The new Smart Visa might be a visa solution for some, but not all, of the ‘digital nomads’ that have been become ubiquitous in Thailand, from all over the world. Whereas the young professionals might have taken off around the world on a break between their schooling and the start of their professional careers, now they’re taking their professional careers along with them and logging in to their job remotely from some far flung cafe overlooking rice paddies in Chiang Mai for a beach in Phuket.

According to the scant information on the new Smart Visa, it will apply to a fairly narrow band of skill sets Thai authorities want to attract – IT, ‘tech’ industries, health. The visa has also been designed to allow investors to be able to work and live in the Kingdom. The precise list and aunts of investment required have not been made clear at this stage. According to the information we do have, applicants for the new Smart Visa will need to prove a monthly income of 200,000 baht per month, probably more than most digital nomads make.

The smart visa is divided into four groups. The first group is for specialists in scientific fields where there is a shortage. Individuals who qualify must have a salary of at least 200,000 baht a month and an employment contract for at least one year.

Their spouses and children can move and work in Thailand, except in prohibited careers. They will get four-year visas, up from the 90-day visa that is currently available.

The second group involves investors of no less than 20 million baht in targeted industries.

The third group involves investors in companies that in turn invest in targeted industries.

The fourth group is for company executives who work in targeted industries with salaries not less than 200,000 baht a month with experience of not less than 10 years.

The government estimated less than 1,000 people would apply for the smart visas so would not affect the local labour market, Kobsak said.