Southeast Asia's second largest economy issues 1,200 Destination visas in a month

By Hoang Vu August 22, 2024 | 11:28 pm PT

Tourists look at the view from the top deck of a tourist commuter boat on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on Dec. 27, 2023. Photo by AFP

Thai immigration authorities have issued 1,200 Destination Thailand Visas since launching the scheme in mid-July, aiming to boost economic and tourism growth in the Southeast Asia's second largest economy.

The visas have been officially approved by 47 embassies and consulates, Naruchai Ninnad, deputy director-general of Thailand's consular affairs, as cited by Deutsche Welle.

However, more than 40 embassies and consulates have yet to report the number of visas they have issued, Ninnad added.

Thailand's new visa scheme allows digital nomads, freelancers, and visitors interested in learning or performing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, to stay up to 180 days. The visa is valid for five years.

To apply for the visa, applicants must be at least 20 years old and citizens of one of the 93 eligible countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Japan and Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The application fee is 10,000 baht (US$290), and applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum financial capacity of 500,000 baht.

Several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, have already introduced special visa policies for digital nomads.