Popular Post snoop1130 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 5-year visas available for digital nomads, boxers and chefs students The cabinet has approved a number of new visa initiatives aimed at attracting more tourists. This includes visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes, extended stays for students, and a decrease in mandatory health insurance for retirees. The Foreign Ministry suggested these actions due to the country's significant reliance on tourism, according to government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. He revealed that the range of countries eligible for visa-free entry would grow from 57 to 93. The newly added countries comprise Albania, Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. The duration of stays under this program has also been extended to 60 days, as presented by the government spokesperson. Also, the cabinet approved visa-on-arrival for 31 countries, a marked increase from 19 previously. Tourists wishing to work and sightsee can now be issued five-year visas for stays that last up to 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days. Previously, they were only permitted to stay twice for 30 days each. "These new rules target digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, as well as those interested in learning Muay Thai and Thai cuisine," Mr. Chai explained. Foreign graduates can now stay for a full year after graduation. Before, they had to leave the country immediately after their studies. "These graduates can search for jobs during this extended period, especially in our areas of need," Mr. Chai commented. He noted that about 40,000 foreign students are studying in the country. These measures will come into effect on Saturday, June 1. In other visa-related changes, tourists aged 50 years and above seeking long-stay visas are now only required to have health insurance coverage of 440,000 baht, down from the previous 3 million baht. This reduction will be effective for long-stay applicants from September to December, according to Mr Chai. Additionally, the cabinet approved the increase of e-visa application services at Thai consulates and embassies, rising from 47 to 94 locations, beginning in September. Summary: The details include: - Increase the number of visa-free countries from 57 to 93, including Albania, China, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Laos, Jamaica, Romania, Sri Lanka, Panama, Mexico, Morocco, Uzbekistan, etc. - Extend the period of visa-free stays from 30 days to 60 days. - Expand the list of countries eligible for visa arrivals from 19 to 31. - Extend the period of stay for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, Muay Thai students, Thai food students, etc., from 60 days to 180 days. - Extend the period of stay for foreign university students to one year after graduation, allowing them to work in professions not restricted to Thais only. These measures are expected to come into effect in June. Other measures set to take effect in September include: - Doubling the number of locations offering e-visa services from 47 embassies and consulates-general to 94. 🟢 Thailand Visa Exemption (60 days) and Visa On Arrival (VOA) (15 days): 🟢 5 year multiple entry DTA visa (Destination Thailand) -- 2024-05-28 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 5 2 2 3 6 6 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Robert Paulson Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 Sounds like they want the tax money. So can we just say we’re digital nomads. Someone explain to me why a digital nomad is going to get 180 days while a married expat has to jump through all kinds of hoops and report every90 15 1 14 5 3 61 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PingRoundTheWorld Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 Is there any official source? requirements for the digital nomad visa? Wouldn't the digital nomad visa essentially make Elite visas obsolete? 5 1 4 1 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Alldar Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 (edited) 35 minutes ago, snoop1130 said: - Extend the period of stay for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, Muay Thai students, Thai food students, etc., from 60 days to 180 days. What category are these visa anyway? Learning Muay Thai or cooking Thai food sounds like Non-ED visa. But what category is a visa for 'digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers'? It couldn't possibly be Non-ED, right? Edited May 28 by Alldar 2 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andrew Dwyer Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 Nothing for the majority on extensions of stay for retirement/marriage originating from an O visa ….. boo ! Those holding OA visas and presumably extensions of permission to stay see their mandatory health insurance dropping from 3M baht coverage to 440k. 3 4 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scubascuba3 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 4 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said: Nothing for the majority on extensions of stay for retirement/marriage originating from an O visa ….. boo ! Those holding OA visas and presumably extensions of permission to stay see their mandatory health insurance dropping from 3M baht coverage to 440k. Sounds like OA, not why they can't accept 440k equivalent in the bank instead 5 2 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Karma80 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 55 minutes ago, snoop1130 said: Extend the period of stay for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, Muay Thai students, Thai food students, etc., from 60 days to 180 days. A renewable 180 day visa for remote workers in a country with a low cost of living, "flexible" territorial taxation, drugs, and sex on tap. Well, there goes the neighbourhood. The only hurdle that has ever existed in Thailand is the visa to it being the remote worker mecca. 3 2 1 1 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DLock Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 This is all excellent news, particularly the 60-days, instead of 30-days, and the increased list of visa free countries. 1 1 2 1 4 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chris Daley Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 (edited) My last 'visa check' for the contract involved a urine sample, chest xray, and a blood test. Talk about taking the piss. As an English teacher, not once have they tested my knowledge of English. Edited May 28 by Chris Daley 2 1 1 1 36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattaya57 Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Shouldn't this be in the Thai Visa section? I only saw it because you closed the open thread there with a link to this one. Never would have seen it otherwise 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post george Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 1 minute ago, Pattaya57 said: Shouldn't this be in the Thai Visa section? I only saw it because you closed the open thread there with a link to this one. Never would have seen it otherwise Moved to visa forum. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humbug Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Five year for Muay thai, nomads and tourists, must be lost in translation, maybe a mix up in information Why would they only reduce health insurance for retirees and ooffer 5 year visas to Muay thai and nomads Maybe they mean those new BOI Eec high earning professionals get 5 yeat and they just extend tourist visas from 60 to 180 days? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post isandrew Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 I believe they mean the visa is valid for 5 years but when you come and use it you get 180 days and can extend 1 time for 180 days 5 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humbug Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said: Nothing for the majority on extensions of stay for retirement/marriage originating from an O visa ….. boo ! Those holding OA visas and presumably extensions of permission to stay see their mandatory health insurance dropping from 3M baht coverage to 440k. It just looks to be extending visas from 60-180 days, no way they mean 5 year for Muay thai and nomads, nomads have a 5 year on LTR, it has to be bad translation 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MarkBR Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, Robert Paulson said: Sounds like they want the tax money. So can we just say we’re digital nomads. Someone explain to me why a digital nomad is going to get 180 days while a married expat has to jump through all kinds of hoops and report every90 Need to see the final details. Because if everything is like this, everyone over 50 will change from retirement to digital nomad as less hassle is involved. So final details are important. 4 2 1 3 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humbug Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 2 minutes ago, isandrew said: I believe they mean the visa is valid for 5 years but when you come and use it you get 180 days and can extend 1 time for 180 days Could be bad translation, grouping together information on 5 year and 180 days, when it looks to be quite different information, it seems excessive to use a 5 year visa and only use it for 360 days 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pattaya57 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 (edited) So with the visa exempt now 60 days they've just made the single entry tourist visa obsolete 😀 Edited May 28 by Pattaya57 1 2 4 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post UK Martin Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 So, as a UK citizen it looks like we will get 60 days on arrival... then have the option to extend for a further 30 days for 1,800bht. This will make my current situation a lot easier, good news for a change! 5 4 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bob smith Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 (edited) what the hell is going on in this country? One minute they can't wait to get rid of us, the next they are welcoming all and sundry with open arms! make your bleedin minds up will you! bob. Edited May 28 by bob smith 6 4 2 1 15 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pattaya57 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 3 minutes ago, UK Martin said: So, as a UK citizen it looks like we will get 60 days on arrival... then have the option to extend for a further 30 days for 1,800bht. This will make my current situation a lot easier, good news for a change! Yes, except you're 100 baht short, 30 day extension is 1900 baht 1 2 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post smedly Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 3 minutes ago, bob smith said: what the hell is going on in this country? One minute they can't wait to get rid of us, next minute they are welcoming all and sundry with open arms! make your bleedin minds up will you! bob. desperate for foreign income 3 2 4 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 (edited) 9 minutes ago, UK Martin said: So, as a UK citizen it looks like we will get 60 days on arrival... then have the option to extend for a further 30 days for 1,800bht. This will make my current situation a lot easier, good news for a change! correct me if wrong but you can now extend for 60 days ?, not sure Edited May 28 by smedly 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattaya57 Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Wondering what happens to expat insurance policies now since they've backfipped on O-A insurance and went back to 440k. I'm on a non-O and fishing for insurance and most of the good policies were for 3 million baht like the O-A....might wait a month to see what happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post humbug Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits: Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events. Spouses and legal children (under 20) of DTV holders. Proof of financial support or a guarantee of at least 500,000 baht for the duration of stay. DTV allows a stay of up to 180 days, with a visa fee of 10,000 baht, valid for 5 years. The stay can be extended once for another 180 days with an additional fee of 10,000 baht... https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/tourism/2024/05/28/thailand-eases-visa-rules-to-boost-economy-urgently/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2AbU7wWRrZ2h6LdCP-fcgN_7s5WWcn_lknwrcupH-ney78SwtlKnsjyHY_aem_AZLDPHBv47DFnZUswwREH9fo_EQgj9_TWPiyMVMxBIJ18SbV4sTJuWjksI-dSG5Zrz7ietju1PE091T1cqokaH89 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJack54 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 6 minutes ago, smedly said: correct me if wrong but you can now extend for 60 days It would remain at 30 day extension as per when previously visa exempt raised to 45 days extensions remained at 30 days 1 2 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pattaya57 Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 3 minutes ago, smedly said: correct me if wrong but you can now extend for 60 days Visa exempt is increased from 30 to 60 days but I don't see any mention of 30 day extensions being increased to 60 days? 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Monday Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, Robert Paulson said: Sounds like they want the tax money. So can we just say we’re digital nomads. Someone explain to me why a digital nomad is going to get 180 days while a married expat has to jump through all kinds of hoops and report every90 Because so many ”married expats” appear to be skels? Who were allowed into Thailand without police checks and are likely to re-offend? 7 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquorice Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said: Nothing for the majority on extensions of stay for retirement/marriage originating from an O visa ….. boo ! Those holding OA visas and presumably extensions of permission to stay see their mandatory health insurance dropping from 3M baht coverage to 440k. Not how I read it Andrew. 2 hours ago, snoop1130 said: In other visa-related changes, tourists aged 50 years and above seeking long-stay visas are now only required to have health insurance coverage of 440,000 baht, down from the previous 3 million baht. This reduction will be effective for long-stay applicants from September to December, according to Mr Chai. That reads there will be a temporary relaxation of the required mandatory Insurance, from Sept - Dec, for applicants of the Non O-A visa. Extensions from an O-A visa are not affected. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dwyer Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 1 minute ago, Liquorice said: Not how I read it Andrew. That reads there will be a temporary relaxation of the required mandatory Insurance, from Sept - Dec, for applicants of the Non O-A visa. Extensions from an O-A visa are not affected. Yes, i think you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PingRoundTheWorld Posted May 28 Popular Post Share Posted May 28 59 minutes ago, Karma80 said: A renewable 180 day visa for remote workers in a country with a low cost of living, "flexible" territorial taxation, drugs, and sex on tap. Well, there goes the neighbourhood. The only hurdle that has ever existed in Thailand is the visa to it being the remote worker mecca. If this visa is actually easy to get (doubt it!) then Thailand will cease to be low cost of living once the hordes arrive. Thais love to raise prices at every whiff of possible tourism uptick and this will be no different. 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now