What is the latest on the proposed visa for digital nomads in Thailand?

Feb 8, 2022
3 years ago
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone heard anything or know of a way to track developments on a new visa type that’s being considered for digital nomads that makes online or remote work legal? Richard Barrow mentioned it briefly 3 weeks ago but have heard nothing on it since.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about updates on a potential new visa type for digital nomads that would legitimize remote work in Thailand, which was briefly mentioned by Richard Barrow three weeks prior. Comments reveal skepticism about the likelihood of the visa's introduction, noting it has been discussed yearly without substantial developments. Clarifications indicate potential requirements for income levels and employment with established companies, as opposed to casual freelance work.
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Steve *******
They been 'talking' about it for years!
Wayne ********
hold your breathe nothing happens here fast..
Kool *******
From my understanding they are now deciding on how much monthly income a person must make to qualify and extend the visa. It will not cover someone blogging about their travels, or occasionally selling some travel story. It will be for those working for an established company, and on their payroll. The term and what it covers will be strictly defined, with income minimums.
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
Understandable there would be income minimums but why would it only be for an established company ? Or by established do you mean established outside of Thailand. I have been really interested in the 10 million baht investment visa but was curious about this one since it seems it could support income from investments + indie game development. But if it could actually support working for a company that's completely outside of thailand, that is also interesting.
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the info
Kool *******
@Josh **********
basically from my understanding it will not include freelancers. You will have to be an employee of an established company somewhere, and on their payroll.

On a different note, the investment visa is the best visa, if you can make the initial investment amount required. It is the only visa you can actually make a profit with, as the Thai government does not want to see these type of investors loose money. That is why the approved investments are very low risk. The hardest part for many that have the money is the extensive background investigation.
Brandon ************
It's pretty normal. They talk about a new visa for this situation every year.

Richard Barrow will report if there's anything new though, but I'm not holding my breath.
Garrett ***********
“Online working” is legal…
Aaron *******
@Garrett **********
In Thailand you currently need a work permit.
Garrett ***********
Aaron *******
@Garrett **********
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Aaron *******
@Garrett **********
Why is Thailand developing a visa for digital nomads, if it is currently not necessary and legal?
Garrett ***********
@Aaron ******
Why does Thailand have a Non-OA when there's a Non-O? And that website you're citing isn't from the Thai embassy, that's a visa agency.
Aaron *******
@Garrett **********
A foreigner needs a work permit in Thailand to paint their house. Anything and everything, which may be construed as taking a job from a Thai needs a work permit or is technically illegal.
Brad ***********
@Aaron ******
How is working as a DN for a foreign company taking work from a Thai?

The problem for the DN in Thailand is there is no long term visa option hence why this new visa is being proposed. There is sure to be many conditions attached to this visa if approved, and my guess is many DN will simply not qualify 🤟
Aaron *******
@Brad **********
I don't make the Thailand Visa, work permit rules... I was just relaying my understanding of them. It seems Thailand is trying to correct this issue, but it will likely be with some strings attached
Delvonte ********
@Aaron ******
Digital nomads are gray areas because number one it’s hard to detect them and number two they don’t take jobs from locals. I am a digital nomad and my employer only hires Americans because it is an American company. I’ve worked for other international companies as a freelancer and the reality is that they only hired people from Canada to US or the UK. The only reason why you need a visa to teach English in Thailand simply because you’re taking money from the economy but as a nomad the origin of your money isn’t the Thai economy
Delvonte ********
@Aaron ******
Well technically if you’re working for a foreign company that only takes your nationality you are not taking a job from a local
Garrett ***********
Aaron You're 100% wrong, the painting a house incident happened over 20 years ago in issan and a court ruled I'm favor of the foriegner.
Aaron *******
@Garrett **********
Kool, work in Thailand without a work permit. No sweat off my back. Namaste.
Kool *******
@Garrett **********
that may be true, but currently there is no easy long term visa for that type of work.
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