About 1,200 Destination Thailand Visas (DTV) have been issued in Thailand since July 15, from 47 embassies and consulates.
Last month, Thailand initiated a new visa scheme (DTV), valid for five years, aimed at attracting international remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads to work and travel in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry, VisaGuide.World reports.
This kind of visa priced at US$280 or 10,000 baht can be extended for 180 days by paying an additional 10,000 baht.
Revealing the statistics, deputy director-general of Thailand’s consular affairs, Naruchai Ninnad, said that there are still more than 40 embassies and consulates that have not provided yet the number of issued DTV visas after their applicants are not recorded through the e-Visa system.
Fears for Overtourism Amount
In spite of bringing several benefits, some critics in Thailand have raised concerns that the new visa could lead to increasing rent prices and overtourism, after it is too easy to obtain.
However, Ninnad from Thailand’s consular affairs told Deutsche Welle that obtaining the new visa is similar to current procedures.
It’s not easy, the visa requirements are there. The embassies and consulates are strict in their approvals. We have no target for DTV holders. It’s just like other visas.
Requirements to Benefit From DTV Scheme
In order to benefit from the Destination Thailand Visa, internationals are required to meet some requirements.
Among them, applicants are required to be at least 20 years old and show financial proof of 500,000 baht (US$ 13,900) and belong to one of the total 93 eligible countries.
Required documents also include passport or travel documents, the applicant’s current location, a proof of salary slip in the past six months, financial stability, a foreign employment contract, and business license and a professional portfolio.
In addition, applicants are also eligible to obtain a visa if they become part of Thailand’s soft power activities.
Authorities in Thailand also stressed that DTV holders are not entitled to work for companies or clients of Thailand. If they plan to do so, they are required to apply for Thai work permits in line with the current regulations.
Authorities in Thailand introduced the new visa in order to further help the country’s economic growth.
In addition to the DTV, the country also introduced longer visa stays for remote workers, postgraduate students, tourists, as well as retirees.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports previously revealed that Thailand recorded a total of 28 million tourists last year. The majority of them came from the following countries: Malaysia (4.5 million), China (3.5 million), South Korea (1.7 million), India (1.6 million) and Russia (1.5 million).