Thailand has quietly switched on its long-anticipated Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and, as of 23 January 2026, Irish passport-holders can start the application process online or through the Thai embassy in Dublin. The multi-entry visa costs €350 and is valid for five years, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry with the option to extend once for the same period. Applicants must show at least THB 500,000 (about €13,700) in savings over the previous three months and evidence of remote employment, freelance contracts or participation in approved ‘Thai soft-power’ activities such as Muay Thai training or culinary courses.
Unlike Thailand’s earlier Smart Visa, which targets start-ups and specialists with higher income thresholds, the DTV is designed for mid-career remote workers keen to base themselves in Southeast Asia. It also explicitly permits “workcation” arrangements, making it attractive to Irish tech professionals whose employers already operate hybrid work models. Family members can piggy-back on the principal applicant’s status, but schooling and local healthcare remain self-funded, so comprehensive private insurance is mandatory.
For Irish travellers who want a hassle-free application experience, VisaHQ can act as a liaison with the Thai consulate, pre-screening documents, arranging courier deliveries and tracking the visa until it is issued. Its Dublin-based portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers step-by-step guidance, transparent fees and live chat support, saving applicants multiple trips to the embassy.
![Thailand’s new ‘Destination Thailand Visa’ officially open to Irish digital nomads]()
For Irish companies, the DTV opens a compliant path for staff who wish to work temporarily from Thailand without breaching local labour laws. However, payroll teams must remember that the visa does not, in itself, create a Thai tax exemption; stays exceeding 180 days in a tax year can trigger tax residency. Firms should review their ‘work-from-anywhere’ policies to address permanent-establishment and social-security risks.
Travel-wise, Thai authorities confirm that DTV holders can enter via any international airport but must register biometrics on first arrival. Irish citizens continue to enjoy 30-day visa-free entry for tourism, but switching to the DTV while in country is not allowed—applications must be lodged before travel. Processing times are currently quoted at 10–15 working days, though early applicants report approvals within a week.
The launch adds momentum to a global shift toward digital-nomad visas and follows Portugal, Spain and Greece, where many Irish professionals already take advantage of similar schemes. Expect other ASEAN nations to follow suit as the region competes for mobile, high-spending talent.
Unlike Thailand’s earlier Smart Visa, which targets start-ups and specialists with higher income thresholds, the DTV is designed for mid-career remote workers keen to base themselves in Southeast Asia. It also explicitly permits “workcation” arrangements, making it attractive to Irish tech professionals whose employers already operate hybrid work models. Family members can piggy-back on the principal applicant’s status, but schooling and local healthcare remain self-funded, so comprehensive private insurance is mandatory.
For Irish travellers who want a hassle-free application experience, VisaHQ can act as a liaison with the Thai consulate, pre-screening documents, arranging courier deliveries and tracking the visa until it is issued. Its Dublin-based portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers step-by-step guidance, transparent fees and live chat support, saving applicants multiple trips to the embassy.
For Irish companies, the DTV opens a compliant path for staff who wish to work temporarily from Thailand without breaching local labour laws. However, payroll teams must remember that the visa does not, in itself, create a Thai tax exemption; stays exceeding 180 days in a tax year can trigger tax residency. Firms should review their ‘work-from-anywhere’ policies to address permanent-establishment and social-security risks.
Travel-wise, Thai authorities confirm that DTV holders can enter via any international airport but must register biometrics on first arrival. Irish citizens continue to enjoy 30-day visa-free entry for tourism, but switching to the DTV while in country is not allowed—applications must be lodged before travel. Processing times are currently quoted at 10–15 working days, though early applicants report approvals within a week.
The launch adds momentum to a global shift toward digital-nomad visas and follows Portugal, Spain and Greece, where many Irish professionals already take advantage of similar schemes. Expect other ASEAN nations to follow suit as the region competes for mobile, high-spending talent.
