok’s neighbourhoods is a big and growing group of digital nomads attracted by its great value accommodation, world class cuisine, entertainment options, and excellent transport. Bangkok is also a great place to network and discuss business ideas and will be a digital nomad favourite for the long term.
Nakhon Nowhere and the Between Fars You travelled all the way to Southeast Asia, why not explore further? Stuart McDonald urges visitors to Thailand to take the bus to Nakhon Nowhere, shorthand for a less visited, off the beaten track place — what the travel writer calls one of the; ‘between fars’.“Plenty of travel is needing to get from here to there. Between where you are and where you need to be is fill, a blur, a distraction. No name towns, parks, beaches, fishing towns, hamlets and cities—most, if not all, you’ve never heard of before. These are the between fars,” McDonald wrote. Chumphon, the long slim southern Thai province just above the country’s most famous islands, is full of small towns and would be an excellent place to look for a between far.Or maybe discover Nakhon Nowhere your own way?
Acquiring Health Insurance CoverageThailand’s healthcare system is ranked 13th best in the world with excellent public healthcare. Public hospitals are only available to foreigners who work in Thailand meaning digital nomads need to get health insurance. Thailand has an active health insurance market with big global names like Allianz and Axa active in the Kingdom. Despite this many long term residents continue to use health insurance from their home country as this provides greater certainty on payouts and a smoother claims process. What is the Currency and Exchange Rate in Thailand?Thailand’s currency is the baht, today's exchange rate can be checked on the Bank of Thailand website.Purchasing a Condominium in ThailandIn line with many Southeast Asian countries it’s not possible to buy land in Thailand, you can, however, own a condo.Opening a Personal Bank Account in ThailandOpening a personal bank account in Thailand used to be a straightforward process and could be done on a tourist visa. Since the expansion of the DTV regime to include digital nomads it appears that banks are only opening accounts for people with long term visas — ones for either retirement or work. Opening a Business Bank Account with International Banking ProvidersOpening a Thai business bank account involves one of the directors going to the bank in person and presenting documents including; the Thai company registration certificate, foreign employee work permit and Thai tax registration details. In other words it's impossible for a digital nomad to open a Thai business bank account without setting up a fully registered Thai company with a minimum paid up capital of roughly $60,000.It is possible to set up a savings only business bank account for a foreign registered company with Bangkok Bank that only requires a 500 thb initial deposit but it must be done at the lender's head officer.Another alternative is Narvi Payments, a Finland-regulated EMI (Electronic Money Institution), which offers banking services tailored to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Unlike Thai banks Narvi offers a swift online-only onboarding process. Narvi is one of the few international fintechs who onboard worldwide. Narvi has been explicitly designed to serve the needs of international businesses by providing a dedicated IBAN account which facilitates SEPA payments across Europe and SWIFT payments globally — meaning you can make payments in Thai baht, or sixty plus other currencies, with ease.Narvi is the go-to business banking for SMEs and the digital economy means it's aware of the challenges processing payments sectors like affiliate marketing and is able to offer banking services with robust compliance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The United States is one of 93 countries which are eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa which includes a remote work category. The Treaty of Amity, signed between the two countries in 1966, also gives US individuals rights such as the ability to set up a sole proprietorship which isn’t available to citizens of other countries. This is potentially a route for US digital nomads to stay in Thailand for a longer term though clearly there are legal and tax implications from operating a business onshore in Thailand.
Yes! You can work remotely anywhere on a tourist visa as long as you aren’t working for a company based in the same country. Then you need a work permit.
There are no minimum income requirements for the digital nomad visa Thailand. This makes its requirements easier than regional rival Indonesia and European countries, which can have minimum requirements as high as €4500 a month.
That depends on your lifestyle. It’s possible to rent a simple room for as little as $150, or a fancy Bangkok condo for $2500 a month. So budget from $1000 to $3000 a month depending on whether your tastes are for champagne or sparkling water.
It’s possible to live on $1000 a month in Thailand but that doesn’t allow for emergencies such as dental care or a new laptop, and medical care can be very expensive, for example. If your budget is $1000 a month it might be better to postpone a visit until your income is higher.
Being a digital nomad isn’t a job, it simply means someone earns their living entirely remotely outside of their home country so there isn't an average income as such. Policymakers may dream of attracting swathes of high earning startup founders and tech employees to their countries with digital nomad visas but there's a limit to how many jobs can be done by the pool in Bali. Some billionaires have embraced the digital nomad lifestyle but their numbers are by nature limited in many cases, digital nomad economics relies on geographic arbitrage, not high earnings.Why pay $3000 a month for a modest London flat when you can get a Luxury Bangkok condo with a rooftop pool and a killer view for $1000?
English is widely spoken in Thailand and it’s not necessary to learn Thai to live there. But Thai people will greatly appreciate your efforts to learn the language and speaking a few words will make it much easier to find Thai friends.
No. There is no path to permanent residency as a digital nomad in Thailand. The DTV is essentially a long-term tourist visa with exactly the same rights as someone arriving in Bangkok and receiving a 30 day visa free exemption stamp in their passport.
Digital nomads are strictly prohibited from working for Thai companies. They must work for foreign companies. If you want to work legally in Thailand as a foreigner you need to obtain a Non-Immigrant B Visa
The multi-entry tourist visa (METV) is probably the best option for digital nomads. It costs roughly $200 and allows a six month stay in Thailand, and is much simpler to get than a DTV. It’s unlikely that digital nomads would stay in one country for longer than six months each year. As the Destination Thailand Visa does not enable holders to open a bank account, or offer a path to residency, it doesn't offer significantly more benefits than the METV which is cheaper and less hassle.
The Thailand digital nomad visa is initially issued for 12 months and it can be renewed for up to five years.
The Thai digital nomad visa allows spouses and dependents to join you. Thai culture is very child friendly and the country's international schools have an excellent reputation so the Southeast Asian country could be a great place to bring your family to.
Published July 29, 2025Author:
Aaron Woolner is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience covering banking, insurance, fintech, and regulatory topics. Having led editorial teams at prominent publications like Capital.com and Asia Risk, Aaron delivers informed and compelling insights from across Asia and Europe.Disclaimer
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Narvi Payments Oy Ab or its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
Aaron Woolner is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience covering banking, insurance, fintech, and regulatory topics. Having led editorial teams at prominent publications like Capital.com and Asia Risk, Aaron delivers informed and compelling insights from across Asia and Europe.Disclaimer
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Narvi Payments Oy Ab or its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
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