Can I qualify for the DTV visa while working for a company that opens a cost center in Thailand?

Question

Hoping to get some help/guidance with my prospective DTV.

I've been looking into ways where I can live and work from Thailand, I hit every qualifying point on the LTR visa except the minimum individual income requirements, I don't make $80,000 USD per year individually myself.

The DTV seems like the way, except it seems a bit confusing or I've been getting some contradicting information on it:

• I live and work in Canada currently (Canadian Passport Holder)
• My company trades on a major stock exchange and is headquartered in USA. It does allow me to work remotely.
• The company I work for has "entities" and cost centers it can open from various locations globally where it can allow me to transfer to and work from.
• Although I don't yet have $22,000 CAD saved to show in my bank (500K THB equivalent), I should be able to come up with this in short order - likely by April.

The issue or contradicting information I'm running into is whether I'd be able to qualify for the DTV based on my company credentials. As mentioned above, the company has "global entities" and cost centers they would open up for various locations globally. Currently the company does have a position they could transfer me to and have me work from the APAC (Asia-Pacific) Region. They would open a "cost center" for me in Thailand, and essentially I would be getting paid in THB while working remotely in Thailand. This is where I believe the trouble is, as in order to qualify for the DTV, the income I'm making would need to be coming from _outside_ of Thailand - is this correct? And if so, what signifies or defines that exactly? Income sent to my Canadian Bank account (regardless of what currency it's being deposited as)? A work certificate stating that I'm a Canadian citizen working for a USA corporation being paid in Canadian dollars versus THB?

I probably didn't explain the situation as best as I could here so please feel free to ask any clarifying questions to help guide me along with this 😊

I will also use this time to ask for any leads to a well respected agency that could help with my DTV application if anyone knows - thank you in advance!

- Danish

Ask Thailand · Answer

Danish is exploring the possibility of living and working from Thailand under the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) but has concerns about meeting the income requirements. He works remotely for a Canadian company that may open a cost center in Thailand for him, but he is unsure if this would meet the DTV criteria since the income needs to be foreign-sourced. The replies indicate that income must be paid by a foreign employer and deposited in a non-Thai account, implying that if paid in THB from a local entity, it may complicate his eligibility. Suggestions include checking updated LTR visa requirements as a potentially simpler alternative, and obtaining clear documentation to support his application. Additionally, Danish is looking for recommendations for reputable agencies that assist with DTV applications.

David *********** · Answer

Hi Danish, based on the official DTV guidelines, your qualifying income must be considered foreign-sourced—that is, it should ideally be paid by a foreign employer and deposited in a non-Thai account, even if later converted to THB. If your company transfers you and pays you directly in THB through a local cost center, that income could be interpreted as local, which might complicate your DTV application. I recommend obtaining clear documentation (such as a work certificate or detailed employment letter) that explicitly states your income originates from a foreign entity, or that your salary is remitted to a Canadian account. For personalized advice tailored to your unique situation, please consult a reputable agency or an expert immigration lawyer who specializes in Thai visas.

Werner ************ · Answer

You don’t meet the requirements, no matter how much you play up some sort of business if you don’t have 500,000 baht in a account in your name available to you with a history you are not eligible

John ********** · Answer

If you are working through a Thai entity you would require a Non-B visa and work permit. With a DTV you can't have any work interaction with a Thai entity

Greg ******** · Answer

As suggested above look at new LTR rulels first. If you can get it then it is a better option. As for DTV I think you identified your problem with DTV anyway. The Thailand "Cost Centre" would probably prohibit it and coukd cause unnecessary confusion. Just keep working from Canada with salary paid into Canadian bank. Letter from employer allowing remote work, from Thailand. Keep it simple.

Wannikea ********* · Answer

Apparently the LTR VISA requirements were just adjusted/lowered within the last month. Maybe you can research some more recent data in an LTR group

Can I qualify for the DTV visa while working for a company that opens a cost center in Thailand?

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