Answered6 months ago
Can I work remotely for a US company while on a retirement visa in Thailand?
If I get a retirement Visa, I know i can’t work for a Thailand company. Can I still work for my company in the US?
Answer summary
While a retirement visa in Thailand does not legally permit holders to work, many expats question the feasibility of working remotely for foreign companies, such as those based in the US. Most community comments suggest that while technically illegal, many individuals do work remotely without facing consequences. However, formal options like the DTV (Digital Work Visa) and LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa are available specifically for remote work, making them more suitable for those planning to reside in Thailand while maintaining foreign employment.
77 repliesnewest first
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Tong ******
As long as they don't know.
Richard ********
Look into the LTR or DTV visas?
Karl ********
After this you can start your very own Thai expat visa company .
Jeff *************
My question is will you be doing computer work here for the US? If so you would be taxed here too
Jane ********
I saw YouTube video saying that as long as that money doesn’t come into the country you may be able to do it and not encourage any tax liability as well. But have the money go into a bank account that does not then come into the country. Like have all money earned deposited into one account and then if you transfer that moneyinto the account that then transfer into an Thailand account that may be a way to do it.
Robo ********
OPThanks for advice, i’ll go for the ltr remote or dtv.
Tohksic ******
PE TPC privilege visa.
Paul ********
Dude you can't even do your own own gardening on a retirement visa. If a neighbour reported you you could be in trouble. That would be the far extent granted. But no I wouldn't chance anything. If you have that visa, then sit back, relax , and enjoy your retirement.
Ole ***************
Paul Horgan Sure you can at your own place, can even do your own house maintenance such as painting and fixing. That is not consider as jobs. When you work in Thailand you get a nice folder from department of employment explain all this for you
Paul ********
Ole Kristoffersen your right. But I'm just saying if they wanted to, they could be fecetious. They have the rules.
Ole ***************
Paul Horgan Maybe, but not by law, and i never hear about anything like that happen in Thailand during my stays there, partially from 1979, and also during the 19 years i worked there. Many people still belive you cant do work on your own or your spouses property, that is not tru and not a part of the foreign work ACT.
Mick *****
Short answer - NO, you're retired! There are visas that allow it and you are best to get one of them. Of course there are dozens that will tell you just do it and you won't get caught, of course if you were to get caught you will face deportation and a ban so it makes more sense to do it properly.
Kool *******
As long as you keep your mouth shut you'll be fine. Thailand does monitor the internet, and social media.
Karl ********
Kool Breez too late. Fbook is replacing chat got it seems lol
Ian ********
The retirement visa is for retirees. You're not retired. Will they check? Maybe not if the money keeps coming in.
Jeff ************
No no no ! you can never work again !! You must absolutely be expendable judging from the question. I'm sorry but are you 10 ? You must consider yourself to be one of those digital nomads . Don't worry about all the money you're not going to make 🤣
Charoen *******
Legally, you can do it illegally. I recommend this method as you will never get caught.
Gary ***********
Legally, no
Ole ***************
I beeen working 19 years in Thailand, it is your employer that applies for you, you need a Non B visa and you are not permitted to work before the blue book from department of employment is signed and up to date, and your work is only limited to the specification in the book and 1 employer...belive me, it is not easy if you not have a very high degree of education
Brandon ************
@Ole **************
Not applicable to the OP because their employer is not in Thailand. Work permits are only for companies in Thailand.Ole ***************
@Brandon ***********
Yes, that is why i answer like i did, as he aske "how to work for a Thailand company"
Marcel ********
If you work remotely and get paid us bank account they won't know and generally don't care as you aren't taking Thai jobs
You can have DTV visa that's what it's for
You can have DTV visa that's what it's for
Michael *************
You can work if you do not take a Thai persons position or job essentially. You do not need a work visa to work remotely. The DTV… gives you ability to stay in the kingdom… just like a non o or non o-a if you qualify. They both do not allow you to earn in the kingdom… but you can earn outside the kingdom. You may have a tax filing issue if you earn and stay over 180 days.
John **********
There are only 2 visas that allow you to legally work remotely from Thailand. The DTV based on Workation and the LTR Work From Thailand Professional.
Dany ********
@John *********
how did the tens of thausands of longtime remote works do it legaly before? i mean all the maried to a thai remote workers. i bet they just worked and never got an issue 🤷♀️John **********
@Dany *******
legally they didn't and don'tGraeme ******
@John *********
you can also work remotely if you get your DTV based on a soft power. The DTV is the same irrespective of how you gained itJohn **********
@Graeme *****
I don't believe that to be true. A visa is issued for the purpose you apply forGraeme ******
Greg Alexander thats ok your call. But it is legal to work remotely on any DTV. If you want to extend in country then you have to use the same method as gaining it in the first place, However you are still allowed to work remotely. I can pull up many documents that also say you can. Im happy with my conversations with the London embassy and they assure me you can work. So thanks but im happy with the information I already have
Greg ***********
Graeme Mort I tend to disagree.There ACTUALLY are three different DTV: DTV1, DTV2 and DTV3. The fact that the .pdf visa document does not list the purpose the DTV was issued for, does not mean Immigration cannot check the purpose in their Central Computer. If you have booked a soft power, you are not allowed to work remotely.
Graeme ******
@John *********
that maybe but the DTV is the DTV which allows you to work remotely legally. There isnt a DTV 1 and a DTV 2 so as long as you have a DTV you can work remotely. We will have to agree to disagree but I am happy with the answer from the powers that issue it.John **********
@Graeme *****
a Thai embassy doesn't control what happens inside ThailandGraeme ******
@John *********
I assure you it is true. There is just 1 DTV that can be gained via 2 routes. I have checked this with the thai embassy in London who have confirmed it.
Law ********
How dumb is that?! You're not retired if you still work!! 😕
Brandon ************
@Law *******
That's fine because there's no such thing as a retirement visa for Thailand. There's a visa for anyone over the age of 50, but people call it a retirement visa.
Paul **********
@Brandon ***********
it says 'based on retirement' in the government websitePaul **********
@Brandon ***********
an non retirement visa that can be obtained by showing monthly pension payments, you're arguing semantics.Brandon ************
@Paul *********
try reading the law that created it. It doesn't say anything about retirement. It's officially a visa for someone 50+ to live out their remaining days in Thailand
Sam ***********
Law Darren might be retired from another occupation and now doing something else
Sean **********
Law Darren lots of people semi-retire. officially start collecting pension but work part time to supplement.
WhitePho********
Not on the retirement visa - remote work is explicitly forbidden.
Dtv allows for it with the proper paperwork. The privilege visa also allows it - confirmed with member services. The LTR will also allow it. With Dtv remember that every entry you could be asked to show all updated dated paperwork that you showed to apply, up to IO discretion.
Dtv allows for it with the proper paperwork. The privilege visa also allows it - confirmed with member services. The LTR will also allow it. With Dtv remember that every entry you could be asked to show all updated dated paperwork that you showed to apply, up to IO discretion.
Graeme ******
WhitePhoenix5046 never heard of anyone with a DTV having to show their papers everytime they re enter thailand, where is your evidence?
Mike *******
Graeme Mort agree 👍 I've been in and out at least 10 times on my DTV, never been asked to provide paperwork, I have heard this scaremongering before though, usually by people who don't actually have a DTV and listen to too much fake news 🤔 🤣
Graeme ******
Mike Smith i agree some one just making stuff up again. I have a DTV and been in and out many times and have only had a smile and off you go from immigration
WhitePho********
Graeme Mort I know one person that had to show the 500k money in the bank, one who was refused entry for not having updated contract for work. Others have reported here and other groups the same thing - as well as the inability to open a bank account or actually receive an extension. It isn’t common place but it can and will be used against anyone they want.
They also state this in immigration- they can ask for literally any of it. Dtv is good for what it’s intended for but trying to have an established indefinite life here, it’s the least desirable of the workable options. It’s just popular because it’s the cheapest…
They also state this in immigration- they can ask for literally any of it. Dtv is good for what it’s intended for but trying to have an established indefinite life here, it’s the least desirable of the workable options. It’s just popular because it’s the cheapest…
WhitePho********
Alan Turnbull here it is Alan. Literally any info about the Dtv will tell you that they CAN ask, although not routine. It has, can and will continue to happen occasionally. I would guess certain countries receive more scrutiny than others as well as certain Dtv routes. They called one dudes Muay Thai gym from the airport….
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WhitePho********
WhitePhoenix5046 here’s just one link from the easiest search in this very group
Keep living in denial. They can and will ask for all documentation if they have any reason to want to prevent you from entering. 🤷♂️ And it’s totally understandable, why wouldn’t they be able to monitor compliance with an activity based visa?
************************************************************
Keep living in denial. They can and will ask for all documentation if they have any reason to want to prevent you from entering. 🤷♂️ And it’s totally understandable, why wouldn’t they be able to monitor compliance with an activity based visa?
WhitePho********
Alan Turnbull Ask the IO - they’ll tell ya they CAN straight to your face.
It is not common but it is in place to have control over the DTV holders. The only reason it would be scare mongering would be if you’re an idiot and don’t have your legit paper work or lied on your visa application. 🤷♂️
Don’t believe me, fine. Ask the IO next time you enter if they’re allowed to ask for all of that documentation if they suspect you’re abusing the visa. Y’all are simpletons who want to feel like you’re residents when you’re actually on a tourist visa that discourages year round living. 😂
It is not common but it is in place to have control over the DTV holders. The only reason it would be scare mongering would be if you’re an idiot and don’t have your legit paper work or lied on your visa application. 🤷♂️
Don’t believe me, fine. Ask the IO next time you enter if they’re allowed to ask for all of that documentation if they suspect you’re abusing the visa. Y’all are simpletons who want to feel like you’re residents when you’re actually on a tourist visa that discourages year round living. 😂
Alan **********
WhitePhoenix5046 cite your reference evidence that explicitly states the refusal of entry or what you stated is hearsay
Brandon ************
Legally you cannot work remotely. It's a little bit of a grey area though.
There are only 2 visas that officially let you work remotely in Thailand.
The LTR work from Thailand professional is one of the best visas available currently. If you make at least $80,000 per year you should check the requirements and see if you might qualify.
The DTV also allows remote workers to do so inside of Thailand. You'll have to leave Thailand at least once every 180 days so that can be annoying to some people.
There are also plenty of people who just work remotely on other visa types and don't bring attention to themselves.
There are only 2 visas that officially let you work remotely in Thailand.
The LTR work from Thailand professional is one of the best visas available currently. If you make at least $80,000 per year you should check the requirements and see if you might qualify.
The DTV also allows remote workers to do so inside of Thailand. You'll have to leave Thailand at least once every 180 days so that can be annoying to some people.
There are also plenty of people who just work remotely on other visa types and don't bring attention to themselves.
I'm_an*******
sure man, go for it, and if you get in trouble, tell them some stranger online told you it was okay, and they will leave you alone
John *********
If you are a US citizen, have a permanent US address, do most or all of your banking based in the US, file US tax returns annually, work for a US company and your pay gets deposited in your US bank account, you should be fine.
Most importantly, since we don’t live in George Orwell’s 1984 novel, no entity is checking on you.
Most importantly, since we don’t live in George Orwell’s 1984 novel, no entity is checking on you.
Frank *********
John N Kwan not living in Orwell's 1984? Have you been asleep for the last decade?
WhitePho********
John N Kwan nope explicitly forbidden in the retirement visa.
Todd ********
WhitePhoenix5046 wrong but explain your expertise 🤨
Van ********
John N Kwan banks are checking on which country you are apparently residing. Airlines are giving passenger lists to governments..
Jeff *************
Van Edward whatever
Bob **********
Van Edward Your paranoid
Emiliano ******
John N Kwan seems like we are in Orwell's 1984
Jay ****
Nobody is checking. I can neither confirm nor deny doing exactly that. Do what's best for YOU.
WhitePho********
Jay Wb yeah except terpene is actively expanding ai aha forensic banking to catch mule accounts, nominee companies and things like this. All lining up for global tax eventually…
Jay ****
WhitePhoenix5046 it's not illegal. They don't know or care where your overseas money comes from. Just need to meet the visa requirements. Work remote or travel and work.
ExcitingO*********
Only with the LTR Retirement visa. Otherwise you will need to be sneaky and use a VPN, since it will not be legal.
ExcitingO*********
Fair enough
Brandon ************
ExcitingOctopus624 VPN has nothing to do with it. No one is monitoring your internet
Rocky **********
@Brandon ***********
how they catch these scammers last week??Jeff *************
@Brandon ***********
if it’s so easy to find why did the banks lock accounts because of suspected fraud ? They don’t monitor the internetRocky **********
@Brandon ***********
sure agree, but its possible to check touBrandon ************
@Rocky *********
Most of the scammers are using huge sim card banks that are making hundreds of calls and text per minute. Pretty easy to find with the right equipment.
Andrew ******
DTV and LTR visa allow remote work.
Ziggy ******
Use google and avoid the 20 different answers you are gonna get here
Gregor **********
Ziggy Ziya use Google and get 100% a wrong answer
Paul ********************
Ziggy Ziya yeah use Google and get 60 different answers... 🤣
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