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Can I switch from a Thai work permit to a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) without issues?
Thai Work PermitDigital Nomad VisaVisa TransitionImmigration ProcessExpat Life in ThailandFreelancing in Thailand
Oct 31, 2024
2 years ago
Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHello, anyone holding Thai work permit before and change to DTV successfully? Work permit is too expensive and DTV is way cheaper.
Thank you
Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the possibility of transitioning from a Thai work permit to a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV). It highlights the important consideration that DTV holders are not allowed to work in Thailand, raising concerns for those involved in freelancing or owning a company. Participants share insights about the necessary steps to cancel a work permit, apply for DTV, and meet income requirements. The discussion touches on potential issues with immigration offices if one claims to work outside Thailand while switching visas, indicating a complex process involving compliance with Thai immigration laws.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Sefton ********
People have done this.. But I would assume embassys are going to look very closely at it. Make sur eeverything is detail focused and clear.
Wanidtha ************
I have got someone is trying to do it like you .
Greg *******
@Philip ****
Here’s a suggested path of the process:Resign as Director: Step down from your position as the director and appoint a Thai director to replace you. The new director will then cancel your work permit and visa.
Apply for DTV: Once your work permit and visa are canceled, you can apply for a DTV
Income Requirements:
If your overseas income has been deposited into your personal account, you should meet the DTV requirements without issues.
If your income went into the corporate account, DTV approval will be very very hard. Only show income and work personally you did. You may want to consider a temporary dtv setup while you gather the necessary document such as Muay Thai or cooking.
Fall Back Plan:
If the DTV application doesn’t work out, you can always revert to managing the company. Reapply for your visa and work permit to resume your role as director and your staff are still employed.
Mike ********
I am going through a similar process shortly. I have a work permit through my company that I recently sold my shares of. So will cancel my work permit and visa and get DTV. Difference is the job I had for the company is different to the job I will apply for DTV with as I work remotely in an unrelated job. I never thought they may question why I cancelled a work permit to get DTV but it’s all legitimate so guess I will have to just cross my fingers.
Wesley ********
Completely different scenario
John **********
All you can do is try it and see. I'd definitely cancel the work permit and Non-B extension before going to apply though
Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I will do it and hopefully someone have this experience and can share to meReply to
Philip *****
Reply
Wannikea *********
3100 baht a year for work permit is expensive?
Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
not just application fee, have company cost and staff cost alsoSiggi *******
@Philip ****
absolute nonsense to create a company for digital work outside Thailand as you never needed a work permit for it. Nonsense moveSefton ********
@Siggi ******
yes you did.. As has been proven by people arrested and deported for exactly that crime.Reply to
Sefton ********
Reply
Wannikea *********
@Philip ****
ahh, with your own business, understood.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTERReply all, actually I am a freelancer. I set up a company and get a work permit in Thailand before, because there’s no DTV and I am too young to get retirement visa, don’t want elite card as it is a at least 5 years commitment, don’t want grey area student visa as I always need to travel in & out Thailand. All my income is not from Thailand, I just love to stay here to work for my freelance job. DTV is designed for me.
But I afraid that immigration office will think I get a DTV and work in Thailand if I change to get DTV now
But I afraid that immigration office will think I get a DTV and work in Thailand if I change to get DTV now
Wesley ********
cancel your work permit , leave copy try, apply DTV ,
John *******
@Philip ****
the problem is, while you say all of your work is outside of Thailand, by having gone the work permit route, you have already claimed that this job is Thailand based. If nothing is changing in your employment, it could be a red flagPhilip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
I have never worked anything in Thailand, just set up a company for getting a work permit. Sure I pay tax and hire some staff, but all for visa purpose, no work here at allJohn *******
@Philip ****
- I get that, but on paper, you have a work permit, and I understand it was meant to get a visa, but you can’t say that to the consular. That would be saying you elaborately created something to get a visa that you technically didn’t qualify for. You see the problem, right?Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
yes, but I put some of my income in Thailand which I don’t have to if I don’t need to visa, also hire some staff too. Everything is under their legal requirementJohn *******
@Philip ****
good luck.Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTERThat’s why I want to ask here to see anyone have similar situation like me
Elías ********
@Philip ****
are you closing the company and firing everybody before moving to the DTV? As I understand you can't own a company, neither you can hire people on a DTV.Siggi *******
@Elías *******
you can own hundreds of companies and employ people, why you post such nonsense?Elías ********
@Siggi ******
on a DTV visa? No! As the OP is talking of a Thai company (registered in Thailand), that's definitely not allowed on a DTV. DTV holders can own companies ABROAD.Siggi *******
@Elías *******
no you can own any company in Thailand with any visa or without visa. You can't get a work permit without a non b. But he never needed a company as for online work there is and never was a permission as no country can issue a work permit for online workPhilip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Elías *******
I hire the staff only for visa purpose, they don’t really have work. Be frank, I cannot be like that forever too, I think the staff would understand also And this is a tough decision for me too, I am not sure I will get rejected by immigration or not then start everything all over again.
Greg ********
@Philip ****
Will you just close the company etc? Interesting scenario. I have told ex colleague to do it the other way around. Come on DTV, no business in Thailand but if need staff in future open company and move over.Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
I can close my company if I can confirm DTV no problems.If I cannot confirm, close now, DTV rejected in the end, that will make me in trouble and I have to do everything from zero again 😅😅
Greg ********
@Philip ****
Understand your situation. Hope it works out for you. The company might be worth something as a going concern for the WP etcPhilip *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
different decision to make 😂😂Greg ********
@Philip ****
I had one the other week. Ex Boss who is now COO at consultancy called me out of blue. She arranged interview with her CEO for pretty much a guaranteed role. A few days before the interview I realised, Nah, she is a nightmare to work for and it's all in fighting and office politics with her. Cancelled the interview. She was not happy. I will work developing a startup with another ex colleague who is a nice guy.Philip *****
ORIGINAL POSTERConsidering the rental cost I save, and I don’t live in my home country for 183 days which I don’t need to pay tax, lower living expenses, the cost I used to set up company for work permit is considered to be ok
But with DTV now, it’s a much better options
But with DTV now, it’s a much better options
Reply to
Philip *****
Reply
Robert ***********
Don't know what you are trying to do but a DTV is not a replacement for a work permit. You cannot work a thai based job on DTV.
Sefton ********
@Robert **********
They are not.. They had a work permit before to legally work online from Thailand.Reply to
Sefton ********
Reply
Alessandro *********
They serve different purposes, what's the point of comparing? With one you work and the other is a tourist visa, so what if one is cheaper and one more expensive?
If you have to work no matter the cost, you need a working visa, even if DTV is cheaper doesn't allow to work, what kind of mental gymnastic are you trying to do here?
If you have to work no matter the cost, you need a working visa, even if DTV is cheaper doesn't allow to work, what kind of mental gymnastic are you trying to do here?
Sefton ********
@Alessandro ********
They didnt work in Thailand. Previously to work online you still needed a work permit even if you had no Thai clients, with the DTV that is not the case.Reply to
Sefton ********
Reply
Andy ************
You can't work in Thailand on DTV
Ko *****************
Pls be reminded that DTV is not allowed to work in Thailand.
Reply to
Ko *****************
Reply
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