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Can a DTV visa holder engage in remote work legally in Thailand?

DTV visa remote work Thailand immigration visa regulations soft power activities

Sep 14, 2024

2 months ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

If a DTV visa is granted for soft power can the visa holder still do remote work legally?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The DTV visa allows for remote work as long as the income is sourced from outside Thailand. Although some suggest opting for a DTV under the remote work category as it may be cheaper, it is generally permissible to work remotely on a DTV without violating the visa regulations.

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Elías ********

As far as I know, you have been always allowed to do remote work, even on a tourist visa. The issue is that on a tourist visa you're not supposed to stay like forever, while on the DTV you can.

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Luit *****************

@Elías *******

officially remote work is not allowed as tourist, but of course it is very difficult to check if I am just browsing the internet or working remote.

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Greg ********

@Elías *******

Nope - technically no work was allowed on a Tourist Visa. Many did though.

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Greg ********

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Tim ***********

My question would be, if you work remotely why not get the DTV under that category - it would be way cheaper than paying for a soft power activity , don't you think? But yes, as long as you are not working in Thailand all is ok (meaning your income is earned from outside of Thailand).

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been studying Thai on an ED visa. No working is allowed and since I was following the rule I have no very recent work record. I want to start working online but want to be sure to do this legally.

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George ******

Anonymous participant you could have been working online the whole time and they wouldn't have cared. as long as it's not with a thai company or something

The whole "no work" thing is really about not working in Thailand or taking jobs from thai people. They turn a blind eye to the digital nomad type jobs

and it's the same for the DTV visa. Although there are rumours that they will start charging you tax if you stay in the country over 180 days. But that's probably a long way off. If it ever even happens

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George ******

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Elías ********

@Tim **********

I don't know if that's the case for the OP, but many freelancers don't have the documents to prove their status, I mean, in regard to the types of documents the Embassy asks. It could be they don't have the 500K in an account, either. Many people has ongoing investments, etc., so it's not that they don't have any money, just that it is not sitting on an account without being used.

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Gerry ********

@Elías *******

gotta follow the rules!

500k needs to be in 'liquid assets', aka cash in bank. This is not just an emergency fund, it's the funds required to support oneself. They don't actually care about your income.

If a freelancer can't provide either concrete information about what they are currently doing (remotely), or a portfolio of work that they have done, then they are probably a 'wannabe' digital nomad or 'influencer', who is just 'having a crack'. There's no issue with folks having a go, but Thai DFA and Immigration need to be satisfied that the applicant is not going to try and work in Thailand.

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Luit *****************

@Elías *******

without the 500K you will not get DTV, also not for soft power option

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Tim ***********

@Elías *******

yeah could be. I find the biggest question asked here is about the funds...which I thought would be the easiest. I realise it's not easy for everyone but I consider it an emergency fund and I think everyone should have at least 6 months of emergency funds in case something goes bottoms up with your online work. Or, transfer from investments to your account and then visit an embassy that doesn't require 6months of statements perhaps.

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Greg ********

@Tim **********

People better hope Immigration do not impose the requirements of keeping a certain amount in a Thai Bank account over the year similar to the "O" Visa for Retirement and Spouse etc. A few guys I know just put it in a separate account and just leave the 800k there out of temptation to dip into it.

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Gerry ********

'over the year'. They'd probably be ok if they don't go to immigration for an extension. In that case, border runs every 180 days are necessary.

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Greg ********

There also the tax residency implications. However, until tax and immigration systems linked I do not think there is much concern there.

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Gerry ********

Thailand now participates in the global 'Common Reporting Standard', so it's potentially just a matter of time until they decide to look into one's financial activity offshore. :-(

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Gerry ********

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Greg ********

@Elías *******

They need 500k for the soft Power DTV too.

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John *******

@Elías *******

don’t you need to show 500k with the soft power options as well? If so, assume it has to do with showing the needed documents that one might not have as a freelancer

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Greg ********

Correct - You need to show 500k for soft power too.

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Greg ********

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