For South African citizens and our ‘Green Mamba’ passports, travel restrictions and visa requirements are no secret and have become more stringent over time. Gone are the days of visa-free entry to the UK and two-year working holiday visas – now, you can’t even enter a British airport for a layover without a transit visa.
So, it is no surprise that immigration and other long-term visa options have become practically non-existent to most South Africans. The few countries that do offer long-term visas often require millions in investments or open their doors to highly-skilled job roles (and no, your BA university degree sadly doesn’t cut the mustard). Even old-time favourites like Dubai and Doha have become increasingly challenging due to the sheer demand of international expats wanting a slice of luxury in the Middle East.
Fortunately, this is not the case in the Kingdom of Thailand, where the country is already reaching pre-pandemic tourism numbers thanks to its updated visa policies. And they’re not simply targeting their regular holidaymakers – Thailand very cleverly wants to cash in on the rise of the remote worker, and it’s fast becoming the frontrunner in Southeast Asia thanks to its recently launched Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
Perfect for remote workers or freelancers, the DTV allows South Africans multiple entries into Thailand for five years, each valid for up to 180 days (6 months). In short, South Africans can now easily live and work in Thailand for five years (as long as they leave the country once or twice a year).
Here’s how the DTV works…
The Destination Thailand Visa is valid for an impressive five years and allows multiple entries into Thailand. This means you come and go as often as you please without the hassle of applying for a re-entry permit, which all other tourists require. Each stay can last up to 180 days, and if that’s not enough, a quick exit and return reset your clock for another 180 days. On top of that, there’s also an option to extend for 180 days, meaning South Africans could legally remain in Thailand for an entire year if they wanted to. Plus, you can bring your loved ones along, making it a realistic option for those looking to explore Thailand together as a family.
The ‘downsides’
The DTV is technically a long-term tourist visa, so it comes with a few restrictions. For instance, it doesn’t allow you to work for a Thai company or pursue permanent residency or domestic adoption. However, should you happen to find a permanent job role with a Thai employer, your visa can easily be changed into a sponsored employment visa.
A minor hiccup for those seeking long-term stays is the fact that the visa does not allow you to open a Thai bank account yet. However, this is expected to change. Some local banks have confirmed they are waiting for Thai government guidance on the matter.
What do you need to qualify for the DTV?
The visa, tailored for digital nomads and freelancers who can make a living from anywhere in the world, will set you back a mere THB 10 000 (R5 400). To qualify, you need to be over the age of 20 and prove that you have at least THB 500 000 (R260 000) in savings to ensure you can support yourself during your stay.
The applicant must submit proof of their employment status or business ownership outside of Thailand. If you’re a freelancer, you simply need to upload a portfolio of your work to prove you’re legit.
Participants in Thai activities like Muay Thai training, Thai culinary courses, medical treatment, music festivals and sports training also qualify for the DTV.
How do you apply for a DTV from South Africa?
Along with your regular documents like passport copy and ID photo, all files are easily and efficiently uploaded onto the Thai E-Visa portal at thaievisa.go.th in a matter of minutes. While all international applications are done through the website portal, which you can conveniently monitor for updates, your case will ultimately be reviewed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria.
Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your visa in PDF form via email. Considering all the hoops some countries make you jump through for a mere visit visa, It’s surprisingly as simple as that.
Some handy advice
The application process for the DTV is refreshingly fast, efficient, and completely digital, so be sure to have all your documentation ducks in a row and be ready to go when applying. While some visas can take a few days to process, some have been approved overnight. Due to the simplicity of the process, you’re also much better off applying for the visa yourself than hiring an agent.
Why Thailand?
Well, there are plenty of reasons Thailand has been a South African holiday favourite for decades. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the picture-perfect landscapes of Phuket and Krabi, Thailand is a vibrant and colourful country famous for its exotic beaches, world-famous cuisine and overall efficiency. Realistically, it’s also drastically safer than South Africa for those needing a break from constantly looking over their shoulder. Best of all, the South African Rand is still relatively stronger than the Baht at approximately 1.85 Thai Baht per R1. Instead of trying to keep up with dollars and pounds, South Africans have the opportunity to live a lavish Thai lifestyle without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re a young freelancer looking for a change of scenery, a remote worker tired of staring at your neighbour’s lawn or a self-employed housewife wanting to escape the frosty Cape winters for beach bliss, the Destination Thailand Visa might just be your best option yet.
