Able to work remotely on a retirement visa?
Hi all, I understand that "*a holder of a Thai Retirement Visa is NOT permitted to work in the country*" according to many websites, but I'd like to ask if that is strictly referring to a foreigner working in Thailand for a Thai company, whereas I turn 50 this year and I work remotely for a foreign company (salary goes to bank abroad).
One of the requirement is "Monthly Income of 65,000 THB", which you prove by showing regular income to your bank account, according to these websites.
So I wonder if there are many/any foreigners who are working remotely on a retirement visa and the authorities don't really check/care, as long as you're not working for anything Thai related?
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice! :)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The main concern surrounding working on a Thai Retirement Visa is that it is generally illegal for holders to work in Thailand, regardless of whether the employment is for a foreign company or not. Many comments highlight that engaging in remote work could be considered illegal and could pose risks if reported. While there seems to be a gray area regarding enforcement, especially if the work is not visible, it is strongly advised to avoid working while on this visa. Alternatives like the Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa may be more appropriate for expats looking to work remotely in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.