Stories

Your next destination hassle-free

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EXPLORE

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BROWSE

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DISCOVER

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VISA APPLICATION

Why RoamFree?

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A lot of pioneering adventures are exploring global citizenship with remote work and travel being easily accessible like never before. Rather than a trend, remote work has become a mainstay in many organisations, inspiring many people to pursue the lifestyle of being a digital nomad. Countries are pivoting to accommodate these travellers offering Digital Nomad Visas as an alternative to Tourist Visas. With legalities of working in a foreign country being complex, here’s why opting for the Digital Nomad Visa instead of a Tourist Visa is a game changer for remote workers.  

 

#### Legal Legitimacy 

Tourist Visas are strictly for leisure and short-term visits and are not designed for those intending to work remotely. It’s worth looking up if the country you’re embarking on offers a Digital Nomad Visa to give you peace of mind that you’re on the right side of the law and not violating any visa regulations. Digital Nomad Visas grant you the legal right to work in your host country.   

 

#### Extended stay 

Digital Nomad Visas are conversely tailored for extended stays – from 6 months to up to 2 years in some cases. Comparative to the tourist visa which often come with a limited time of stay ranging from a few weeks to a few months, you’re given more time with the Digital Nomad Visa to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle, culture and establish a routine that coincides with your productivity as a remote worker.  

 

#### Tax Benefits 

Under a tourist visa, income generated in a foreign country as a remote worker might fall in a complex legal grey area that you might need to navigate. Digital Nomad Visas simplify the daunting process of navigating tax obligations of working in a foreign country saving you time by offering clear guidelines and also potentially saving Digital Nomads money where some countries offer tax incentives. These guidelines and incentives are absent in Tourist Visas, leading to adding a lot of unexpected overhead in administration and possibly cost more money in the long run. 

 

#### Access to Local Services 

Digital Nomad Visas allow access to local services that Tourist Visas do not provide. Amenities and services such as holding local bank accounts, subscribing to health services, securing rental agreements for both residential and transport (some countries need local permits to own cars). Digital Nomad Visas can enhance your experience in a foreign country by truly immersing yourself in their ecosystem compared to the short term stay that a Tourist Visa would be limiting. 

 

#### Pathways to Residency 

Whilst Tourist Visas offer no pathways to residency, a Digital Nomad Visa by virtue of its longer duration and establishment of economic ties might leverage towards applying for a residency or even citizenship in some cases. Portugal’s D7 Visa and Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa are popular stepping stones in establishing a pathway to a more permanent stay.  

 

DNV vs Tourist Visa

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Tourist Visa

Benefits of a Digital Nomad Visa over a tourist visa

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The Benefits of a Digital Nomad Visa over a Tourist Visa Explored

Digital Nomads are thriving with remote work becoming more common. Thailand has emerged as a leading hotspot for Digital Nomads with the country’s low cost of living and a plethora of exotic and diverse locations available for anyone working remotely to explore. From white sand beaches to tropical jungles, what’s essential to Digital Nomads is a high-speed and stable internet connection and an environment that fosters productivity. This article will list the best co-working spaces throughout Thailand where not only do they provide great amenities and networking communities but have the staff at these hubs welcome you with a smile on their face. 
 
### [Punspace](https://www.punspace.com/) - Chiang Mai 
A serine hub for a variety of digital nomads, Punspace is the first co-working space in Chiang Mai, open since 2013. Both of their locations have a variety of options regarding pricing options from hotdesking, to reserved seats and private offices. They also provide a prepaid day pass for visitors. With a long list of amenities including parking, shower and pantry areas, this co-working space has high reviews from people boasting about its friendly staff and great indoor and outdoor workspaces. There’s a strong community of digital nomads that use the space and events are provided for members to network. There are a variety of great restaurants that surround the space and the coffee available gets top reviews.  
 
### [KoHub](https://kohub.org/) - Koh Lanta 
A stunning beachfront co-working space for those seeking an island escape to work remotely. Away from the tourist hubs and having access to high-speed internet, KoHub is all-inclusive. The location offers authentic food, aircon bungalows by the beach and an endless supply of coffee. The owners have a strong drive for the space to be sustainable including an organic garden that fuels the vegan-friendly restaurant, homemade treats stored in re-usable packaging, and solar power. KoHub is closed during the rainy season (November -April) but for the rest of the year, you’re able to book time and experience being a digital professional in a remote beach location.  

### [The Hive](https://thehive.co.th/) - Bangkok 
The Hive group has multiple locations around Southeast Asia. Its Thailand locations offer hot desks and private offices with several facilities available to its members including a mailbox locker, a café and community events available to digital nomads seeking company with their tribe. Its Bangkok location being in the vibrant heart of the city, any nomad would feel right at home working in any of these affordable but top co-working spaces.  

 ### [BAYACO Co-working space](https://bayacophuket.business.site/) - Phuket 
Equipped with high-speed internet, comfortable seating and modern amenities, the top-rated co-working space that BAYACO provides is ideal for Digital Nomads. Their affordable membership fee, access to local catering for events and regular digital nomad community events foster a great space for digital nomads to be productive and explore the beaches that Thailand has to offer.  



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Thailand

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Productivity in Paradise - the best co-working spaces that Thailand has to offer. 

Thailand has been a top destination for the tech-savvy tribe of digital nomads. Internet access and speed are crucial to be able to work remotely. This article will explore the state of internet connectivity in Thailand – the availability of high-speed networks and various providers to consider for those thinking of staying connected whilst embarking on an adventure in the Land of Smiles. 

#### Internet Infrastructure  

The Thailand government has heavily invested in expanding the country’s broadband capabilities resulting in generally stable and fast internet connections, especially in major urban centres and popular tourist destinations.  

 
#### High-Speed Internet Options 

Most apartments, guest houses and co-working spaces in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket offer reliable fixed broadband connections with impressive speeds.  

According to [ookla.com](https://www.ookla.com), Thailand takes the top spot of countries with a fast internet in tropical remote work countries, with an average download speed of [196.2 Mbps Q1 2023](https://www.ookla.com/articles/best-places-remote-work-q1-2023). 

##### The top 3 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) deliver excellent service with a range of plans: 

* [True Online](https://www.true.th/en/trueonline/)

* [AIS Fiber](https://www.ais.th/consumers)

* [3BB Fiber](https://fiber.3bb.co.th/en/)

#### Internet Regulation and Censorship 

The Thai government does impose certain restrictions on content deemed inappropriate or against national security. Compared to neighbouring countries, censorship of content is generally lenient but digital nomads should be aware of regulations and exercise discretion when using the internet for any activity that might fall under scrutiny.  

 
#### Tips and tools  

Use internet speed tests to make sure that the internet meets your work requirements before settling in a location, especially when considering rural destinations. Also, consider using VPN to bypass geo-restrictions.  


Thailand’s Internet infrastructure is undoubtedly one of the country’s key attractions as a tropical destination for digital nomads. The convenience of [Thailand’s Nomadic Visa](https://eoi.dev.roamfree.world/stories/archive/digital_nomad_visa_thailand) has also attracted a thriving digital nomad community, empowering nomads to take advantage of the low cost of living and tax benefits. 

Thailand Digital Nomad - enjoy a remote beach location

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Thailand’s Internet Access: Your seamless gateway to remote work and exploration

Until recently, nomads would have to leave Thailand every few months on a tourist visa. Renewal was as simple as leaving to nearby countries like the Philippines, or Malaysia. The pandemic has made the single-entry tourist visa difficult to stay longer than 90 days, especially with quarantine rules. To increase tourism revenue, Thailand introduced a long stay single entry visa (Non-Immigrant O-X  Visa) allowing digital nomads to enjoy the amazing tropical landscape, national dishes with a unique flavour profile and the welcoming hospitality of its people. This article will delve into the details of Thailand’s Long Stay Visa and how it opens doors to living in Thailand and working remotely as a digital nomad.  

 #### Understanding the Visa 

In November 2016, to promote long-term stay for foreign travellers in Thailand, the Cabinet approved a new scheme allowing people from 14 countries to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 10 years. Applicants must apply for [Non-O-X Visa](https://www.thaievisa.go.th/long-stay-visa) at the Royal Thai Embassy or when applying outside of Thailand, the Royal Thai Consulate-General.  

#### Eligibility 

Applicants must meet certain requirements set by the Thai authorities. It’s important to keep current with these requirements as they are subject to change with the most up-to-date details available at the nearest Thai consulate. At this moment, the following details are needed for eligibility: 

* Must be citizens approved by one of the eligible countries approved by Thailand for the Smart Visa program. 

* Must be aged between 20-50 years. 

* Proof of continuous source of income from outside Thailand is required, a regular paycheck, freelance work or online business earnings. 

* Health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in Thailand 

* Provide a clear criminal record from their home country or country of residence.  

#### How to Apply 

The Visa application process requires you to submit the required documents to the Thai consulate. The Thai government will review and approve the documents and once approved, you’re given a single-entry Visa into Thailand whereas you needed to report your location every 90 days into Thailand on a tourist Visa.  


#### Benefits 

* The Non-O-X Visa not only allows for a longer stay in Thailand, but it also comes with some benefits in immersing yourself in the culture the land of smiles has to offer by establishing a base in this destination to feel like home. Benefits include: 

* A longer stay than what digital nomads would historically use which was the 60-day tourist visa with a 30-day extension into Thailand. The Non-O-X Visa would prevent having to leave Thailand after 90 days and re-enter, a practice some nomads would go through to extend their stay.  

* The Non-O-X Visa allows for the purchase of a vehicle, or /and a condominium which isn’t available under the usual tourist visa.  

* You can also work as a volunteer under the Non-O-X visa.  

Additionally, Digital Nomads can enjoy tax benefits as they’re exempt from taxes on income earned outside of Thailand. You will also have access to healthcare and the cost of living in Thailand is generally low.  

 

Thailand Nomadic Visa

Your guide to Thailand’s Nomadic Visa: A ticket to live in the Land of Smiles. 