Can DTV visa holders apply for a work permit in Thailand?

Aug 31, 2024
4 months ago
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone know if DTV holder can apply for work permit? Just wonder as to my understanding, without work permit, it's not possible to open the local bank account so I can use mobile to pay with QR code.
4,517
views
2
likes
159
all likes
95
replies
2
images
20
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
DTV (Digital Nomad) visa holders cannot apply for a work permit and are not allowed to work in Thailand. However, they can still open a local bank account using a certificate of residence obtained from the immigration office, although some banks may have varying requirements. A rental lease or TM30 (residence report from a hotel) may be needed to obtain this certificate. Some users have reported success opening bank accounts without a work permit or residence certificate, suggesting the process may depend on the bank and branch. Alternative payment methods like using a virtual visa card or mobile payment apps may be considered for those unable to secure a bank account.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Mary ********
If you are American they also have to fill out other forms. Not something they particularly want to do
Gett ***********
I opened a bank account on my second try after arriving in Thailand at the start of this year.

No work permit, no certificate of residence, just ID and a TM30 from my hotel if I recall correctly.

I was on a Multi Entry Tourist Visa at the time.

Went to a shopping mall, walked into one bank, they turned me away, walked into the next bank (KrungSri), and they opened an account for me on the spot.

Try your luck at a few different banks, or even different branches of the same bank.

If you don't have any luck you could also try and agent as others have mentioned, maybe I got very lucky idk.

Now I'm on DTV and I transfer money from my Wise into my Thai bank account as I need it. No issues with tax so far and have been doing this regularly since opening my account. Usually transfer 49k baht at a time as my account has a 50k baht per day daily transfer limit.
Gett ***********
@Wabi *****
TM30 is done by your hotel to register with the govt that you are staying there.

You can ask them for a copy.

Usually people take this to immigration office to get a certificate of residence, which is what most people say you need to open a bank account.

I didn't do this and just bought the TM30 directly to the bank.

This worked for me, but maybe I just got lucky.

Doing anything at the immigration office is a pain in the ass.

I have a debit card and the krungsri app now yup, so can do bank transfers and QR code scan payments at shops like most locals.

Wise is an online money transfer service. You deposit money in one of their supported currencies, then you can sell it for Thai baht using the app. You can transfer the Thai baht to your Thai bank account that you opened. For Krungsri the transfer is immediate.

You can also just go to the bank with your home debit card and thai debit card and say "take x money out of here, and put into my thai card".

I have not run into any fees doing this, and the exchange rate is good. But this might depend on your home currency and bank.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gett **********
Thanks so much, Gett, for your help in explaining. Now it’s clear. I will try to do the same. Thanks, again.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gett **********
Thanks so much, Gett.

TM30, isn’t it issued from immigration office? From what I read, you said from your hotel. Please advise. Thanks again.

So you can now use Krungsri mobile app, right?

Am I right that Wise is kind of money transfer mechanism from your home country bank to your Krungsri account in Thailand? Or is Wise some kind of wallet app?

Please advise. Thanks.
Vitico ********
If you just want to pay with qr code you can use true money without a bank account
************************************
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vitico *******
is opening the true money account easy for foreigners? Does it require any document? Would that mean the foreigners need to have to local mobile phone number?
Vitico ********
@Wabi *****
a thai phone number and download the app. Maybe take a pic of your passport and a selfie and fill in some basic info when you sign up
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vitico *******
thanks so much.
Bob *********
You know, now that someone mentioned it, if you are in Bangkok you can link the skytrain rabbit card to line pay and then using the line app with a Thai phone number, you can get the line wallet and pay using a line pay QR code. Of course you can easily add money at any green line skytrain ticket window
Jo **********
No
Pertti *************
You can use qr payment without thai bank account👍
Sean *********
@Pertti ************
need more informations too, please 🙏🏼
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pertti ************
could you please advise how?
Eric *******
I saw a YouTube vid about there is some app to use the swipe to pay with thing WITHOUT having a thai bank. I cant find it again or remember the name of it anyone know it?
Henrik *****
If you stay in Thailand now and has been in Thailand less than 3 month, and doesn’t have a permanent adress, then try again when you have stayed 3 month.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
Thanks, Henrik.
Andreas *********
@Wabi *****
No you can't. A DTV says "employment prohibited". You can work for a company or clients outside of Thailand, but for a company or clients inside Thailand
Bob *********
You don't want a bank account in Thailand. It's just gonna open you up to Thai taxes. Stay a tourist and use a wise app virtual visa card and tap to pay
Bob *********
Most stores want tourists to visit and will take visa over 200 baht.
Ivan ************
@B**
QR is far more widely accepted, you can use it with most street vendors for a 20B purchase and there's no fees either side (which is why everyone accepts it).
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob ********
can we use Wise to pay with QR code that most local stores accepted?
Ivan ************
@Wabi *****
not with Wise, need a local bank account for that, or a bank account from a country in the region that participates in the QR system, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong I believe can pay with Thai PromptPay QR. I think PromptPay is also cross-compatible with UnionPay QR in China but AliPay and WeChat are more common there. KB wallet from Korea.
Kim *********
@Bob ********
many advantages with a Thai bank account
Ryan ******
@Kim ********
what advantages is there?
Kim *********
@Ryan *****
.Pay by scan with your phone with qr codes (I use that a lot in shops and lazada). 2.no atm fees - or up to 10 baht. 3 cardless withdrawal atm. 4.Instant payment to other Thai bank accounts. .Not depending on 1 bank card. I am quite happy with my 2 accounts
Ryan ******
@Kim ********
ahh okay just convenience advantages!
Kim *********
@Ryan *****
yeah I must admit that
Phil ******
@Wabi *****
no not with DTV. why not go to Pattaya and have an agent open an account for you
Maksym ***********
@Phil *****
because if you need to do something after, you should go to same branch each time.... Plus crossprovince fee for some operations :)
Kim *********
@Максим *********
no not the same branch.
Phil ******
@Максим *********
not if you scan QR code everytime you do a withdrawl with Bangkok bank
Phil ******
@Максим *********
wrong. Also you can transfer accounts with Bangkok bank
Ivan ************
@Ph**
there are still things your bank may want you to go back to the original branch for. Like if you have to get a new card, or this new biometric thing. I do think it's better to open one where you are, if possible.
Kim *********
@Ivan ***********
I got the biometric thing (photo) in Udon Thani - my account was opened in Pattaya. Also got a new bankbook in Udon Thani
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
yes I do know this. The not so new biometrics thing I did at the branch of Emporium. New card I did at Sukhumvit 71 branch. My branch is on Sukhumvit Rd diagonally opp. Sukhumvit soi 11.
Ivan ************
@Ph**
some things like the card has to be in the same province, not necessarily the same branch.
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
not for withdrawls from atm. 0 baht fee for scanning QR Code. ฿12for card interprovince fee. But already said you can get a new account and transfer to province from Pattaya.
Ivan ************
@Ph**
there are lots of things you can only do in the same province. I had to go personally to sign something to get reimbursed for fraud (that big hack that affected half of Thailand) and that needed to be done in my home branch too. Letters from the bank confirming balances or printed statements also. I know it's not impossible to use a card from a branch in another province and I know about the cardless ATM. Most of the time you don't need it but any time something like this comes up it becomes an issue and you'll wish you had a local bank.
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
why Don't you read my post!

"not for withdrawls from atm. 0 baht fee for scanning QR Code. ฿12for card interprovince fee. But already said you can get a new account and transfer to province from Pattaya"
Ivan ************
@Phil *****
sure, but I never said anything about ATM withdrawals. I said there was a lot of other stuff you need to do in your home province. So this is why you might want it in same province. It's not the stuff every day but I have had to go to my home bank several times over the years for something they could only do there.

I've never tried to move an account but I have read plenty of reports from other people who said this was impossible for them, and they had to open a new account, meeting all the criteria for that. I mean I had that experience opening a new account with the same bank branch I already had an account with for years, I still had to go get all the stuff they needed for a new account even though I was already a customer at the same branch.
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
atm withdrawls involve interprovince ฿12 fee. I cannot see your post anymore.

Yes and I said you can shift your account.

I shifted Bangkok sukhumvit soi 11 account to Pakchong in Lotus shopping centre and then back to Sukhumvit Rd branch opp soi11. So can be done and yes the open a NEW account transfer your balance and request old account to be closed. Although my account is in Sukhimvit Rd now I use my closest branch in sukhumvit soi 71 to do "the other stuff" you mention. No problem whatsoever including a new Mastercard. Yep didn't have to go back to my Sukhumvit Rd branch.

So I wouldn't recommend to the OP UNLESS I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

So he can get a Bangkok bank account with agent help from ฿3,500 in Pattaya or he can go from branch to branch and will probably jag one that will open an account for him.

End of story
Ivan ************
@Phil *****
I'll agree with you, if he absolutely can't get an account where he is, better to get one in another province than have no account at all. I was just saying it's not just about the interprovincial ATM fee, that there's a whole load of stuff you simply can't handle at a branch in another province and if you stay here a while you'll run into that sooner than later. So better have your account in the same province you live in.
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
ok what other stuff? Itemise it

No as I already say he can open a new bangkok bank account on the strength of having one already in the province of his choosing so that's NO ISSUE. if you have input then direct it to the OP not me as I'm going on experience and friends how did.

Yep he wants an account in Thailand as as yet the DTV does NOT allow this as its 180 days.
Ivan ************
@Phil *****
the DTV does allow this, how would he open an account in Pattaya if it didn't? Every branch has its own requirements. Possible to open in Chiang Mai as well but you need to follow the requirements and get a residence cert.
Phil ******
@Ivan ***********
not according to Bangkok bank and other posts as only 180 days. Yep agents can do in Pattaya ans a friend got an visa agent up there to open an account
Ivan ************
@Phil *****
and did you do this without needing any documentation to move it, like a lease or residence cert? This may depend on the branch, like I said I needed all the stuff again just to open a second account *at the same branch*. So it's not a given that a branch that refuses to open a new account for him would happily move one from another province without whatever it is they want for a new account. Plenty of reports from people saying they wouldn't. That doesn't mean your branch didn't, it just means it worked for your branch.
Conny **********
@Phil *****
one reason is that the agent cost is pretty ridiculous...
Kim *********
@Conny *********
really? 4-5000 baht is ridiculous? Unless the price has gone up of course
Phil ******
@Conny *********
from ฿3500 is ridiculous?
Conny **********
@Phil *****
absolutely. I have never been even close to that cost to open an account anywhere in the world. Especially not in a country that has a median income of 400 THB a day...
Kim *********
@Conny *********
400 baht a day is the minimum salary - certainly not the median income.
Ivan ************
@Kim ********
that's not the median income, that site is not reliable. Average wage is only 15,000 THB/month. Official stats from the BOT here:

************************************************************************************
Kim *********
@Ivan ***********
ahh that figures - I was very surprised at the 89k baht. Thanks 👍
Conny **********
@Kim ********
with a gdp per capita of 240.000 THB, and a Gini of 36 that 89k per month is totally impossible ....
Kim *********
@Conny *********
yes you are right - the link was incorrect. But so was your statement regarding the mean income.
Conny **********
@Kim ********
unfortunately not Palma is 6 in Thailand. So there isn't that much money left.
Kim *********
@Conny *********
well 5000 was what I paid some years ago when opening an account in BKK. Not to an agent but to the bank because they insisted I took an insurance
Phil ******
@Conny *********
my friend did this recently
Conny **********
@Phil *****
I am really fascinated that there are so many people that actually pay an agent ....
Kim *********
@Conny *********
for some it is necessary with a bank account and it is very easy with an agent
Ivan ************
@Kim ********
I agree with you though a foreigner on a DTV is not likely on Thai minimum wage and a few thousand shouldn't be a deal-breaker to get a bank account open if necessary. They probably can get it open for less themselves if they are willing to spend the time on it but will still probably have to pay for the residence cert. Agent could reduce the wait from several months to a few days.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Conny *********
I could understand that, Conny. Some people don't have the time nor want to go through all the confusion and in the end may not be successful if they do it by themselves. The agents of course, know the workaround and knowhow.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Conny *********
yes, that’s what I’m afraid of.
Phil ******
@Wabi *****
from ฿3500 is ridiculous?
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
If it is something that I can do by myself, I would like to save 3,500 Baht
Kim *********
@Wabi *****
some banks like Bangkok bank will ask you to get an insurance for 1 year - cost 5000 baht. So if you do it yourself you may get one without paying or you may not. Paying an agent 4-5000 baht or pay for an insurance you don't want - what's the difference apart from the fact that it is super easy with an agent and could save you a lot of time trying to find a bank
Phil ******
@Wabi *****
not with your visa. Good luck and go try many standalone branches
Erica ********
Employment in Thailand is prohibited for DTV holders.
Tore *********
Bank account get easier after 90 day report, then you can get recident certificate at immigration. But no-one have tried this yet with DTV (obviously)

Showing a 6 month medical plan may get accepted at some banks with visas above 6 months
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore ********
Thanks so much. Every time I visited the bank and I asked, they always said they need work permit. That’s why I got the impression the work permit is the only mandatory requirement.

From many answers here, it seems that it’s varied by banks and by branch 😊
Tore *********
@Wabi *****
very much vary indeed. Every branch seem to have different requirements. Bangkok seems especially difficult. Apparently Pattaya is easy and cheap with agent, but doesn’t make sense unless you stay/live in Pattaya.
Tim *********
Instead of work permit, you can open a bank account with a certificate of residence, available from Immigration
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tim ********
Thanks so much. If I have the lease contract from the condo owner then I need to go to immigration for them to issue the certificate of residence, right? Thanks so much.
Robert ***********
@Wabi *****
Let me say that you are probably going to get the residence certificate and still find you cannot open an account without an agent or extreme luck. Just FYI.
Henrik *****
You may not be able to get a resident certificat until you have stayed at least 3 month in a permanent adress, since the intention of the resident certificat, is to confirm that you have a permanent adress, and have stayed there at least 3 month.
Tim *********
@Wabi *****
yep that's the way to go. Immigration offices differ in their approach. In Jomtien you need your original condo contract and passport, with photocopies for them to keep, and 2 passport size photos. I read recently Bangkok (and others?) require you to have reported your first 90 days before they issue a Residency certificate, but Jomtien/Pattaya does not. Also, I personally found having the certificate cuts through all the negativity you can get from banks who seem unwilling to open an account.
Rich ****
@Tim ********
Even on an entry stamp or tourist visa? Seems they have really clamped down on this. I'm in Chiang Mai.
Vanessa ****************
@Tim ********
Sorry, I didn't understand. Are you saying that having a 1-year rental contract in a condominium gives you access to a residence permit?
Tim *********
@Vanessa ***************
No. It doesn't have to be a one-year contract. Mine is 6 months. I believe you can also get one if you have a 'long' hotel booking. Best to ask your local Immigration Office what their requirements are
Ivan ************
@Van****
it depends on the immigration office. Historically in Chiang Mai you could get a residence certificate even on a visa exempt entry without a rental contract, my first one years ago I just had to give my address, didn't need any contract at all. Different provinces have different requirements, in some an agent can make it easier.

Residence certificate is just a statement of your address from immigration, it has nothing to do with any official residence status. You may also be able to get this from your home country embassy, some will do it, some won't.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tim ********
Tim, thanks so much for your advice. I now know what I have to do. Thanks so much.
John *******
Not allowed to work under DTV, so no work permit
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
can DTV holder open the local bank account?
John **********
@Wabi *****
yes. The difficulty will be finding a branch of a bank that will allow you to. Every branch has its own rules so you just need to keep trying until you find one that will
John *******
@Wabi *****
probably not, but some branches might let you
Maksym ***********
DTV holders can't get work permit.

You can open account even on exemption stamp, just pay more 🙃
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Максим *********
Do you mean paying the agent more to open the bank account?
Maksym ***********
@Wabi *****
some bank branches can open account for you without agent. But ask to pay for insurance.

Different ways.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Graham *******
you cannot work, try using an agent to open bank acc, at the moment, probably impossible. Welcome to Thailand.
Wabi ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
So, work permit is not the requirement to open the bank account?
Ivan ************
@Wabi *****
you don't need a work permit for a bank account, it's just one option, if you don't have a work permit you need to show something else like a residence certificate or embassy letter. Everyone on a retirement extension has a Thai bank account but you can't get a work permit on that either.

You need to try multiple banks (ask which branch in your location) or just pay an agent to do it for you.
Pavol *******
@Wabi *****
no, its not
Graham *******
@Wabi *****
the requirements are changing all the time. I have a retiree visa, I have a bank account. If u have a WP you will probably get an account, DTV does not give WP.You need some visa status to get an acc, ypou do not get a visa at the airport on arrival.
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else