Unanswered2 years ago

Can I apply for a DTV in Thailand as a self-employed individual conducting market research for a future office?

DTV Visa Market Research Self-Employment Visa Application Non-B Visa Thailand Immigration

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

asked Nov 20, 2024

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I am self-employed in Europe. To apply for a DTV I anticipate to write a cover letter that I need to do ongoing market research in Thailand with the aim of establishing a regional office in Bangkok. I cannot submit any client contract at this stage. Would this work to get the DTV? All other required documents, such as bank statement etc, I have.

Summary so far

The user queries whether their plan to conduct market research in Thailand for establishing a regional office would be sufficient to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV). Community feedback overwhelmingly suggests that this approach will likely lead to rejection, as the DTV is intended strictly for remote work with non-Thai companies. Suggestions indicate seeking a Non-B business visa for such activities instead.

13 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Kevin ********

You will be rejected. You cannot work that way on DTV in Thailand. I appreciate the thought behind it and why you would explain it that way, but it would be rejected if you put that.

2 years ago

Wesley ********

This sounds exactly like what not to say.

2 years ago

Lena *******

@Wesley *******

I was going to say that. @Anon you need to keep all work away from Thailand. Even suggestions of it.

2 years ago

John **********

You won't get a DTV based on that. Either go with working remotely for your own company or get a Non-B business visa that covers this type of activity

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2 years ago

Brian *********

That would be effective at getting you rejected I suspect…

The intention is for real remote employees to work from Thailand on business that is not Thai related.

Second, if you haven’t done the market research, why would the goal be to set up a regional office in bkk?

I think they’d shoot this full of holes tbh

2 years ago

Myles *******

2 years ago

Paul *******

Do NOT submit anything that mentions you want to work in Thailand (meaning for a Thai company or company based in Thailand) or with Thai entities.

Once you're over here, you could do some research and look into establishing a regional office. Upon doing this, you'll need to change over from the DTV to an appropriate visa.

2 years ago

Greg ********

You are stating there you are working in Thailand though are you not. Who will you be researching? Thai people or businesses? Foreign residents or visitors? I think this might fall into the "B" visitor category. If you really want the DTV I woukd try another option

2 years ago

Andi ***********

@Greg *******

Agree on the B visitor category

2 years ago

Greg ********

@Andi **********

We asked foir Multi-B in Singapore as we came up arond 10 times a year to the Thai office, spoke at conferences, trained the Thai's, visitied hospitals and clinics. Would not give us multi - said apply for singles. Bollox to that - our passports only lasted a couple of years anyway with other visas. We just did it in Visa Exempt.

2 years ago

Greg ********

@Andi **********

We were a major Global Big Pharma. I worked for a global Japanese company after. BOI in Thailand so visas never an issue. They are celebrating 50 years in Thailland this year and I heard the budget is large to promote it.

2 years ago

Andi ***********

@Greg *******

Yeah the B visa can be a nightmare to obtain. I know some Japanese firms had problems with that. Visa Exempt is an easy way round that.

2 years ago

Andi ***********

DTV is for online work with non-Thai companies.

2 years ago