This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Does it make a difference if my Thailand visa is categorized as soft power or work cation?
Visa ApprovalSoft Power VisaWorkcation VisaVisa ExtensionsImmigration RulesRemote Work VisaVisa TypesResidency in Thailand
May 19, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTEROnce the visa is approved, does it matter if it's soft power or work cation? An agent told me today it's the same
TLDR : Answer Summary
The classification of the visa as either soft power or workcation may not have immediate significance post-approval, but it could influence future extensions and immigration checks. Currently, many users indicated that as long as the soft power commitments are honored, the type may not matter. However, there are warnings from the community that this might change if immigration regulations tighten. Users have also shared experiences regarding visa remarks, with most visas stating 'Employment prohibited,' raising concerns about the implications for remote work.
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 Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Henrik *****
Never ask a agent.
Anonymous ******************
As far as we know it doesn’t matter
Michael **********
mine only says Employment prohibited (soft powers) am I the only one?
Heath ********
@Michael *********
im a remote worker and mine says employment prohibited, apparently they can have either.Brad ********
@Heath *******
Same, I also applied for remote work, and provided all documentation and says employment prohibited. Freaked me out at first till I did my research 😅Reply to
Brad ********
Reply
Peter *********
@Michael *********
No the majority only say Employment Prohibited.Luit *****************
@Peter ********
I think most embassies just fill the remarks field just the same like they were always used to do with tourist visa. Only a few decided they could put something else there, like type of DTV or expiration date of passport.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Michael *********
….Yeah me too and a 5 year validity. Nothing about only being able to stay 180 days at a time ha ha. Wonder if we could stay all 1825 days without leaving. 😂🤔Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 942 Visa does not say how long a stay is, that is mentioned at entry stamp, so unless they give you an entry stamp for 1645 days you cannot stay 1825 days without leaving.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Adnan ********
it will matter if the immigration decide to crack down inn future to make sure soft power dtvs are doing soft power..... for now its ok....
จอห์นนี่ *******
Same same but different.
Andrew ********
When you go to extend yes if its for soft power you must maintain attendance with school like in ed visa
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
ah, interesting. First time I hear about this. Anyone has experience?Paula ************
@Andrew *******
good advice! In which way? Any experience? All 90 days?Reply to
Paula ************
Reply
Bob **********
For the time being
Peter *********
@Greg *******
You do know the DTV is a tourist visa? And not like a non o which clearly state the category?Greg ********
@Peter ********
I know exactly what the DTV is. You did not answer the question. Are you positing that Immigration has no information whether you were awarded the DTV for Workation or SP - that you could turn up for an extension at the Immigration Office and they would not know which category?Peter *********
@Greg *******
You did not answer my question, why do some DTVs have it in the remarks when it comes up on the screen?Greg ********
Peter Jackson, you are the one saying it is not on the screen. Do you really think Immigration only has the information on the PDF—printout You are the one saying it is not on the screen. Do you really think Immigration only have the information that is on the PDF - print out and NOT in their system?
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Peter *********
@Greg *******
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Greg ********
@Peter ********
I know what MFA stands for - I am asking you if you think they have a separate immigration database separate from the department that controls Immigration ie the Immigration Department. Do you think when people go to an Immigration Office for an extension the Immigration have no idea if they are on a DTV for Soft Power or Workaytion?Peter *********
@Greg *******
Yes, they ask you what you used for the initial application. And might also ask to see them documents. Why would someone DTVs have it in the remarks if it came up on the screen?Luit *****************
@Peter ********
When you put it this way, why should there be anything at all except the QR code on the visa, the QR code is enough to see anything they want on their system.The remark might be useful for the DTV holder, every IO will know work is prohibited with this visa, and IO cannot check anyway you are working.
Peter *********
@Luit ****************
Maybe, no one knows for sure. Not even the so called group experts.Luit *****************
@Peter ********
My guess is most embassies just fill in the remarks field just the same way they also did for all other tourist visa, only a few are more creative and really try to put more meaningful info in itGreg ********
@Peter ********
Taking this to the logical conclusion. You are saying someone could obtain the DTV using Soft Power. They then go for in-country extension at an Immigration Office and use the Workaytion route to obtain the extension. Immigration would never know this was happening as they have no information on their system?Andi ***********
@Greg *******
ExactlyReply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Greg ********
@Peter ********
Do you think that is all Immigration see?Peter *********
@Greg *******
Yes, the application info is on the MFA database which Immigration don't have access to.Andi ***********
@Peter ********
They have access to more than what is on that PDF.Greg ********
@Andi **********
Of course they have 🙂 Its like the "O" stamp in the passport he mentions. There is much more in the system than is stamped in the passport. Same as for "B" etc too - company info etc is there too.Andi ***********
@Greg *******
Yeah, you have had visas from other countries, same thing they have more info than what your visa states in passport.Greg ********
@Andi **********
Exactly - there is no way that Immigration only has the information from the PDF. The notion is ridiculous. That you could go to Immigration for an extensions and decide how you want to extend. For example "I came in on a cookery Course but I have a few dental appointments so please extend Mr IO using those." :-)Andi ***********
@Greg *******
It would be an extreme lapse in security for the IO to just have that PDF info.Greg ********
@Andi **********
Of course it would. A lot more info is being shared these days too. Heard a senior diplomat say exactly that today :-)Greg ********
@Peter ********
So nothing is entered on the Immigration database and immigration only have the data on the eVisa system (What is the MFA database you speak of?)Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Assuming the visa is granted under soft power, as long as you honor your soft power commitments it won’t matter.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 942 how about the second year, they check on 2 nd course? u cant attend one course for 5 yrs right
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 128….So far no updates on them cracking down on that yet. It’s as simple as a 5 year multiple entry for 180 days at a time even if the course is completed in the first year.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Greg ********
It will matter for extensions in country if you go that route. If they ever start with checks on re-entry it will matter there too. PS: if an agent told me it was raining I would look out the window to check :-) They just want a sale and whatever is easiest for them.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
and I'm guessing you can't change your status if later you want to workcateGreg ********
Anonymous participant I have no idea how that would work. If I had to guess and knowing Thailand it would need a new visa. However, nobody knows for sure how that would work. Even to cancel a DTV is not clear. There have been questions about this regarding moving ti a "B" Visa for a Work Permit. Once again I am guessing but I do nkt think Immkgration will cancel a DTV as they do not issue the visa. It is MFA. An agent told me it woukd need to be the issuing embassy who has to cancels the DTV but again who knows.
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
11 comments
a year ago
75 comments
a year ago
13 comments
a year ago
50 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
27 comments
a year ago
5 comments
a year ago
12 comments
a year ago
33 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
35 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
32 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
28 comments
a year ago
20 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
4 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 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.