José, a Cuban content creator residing in Thailand, posted a warning message for those compatriots who dream of emigrating to that Asian country.
In a reel posted on his Instagram account @josecubitaa_habla, the young man asserted that going to Thailand without money or a job can turn the trip into a costly mistake.
"A Cuban who wants to come to Thailand to fight is for Gustavo. A Cuban who wants to come to Thailand has to come with bullets, because there are no issues here," he expressed.
In Cuban slang, "venir con las balas" means to arrive with enough money, while "pelear" refers to looking for a job from scratch without any resources.
The Cuban emphasized that the only viable exception is to have a prior job offer: "Unless you are a professional and seek a company that offers you a job and justifies that it needs you for that position."
Another option he mentions is remote work. "If you find an online job, it's a different story. If you have income from the internet, you can live here. It's economical here compared to Europe," he noted.
Without those guaranteed incomes from abroad, he warned, it makes no sense to take the risk of starting from scratch in Thailand. In his view, there are no job opportunities that allow for saving enough to get ahead.
The video also addresses a supposed recent change in Thai immigration policy. According to José, the allowed stay has been reduced to one month, which would shorten the margin for those arriving without a defined plan.
This information contrasts with the visa exemption for Cubans that came into effect on July 15, 2024, allowing stays of up to 60 days for tourism without the need for a prior visa.
The portal Siam Visa Pro confirms that the visa exemption is for 30 days and does not include the right to work. To engage in legal work activities in Thailand, a non-immigrant visa type B and a work permit processed with the support of a Thai employer are required. Working without that permit is illegal.
For those who have foreign income, there is the Destination Thailand Visa, designed for digital nomads, which allows stays of up to 180 days extendable for five years. However, this option requires proof of bank funds of at least 500,000 baht (approximately 13,000 euros) and verification of income from outside the country.
Those with a tourist visa can stay in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days. "If you wish to stay longer than 60 days, you can apply for a stay extension at the Immigration Office," they note on the official website.
The cost of living in cities like Bangkok is around 35,000 to 45,000 baht per month for a single person with a basic lifestyle, which amounts to approximately 967 euros per month according to estimates for 2026.
The phenomenon of Cubans in Thailand is relatively recent. Since that country relaxed entry requirements for Cuban citizens two years ago, the destination gained visibility on social media as an alternative to traditional migration routes. A Cuban residing in that nation recently shared her life experience there.
José closed his video with a phrase that summarizes his warning for those considering traveling to Thailand: “Do your research before coming and don’t waste time or money.”
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