Thailand is the destination that has it all: paradisiacal beaches, temples full of history and a unique vibe. Immerse yourself in its culture, savor its incredible food and get ready for unforgettable experiences in the “Land of Smiles”. From frenetic Bangkok to tropical islands where you can relax. For this and many other reasons, Thailand has become one of the digital nomads’ paradises.
What you need to know to work in Thailand as a digital nomad
Visa options with Spanish passport:
- Visa-free: For tourism (less than 30 days entering by air or land), no visa is required, but you must present a ticket for departure from Thailand and a passport valid for 6 months at the date of departure from Thailand.
- Tourist Visa: Spanish citizens can apply for a Tourist Visa at the Thai embassy or consulate. There is a 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for an additional 30 days, and the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows two 90-day visa extensions at the local immigration office. Certain requirements are needed for the STV, but it allows a visitor to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months.
- Student Visa: A Thailand student visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days for single or multiple entries. Although your course of study will most likely be at least one year, you will still get a 90-day visa. However, before your visa expires, you can apply for an extension at the Thai Immigration Department for a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht. It must be renewed every 90 days before the expiration of the existing visa.
Thailand has been a favorite destination for digital nomads, especially around Chiang Mai and Bangkok, with a low cost of living and high Internet speeds. However, most nomads use the 60-day tourist visa which they can extend for another 30 days (by going to the immigration office) before having to apply for a visa.
Digital nomad visa
After a long wait, Thailand finally launched (September 1, 2022) its Long Term Residency (LTR) Visa, a 10-year visa for expatriates, investors, retirees and wealthy digital nomads. The requirements are so high that 99.99% of digital nomads will not qualify. In addition to an $80,000 revenue requirement, applicants must work for a public company on a stock exchange or for a private company that can show combined revenues of $150 million over the past 3 years. It is these strict requirements that will deter most digital nomads. In this article we explain the LTR visa and the alternatives for digital nomads in Thailand.
- Cost of visa: 570€ approx.
- Duration: 10 years
Requirements:
- Have earned at least $80,000 in the last two years.
- Have 5 years of work experience
- Be an employee of a company with a salary or income in three years of at least $150 million
- To have medical insurance for the duration of your stay in Thailand.
- Have a university degree
- No criminal record.
- Copy of passport.
Here you can consult the updated information of the Embassy of Thailand in Madrid.
This visa not only gives you the opportunity to work remotely, but also allows you to explore local employment. Get ready to live a unique experience in Thailand while building your career!