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Will Thailand's Smart Visa for Digital Nomads be implemented this year?

Smart VisaDigital NomadsThailand VisaRemote Work VisaWork-From-Thailand ProfessionalBOIVisa UpdatesExpats in Thailand
Jun 24, 2021
3 years ago
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Smart Visa for "Digital Nomads": Gonna happen? This year? Ever? Any updates?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the anticipated Smart Visa for digital nomads in Thailand. While there are no confirmed updates yet, several comments indicate that the proposal is being considered but has been sidelined due to other pressing initiatives, like the Sandbox scheme. A senior officer at the BOI has mentioned that a Smart Visa related to this concept is in development, potentially to be ready "in months rather than years." Additionally, there is an unofficial name for a new visa type targeting remote workers, indicating that the government is taking steps towards creating suitable options for long-term residents.
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just got a written statement from the BOI: „We, Thailand Board of Investment, have not worked on the proposal on freelancer anymore. This issue has been changed to be taken care by the other agency instead. The government has set up task force to develop new type of visa and is having a new initiative for new types of visa which will be suitable for long term residents, and a visa for remote worker or digital nomad : Work-From-Thailand Professional (unofficial name) will be one of the significant parts of this initiative. The project is still in process.“
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Another member shared a very recent video here before. No clue why he or someone else removed it. Be that as it may, in the following video, a senior officer at the BOI confirmed that a new SMART visa related to this is indeed in the making to be ready "in months rather than years". It seems the smart people there have understood, while still trying to make the junta share their economic reasoning:
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3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Or starting at the relevant part:
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3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Garrett ***********
There's no "smart visa" in mexico.
3 years ago
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Niclas ***********
Improving tax revenue would be so awful long term... I hope they start looking into this and realise the money they can make if it is done sensible.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Niclas **********
 you are trying to apply logic to somewhere that it doesn’t exist.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
Perhaps. In the foreseeable future? Not so sure. Nothing heard for ages on this one. I think they’ve sidelined it until the crazy Sandbox scheme is in operation at least.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Are you referring to that Sandbox with the 5! required tests and ones own expense? Surely a big magnet for tourists ;-)
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Frank-Steven **********
 yes. Every day there are new posts about what rules will apply. At this moment in time they are laughable. Who in their right mind would come for a holiday where they have to have 5 tests done per family member at a cost of around $500 per person only to find out if one of the notoriously unreliable tests proves positive that you or your family member are whisked away to hospital even if you have no symptoms or are not unwell. Oh and the rest of you have to then transfer to a ALQ hotel.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 💯 %
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 I see. Isn't now the time for Thailand to attract long-term visitors, if regular tourists are not coming? Am I expecting too much from the Thai government? So many unanswered questions 😉
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 5555 your expecting goverment to act logically
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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@Michael *******
 Guilty as charged.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 But seriously Thailand and Indonesia were in big rush to offer a digital nomad visa a couple of years ago and nothings happened.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 I see. It is just that the article I linked seemed to be from just two months ago … so I was hoping maybe this is a current development.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 its from the thaiger based on reports from the pattaya mail, just rehashing old stories to grab clicks.

Not exactly rueters
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 The original article seems to be equally „recent“, though. Shame that the press never seems to follow up on things dismissed or tabled by this government.
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3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 there so much they could have done during this downtime of travel, to improve and make it simpler for marriage and retirement visas (also reported to be happening for years)
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 I fear you are right on all accounts. Either they don't care or are not competent enough, I assume. Sad.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
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3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 I see. Hard to get reliable news sources around here. Still hoping they wake up and see the benefit of attracting long-term visitors especially now. Even a broken clock is right two times a day, right? 😇
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 Latest stupid one today i read for domestic tourists to Phuket need valid negative covid test, Thais 1 week prior Foriegners 3 days 5555
3 years ago
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Michael ********
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Stuart *********
@Frank-Steven **********
 yes you are expecting too much.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Okay.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Benjamin ******
No updates yet
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
 Why not? And is that a good or a bad sign? Has it never been put before the cabinet. Did the cabinet refuse it? Isn't now the time for Thailand to attract long-term visitors, if regular tourists are not coming? Am I expecting too much from the Thai government? So many unanswered questions ;-)
3 years ago
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Frank ******
@Frank-Steven **********
 ask and rant to decision makers !
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@Frank-Steven **********
 >Why not?

The SMART visa is a plan by the BOI, and has not been discussed yet. The government is focused on the sandboxes.

>Has it never been put before the cabinet.

It has not been proposed to the cabinet

>Isn't now the time for Thailand to attract long-term visitors

"Digital Nomads" are not long-term visitors.

>Am I expecting too much from the Thai government?

I wouldn't expect anything from the government
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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