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How can I obtain a DTV visa to spend my time off in Thailand?

DTV VisaVisa ExemptionThailand ImmigrationRemote WorkTax Residency in ThailandTourist VisaMuay Thai Visa
Sep 13, 2024
3 months ago
Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I work long periods straight. 2-3 months then get equal amount of time off. Sometimes it can change. 4 months say. How can I get a dtv visa so I can spend my time off in Thailand? Can this be considered remote working? I basically want to come and go as I please making my money in Canada and living there being able to travel around Asia freely.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a DTV visa to spend their time off in Thailand while continuing to work remotely from Canada. While some commenters clarify that the user's situation does not qualify as remote work but rather as time off or holiday, they explore visa options including visa exemptions or tourist visas. Concerns about tax residency from stays exceeding 180 days in Thailand are noted, and several commenters suggest simpler alternatives such as border runs or applying for specific activity-linked visas.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Luit *****************
Be carefull that staying over 180 days a year makes you Thai tax resident. At the moment it is unclear what this can mean for the income you get outside Thailand.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Luit ****************
 Only applies if you haven't paid tax elsewhere. You can't be taxed twice
3 months ago
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Luit *****************
@Roberto ********
 That depends on the content of the agreement between both countries, if there is an agreement.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Luit ****************
 The OP is Canadian

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3 months ago
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Luit *****************
@Roberto ********
 As long as we don't know the new Thai tax law, there is no certainty that an existing agreement will prevent double taxes, it might likely prevent, but it is not 100 percent sure.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Luit ****************
 If it's covered by a DTA it most certainly 100% will prevent double taxation. The whole point of these international treaties is to ensure this doesn't happen. Why bother having them if it's not the case?
3 months ago
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Luit *****************
@Roberto ********
 I know why DTA exist, but changes in the tax laws of the countries always have the risk of them (temporary) not function like before, and it can take a while to make new agreements.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Luit ****************
 Changes in the tax laws of individual countries do not affect the the Double Taxation Agreements between those countries. Any changes to a DTA must be in agreement with all parties. The Australian DTA has not changed since it was written in 1989 and everything covered in that agreement remain in force today
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
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Colin *******
@Roberto ********
 yes you can, under the DTA system you can be tax resident in both countries and you will pay tax in the second country on the difference IF it is more than your primary taxation jurisdiction.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Colin ******
 The difference would be so minimal the allowable deduction would cover it. Many people would only be transferring pensions which in most countries would be covered by the DTA as taxable only in the country of receipt
3 months ago
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Colin *******
@Roberto ********
 agreed it , if it applies, may be minimal. However your original statement is incorrect. We need to state all the assumptions if making blanket statements about not paying any tax in Thailand.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Colin ******
 My original statement is correct in the context of the OP

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3 months ago
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Roberto *********
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Chris ****
5 year privilege visa
3 months ago
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Kevin ********
Find yourself some muaythai, book a course with an approved company and then apply.
3 months ago
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Pete ********
Dude you can enter the country get 60 days on arrival and extend by 30 days then boarder run do same so you can stay 180 days ……. Uour over thinking it …. You don’t need the dtv. The dtv is for people working here not holidaying 😆
3 months ago
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Seb ********
Yeah right now. That will change soon enough and revert back to the old 30 days. Plus dealing with immigration is unnecessary headache and BS.
3 months ago
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Todd *********
@Seb *******
 no, it won’t
3 months ago
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Todd *********
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Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah but I’m under the impression I can only do 90 days tops twice a year. What do I do if the next job I have Dosent start for 120 days? I don’t want to have to leave the country before i go to work to do a border run then not be able to come back for a full year. Or am I miss informed?
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
@Jeff *******
 you enter on tourist visa
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ******
 thank you
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
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Angelo ***********
@Jeff *******
 Yes you are missing something. You can do border runs as long as you want. They "might" once ask you what you are doing ... then you just explain.

And as others pointed out: when they explain, you get a visa next time, and all is good.

The 2x per year leaving and coming back rule for land borders got dropped in June.

And coming from Canada there are no official restrictions.

Regarding your idea of an DTV visa: Ask your boss to rewrite the contract. Should not be a problem in your situation.

Or if you earn enough and the company is big enough, consider an LTR visa (smart visa).

Also, except for the accumulating expenses: you can get an multiple entry tourist visa, which gives you roughly 9 month in one go (how ever you have to border bounce, as each entry is only 60 days - which is the same as visa exempt - and can be extended by 30 days.)

Border bouncing is not bad anyway. Laos is a nice country. You can fly to Vietnam for 3 weeks too, or go to Cambodia.

Or do a "soft skills" DTV visa, learn a martial art, cooking or Thai Language.

Have fun.
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
 thank you for the info. Relives a lot of my worries
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
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Todd *********
@Jeff *******
 you can do as many as you wish. There is no limit.
3 months ago
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Helen ********
@Jeff *******
 there is currently no limit on the number of times you can enter visa exempt. It depends entirely on the immigration officer you are standing in front of at the time and if they think you are abusing the intent of visa exempt. It is currently at 60(+30 ext once) but there is no guarantee how long that will stay in place. You wouldn't be classed as a remote worker because you have to be back to do your job but you could consider the soft power options.
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
 thank you. I thought there was a limit of two times. Not sure where I heard that.
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
@Jeff *******
 there is a limit, they will never let you do the visa exemption turnaround for that long, but as I’ve said, from my experience, once they feel it was too much, be it 2x90 days, they will let you know during the next visit, that you should come on a tourist visa.

It’s all up to the immigration officer.

You can also work the DTV visa out without using the remote work, you can go for classes etc
3 months ago
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Gerry ********
@Jeff *******
 I've been stamped in 4 times already this year, but now that DTV is available, that suits me better.
3 months ago
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Gerry ********
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John **********
That's not remote work so you won't get one based on your work but you might be able to get one based on the soft power options
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
Well first of all, that is not remote working, that is holiday.

You can sort that out with just the visa exemption man. Just come in. You can do that probably twice a year no problem, and if the immigration feels it was too much that year, they’ just tell you to come next time on a regular tourist visa. Simple as that
3 months ago
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Seb ********
Not really. This 60 day entry won’t last forever. If he can get the DTV now and is willing to pay for it then why not.
3 months ago
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Jeff ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Seb *******
 moneys not an issue. It’s having to leave before work starts. I sometimes will have 4 months off at a time and don’t want to have to worry about leaving my place to come back and rent another in Canada until work starts.
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
@Seb *******
you can do 60 days entry 2x a year for sure, and next year again, and next year again, so yes, it lasts forever. And you can extend it by 30 days. And if it was too much in that year, they’ll just tell you to come on regular tourist visa you can do from your home before you travel.

So it is the easiest option
3 months ago
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Seb ********
@Daniel ******
 nothing lasts forever in Thailand. The 60 Day exempt is temporary and will at some point go back to 30 days. Running to immigration for extensions and paying money is a pain in the neck, total waste of time/nerves/money. Sure, tourist visas are possible but they also cost a processing fee. If he can get the documentation, do the DTV and then no headaches for 5 years.
3 months ago
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Roberto *********
@Seb *******
 There has been nothing suggested that the 60-day exempt entry is temporary. Of course you can guess, but why would anyone base a strategy on guesses made on Facebook? The change was introduced to increase foreigners in Thailand, spending money and contributing towards the economy. It's by far the best option for someone who comes and goes frequently and spends a lot of time in other countries, as that is a true tourist
3 months ago
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Todd *********
@Seb *******
 lol. It’s not temporary at all. It’s the current law. And will not by any means revert to 30 unless there is a change in law
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
@Seb *******
 You are projecting laws and changes that do not exist and are not planned.

It costs 50bucks to extend and he says 2-3 months so it seems he won’t need to extend every time.

Cost of tourist visa is also super small.

If 100-200USD a year for staying in your dream destination seems like very expensive to you, fair enough…you’re on tight budget…most people are not and judging by the fact the guy wants to have thise extended stays without working, it seems he also won’t cry about 200 bucks either
3 months ago
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Daniel *******
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