Will Thailand become new hub for rich and successful? Visa rules have changed

Tengrinews.kz - Thailand is simplifying visa rules for wealthy foreigners and skilled professionals.

According to VisaGuide.World, the government of Thailand has decided to ease the rules for obtaining long-term visas for foreign citizens. The new measures are aimed at attracting wealthy individuals, skilled professionals, and digital nomads, which should encourage their relocation to the country. These changes were approved at a cabinet meeting and include several significant relaxations.

The requirement for a minimum annual income has been canceled

One of the key changes is the cancellation of the minimum annual income requirement for specialists wishing to obtain a long-term visa. Previously, applicants had to prove that their income over the last two years was at least 80,000 euros per year. However, as shown by an analysis by the Board of Investment (BOI), this condition led to many potential candidates being denied, even though it was not the main factor for issuing the visa.

The annual income threshold for companies has been lowered

For digital nomads working remotely for foreign companies, the requirements have also been reduced. Now, companies whose employees plan to work from Thailand must have an annual income of at least 50 million euros over the past three years, instead of the previous 150 million euros. This change is aimed at simplifying access to visas for remote workers.

The limit on the number of family members has been lifted

Another important decision is the removal of the limit on the number of family members that a visa holder can bring with them to Thailand. Previously, there was a four-person limit for long-term visas, which made it difficult for larger families to relocate.

As part of the reform, the cabinet also decided to eliminate most types of Smart visas, leaving only the visa for startup owners. This change is due to the fact that most of the conditions for Smart visas duplicated those for long-term resident visas (LTR).

Thailand ranks second in the world in popularity among digital nomads, trailing only Mexico. According to Nation Thailand, the country accounts for 12% of all digital nomads choosing it for work and living. Among the most popular cities are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Phangan.

It is worth noting that citizens of Kazakhstan can stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. For more details, see the article.