This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I work on my small business while on a Non-Immigrant B visa and teaching in Thailand?
Non-immigrant visa BThailand work visaTeaching English in ThailandStarting a business in ThailandTax regulations in Thailand
Mar 25, 2025
a year ago
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI am currently seeking work in a school teaching english in Thailand (fully qualified) and therefore, assume I will be applying for a Non-immigrant visa “B” once (if) I get a job offer.
I have my own small graphic design business, currently registered in Ireland. if I would like to carry out work while living in Thailand on this visa, while still working at a school, will I also need to apply for a DTV visa? Should I transfer my business to Thailand instead? I understand that if I will be living here more than 183 days a year, that I will need to pay taxes in Thailand.
tl;dr Can I work on my small business while on a Visa B and teaching in a school?
I have my own small graphic design business, currently registered in Ireland. if I would like to carry out work while living in Thailand on this visa, while still working at a school, will I also need to apply for a DTV visa? Should I transfer my business to Thailand instead? I understand that if I will be living here more than 183 days a year, that I will need to pay taxes in Thailand.
tl;dr Can I work on my small business while on a Visa B and teaching in a school?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual wishes to know if they can operate their small graphic design business while holding a Non-immigrant visa 'B' for teaching in Thailand. They seek clarification on whether they need a DTV visa for their business and are aware of the tax implications if they reside in Thailand for over 183 days.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Frank **********
You are only allowed to be on one Visa at a time. With a DTV you cannot establish an actual business in Thailand and any Thai customers. Your business and customers would be online only.
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank *********
Thanks the info. And, yes my clients are based in Ireland. My question is can I legally work as a teacher in Thailand while still working on my small online business?Roman **********
@Rachael ******
If a tree falls in a forest and no one heard it, did it really fall? The main thing will be where you are declaring tax, remitting income and ensuring its a foreign company with no jurisdiction.
Braulio *********
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks so much for your help!
Frank **********
@Rachael ******
a lot of people do it. As long as all your customers are out of country you should be fine but I wouldn't tell anyone.Mikkel *******
@Rachael ******
your best move forward, If you are set on working as a teacher in Thailand, is getting the correct visa/work permit for that, and keep everything you are doing online on the down low. Don't advertise for customers in Thailand. Don't be loud about doing it. Nobody would know if you did or not if you don't advertise it. And if it's legit only remote online work, not in any way related to Thailand, then nobody here will care. On the other hand you could get a DTV letting you legally stay in Thailand for 5 years, and working for a remote company (or yourself online, not for Thai customers), but it's still a tourist visa and not possible to get a work permit with, which you WILL need to actually work as a teacher.
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikkel ******
thank you!Reply to
Rachael *******
Reply
John **********
@Rachael ******
not legally. To work as a teacher you will need a Non-B visa and associated work permit via the school you will work forReply to
John **********
Reply
Garrett ***********
Why make things more difficult for yourself?
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
I understand DTV may not be the solution ☺️Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay thanks. I was under the impression a DTV was for digital nomads with their own businesses? My business is registered in Europe and all my clients are from there.
John **********
@Rachael ******
yes but you can't work for any thai entity on a DTV and you can't simultaneously hold 2 visasRachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
amazing! All makes sense now. Thank you 🙏🏻Reply to
Rachael *******
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Rachael ******
You can't work in a DTV. If your graphic design business has nothing to do with Thailand than don't even mention it.Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Rachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
sorry, I don’t understand how I am making things difficult? I am an english teacher and want to work in a school in Thailand but I don’t want to give up my freelance business. Just looking for advice.Thaimer ******
@Rachael ******
you’re making things difficult as graphic design is online business. You can do that without anyone knowing you’re doing it in ThailandRachael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thaimer *****
oh . . okay haha. So I should just stay quiet I guess? 😅😅Thaimer ******
@Rachael ******
yep. Just keep doing what you do. If you try to “legalize it” you’ll just complicate thingsReply to
Thaimer ******
Reply
3 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
32 comments
a year ago
45 comments
a year ago
11 comments
a year ago
11 comments
a year ago
38 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
20 comments
a year ago
21 comments
a year ago
28 comments
a year ago
13 comments
a year ago
72 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
3 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
35 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
2 years ago
42 comments
3 years ago
18 comments
4 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.