From culture enthusiasts to island lovers and nature aficionados, travelers can never go wrong with exploring Thailand, which has something to offer for every adventurer. The vibrant temples of Chiang Mai, the pristine tropical islands of Phuket, and the bustling streets of Bangkok — these are just a few of the country's world-renowned tourist attractions.
But enjoying these places is no longer limited to travelers in Thailand alone, as remote workers may now live and work in the country for up to five years. Thailand’s government extended the validity of its multiple-entry visa for digital nomads on June 1—a significant stretch from the previous 60-day period.
The extension does not mean, however, that digital nomads can live in the Southeast Asian country for five straight years. They are only allowed to stay for 180 days, or about six months, at a time and will need to reenter Thailand afterward.
‘Not just for remote workers’
The digital nomad visa does not only benefit remote workers and freelancers. According to Thailand officials, even those pursuing training in their country are eligible for the visa. These include visitors undertaking a course in Thai cooking or learning the traditional martial art of Muay Thai or any other sport. Outsiders going to Thailand to perform at music festivals, attend seminars, or seek medical treatment may likewise be eligible.
Aside from these, spouses and dependent children of visa holders are covered, too.
How to apply
Travelers may either make a visa appointment at a Thai Embassy or apply online through the official Thai e-visa website, although the latter is limited to certain nationalities. The application fee costs 10,000 Thai baht (almost P16,100).
Thailand’s government, however, has yet to announce the new qualifications for the digital nomad visa.
Extended Visa-on-Arrival to 36 More Countries
Apart from the remote worker visa, Thailand has increased the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry to its nation from the previous 57 to 93. Travelers' stay will also be extended from a maximum of 30 days to two months. Among the countries recently included in the list are Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, and Morocco. Thirty-one more nations can obtain a 15-day tourism visa on arrival at the airport in Thailand, up from the previous 19.
Foreign students and individuals over 50 planning to retire are no exception to the more lenient rules. Those staying in Thailand for their studies can continue doing so for up to one year after graduation to search for jobs. Previously, international students were required to leave the country right away. As for retirees, the requirement for insurance coverage has also been reduced from 3 million THB to only 440,000 THB.
Thailand is implementing these changes in response to economic challenges, as the country has dropped 11 places to 47th in the World Economic Forum’s latest travel and tourism development ranking. The extension of its digital nomad visa, to be specific, makes the Southeast Asian nation one of the few countries with the longest validity periods for similar visas. Other countries that recently launched remote worker visas include Japan, Italy, and Turkey.
*This story originally appeared on Esquiremag.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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