🛂 Visa comparison
Panama vs Thailand digital nomad visa
Two of the nomad visas Americans compare most, side by side: what each asks for, how long it lasts, where it leads, and what life costs in each country.
The short version
- Thailand uses a savings test instead of a monthly income; Panama asks about $3,000 a month.
- Life is cheaper in Thailand: from $1,041 a month all-in in Chiang Mai, vs $2,114 in Panama City.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇵🇦 Panama | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| 🛂 Visa | Short-Stay Remote Worker Visa | DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) |
| 💵 Income needed | $3,000/mo ($36k/yr) | No income bar, 500,000 THB (~$14.5k) in savings held 3-6 months |
| ≈ In US dollars | $3,000/mo | savings test |
| 💳 Fees | ~$300 | 10,000 THB (~$280); 1,900 THB per extension |
| ⏳ Length | 9 months | 5-year multiple entry; 180 days/entry + 180 extension (360/entry) |
| 🔁 Renewal | Once (+9 mo) | Fresh 180 days every re-entry for 5 yrs |
| 🏠 Path to residency | Yes via residency routes (not the remote-worker visa) | No, DTV is a long tourist visa, zero PR path |
| 🧾 Tax once resident | 🟢 Friendly · Local income only, top 25% | 🟢 Friendly · Foreign income only if brought in, top 35% |
| 🗓️ Visa-free visit first | 90 days | 60 days |
| 💰 Cheapest city, all-in | $2,114 · Panama City | $1,041 · Chiang Mai |
General reference, not immigration or tax advice. Income figures in US dollars are converted at current rates from each visa's own requirement; confirm with the consulate before applying.