@Brian *********

Ok. Lucky you, then. In my experience, their websites - if working at all - are notoriously outdated. Plus the fact that most immigration offices have deviating rules or additional local requirements.

@Brian *********

If only. Not in my experience.

@Garrett **********

Interesting. Allowed again? They rolled back on restricting COVID extensions to tourist visa and visa exemption holders only? Is that confimed?

No. No change to STV (or any other tourist visa) in-country. But they should not have asked for pre-paid proof for 9 months. They are within their rights to ask for 3 months proof though, for the STV. This is why it’s such an unattractive visa.

@Tod ********

There still are. Because the drive though is the only place to do 90 day at that immigration office.

You even can even (or rather have to) walk through it. At least in Chiang Mai for 90 day reports. Oh what a joy standing there in between running cars.

@Eti ********

That would be new to me. Not sure how credible this article is. Also, I doubt many Digital Nomands would have $1 million is assets.

When I contacted the BOI Smart Visa Unit about the requirements in early February, the following were the communicated requirements. The last requirement was the one that would equally exclude most of remote workers / digital nomands:

Qualifications and criteria:

- Personal income of no less than $80,000/year in the past two years before applying for the visa. In case of annual personal income below $80,000 but no less than $40,000 in the past two years, applicants must have a master's degree (or above), own intellectual property, or receive Series A funding

- Health insurance policy of no less than $50,000 coverage through the entire period of stay in Thailand or social security healthcare, which insures hospitalization treatment in Thailand.

- At least five years of working experience in the relevant field to the current employment.

- Current employer must have one of the following characteristics;

a) a public company listed on the stock exchange in any country

b) a private company that has been in operation for at least three years and has total combined revenue of more than $150 million in the last three years

@Curt's *****

Thanks. I have my moments. Occasionally though ... I get kicked out (or at least banned for a while) for comments along those lines in groups like this.

My bet is: Yes ... it is going to be extended yet again. Why? It was never a benevolent measure for those few people that actually were not able to get home (there we flights out of Thailand basically throughout the whole pandemic to almost all countries in the world). It was more an economically sensible measure, to provide a means for the large group of former border bouncers to remain longer than regularly visa would intend to. And while yes ... the time of its ending is likely nearer than before, even with some land borders opening now, there are still too many obstacles (especially on the Thailand side) for tourism and foreign spender numbers to get even close to what they were before. Thus, the (economic) incentive for COVID extensions remains. Having said that ... that is the thoughts of the ruling, educated class. The common immigration officer might be inclined to giving applicants an increasingly hard time. Meaning getting COVID extensions will get more difficult, especially for the less mentally gifted applicants, i.e. majority of foreigner around here. Well ... that was my guess. Thailand is always good for a surprise. So lets wait and see for two more days.

@Ray **********

A common misconception. Ongoing COVID pandemic situation in the destination or home country is sufficient reason. This basically applies to every destination country.