Thailand’s Tourism Ministry has confirmed that Swiss citizens can now apply for the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), a long-anticipated permit aimed at remote workers, freelancers and other so-called workcationers. The dedicated portal for Swiss applicants went live on 27 January 2026, quoting a fee of CHF 350 and granting multiple entries over a five-year validity, with stays of up to 180 days per visit (extendable once per entry).
To qualify, applicants must show at least THB 500 000 (about CHF 12 400) in liquid funds over the previous three months, evidence of foreign-sourced income, and documentation proving that their economic activity is conducted wholly outside Thailand and the wider ASEAN market. Spouses and children under 20 may piggy-back on the principal holder’s status, provided they meet similar financial thresholds and demonstrate proof of relationship.
The DTV supplements Thailand’s existing Long-Term Resident (LTR) programme, but targets a younger, mobile demographic. For Switzerland—whose nationals logged more than 120 000 Thai arrivals in 2025—the visa offers a legal path for extended stays without resorting to back-to-back tourist visas or visa-run flights. It also arrives just months before ETIAS pre-travel authorisation becomes mandatory for Thai visitors to Europe, underscoring a two-way tightening of mobility formalities.
![Thailand Opens Five-Year “Destination Thailand Visa” to Swiss Digital Nomads]()
For Swiss applicants who prefer professional guidance, VisaHQ’s Switzerland team can streamline every stage of the DTV process—from verifying bank statements to scheduling the biometric appointment—via its easy online dashboard; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Global-mobility specialists say the scheme could shift demand patterns for winter remote work: Bangkok and Chiang Mai already rank high among Swiss digital nomads, thanks to reliable co-working space, favourable time-zone overlap with Europe and competitive living costs. Employers permitting “work from anywhere” arrangements must ensure that employees holding a DTV remain on Swiss payrolls to avoid Thai tax residency, which is triggered after 180 days in a calendar year unless treaty exemptions apply.
Swiss travel insurers are updating policy wordings to reflect the DTV’s longer permitted stay, and banks have begun marketing multi-currency accounts tailored to digital nomads. The Thai Embassy in Bern said appointment slots for biometrics are currently available within two weeks, but it expects a surge ahead of the Songkran holiday season. Applicants are advised to file online first, then appear in person with original documents once an approval code is issued.
To qualify, applicants must show at least THB 500 000 (about CHF 12 400) in liquid funds over the previous three months, evidence of foreign-sourced income, and documentation proving that their economic activity is conducted wholly outside Thailand and the wider ASEAN market. Spouses and children under 20 may piggy-back on the principal holder’s status, provided they meet similar financial thresholds and demonstrate proof of relationship.
The DTV supplements Thailand’s existing Long-Term Resident (LTR) programme, but targets a younger, mobile demographic. For Switzerland—whose nationals logged more than 120 000 Thai arrivals in 2025—the visa offers a legal path for extended stays without resorting to back-to-back tourist visas or visa-run flights. It also arrives just months before ETIAS pre-travel authorisation becomes mandatory for Thai visitors to Europe, underscoring a two-way tightening of mobility formalities.
For Swiss applicants who prefer professional guidance, VisaHQ’s Switzerland team can streamline every stage of the DTV process—from verifying bank statements to scheduling the biometric appointment—via its easy online dashboard; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Global-mobility specialists say the scheme could shift demand patterns for winter remote work: Bangkok and Chiang Mai already rank high among Swiss digital nomads, thanks to reliable co-working space, favourable time-zone overlap with Europe and competitive living costs. Employers permitting “work from anywhere” arrangements must ensure that employees holding a DTV remain on Swiss payrolls to avoid Thai tax residency, which is triggered after 180 days in a calendar year unless treaty exemptions apply.
Swiss travel insurers are updating policy wordings to reflect the DTV’s longer permitted stay, and banks have begun marketing multi-currency accounts tailored to digital nomads. The Thai Embassy in Bern said appointment slots for biometrics are currently available within two weeks, but it expects a surge ahead of the Songkran holiday season. Applicants are advised to file online first, then appear in person with original documents once an approval code is issued.
