Thailand launches new five-year visa to attract long-term travelers

Thailand is enhancing its appeal to long-term travelers with the introduction of a new five-year visa designed for remote workers and extended visitors.

If you're looking to escape the winter chill at home, why not work from the comfort of a rented villa in Phuket while enjoying views of the Andaman Sea? Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Or maybe you’re ready to dive into a new adventure and train as a Muay Thai fighter. Thailand offers options for both.

The popular Southeast Asian destination has recently unveiled a new five-year visa designed specifically for remote workers and long-term travelers seeking to stay in the kingdom for extended periods.

According to a statement from the Thai Prime Minister’s office, the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) will enable eligible travelers to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per visit on a multiple-entry basis over a five-year period. This means that after each 180-day stay, travelers will need to exit the country and can reset their stay duration upon re-entry.

The visa is designed for various types of remote workers, including digital nomads and freelancers, as well as those interested in activities like Muay Thai training, Thai cooking classes, or extended medical treatments. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate they have at least 500,000 baht (approximately $13,800) in funds and provide supporting documentation for their visit, such as a letter from a medical center or proof of employment outside Thailand. The visa costs 10,000 baht and does not permit holders to seek employment within Thailand.

Additionally, the Thai government has broadened the scope of visa-free access for tourism and short-term business from 57 to 93 countries and extended the length of stay from 30 to 60 days. The list of countries eligible for a Visa on Arrival has also been increased from 19 to 31.

Government figures reveal that Thailand welcomed 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of this year, marking a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. However, experts argue that the new visa measures are not solely focused on boosting visitor numbers.

Gary Bowerman, founder of Check-in Asia, a tourism research and marketing firm, notes that Thailand has effectively used various initiatives and campaigns over the past two years to significantly increase visitor arrivals, making it a leader in Southeast Asia. Despite this success, Bowerman points out a critical issue: the average spending per visitor remains relatively low.

"The challenge isn't just attracting more visitors; it’s about increasing their spending and extending their stay," says Bowerman. He highlights that most international arrivals are from regional travelers who visit briefly. This influx is placing increasing pressure on Thailand’s infrastructure, including airports and transport networks. "The incremental benefits of simply having more people are diminishing," he adds. "Thailand needs to focus on strategies that enhance the visitor experience and ensure that the benefits are more sustainable."

Bowerman explains that Thailand’s strategy to attract long-stay visitors, such as digital nomads, aims to alleviate the pressure on entry points and transportation infrastructure. By encouraging longer stays, the country seeks to reduce the strain on its systems compared to the high turnover of short-term visitors.

The new visa measures, effective since July 15, are designed to boost tourism and strengthen the economy. Thailand is part of a broader global trend where destinations are increasingly focused on attracting visitors for extended periods. Olivier Ponti, director of intelligence and marketing at travel data company ForwardKeys, notes that travelers are increasingly looking for opportunities to stay longer at destinations, a trend that countries are keen to capitalize on.

Ponti highlights that while overall arrivals to the Asia-Pacific region are still 23 per cent below 2019 levels, the duration of stays has only decreased by 8 per cent compared to pre-pandemic times. Many destinations are responding with new visa options that cater to this shift, including visas with multiple entries, extended validity, and provisions for accompanying family members. These flexible policies are proving effective in attracting long-stay tourists who blend work and leisure.

Ponti also points out that other factors influence a destination's appeal, including quality of life, cost of living, sustainability practices, and tax benefits. For Thailand, the new long-stay visa is expected to attract long-haul travelers who typically stay for extended periods compared to regional visitors within the Asia-Pacific region.

"Currently, approximately 25 per cent of tickets are for stays longer than 14 nights, while medium stays of 6 to 13 nights account for 45 per cent," notes Ponti, based on flight booking data. He suggests that the new visa measures are likely to boost Thailand’s attractiveness for long-term visitors, potentially increasing the proportion of longer stays as the country capitalizes on this trend.