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Can I work remotely as a digital nomad while on a DTV soft power visa in Thailand?
Feb 19, 2026
2 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everyone. Does anyone have experience in working remotely (freelance / digital nomad) with a DTV soft power? TH embassy feedback is not clear and I got different answers by AI (Grok/Gemini saying it is fine while ChatGPT/Claude saying iy is not 🙂). Tks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether individuals on a DTV (Digital Tourism Visa) soft power can work remotely while in Thailand. Responses indicate mixed opinions, with some confirming that it is permissible to work remotely for foreign clients while participating in soft power activities, as both fall under the same DTV framework. However, others emphasize that official visa rules prohibit such activities under certain conditions, specifically cautioning against working for Thai companies or clients. The official stance from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the notion that remote work is allowed, as long as it complies with specified visa restrictions.
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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Anonymous ******************
How would anyone know that you are working remotely?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 759 That is indeed the reason why a lot of people think they can work remote in Thailand, and I agree, when I am in my own house, nobody sees , but that does not make it legal.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Jarek ******
Also thought it wasn't allowed but looks like it is:
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the DTV as covering foreigners on a tourist stay who are working remotely, and it includes both:
Workcation (digital nomads / remote workers)
Thai Soft Power activities (e.g., Muay Thai, cooking, sports, etc.)
So Soft Power and remote work are within the same DTV framework, not mutually exclusive categories."
Official MFA DTV information sheet:
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the DTV as covering foreigners on a tourist stay who are working remotely, and it includes both:
Workcation (digital nomads / remote workers)
Thai Soft Power activities (e.g., Muay Thai, cooking, sports, etc.)
So Soft Power and remote work are within the same DTV framework, not mutually exclusive categories."
Official MFA DTV information sheet:
***********************************************************************************
%28DTV%29_Multiple_EN_FR_Dutch.pdfMason *******
@Luit ****************
So It is important then as it contains all your visa info. Got it now thanks.Mason *******
@Luit ****************
So what is the purpose of this PDF?Luit *****************
@Mason ******
The purpose is that you can show you have a visa, for example when you check in at airline.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
It doesn't say the category on mine either. Not to worry.Luit *****************
@Mason ******
What it says on the PDF is not importantReply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
You claim these 3 DTV categories. I'm just asking which one it says on yours. It's not that difficult to understand....Luit *****************
It is not difficult at all to understand what you ask, but I always get a little bit suspicious if somebody starts asking personal details that are irrelevant to the discussion.
Besides, I am not CLAIMING anything, I just present the information the way MFA presents all the different visa.
Thai visa are all categorized in main groups called Visa Type, like Tourist Visa, DTV visa, Transit, Diplomatic. LTR and Non Immigrant and some others.
Then these main groups have based on purpose of visit the individual visa.
Besides, I am not CLAIMING anything, I just present the information the way MFA presents all the different visa.
Thai visa are all categorized in main groups called Visa Type, like Tourist Visa, DTV visa, Transit, Diplomatic. LTR and Non Immigrant and some others.
Then these main groups have based on purpose of visit the individual visa.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
You don't have a DTV?Luit *****************
Why is that of any interest? Is this a kind of interrogation?
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
What category does it say on your visa?Luit *****************
What has my visa to do with this discussion?
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
So why are you comparing a DTV to Non O visas? Why not compare it to other tourist visas so it's like for like.Luit *****************
@Mason ******
I am not comparing visa's, I only say that one type of a category can not be changed by yourself to a different type, not for non-o and also not for DTV or TR.There are three types of DTV, you cannot change yourself from one type to the other.
DTV 1 (digital nomad) is just different from DTV 2 (soft power) or DTV 3 (dependant)
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
Tourist visas don't have different categories. See Jareks link above.Luit *****************
@Mason ******
DTV category comes in 3 types, TR category comes in 7 types.The link of Jarek is nice, but is only a description of a single embassy, describing all 3 types in the same document.
It does not say anywhere that you can choose 2 types at the same time, and the evisa site will not allow you.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Mason *******
@Jarek *****
Correct ✅Luit *****************
@Mason ******
No, not correct, DTV category exists of 3 types, you have to choose 1 of them, so in fact they are mutually exclusive.But since you don't need to have a visa for doing softpower activities you can do those activities when yo have DTV workcation, but your visa and the requirements are still workcation,
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
What category does it say on your visa?Reply to
Mason *******
Reply
Luit *****************
@Jarek *****
The fact that both are within the same framework does not make them the same and possible to change for an applicant himself.Just like you cannot change from Non-o marriage to non-o retirement without immigration or apply again.
Mason *******
@Luit ****************
DTV is a tourist visa stop getting confused.Luit *****************
@Mason ******
Did I say it is not?Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jarek *****
thanks but for some reason, the link you shared is not working. Do you mind resharing? TksJarek ******
Anonymous participant not sure why but FB screws it up, tried adding it couple of times :( try to maybe Google search for the file name.
Reply to
Jarek ******
Reply
Robert *******
Official it is against the visa rules.
If you want to work online you choose the purpose workcation.
You can not change, mix and match visa requirements.
If you want to work online you choose the purpose workcation.
You can not change, mix and match visa requirements.
Khun ******
@Robert ******
And your screenshot in a FB group even proves you wrong. It says Workation And Soft power. And not OR like you're saying.ذيہ ******
@Khun *****
Agreed. It's ridiculous to think someone who applied via SP and later gets a remote job has to reapply via workation. When it's clearly the same visa.Luit *****************
@ذيہ *****
It is not the same visa, only the .same category, but just a different typeRobert *******
@ذيہ *****
yep. it is also ridiculous that people in Thailand have to leave to apply for a new visa if they want to work on line or in Thailand. Or people has to leave and apply if they want to learn at a school.Rules and regulations might be ridiculous for you, but you have two options: 1 is follow them or 2 ignore them and face the consquences.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Khun ******
@Robert ******
Maybe you should block me to help you stop reacting my friend 😆Robert *******
@Khun *****
No, it is to much fun to see how people get spammed with nonsense.I leave it up to moderators and admins to make such decisions.
Keep op the spamming and trolling, some people might like it.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Jarek ******
@Khun *****
yes I deleted my comment as after further looking into it, it actually does look like you're allowed to have a remote job."The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the DTV as covering foreigners on a tourist stay who are working remotely, and it includes both:
Workcation (digital nomads / remote workers)
Thai Soft Power activities (e.g., Muay Thai, cooking, sports, etc.)
So Soft Power and remote work are within the same DTV framework, not mutually exclusive categories. "
Robert *******
@Jarek *****
In the same framework>Retirement, being a child of visa holder, witness in law suits, volunteer,
stay with Thai family or even NON Thai family, working in Thailand, being a monk, doing research to name a few different purpose of the Non Immigrant visa and the list is much longer.
Yep the title may be the same, DTV or Non Immigrant, but the purpose set the requirements and the rules.
You boys and girls think that mix and match in your favour is allowed after choosing a purpose of visit.
Example, why you choose Chang, Leo, Singha or other branch as it is all BEER
Do you refill the regency bottles with Sangsom as it is all whiskey but it looks more expensive?
Jarek ******
@Robert ******
I understand your analogy, but immigration law is not like choosing beer brands.Yes, purpose matters under Thai visa law. Retirement, volunteer, education and others each have their own rules.
But the DTV is structured differently from traditional Non-Immigrant visas.
The official description of DTV includes Thai soft power activities and working remotely. Remote work is not something people are adding later. It is written into the framework of the visa.
The restriction is clear:
• No Thai work permit
• No employment with Thai companies
• No freelance work for Thai clients
If someone performs remote work for foreign clients and is not working for Thai entities, that fits within the remote work concept of DTV.
That is not mixing and matching. It is following the published conditions.
If someone works for Thai clients, that is clearly not allowed...
Khun ******
@Jarek *****
Exactly. It's just a tourist visa and so many get confused and compare it to Non Os.Khun ******
@Jarek *****
Exactly. Thanks for admitting you were wrong. It's very hard for some people as you can see.Reply to
Khun ******
Reply
Robert *******
@Khun *****
a print screen of a topic in this forum is NOW an OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT from the Thai Minsitry of Foreign Affairs.This new policy is made by Khun Sean.
LOL
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Robert *******
@Khun *****
Yep, a Non Immigrant O is an Non Immigrant O.So if you apply for being over 50 years of age, you can extend using the less financial requirements as being married and apply for a work permit.
Or extend without finances as you are depening on your parents.
IT is all the same.
again, the foreigner does not set the requirements of a visa or extension of stay.
again, a foreigner is not allowed to mix and match requiremetns.
have a nice day fixing your bank accounts as you find out, mix and match does not work
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Khun ******
@Robert ******
A DTV holder can work remotely and participate in soft power activities. Please educate yourself my friend. You will reach expert one day.Luit *****************
@Khun *****
Whooh, you managed to say something correct!Indeed a DTV holder can work remotely and participate in soft power activities.
He then has to apply for workcation, and the soft power activity is just open to everyone, regardless having visa or not.
Khun ******
@Luit ****************
Wrong again Luity, nice try.Reply to
Khun ******
Reply
Robert *******
@Khun *****
PLEASE, yesterday you kept going until others told you , that you are wrong.Do not humiiltate yourself on a daily basis.
Show an official statement, not a request for a document as proof.
You may keep on going posting nonsens, I will stop reacting.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Robert *******
@Khun *****
I advice people according the official rules and regulations.I never spread misinformation BUT more than willing to stop.
Will you stop telliing people it is good to be illegal in Thailand?
These are the options, it is NOT you who can mix and match
Irfy****
@Robert ******
exactlyApply as remote worker and in spare time they can do their soft skills separately.
They can even state their intentions in their covering letter.
But applying for soft skill whilst being a remote worker is silly to me and against the visa rules.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERIrfy7674 reason behind is that I am transitioning to thailand while opening my own business so that i will not have any invoicing record yet by the time i will apply for dtv...
Robert *******
Irfy7674 Watch out, if Sean read problems will rise.
Irfy****
@Robert ******
someone trying to sell their services me thinks….Reply to
Irfy****
Reply
Khun ******
@Robert ******
Again that's incorrect my friend. This is a request from a soft power application.Robert *******
@Khun *****
Where does it say you are allowed to work?But I know aleady, you are not interested in rules and regulations, your are only here to troll and explain that illegal is legal.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Khun ******
No problem. It doesn't matter how you applied you can work remotely.
Chris **********
I'm on DTV soft power, with an income with no Thai affiliation whatsoever and it's not an issue.
Luit *****************
@Chris *********
As long as you don't work when you are in Thailand it indeed is no issue.Chris **********
@Luit ****************
I really have to commend you on your commitment to your level of understanding on the matterLuit *****************
@Chris *********
thx, but not necessaryReply to
Luit *****************
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