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Can someone switch from a soft power visa to a workation visa in Thailand?
Oct 7, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAre there anyone who applied soft power but change to workation later on?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand, specifically whether holders can switch from a soft power purpose to workation under the same visa. Community members clarified that all DTVs are essentially the same, allowing remote work regardless of the initial application reason. Concerns about needing to reapply or change the purpose of the visa were addressed, with the consensus being that there is no need to navigate additional processes as the visa itself remains valid for remote work.
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 ******************
Its literally the same visa stamp so i dont see the point in jumping through all the extra hoops , hence why i went for the soft power much easier
Sean *******
Exactly. A DTV is a DTV just like we're saying. So let's enjoy our 5 year multiple entry visas. Cheers đș
Sean *******
@Luit ****************
Yes I know that captain obvious. And for DTV they just write DTV because they're all the same regardless of how you applied. đLuit *****************
@Sean ******
On an entry stamp is never information about how and where you applied, what is your point? There are a lot of different visaclasses and types, but on the entry stamp only the class is mentioned normally, so you can have same stamps for different types in a visa class, which means on an entry stamp you cannot see which visa type you have.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Sean *******
Anonymous participant 357 Correct. Same stamp regardless of how you applied.
Luit *****************
@Sean ******
Of course it is the same stamp, the stamp is just an entry stamp and is used for all visa and even visa exempt entries in the country, so it is not even a visa stamp...With handwriting or sometimes another stamp they mention the type of visa.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 357 The only reason can be you no longer do the soft power activity and have remote job
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Winston ************
Goodness! There's nothing to "change" here. Once the DTV is issued they're pretty much all the same and even if you applied under Muay Thai, nothing stops you from working remotely! Even some of us who applied under workation, like me, may change jobs, or stop working altogether. Doesn't matter! We're all good for 5 years.
ElĂas ********
@Winston ***********
a soft power DTV don't stop you to work remotely, of course. But what if you finish your 6-months course and want to stay the remaining 5 year working remotely without attending any extra course?Anonymous ******************
@ElĂas *******
That's what I been curious about aswell. Everyone saying at the moment there is no requirement to extend your course after first course finish in ****
months. That you can stay the rest of the years without a course but doesn't make much sence. So not suprised if they change the ruleJames ********
Anonymous participant 149 no verifiable Reports of the requirements beyond the initial DTV Visa date and basis of issue. BEST đ« NOT to try to do the 180 day extension inside Thailand.
Reply to
James ********
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Andrew ********
@Winston ***********
actually if you stop working you dont meet the requirements and they are cracking down on this. Reports have been made that they are checking at the airports mostly if the funds are avaible as required ( not common yet but has been asked ) so I wouldnt say just quit workingJames ********
@Andrew *******
rumors, no factual basis or reports. Speculation.Winston ************
@Andrew *******
Ha ha OK. Never seen or heard of such "reports".ElĂas ********
@Andrew *******
"reports" by anonymous posters đ€·đ»đReply to
ElĂas ********
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Benjamin *********
No need
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERWhen youâre on workation youâre required to pay taxes, is it? I think I read it somewhere. How about if youâre on soft power?
Kurt *************
Anonymous participant tax is required based on how long you stay in the country. Not what you do. Many countries have tax treaties aswell
Pete *******
Anonymous participant nope, completely wrong. A DTV issued for any reason means you are required to pay Thai tax once you become Thai tax resident and remit assessable income above minimum thresholds.
Jay *****
@Pete ******
isn't that only if you stay on Thailand for over 180 days of the year?Pete *******
@Jay ****
correctPete *******
@Jay ****
âbecome Thai tax residentâ means being resident in the Kingdom for 180 days in a calendar year.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
Thai tax resident and resident in Thailand is not the same When you stay for 180 days or more as a tourist you will become tax resident, but you will not become officially a resident of the Kingdom in that case.
Pete *******
@Luit ****************
the question is about paying tax and not about civil residency.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
I know about what the question is, but your reply suggests that you become tax resident at the moment you are RESIDENT for 180 days or more.That just is factual not true.
I quote: become Thai tax residentâ means being resident in the Kingdom for 180 days in a calendar year
Also you do not become tax resident at a certain moment, you are tax resident in a certain calendar year, you can be tax resident in one year and not in the next year.
Pete *******
@Luit ****************
you automatically become tax resident by residing for 180 days inside the Kingdom in a calendar year. You absolutely become tax resident at a certain moment, the moment you reside 180 days within a calendar year. This is not a difficult concept to grasp.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
Not exactly, when the moment you are 180 days in Thailand in a calendar year is in let's say December, you are tax resident for the whole calendar year starting at January 1 and ending at December 31. So money you bring in January can become taxable when in December you reach 180 days.Pete *******
@Luit ****************
having a Thai tax liability and becoming a Thai tax resident are two separate issues. You can be Thai tax resident and have no tax liability and you can also have a Thai tax liability and not be Thai tax resident. Exactly what point are to trying to make?Luit *****************
My point is that it is of no interest at which date in a calender year you stay 180 days, for the whole calendar year you are considered as tax resident.
Pete *******
@Luit ****************
finally you say something that I can understand. Yes tax residency refers to a tax year and not a date in that year. But, again, this is basic stuff. There is no partial tax residency, you are either resident in a tax year or not. A bit like you canât be a little bit pregnant, you are either pregnant or not. Same with tax residency.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
And just like with pregnancy you can already be tax resident before you know it.đPete *******
@Luit ****************
not at all as the tax residency requirements are crystal clear. 180 days residing within the Kingdom in a calendar year means you are a Thai tax resident. If you donât know you are tax resident then that is simply down to your lack of knowledge.John **********
@Jay ****
180 days or more inside Thailand in any calendar year means you are a Thai tax resident in that yearJames ********
@John *********
correct â
Sean *******
@Jay ****
Correct.Reply to
Sean *******
Reply
Sean *******
Anonymous participant A DTV is a DTV. And is a tourist visa.
James ********
@Sean ******
correct â
Reply to
James ********
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Humble******
They're all the same.
Some DTVs say under remarks the purpose (which is possible depending on issuing embassy; although most of them just say 'Employment Prohibited'). I highly doubt you'll be able to change the remark on it...
Some DTVs say under remarks the purpose (which is possible depending on issuing embassy; although most of them just say 'Employment Prohibited'). I highly doubt you'll be able to change the remark on it...
Anonymous ******************
Also been wondering this, interested to know đ
I was thinking I might have to reapply under workcation once Iâm set up and it be a new visa - if possible.
I was thinking I might have to reapply under workcation once Iâm set up and it be a new visa - if possible.
Pete *******
Anonymous participant 801 not possible and also pointless.
Sean *******
Anonymous participant 801 No need and wouldn't be possible anyway.
Reply to
Sean *******
Reply
Pete *******
A DTV is a DTV, there is no changing of the visa. You can work remotely on a DTV regardless of the reason it was issued.
Reply to
Pete *******
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