Answered2 years ago

Should I apply for a DTV visa now or after returning to the UK when I have a non-o visa?

Non-O Visa DTV Visa Remote Work Visa Visa Application Process Expat Life in Thailand

Simon *********

asked Jul 17, 2024

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#anotherDTVquestion (sorry)

I'm currently in the UK and moving to Thailand next week. I have a 90 day non-o visa currently. I wish to use a DTV visa to allow me to legally work remotely for my UK based company. 

Should I apply for a DTV now, but enter using my non-o (assuming it won't be approved in time) 

Or should I apply when back in the UK in September? 

Thanks all.

Answer summary

The user is moving to Thailand with a 90-day non-O visa and wants to know whether to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) now or after returning to the UK. Comments suggest that they cannot apply for a new visa while holding a valid one and recommend waiting to apply until September.

9 repliesnewest first

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Frank-Steven ***********

It was never technically illegal to "administer" some business back home (while on vacation 😉) - nor ever pursued in Thailand. You will be fine as long as you don't work serving anything or anyone in Thailand. You can swap to DTV in September, then, if you wish.

2 years ago

Julian **********

where was this stated?

2 years ago

Tony **********

@Frank-Steven **********

don't think you can apply for dtv out of home country...

2 years ago

Michael ********

@Frank-Steven **********

i think i remember police chief saying opposite when remote working became a thing. That its technically illegal but they wouldnt arrest anyone. Tried to find it on bangkok post but must be way back

2 years ago

Frank-Steven ***********

@Michael *******

It is illegal to work without a work permit. But a work permit is only available when working for a Thai registered company or a foreign company registered in Thailand. There is no work permit for working remotely for a company abroad. Thus, the charge of working without a required work permit (which would be the offense) cannot be applied. Theory aside: There is hundreds of co-working spaces with tens of thousands of people doing remote work in Thailand. If it were illegal, it would be easy to pursue. Yet, not a single case is known. From my understanding it is just an unregulated gap in Thai law. Gray area.

2 years ago

Radost **************************

@Michael *******

a state can't offer a permission to work for a company outside the state or can deny it. It's possible only for their state territory. So it's not illegal to sit with a laptop somewhere and write a report, do a project, write a song, programm an app aso. It's only relevant to Thai law if you do it for a Thai company inside Thailand. And all the stories are bullshit and lies. Nobody got ever arrested when working remotely

2 years ago

Andy ************

@Frank-Steven **********

It's only ever investigated if someone complains. In all the years I've been here I only know of one case, and that's where the wife of a remote working farang was showing off to a neighbour how much her husband was making working online. In typical Thai woman jealousy, the neighbours reported the matter to immigration, who swooped on the house, confiscated the computer, analysed it and kicked the farang out with a three year ban. I tend to think the neighbour may have had friends in the police so they went to the furthest extent. That's why I always tell people to just keep their mouths shut

2 years ago

Michael ********

@Frank-Steven **********

About ten years ago there was in Chiang Mai and then there was a lot of bad press about it. Thats when the Chief of police made that statement i mentioned

2 years ago