Digital Nomad Visa in Thailand - What it is, the cost and how to get it

Thinking of working remotely in Thailand? This beautiful country is known for its stunning scenery, fabulous food, as well as its vibrant nightlife.

But before you can set up shop there, you’ll need to get your paperwork sorted. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get a Thailand digital nomad visa as a UK citizen. This will give you legal permission to live, travel and carry out remote work.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders. The Wise account is an alternative to traditional bank accounts. You can send money between the UK and Thailand at the mid-market exchange rate for low, transparent fees*.

What is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is someone who travels freely while working remotely. They tend to work in coffee shops, libraries or co-working spaces.

Digital nomads work while exploring a new country and soaking up the local culture. It can also be a good way to fund travel, as you can earn money as you go.

Can UK citizens work in Thailand?

Yes, but not as tourists. There are two main routes you could take in order to work in Thailand: getting a non-immigrant B visa¹ or the Destination Thailand visa, better known as the digital nomad visa².

Working remotely vs. making money in Thailand

Working remotely as a digital nomad and actually having a job in Thailand isn’t the same. Here’s a look at some differences:

Working as a digital nomad in Thailand	Making money in Thailand
Non-resident income tax - only paying tax on what you earn within Thailand if you stay in Thailand for less than 180 days3	Resident income tax - pay tax on your worldwide income if you’ve permanently moved to Thailand3
You might not need a work permit (DTV visa)4	You need a work permit1
You need to leave the country every 6 months2	No need to leave if you have a long-term visa

Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?²

Yes, there’s a 5-year digital nomad visa Thailand offers to foreigners. Its official name is the Destination Thailand visa.

Thailand’s 5-year digital nomad visa: what you need to know⁴

The Destination Thailand visa or the Thailand digital nomad visa is a 5-year programme mainly aimed at those who work remotely. The DTV visa is designed for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers.

The visa fee is £300. There’s a 5-year validity period with a maximum stay of 180 days per entry. If you wish to extend your Thailand digital nomad visa, you can do so for another 6 months.²

You can apply at the Royal Thai Embassy or through the Thai e-Visa website. These are the required documents²:

• Valid passport
• Photograph taken in the last 6 months
• Proof of address
• Financial evidence - at least £11,000 (500,000 THB)
• Employment contract/certificate from the UK or professional portfolio proving digital nomad status

Thailand’s digital nomad visa: facts

• Visa length - 5 years (6 months at a time)
• Can it be extended? - Yes, for another 6 months
• Minimum income requirements - 500,000 THB
• Cost - £300
• Proof of digital nomad status - professional portfolio or employment contract/certificate from the UK

Other Visa types for digital nomads in Thailand

Here are some other visas available in Thailand:

• Multi-entry tourist visa
• 90-day non-immigrant visa
• Long-term resident (LTR) visa

Multi-entry tourist visa⁵

A tourist visa even UK citizens have to apply for is the multi-entry tourist visa. This is a 6-month visa which allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days at a time. You must enter Thailand within 3 months of getting it.

These are the documents you’ll need in order to apply:

• Passport
• Photograph taken within the last 6 months
• Proof of address
• Travel booking confirmation
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand

Keep in mind that tourist visas don’t permit you to work. If you want to work during a shorter stay in Thailand, you’ll need to apply for the 90-day non-immigrant visa.

The application fee for this visa is £150.⁶

Thailand Digital Nomad Visa (90-day non-immigrant visa)⁷

Besides the DTV, another option for digital nomads is the 90-day non-immigrant visa. There are a few different categories of this visa, and the documents you’ll need for your application vary depending which type you choose. You can find out more here.

The visa application fee for the single-entry non-immigrant visa is £60.⁶

Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa⁸

If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer, there’s the Long-term resident (LTR) visa. This is a 10-year visa which includes the Work-from-Thailand professional category.

The eligibility criteria for this visa is quite restrictive. You’ll need to be a remote worker for a well-established company in a particular industry. There’s a 50,000 THB fee (around £1,100) if you collect your visa in Thailand or £1,500 if you collect it at an embassy.⁶

How to apply for the above visas except LTR (Step by step)⁹

1. Go to http://thaievisa.go.th to complete your online application
2. Upload supporting documents
3. Pay the visa fee online
4. Wait for your application to be processed
5. If successful, you’ll receive an online e-Visa

How to apply for LTR visa (Step by step)⁸

1. Go to https://visa.boi.go.th/ to submit your application
2. Wait around 20 working days
3. Submit additional information for the pre-approval process
4. Make an appointment for LTR visa issuance
5. Apply for a work permit
6. Collect your visa

How long can you stay in Thailand as a digital nomad?

Exactly how long you’ll be able to stay in Thailand depends on the visa you have.

As a tourist, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days at a time. If you have a non-immigrant visa, you’ll be able to stay in Thailand for 90 days.

The Thailand digital nomad visa lets you stay in the country for up to 180 days at a time throughout 5 years. The LTR visa allows you to move to Thailand permanently and stay there for up to 10 years.

How much does it cost to live in Thailand as a digital nomad?¹⁰

Here’s a list of average living costs in Thailand:

Living expense	Cost
Meal for 2 (mid range restaurant, three course)	£18.81
Loaf of bread	£1.03
Transportation (monthly pass)	£26
Monthly internet bill	£12.82
1 bedroom flat in city centre (monthly rent)	£355.72

What is it like living in Thailand as a digital nomad?

Thailand is a beautiful country with a low cost of living, which makes it perfect for digital nomads. Here are some things you should know if you plan on working there:

• Internet speed: 218.94 Mbps¹¹
• Time zone: GMT+7 (6 hours ahead of the UK)
• Socket type: A, B, C, F and O¹²
• Calling code: +66
• Currency: Thai baht

Using Wise to pay for your visa and spending abroad

Got your Thailand digital nomad visa sorted? This might be the moment to think about how you’ll manage your money in Thailand.

For a one-time cost of just £7 you can get your own Wise card and spend like a local in 150+ countries, including Thailand. It auto-converts the money in your Wise account to the right currency whenever you spend, all at the mid-market rate. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Why not open an account and use it to pay for your visa costs and spending while in Thailand?

Open your Wise account now

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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FAQs: Thailand Digital Nomad visa aka Destination Thailand visa

Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about Thailand:

Is there a big digital nomad community in Thailand?¹³

Yes! According to some sources, Thailand is even in the top 3 most popular digital nomad destinations in the world.

Which countries are now eligible for a visa on arrival in Thailand for a 60 day stay?¹⁴

Citizens of 31 countries and territories can get a Thailand visa upon arrival, but those coming from 16 of them also qualify for a 60-day visa exemption scheme. Those countries are: Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Uzbekistan.

How much tax do digital nomads pay in Thailand?¹⁵

You’ll only pay taxes in Thailand if you live there for more than 180 days a year and you can check the rates here. Thailand and the UK have a double taxation agreement, so you won’t be taxed twice.

What countries near to Thailand have digital nomad visas?¹⁶

At the moment, Indonesia and Malaysia have official digital nomad visas.

What is the visa exemption for Thailand?¹⁴

Citizens of 93 countries and territories don’t need a visa to enter Thailand, including the UK. You can find the full list on the Thai Consulate website.

What documents do I need to enter Thailand?¹

In order to enter Thailand as a tourist, you need a valid passport, a round-trip ticket and enough money to cover your stay.

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Articles you may also be interested in:

• Cash or card in Thailand: Which is best?
• Travel vaccinations for Thailand
• How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Thailand

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Sources used:

1. Royal Thai Embassy in London - FAQ
2. Royal Thai Embassy in London - Destination Thailand visa
3. Omni HR - income tax in Thailand
4. ThaiEmbassy.com - Destination Thailand Visa
5. Royal Thai Embassy in London - Tourist multi-entry visa
6. Royal Thai Embassy in London - visa fees
7. Royal Thai Embassy in London - Non-Immigrant visas
8. LTR Visa Unit - LTR Visa Thailand
9. Thai eVisa - visa application guide
10. Numbeo - cost of living in Thailand
11. World Population Review - internet speeds by country 2024
12. Power Plugs & Sockets - plug sockets in Thailand
13. Bangkok Post - top digital nomad destination
14. TAT Newsroom - Thailand announces longer visa stays
15. Siam Legal - Thailand’s new tax on foreign income
16. Nomad Embassy - Southeast Asia digital nomad visas

Sources last checked on date: 16-Aug-2024