If you’re looking for a new destination, Thailand is the place for you.

Thailand offers a unique lifestyle to digital nomads. This country is no stranger to remote workers.

In fact, the city of Chiang Mai is known as the Digital Nomad capital of the world. Many nomads come for the low cost of living, fast internet, great food scene, cafes and coworking spaces, and the nearby airport with excellent connections.

Chiang Mai is the most popular destination for digital nomads. It has many coworking spaces and digital nomad communities. They even have educational courses on how to become a digital nomad!

Bangkok is another popular destination for digital nomads. Even though it is the most expensive city in Thailand, it is still an excellent destination for digital nomads looking for city life. Bangkok is becoming a digital nomad hotspot due to its comfortable condos, efficient public transportation, and many up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Living in Thailand is very affordable, and market prices are similar to the US, with some minor differences.

Even though Bangkok is the most expensive destination in the country, it is still relatably affordable compared to the cost of living in the US.

One-bedroom apartment in the city center – $350/month

Three-bedroom apartment in the city center – $530/month

Meal at an inexpensive restaurant – $2

Combo meal at a fast food restaurant – $6

One-Ride ticket $0.50 – $1.90

24 hours of unlimited rides – $4.50

30GB for 30 days – $17

20GB for 16 days – $8

5GB for 7 days – $6

The Thai government announced they have plans to create a digital nomad visa. Before the pandemic, most digital nomads used the 60-day tourist visa, with the possibility to extend another 30 days.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a full stop to all digital nomads wishing to visit Thailand. At the start of 2020, it was impossible to enter the country and later became only possible via expensive hotel quarantine schemes.

The pandemic resulted in Thailand’s tourism industry suffering a lot. The Thai government hopes to re-activate the tourism industry and help the economy by welcoming more visitors in 2022 and the future.

This potential impact is why they launched Thailand’s Smart Visa. The government introduced this visa to attract a highly skilled workforce, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs wishing to work or invest in targeted industries in the Kingdom of Thailand. In addition, the Smart Visa will grant up to 4-year permission to stay in Thailand.

To be a work-from-Thailand professional, you need to have earned $80,000/year, or at least two years (there are some exceptions, of course). You must also have at least five years of experience and work for a company with at least $150 million in revenue over three years.

Smart T (Talent)

Smart I (Investor)

Smart E (Executive)

Smart S (Startup)

Smart O (Other)

However, if this visa does not work for you, you can still enter Thailand as a digital nomad with a tourist visa or a long stay visa.

The first step is to apply online. You must submit your application on this website.

The next step is to have qualifications according to the criteria specified by the office of the Board of Investment.

Once their qualification has been verified, you will receive technical and non-technical endorsements. Then, the SMART Visa unit will issue a letter of qualification endorsement, which the applicant will bring to the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Consulates to file for a SMART Visa.

Once you get a result of the qualification endorsement, you must make a Smart visa issuance appointment at this website.

When you attend your appointment, you must show all the required documents filled out and signed.

Once your visa is approved, you must pay the visa fee per person before collecting your new visa. In addition, you can collect the visa at the Immigration at OSS in Thailand, the Thai embassy, or the consulate closest to you.

Anyone who wishes to extend their visa must apply for a renewal of qualification endorsement at Smart Visa Extension at least 60 days before the expiry of the SMART Visa.

The Smart Visa processing fee is approximately 10,000 Baht ($2760) per year for visa permission.