Thailand has long been a top destination for remote workers, thanks to its tropical beaches, affordable cost of living, and vibrant culture. Now, the Thai government has sweetened the deal by introducing the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).

This offer is a dedicated digital nomad visa designed for freelancers, remote employees, and online entrepreneurs who want to live and work from Thailand. The new visa gives European freelancers (and other global nomads) an attractive gateway to relocate to Southeast Asia and enjoy an extended workation in the Land of Smiles.

What the DTV Thailand Visa offers to Digital Nomads

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa created specifically for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers. 

Informally known as Thailand’s digital nomad visa, the DTV allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry, with the option to extend for an additional 180 days each time. In other words, you could potentially live nearly a full year in Thailand continuously on a single entry, then leave and re-enter to reset another 6-month stay. This long-term flexibility is a game-changer for anyone pursuing freelancing in Thailand or working remotely from here.

Not only does the DTV provide a long stay, it’s also multi-entry and valid for a full five years. That means you can come and go from Thailand without reapplying each time, making it ideal for those who want to travel around Southeast Asia but keep Thailand as a home base. The visa fee is only around 10,000 THB (approximately €270), which is far more affordable than many other countries’ nomad visas or Thailand’s own other long-term visa options. 

🇹🇭 With DTV, Thailand is positioning itself as one of the most cost-effective digital nomad hubs in the region.

Who is the DTV Thailand Visa for?

The DTV is tailored for remote workers and entrepreneurs who earn their income from outside Thailand, such as a:

• Freelancer
• Consultant 
• Online business owner
• An employee of a foreign company (including EU-based companies)

This visa was made for you. Importantly, it’s considered a special form of Thai tourist visa, which means DTV holders cannot work for Thai companies or local clients. Instead, you’re meant to continue working for overseas clients or employers while enjoying your life in Thailand––a perfect fit for the location-independent professional. 

👉 In short: you can work remotely from Thailand, but you shouldn’t take up local Thai employment on this visa.

Beyond remote workers, the DTV also covers individuals joining “Thai soft power” activities (like long-term courses in Muay Thai, Thai cooking, yoga retreats, etc.) and even allows you to bring dependents (spouse and kids under 20) along for the adventure. But for this post, we’ll focus on the digital nomad and freelancer use-case, which is where the DTV truly shines.

Why the Destination Thailand Visa appeals to European Freelancers

If you’re a freelancer from Europe dreaming of an exotic new base, digital nomad life in Thailand just became much more attainable. Here’s why we think the DTV visa is especially attractive to Europeans looking to relocate to Southeast Asia:

• Long-term stability: No more juggling short tourist visas or doing visa runs every month or two. With 6-month stays (extendable to 12 months) on a 5-year permit, the DTV gives you a stable long-term home in Thailand. You can truly settle––find a great apartment, join co-working spaces, and integrate into the local community––without worrying about your visa status every few weeks.
  
  
• Simple requirements: Compared to other countries’ digital nomad visas, Thailand’s DTV has minimal bureaucracy. To qualify, you need to be 20+ years old, have at least 500,000 THB (~€13,000) in savings or income, and show proof of being a remote worker or freelancer (such as an employment letter or portfolio of freelance work). There’s no hefty income tax prerequisite or complex company setup required. Essentially, if you’ve got some savings and a legit remote job or freelance business, you’re in.
  
  
• Affordable cost of living: Thailand offers incredible value for money. European freelancers often find they can upgrade their lifestyle––think modern condos, delicious street food, weekend island trips––while spending a fraction of what life costs back home. With lower expenses, you might even extend your freelance runway or save more, all while enjoying a high quality of life.
  
  
• Travel and adventure: Positioned in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a perfect springboard to explore the region. On your breaks from work, you can hop over to Bali, Vietnam or Singapore easily. But even within Thailand, you have a huge variety of experiences from the digital nomad hotspot of Chiang Mai and the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, to the tranquil beaches of Phuket and Koh Phangan. Living in Thailand on a DTV means you get to combine work and travel effortlessly.
  
  
• Existing nomad community: Thailand already has an established community of expats and digital nomads. Cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok are known for their co-working spaces and networking events. As a European freelancer, you’ll find it easy to plug into a supportive network of like-minded professionals who have also chosen remote work in Thailand. This can mean instant friends, business connections, or simply people to grab a pad thai with after work.
  
  

One big, final draw? Thailand’s DTV visa is far more accessible than many alternatives. Some other countries require proof of very high monthly income or costly fees. Thailand’s relatively low financial requirement and fee make it feasible even for independent consultants or startup freelancers, not just high-earning tech employees. In short, DTV lowers the barrier for moving to Thailand as a freelancer, especially for those coming from Europe who are seeking a change of scenery and a better climate (both weather-wise and financially).

How the DTV Visa works and how to apply

Getting the Destination Thailand Visa is a straightforward process, but it does require gathering the right documents. Here’s our quick rundown of how DTV works and how you can apply:

• Visa validity & usage: Once approved, the DTV is valid for 5 years of multiple entries. Each time you enter Thailand on DTV, immigration will stamp you for a 180-day stay. If you wish to stay longer than 180 days in one go, you can apply for a one-time extension of 180 days at Thai immigration, effectively allowing 360 consecutive days before a visa run. After that, you’d need to briefly exit and re-enter (for example, a quick trip to a nearby country) to start a new 180-day cycle. This flexibility means you can adapt your stay to your needs––whether it’s half a year at a time or continuous year-long stints in Thailand.
  
  
• Key requirements: To apply for DTV, you’ll need a valid passport (with 6+ months validity), a recent passport photo, and documents proving your current residence and status as a remote worker/freelancer. This typically includes:
  
  

1. 1. Proof of funds ––e.g. bank statements showing at least ฿500,000 in the last 3 months (or equivalent proof of financial stability like income payslips).
   2. Proof of remote work––if you’re employed, a letter from your employer confirming you work remotely and an employment contract. If you’re a freelancer or business owner, a portfolio of your work, client contracts, or business registration documents can demonstrate your professional activity. This is specified in more detail on the Thai Embassy website.
   3. Health insurance––medical insurance covering your stay (this is often required for long stays to ensure you can cover any healthcare costs).
   4. Proof of accommodation or address in your current country (and eventually in Thailand, once you move, you may report your local address to immigration).

• Application method: You cannot apply from inside Thailand, so plan to apply from your home country (or another country where you have residency). You have two options:

1. 1. Online via the official Thai e-Visa portal––Many applicants can apply completely online through Thailand’s e-Visa system . You’ll fill out the DTV application form, upload your documents, and pay the fee online.
   2. At a Thai Embassy/Consulate––Alternatively, submit your application in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country. They will process the visa and affix it to your passport once approved.

• Processing time: After submitting, approval can take a few weeks. Many report processing times around 4–8 weeks, so apply well ahead of your planned departure. Once approved, you’ll get the visa sticker or electronic visa confirmation. Then you’re all set to book that one-way flight to Bangkok!
  
  
• Arrival in Thailand: Upon arrival, you’ll go through immigration as normal. With the DTV, you’ll receive a stamp permitting a 180-day stay. Remember to mark your calendar for any extension or border run if you plan to stay beyond 180 days continuously. Also note that DTV is a type of tourist visa, so while it grants permission to reside and work remotely, you won’t have a Thai work permit (since you’re not working for a Thai entity). This usually isn’t an issue as long as your income comes from abroad.
  
  

💡 Pro tip: Keep digital and physical copies of all your important documents (passport, visa, insurance policy, etc.), and consider registering with your home country’s embassy in Thailand. Also, once in Thailand, you are required to do periodic 90-day reports to immigration (a simple form or online report of your current address) if you stay longer than 3 months at a time, since you’re on a long-term visa.

By securing the DTV, you eliminate the biggest headache for digital nomads in Thailand: visa uncertainty. You’ll be able to focus on your work and enjoy your surroundings without constantly worrying about the next visa run. But what about managing the work side of the equation––specifically, handling your business admin, client invoicing, and taxes while you’re abroad? That’s where Xolo Go comes in, forming the second half of this perfect combo.

Simplifying invoicing as a Freelancer in Southeast Asia with Xolo Go

As a location-independent freelancer, dealing with invoicing, payments and tax compliance can be tricky when you’re far from home. You might be asking: “How do I invoice my European clients while I’m living in Thailand? Do I need to register a business somewhere? What about VAT and getting paid in my bank account?” 

These are valid concerns, and exactly the problem that Xolo Go solves for solopreneurs.

Xolo Go is a modern platform that lets you invoice clients globally without registering your own company. Essentially, Xolo Go gives you a slice of their EU-based company to operate through. This means you can send professional, VAT-compliant invoices to your clients, accept payments in multiple currencies, and have the funds automatically forwarded to your personal bank account––all without the red tape of setting up a business entity yourself.

Here’s how Xolo Go complements the DTV for freelancers:

• No company registration needed: With Xolo Go, you don’t need to establish a sole proprietorship or LLC in your home country (or anywhere else) just to run your freelance business. Xolo acts as your legal umbrella. According to Xolo, “a piece of our company is yours” – they operate as an intermediary so you can issue invoices under Xolo’s registered business and remain fully compliant. This is perfect for a freelancer on the move, because you can focus on your work instead of wrestling with company incorporation papers from across the globe.
  
  
• Seamless invoicing & payment: Through Xolo Go’s dashboard, you can create invoices in minutes and send them to clients in whatever currency you need. The platform will automatically add any required VAT based on your client’s location and handle the payment processing. Clients can pay via bank transfer or credit card, and Xolo will then distribute the income to your EU bank account (or other account you designate) usually within one business day. For example, if you’re a Spanish freelancer working from a Bangkok café, you could invoice a client in Germany in EUR – and receive that money in your Spanish bank account while you sip your Thai iced coffee, no hassle.
  
  
• Tax compliance made easy: Xolo Go takes care of VAT calculations and invoicing compliance for you. Each invoice is generated with the correct tax info (using Xolo’s EU VAT number), meaning your clients get a proper invoice they can account for. You won’t have to worry about incorrectly charging VAT or not registering for VAT in each EU country – Xolo handles that complexity. Come tax time, Xolo provides you with earnings reports you can simply pass to your accountant. This way, even though you’re thousands of miles away in Thailand, your freelance income is transparently documented for any obligations back home.
  
  
• Peace of mind and professionalism: Using Xolo Go gives your business a polished, professional face. Clients see a legitimate EU company invoice, and you get features like payment reminders for late invoices and a real-time dashboard of your earnings. It’s like having a mini back-office that runs itself. Meanwhile, you get to enjoy Thailand instead of chasing payments or fiddling with Excel sheets. Xolo even allows you to reimburse business expenses through the platform (reducing your taxable income), and it charges no monthly fee – they only take a small percentage when you get paid, aligning with your success.
  
  

In short, Xolo Go + DTV = the ultimate hassle-free combo for a freelancer abroad. With the DTV visa, you have legal residency in Thailand for up to 5 years to live and work remotely. 

With Xolo Go, you have a turn-key business infrastructure that lets you run your European freelance operations as if you never left Europe. You can bill clients, receive EUR/USD/GBP payments, and stay tax-compliant all from your laptop under the palm trees.

DTV + Xolo Go: A stress-free work setup in a tropical paradise

By combining the Destination Thailand Visa with Xolo Go, European freelancers (and any digital nomad) can truly have it all: a dream life in Thailand and a smooth-running freelance business back home. Imagine starting your day with a Thai sunrise, getting some work done from a beachside coworking space, then breaking at lunch to explore a local market––all the while knowing your invoicing and paperwork are handled and your visa is secure. This setup removes the usual worries about bureaucracy, compliance, or income logistics that often come with moving abroad.

Ready to simplify your freelance life while living in Thailand? 👉 Explore Xolo Go and see how you can start sending your first invoice in minutes. Xolo Go’s free sign-up and easy onboarding can have you up and running before you even pack your bags for Bangkok! 

Embrace the Freedom: Your New Life as a Digital Nomad in Thailand

In conclusion, the Destination Thailand Visa opens the door for digital nomads to live in Thailand long-term with minimal fuss, and Xolo Go ensures your freelance business runs smoothly on the backend. It’s the perfect one-two punch for any location-independent solopreneur seeking a new base in Thailand. No longer do you have to choose between adventure and a functioning business infrastructure––you can have both!

If you’re excited by the idea of freelancing in Thailand with zero headaches, make it happen: secure your DTV visa and set up Xolo Go for your business. With your visa sorted and Xolo handling invoicing, you’ll be free to focus on delivering great work, all while soaking up all the richness Thailand has to offer.

It’s time to build your dream life in Thailand with the world as your office 🌴✨

Explore Xolo Go today and the world tomorrow.