Digital nomads to be allowed to work in Thailand without needing a work permit

[webfact]

File photo for reference only.

 

New proposals from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would allow so-called digital nomads to legally work and stay in Thailand, without needing a work permit.

 

The proposals are part of a shake up of the rules concerning foreigners living and working in Thailand and aim to attract investment into the country to the tune of 1 trillion baht.

 

Under the proposals, ‘digital nomads’ or people who want to come and work remotely from Thailand will be able to do just that providing they show a regular income from overseas.

 

Large companies would also be invited to send employees to work remotely from Thailand. 

 

To qualify for the ‘digital nomad visa’, applicants will need to have a minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or above/intellectual property ownership or have received Series A funding.

 

They will also need 5 years working experience and have health insurance $100,000 or more of medical expenses. 

 

For companies which apply for the scheme, they will need to be listed on the stock exchange of their respective country or have been trading for at least 3 years and have a total income of 50 million US dollars over the past 3 years.

 

If the applicant is able to meet the requirements, the ‘digital nomad’ visa would grant a 10 year stay in Thailand, and give the holder permission to work in Thailand without needing a work permit. 

 

They would be exempt from income tax for income from abroad and personal income tax on income in Thailand would be charged at a flat rate of 17%.

 

They would also be given special rights on ownership and long term lease of property and land in Thailand.

 

Until now, the legality of digital nomads is somewhat of a grey area, with Thailand not currently offering any type of visa classification for location-independent remote workers.

 

Many of Thailand’s immigration laws and rules regarding foreign workers were written the best part of fifty years ago, well before the idea of a ‘digital nomad’ - those who can work online from anywhere in the world, typically only needing a laptop and internet connection - could ever have been imagined. 

 

But under the new proposals, Thailand is set to follow the lead of other countries and welcome digital nomads to move to the kingdom and work remotely.

 

TAT says that welcoming digital nomads would be a big boost for Thailand economically and form part of the country’s post pandemic economic recovery.

 

Thaivisa understands the so-called ‘digital nomad visa’ is included in proposals which have already been presented to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha ahead of being formally approved by the Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the cabinet.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-06-07

 

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[ThailandRyan]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

To qualify for the ‘digital nomad visa’, applicants will need to have a minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or above/intellectual property ownership or have received Series A funding.

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Most digital nomads I know are either high-school or college dropouts who are self taught coders and system builders. They started out making their own computers, designing games and web pages.  So none of them would qualify even though they make more than the needed income stream.

[Pottinger]

Welcome all fifty-three people who qualify under this fantasy scheme.

[mtls2005]

Maybe they can get their Master's degree where Thamanat got his PhD?

 

 

[DLock]

What we have here is a clear lack of understanding of what a digital nomad is, and why they chose to work from Thailand in the first place.

 

Good thinking, but as most things in Thailand...poorly executed.

[Rampant Rabbit]

All  applicants  must also stand  on  their  head rubbing their tummy and head at the sametime whilst  singing the national anthem......backwards.

[digbeth]

Already impossible to police unless they want to raid the many co working spaces or starbucks and start fining anyone with a laptop open without a work permit

[NCC1701A]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

To qualify for the ‘digital nomad visa’, applicants will need to have a minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or above/intellectual property ownership or have received Series A funding.

 

They will also need 5 years working experience and have health insurance $100,000 or more of medical expenses. 

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i have a Masters in Digital Nomads. 

 

My thesis paper subject was the mating habits of women on ThaiFriendly and Tinder. 

[rbkk]

Digital nomads and farangs are in an inverted relationship. As the perceived esteem of one has risen substantially the other has fallen.

[Poet]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

To qualify for the ‘digital nomad visa’, applicants will need to have a minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or above/intellectual property ownership or have received Series A funding.

 

They will also need 5 years working experience and have health insurance $100,000 or more of medical expenses. 

 

For companies which apply for the scheme, they will need to be listed on the stock exchange of their respective country or have been trading for at least 3 years and have a total income of 50 million US dollars over the past 3 years.

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Or we could, you know, just keep doing what hundreds of thousands of us have been doing for decades and completely ignore the fantasy world of the Thai generals and civil servants.

[RotBenz8888]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

welcome digital nomads to move to the kingdom and work remotely

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With those requirements, it's hardly a "welcome", rather a "please stay away". 

[ezzra]

I didn't know that there is such a term in the Thai language for "digital nomad" (arai wha) much less provisions for the concept...

[MRToMRT]

"Proposals". Therefore not even worth talking about yet.

[Poet]

  On 6/7/2021 at 2:25 AM, MRToMRT said:

"Proposals". Therefore not even worth talking about yet.

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To be fair, it gives all the bitter, low-skilled members here, struggling to remain in Thailand on state pensions, a chance to express how superior they are compared to these young people who have embraced the Internet, have developed enough skills to be able to be their own bosses, are traveling the world instead of being stuck in an office, and are living a life that the begrudgers could only dream of.

 

[realfunster]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

with a master’s degree or above

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Good grief, time to catch up with the 21st century Thailand !

 

The rest of the world does not share your obsession with Masters’ degrees.

They might be seen as valuable in a Thai context, as the general education system is so poor. 

 

Some of the most ineffective and clueless people I have ever met have been Thai academics. I recall one individual who did a training for my company who was a Dr.Dr.Dr Professor BA.BSC.Dr (or something similarly ridiculous- which filled the lower half of his opening PowerPoint slide).

This ‘status arrogance’ didn’t go down well with the assembled crowd and when asked even simple questions on putting his academic theories into place in a real business environment he couldn’t formulate a sensible or coherent reply. OurThai colleagues that invited him were embarrassed and apologetic. He never got invited back.

[James105]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:57 AM, Pottinger said:

Welcome all fifty-three people who qualify under this fantasy scheme.

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Well I am one of those 53 so I would much prefer this than renewing the pricy elite visa that gives me the same rights as any other tourist, so a longer visa that gives me some property rights is quite appealing.    Like anything with visas here though, I have little doubt that the end result of this will be something as complicated and convoluted as the smart visa by the time it comes out the other side - if it even gets there.   

[Hyna]

  On 6/7/2021 at 2:37 AM, Poet said:

these young people who have embraced the Internet, have developed enough skills to be able to be their own bosses, are traveling the world instead of being stuck in an office, and are living a life that the begrudgers could only dream of.

 

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Some are just misfits with a laptop.

Once they run into financial or health problems they realize there is no safety net. (In the third world,  family is the safety net.)

They come crying home to mommy.

Don't many TV members think their embassy should vaccinate them? 

 

[The Cipher]

  On 6/7/2021 at 3:17 AM, James105 said:

Well I am one of those 53 so I would much prefer this than renewing the pricy elite visa that gives me the same rights as any other tourist, so a longer visa that gives me some property rights is quite appealing.  

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Likewise. A lot of details still need clarification (like potential tax considerations), and I expect the policy to change numerous times before, and if, it is finally implemented, but it is nevertheless good to see them heading in this general direction.

[Hyna]

  On 6/7/2021 at 3:24 AM, The Cipher said:

tax considerations

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Many digital nomads don't pay tax in any country, working under the radar. 

If they would pay tax their work would not be so lucrative anymore. 

They may not be interested.

 

 

[Disparate Dan]

  On 6/7/2021 at 2:25 AM, MRToMRT said:

"Proposals". Therefore not even worth talking about yet.

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Correct. Like almost all 'news' reports here, there is nothing more than an airy proposal. This comes from TAT, which when I last looked does not have a close liaison with Immigration (or reality).

TAT needs to be seen to be 'doing' something to justify its costs, so every weekend its officials smoke something and the result is this kind of tosh.

[Disparate Dan]

  On 6/7/2021 at 3:30 AM, Hyna said:

Many digital nomads don't pay tax in any country

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presume you mean Jeff Bezos, Zuckerberg, etc?

[Karma80]

As I remote worker, I would switch to this visa. Of course, the devil is in the detail....and effort/worth hoops.

[ThLT]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

To qualify for the ‘digital nomad visa’, applicants will need to have a minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or above/intellectual property ownership or have received Series A funding. [...]
 

For companies which apply for the scheme, they will need to be listed on the stock exchange of their respective country or have been trading for at least 3 years and have a total income of 50 million US dollars over the past 3 years.

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These requirements apply to around. . .  0 "digital nomads."

TAT has the wrong definition of "digital nomad," and is thinking more of "international employee." 

 

[holy cow cm]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:57 AM, mtls2005 said:

Maybe they can get their Master's degree where Thamanat got his PhD?

 

 

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Welcome to Thailand, but before coming please stay away! 

 

You be Nomad Thailand still no fleedom, must have TM30 leash and must 90 day check you in or we give you fine.  But must show money and you real degree Master. No can do same same as MP convicted in Australia. You not Thai!. 

 

But seriously. Are they joking? It is really like welcome and your not welcome all in one big sentence. 

 

[DLock]

How to you catch a person with no shadow? They work from home, or a shared space or a cafe, on a computer that you don't have access to. For all intention purposes, they are on FB or You Tube or playing Fortnite...

 

They spend money, stay with visa and enjoy Thailand...and if Thailand make it too hard, they will move elsewhere...hence the term "nomad".

 

Just leave them be. I know the crusty's of Thai Visa get all bent because these young people don't pay tax or have a WP, and are younger and better looking...but they are an asset to any country.

[The Cipher]

  On 6/7/2021 at 3:30 AM, Hyna said:

Many digital nomads don't pay tax in any country, working under the radar. 

If they would pay tax their work would not be so lucrative anymore. 

They may not be interested.

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That's fair. I don't blame them and would avoid taxes as well, if I could ????

 

In my specific case though, I pay a bunch of income tax in my home country already and would just prefer that Thailand didn't also try to take an additional slice. It's details like that that may end up making or breaking the popularity of the visa imo.

[Rampant Rabbit]

  On 6/7/2021 at 2:06 AM, NCC1701A said:

i have a Masters in Digital Nomads. 

 

My thesis paper subject was the mating habits of women on ThaiFriendly and Tinder. 

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I  bet you didnt earn it  though you just paid for it????

[Hyna]

  On 6/7/2021 at 3:59 AM, The Cipher said:

prefer that Thailand didn't also try to take an additional slic

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They will certainly try

[Misterwhisper]

  On 6/7/2021 at 1:53 AM, webfact said:

minimum personal income (salary, investment income, etc.) of at least $80,000 per year for the past 2 years or $40,000 per year with a master’s degree or abov

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Quite interesting logic. So...

 

WITHOUT a master's degree one has to earn at least THB80,000.

But WITH a master's degree one only is required to earn THB40,000.

What if one has TWO master degrees? Is that going to half the income requirement again, to only THB20,000 per month?

 

 

[Pattaya Spotter]

The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) is making visa and work permit  policy now...me thinks the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry (Immigration), and the Labour Department will have something to say about this.