Answered2 years ago
Do I need a work permit to teach online to European students while living in Thailand?
I have been living and working in Thailand now for 20+ years, I have a full time job with a visa, and work permit. However, I want to move to our home in the north of Thailand and teach online full-time to European students. I know I have several options for visas but do I need a work permit? And if so how can I get one if I'm not working for a Thai company and I'm working on an online platform? I was hoping the new DTV visa would solve this problem but it seems, according to others on here, that the DTV visa is only for those who are employed remotely by a foreign company.
Answer summary
The user is looking to transition from a full-time job in Thailand to teaching European students online while living in northern Thailand. They inquire whether a work permit is needed for this arrangement, especially since they are not employed by a Thai company. The conversation reveals mixed perspectives on this issue. Some comments suggest that using the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) could potentially allow them to avoid needing a work permit for online work abroad, provided they can demonstrate self-employment through documentation such as contracts and tax returns. Others stress the importance of properly documenting income from online teaching, regardless of visa type, raising concerns about teaching without a work permit.
35 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Colin ********
OPTo students living IN Europe
Andy **********
You are teaching online to students in Europe or Europeans in Thailand. If the latter, work permit etc
Ellen *************
Are you going to work for yourself, not a platform? Where will your payments go?
Mine go to my home country and I travel as a tourist and I do my own thing- using a good VPN, and not through a platform. Yours is a bit more complicated as you may face more scrutiny because you’re a foreign resident, but possibly covered somewhat due to marriage? 🤔
It’s a curious position.
I work in international schools sometimes and this shows income (legally, obviously) either in country or from a recent country, so I’ve never had a problem showing that I can support myself. Or have savings.
Having been there so long- do you maintain any banking in your home country?
I lived in Vietnam and I know that banking is extremely monitored in some countries… conundrum.
Mine go to my home country and I travel as a tourist and I do my own thing- using a good VPN, and not through a platform. Yours is a bit more complicated as you may face more scrutiny because you’re a foreign resident, but possibly covered somewhat due to marriage? 🤔
It’s a curious position.
I work in international schools sometimes and this shows income (legally, obviously) either in country or from a recent country, so I’ve never had a problem showing that I can support myself. Or have savings.
Having been there so long- do you maintain any banking in your home country?
I lived in Vietnam and I know that banking is extremely monitored in some countries… conundrum.
John ********
I'm puzzled, you've been living & working in Thailand for twenty years and you need advice on visas 🤔 hmm!
Pertti *************
Are you married thai citizen?
Colin ********
OPPertti *************
@Colin *******
thinking apply citizenship?Colin ********
OP@Nigel ********
Thai citzenship cost 200k+ and you need to have stayed in Thailand 3 years + with a MINIMUM salary or once of, 80k per month for a minimum of 2,years. Also to incorporate a, business is not, so easy these days and is also costly. I am married so the visa, itself is not a problem, my question was about the legality of teaching online with a visa based on marriage or retirement.
Nigel *********
@Pertti ************
best advicePertti *************
But that WP you can open company with your wife and get WP your company. But if want go citizenship don't cut your working history. You can change from your existing WP to your company without missing days and then your citizenship route stay open. If there's broken work history 3 years start again. And new work it's 1 year. That's why asking why not apply citizenship now and change work after it and you can forget all visas and WP when you're thai citizen🙏
Pertti *************
@Colin *******
married it's ~100k if approve. Application only 10k.Colin ********
OP@Pertti ************
I looked into it can, few years ago but it costs 200k+
John **********
You would at the very least need to be registered as self employed somewhere outside Thailand, your income would have to be reported and pay tax there. Thailand has no concept of self employment as far as I'm aware and in any case that would rule out the dtv
Colin ********
OP@John *********
that's what I thought which is why I was asking 1) do I need a, work permit to teach European students online and 2) if so how can I obtain one. There, are, many different visa I can get from being married to a Thai, so the issue is, whether I need a, WP or not.John **********
@Colin *******
It would seem to me that you do but I can't see how you could get one in your situation. It might be worth talking to some of the umbrella companies but they tend to concentrate on other things than teaching
Radost **************************
@John *********
you do need a work permit for teaching online, and no country can give you one. Just do the DTV visa with *****
0 on the bank and show qualification that you are qualified for teaching as you must have if you worked on Thailand and this papers are also in Thai. There can't be any problems to get it when you have been already approved as a English teacher in Thailand
Duncan *******
You can be self-employed and get the DTV, the problem in your case is that you need to show evidence of that and while it may vary between embassies/consulates, things like tax returns, previous evidence of payments and contracts can/are asked for as evidence.
Colin ********
OPAs it seems, I don't fall into the category for a, DTV unless I set up a company to employ me outside of Thailand
Colin ********
OPHence I was wondering if I had a normal visa based on my marriage am I legally allowed to do freelance work with students or clients "outside" Of Thailand without a, WP.
Colin ********
OP@Duncan ******
I can show income to my wise account and a list of students on the app, would that suffice?John *******
@Colin *******
It seems like you need paystubs or a tax return or something more formal than money in a wise account. Also, as mentioned on your last post, 2 days ago, others who have applied as freelancers, have had to submit letters from those who have used their services. So, it seems like you would need to have a student or two write a letter for you. (which sounds strange).John *******
@Colin *******
you can also be a freelancer, but seem to need to show evidence like tax returns and letters from those who receive your freelance services. That is at least what many others have saidColin ********
OP@John ******
yes but it's not freelancing because you need to be remotely employed, and have a, letter of employment etc.John *******
@Colin *******
- Well with a DTV you are allowed to do “digital” work that is outside of Thailand, and don’t need a work permit, so one could assume that other visas would offer you the same. So if you are on a spouse visa, working online, from home, you could be ok. That being said, there was an issue others referenced when someone got in trouble for online activity (but that might have been a decade ago).Colin ********
OP@John ******
this post was supposed to be on the topic of whether I needed a work permit to teach Europeans online because, as you say, my other post was specifically about the DTV visa. This wasn't but it's been taken off topic from my actual post.
Kevin *******
Assuming you have the money and the patience, it seems like DTV is an excellent fit for you. Create a company in the EU (your home country, or Estonia), "season" it, and Somchai's your uncle. Someone else with a WP cancelled it to get DTV.
Of course you'll be losing your shot at permanent residency or citizenship, but I guess you know that and don't mind.
Of course you'll be losing your shot at permanent residency or citizenship, but I guess you know that and don't mind.
Colin ********
OP@Kevin ******
that seems to be a very complicated and expensive option. Also why would I want Thai citizenship and to become a Thai resident costs 200k+Andi ***********
You are working for a non Thai online school?
Colin ********
OP@Andi **********
currently working in a Thai school but I want to move out of Bangkok and feach online to European studentsAndi ***********
@Colin *******
You can do that easily with the DTV either on your own or via a non Thai school.Andi ***********
@Colin *******
yes, I meant to say freelance or having a business.Colin ********
OP@Andi **********
freelance doesn't mean having a business.Andi ***********
@Colin *******
, you can also be freelance, have your own business. There are plenty of freelancers, self employed approved for DVTs.Colin ********
OP@Andi **********
I'm being told that for the, DTV you need to be employed remotely by s company and supply proof of employment
James *******
You should be a doorman.
Activity
13 joined13
people
Related
25Can I apply for a DTV visa in Thailand with inconsistent income but stable recent earnings?
645174mo
Can I apply for a Thai Digital Nomad Visa under the Soft Power Muay Thai route while working remotely for a US company?
8395115mo
What should I do if my application for a workation visa at the Thai consulate requires additional documents?
2k17168mo
What is the process for applying for a DTV visa for a digital self-employed role in Thailand?
460229mo
Should I apply for a freelance or business owner visa as a self-employed remote engineer in Thailand from Vietnam?
2.2k20121y
Can I switch from a work permit to a retirement visa while in Thailand or do I need to apply from Malaysia?
1.6k10181y
What additional documents are required when I've already submitted my employment contract and payslips for a Thai visa application?
791511y
What are the best options for switching schools and visas in Thailand?
2.3k12231y
What should I select as my working status on the DTV website if I am an online yoga teacher?
781342y
What are the requirements for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand for a sole proprietor?
2.5k21172y
What visa options are available for moving to Thailand and starting a business?
31.6k2523972y
What are the steps and considerations for applying for a DTV visa from Thailand while on a business visa?
1.3k672y
What documents do I need to provide for a DTV application as a self-employed business owner in Thailand?
3.9k31212y
How can I transfer my extension of stay to a new passport when entering Thailand?
1.9k14123y
What are the risks of working part-time without a work permit in Thailand on a non-O visa?
6.3k38973y
What documents are required to attach a stepchild to a work permit in Thailand?
1.2k784y
Can I leave Thailand without cancelling my visa and return without a fine after a few years?
1.9k12144y
Can I switch jobs and obtain a new Non-B visa while on a 60-day Covid extension in Thailand?
551145y
What are my options for extending my visa if my contract ends soon and I want to change schools in Thailand?
1.3k1216y
What options do I have for extending my stay in Thailand after ending my old work permit?
1.2k896y
What are the options for obtaining a Non-B visa for employees in Thailand, especially when seeking multiple entries?
3.4k26367y
How can I obtain a work visa and permit to teach in Thailand while in the country?
42228y
What options do digital entrepreneurs and freelancers have for working in Thailand with Iglu's support?
42629y
How can digital freelancers and entrepreneurs work in Thailand with Iglu?
917569y
How can digital entrepreneurs and freelancers work long term in Thailand with Iglu?
34319y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served