This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I work remotely while on a Type O visa in Thailand based on marriage?
Aug 29, 2025
8 months ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI had a meeting with my company directors last night.
As i am applying for Type O visa in London early October to fully emigrate under a 12 month extension based on marriage.
The directors have requested would I be able to continue working for them (fully remote as I do here in the UK) but on a part time basis.
Is this allowable on a marriage visa?
All payments would not be remitted into Thailand as I have enough savings to live in Thailand.
As i am applying for Type O visa in London early October to fully emigrate under a 12 month extension based on marriage.
The directors have requested would I be able to continue working for them (fully remote as I do here in the UK) but on a part time basis.
Is this allowable on a marriage visa?
All payments would not be remitted into Thailand as I have enough savings to live in Thailand.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The question revolves around the legality of working remotely for a UK company while residing in Thailand on a Type O visa based on marriage. While technically it is not permissible to work in Thailand without the appropriate work visa, many expats do so by keeping such arrangements discreet. Alternatives like the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) or the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa are suggested as legal options for remote work, as they allow for legal employment without the need to remit income into Thailand.
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
James *******
they know exactly what you're about.
Walrus *******
What's that song. Ah yes!! Silence is golden.
John **********
There are only 2 visas that officially allow you to work remotely from inside Thailand. One is the DTV and the other is the LTR Work from Thailand Professional visa. The latter is a lot more difficult to satisfy the requirements but has the benefit of not having to pay any tax on overseas income. Other than these visas your only option is to work illegally, people do this but you need to keep it quiet
Peter *******
Well done now you have told the world you are going to continue working while in Thailand on a Marriage visa.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ******
no i didn’t announce that. I asked if it was legal. If not, then I will NOT work in Thailand and I will tell me employer I am retiring for good.I have more than enough for my lifestyle in in Thailand.
Peter *******
@John ********
The answer is it's not strickly legal. If you want to continue working remotely legally the answer is a DTV.Reply to
Peter *******
Reply
Guy ********
It’s not China nobody is looking over your shoulder.
Martyn *******
If you are paid in other than Thailand you will need to maintain an address for the bank ?
Terry ***********
Hmmm, interesting and following
Jan ******************
A DTV might also be suitable for your situation if you prioritize a fully legal methodology.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
but can only stay 6 months…Robert ********
@John ********
The DTV with border bounce is nice, but the DTV doesn’t let you open a bank account. I would just officially be retired and work from home part time. Nobody will ever ask questions as many farangs live on passive income.
Jan ******************
@John ********
You’ll need to do a border bounce every 180 days, but you can re-enter on the same day. Technically, you can also apply for a 180-day extension at immigration, but it requires the same documentation as when you first applied for the visa, so most people prefer to just do the bounce.The downside is the border bounce every 180 days. The upside is that you have a five-year visa, don’t need to apply for yearly extensions, and everything is fully legitimate.
Chris *******
@Jan *****************
why do you need to do a border bounce every 180 days, I believe you can extend for 180 days on each visit so a border bounce is only requires every 360 days 🤷♂️Jan ******************
@Chris ******
As I mentioned in my comment, you can apply for an extension at immigration, but because the required documentation is often seen as too cumbersome, many people prefer to just do a border run instead.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Robert ********
If you work in Thailand money must be in Thailand.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert *******
i’ve never heard this one before.Robert ********
@John ********
Thailand wants the money staying here so they get their income taxes. Technically if you are working here even remotely you are obligated to pay tax.Reply to
Robert ********
Reply
Brandon ************
Technically, no, it's not legal.
Realistically, what you do in your home online is your own business. Don't go advertising to everyone that you're working and you should be fine. You're far from the only person who would be doing so.
Realistically, what you do in your home online is your own business. Don't go advertising to everyone that you're working and you should be fine. You're far from the only person who would be doing so.
Neil ********
@Brandon ***********
it illegal to work without the correct visa. Just thinking about tax implications.Neil ********
@Brandon ***********
get paid into your home bank account and then transfer cash to ThailandBrandon ************
@Neil *******
has nothing to do with what's legal and what's notReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
even if I apply for a work permit?Kool *******
@John ********
being that you are on a type O extension based on Thai wife you can work, and get a work permit, by starting your own business in partnership with your wife. By doing this you cut in half the amount of registered capital needed in the business to just bt1million, and the number of Thai employees to just two, with one of them being a licensed Thai accountant, that can be part time. With this business, and your work permit, making at least bt40,000 a month, and paying your Thai income tax for three years, plus other requirements, you will be eligible to apply for Thai permanent residency, or directly to Thai citizenship. If you don't work then none of the other requirements matter. This is just something to think about if you plan on living here.Jan ******************
@John ********
And then you’ll also need another visa.Brandon ************
@Jan *****************
technically a work permit can be obtained on a marriage visa. But not without a Thai company to sponsor it.Jan ******************
@Brandon ***********
Thanks, you’re right.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Brandon ************
@John ********
YOU can't apply for a work permit. Only a Thai company can apply for a work permit for one of their employees.Not even people who have one of the 2 visas that specifically allow remote work are eligible for a work permit.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
12 comments
10 months ago
12 comments
10 months ago
40 comments
a year ago
27 comments
a year ago
20 comments
a year ago
Can I apply for an O-type visa to take care of my pregnant girlfriend and work remotely in Thailand?
74 comments
a year ago
6 comments
2 years ago
14 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
25 comments
2 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
19 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
49 comments
3 years ago
145 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
4 years ago
13 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
4 comments
7 years ago
9 comments
8 years ago
17 comments
8 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.