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Should I apply for a DTV as a freelancer or employee if I'm a startup CEO in Canada?

Dec 29, 2025

18 hours ago

Hello - I’m looking at applying for DTV under workation but not sure if I apply as a freelancer or employee.

Im a full stack software engineer and am CEO and director of a start up in Canada, we design proprietary software and do not do business in Thailand. 

We received around 500k in funding and I’ve been drawing a salary of 5k per month for the past 8 months. There is only one other full time employee. Do I apply as a freelancer or employee of a company? If I apply as an employee of a company are there additional documents I should add? 

Im applying in HCMC

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual, a Canadian startup CEO and full-stack software engineer, is inquiring whether to apply for a DTV visa under workation as a freelancer or an employee, as his company operates outside Thailand. Comments suggest that applying as an employee is generally easier, requiring less documentation, while applying as a freelancer or business owner may involve more paperwork but can also be approved with proper documentation like employment contracts and business verification.

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Leesey ******

I have applied as an employee. It is much easier. Just only need to provide employment contract and a letter from the employer stating you are eligible to work remotely.

6 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

Do not recommend applying from HCMC. They will request so many docs. If want smoother and easier route , apply in Hanoi...Good luck!

7 hours ago

RFI *****

Employee

16 hours ago

Thai ************

You can easily apply. As the company owner.

2 days ago

Peter ***********

Can you apply as an employee if you are self-employed / business owner?

2 days ago

Kurt *************

Employee easier

2 days ago

Anonymous ******************

I have a similar profile (tech startup founder, full-stack developer) and when I applied as business owner/self-employed they asked me for employment documents, which I supplied along with government business registration, news articles, and investment documents to prove the legitimacy of the business. I was approved after a few weeks. So to avoid yourself the hassle of back and forth with the embassy I'd provide that all upfront in the first document drop as each back and forth can take a week or two when they ask for more documentation.

2 days ago

John **********

Applying as an employee is easier

2 days ago

Reply to

John **********

Can freelancers without business registration apply for a DTV visa in Thailand?

7 comments

20 days ago

Can a freelancer apply for a DTV visa in Thailand without a registered business?

15 comments

2 months ago