Visa for remote workers – DTV visa to Thailand
As of June 1, 2024, Thailand has announced (but not yet launched) the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) program, and this is really great news for anyone who has dreamed of living and working in this exotic country.
The new visa, called the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), will allow you to live in the country for a year without leaving for 20,000 baht. The DTV visa can also be considered as a trial period before obtaining a long-term visa.
The visa was approved on May 28, and cabinet documents explicitly state that the DTV is aimed at “remote workers or digital nomads who wish to simultaneously work for foreign employers, fulfill orders for overseas clients and spend time in Thailand.”
The DTV visa is also planned for “cultural activities” (from Thai boxing to vernissages) and medical services that require more time than is available on a visa waiver or tourist visa.
“This is a group of foreign nationals with potential and their stay will be beneficial to the country’s development,” the cabinet summarized.
- The visa will be valid for five years but with an authorized stay period of 180 days + 180 days.
-Visa fee will be 10,000 baht for the first 180 days + 10,000 baht for extending for another 180 days.
-To continue to stay in Thailand after the second period, a change of visa type will be required, which can be done without leaving the country.
-The DTV visa holder can obtain stay permits for his/her legal spouse and children under 20 years of age.
-Applicants must provide financial guarantees of 500,000 baht for the duration of stay in Thailand.
Thus, with a DTV visa, a freelancer or retiree will be able to spend a year in Thailand for only 20 thousand baht without having to renew the visa regularly or using unfair visa schemes. He or she can then decide whether he or she wants to apply for a long-term visa (be it a retirement, work, Thailand Elite, LTR).
The DTV visa is among the priority projects and its implementation began on June 1, although the Cabinet has not indicated when to expect the visa itself to be introduced.
Stay tuned for updates.
