What are the actual requirements and tips for obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

How many people are just trying to ‘push the visa’ through on some sort of loophole?

I read a lot of BS leading up to the DTV which a lot of people bought into, like that it’s going to be ‘one’ extension in five years or ‘10,000’ baht to extend?

If you’ve read Ryan Holiday’s books and understand how fake news works, you will know what is happening here. Someone reads the government website, writes an article saying something totally different, then ‘passes it up the chain’. Then people repeat if as true.

Here’s the reality of the visa, how it will probably work applying and what you need to know.

1. You need 500k+ baht in the bank.

2. You need to be a remote worker or run a remote business.

Pretty much, that’s it. If you have those two criteria, don’t quote me on it, but if you are a remote worker/business owner and have 500k on hand whether the money was in the bank for a day as you cashed it out of somewhere else or you had it there for 12 years, they won’t care.

If however, theh read through your statements and it says: “english teacher in Thailand” yeah they’re going to say: “Hey, you need 3-6 months with the amount in your account”.

This is Thailand, it’s not Japan. Japan will just say: “Denied. Not a remote worker.”

They’re trying to ‘not hurt your feelings’.

How is this circumnavigated. You will have to hire an agent, like for sure.

I met a guy a week or two back who gets an agency to do his retirement visa, they put money into his account the day of, take a photo then take it out.

Am I recommending this? No. You can’t openly recommend that.

But you have to remember, a lot of people are trying.

So if you totally meet the criteria then just go in. Tell them the money’s in crypto or stocks or whatevr and take it out or print out the statement. I’m going to be doing this and really not expecting much pushback. but I run an online business and have well over 500k+ in my investment accounts.

If, however, you created the company yesterday and put in 500k and then wrote a letter to yourself, yeah they’re probably going to say: “yeah, umm. We need 3-6 months worth of statements”.

I’m generalising, yes, but this is Thailand, ‘saving face’ is the norm so I get the feeling most the people getting rejected are not getting clear answers.

And when I read a clear, simple application process and requirements then hear story after story as to people being rejected under those criteria. It is, unfortunately more likely that they didn’t ‘really’ meet the criteria then lots of people being rejected who meet the criteria because of all the ‘out there’ reasons they are mentioning.

I’m not saying they’re not even true. Maybe so many people have gone in to game the system they do now require 6 minths worth of stsrements.

BUT! They will be looking for evidence you are a remote worker NOT that you had 500k consistently. 🤦‍♂️ Just think guys, use your head and stop accepting things on face value.

So what we know:

1. If you apply online, you will not get feedback first, so only do so if you’re confident you will pass.

2. If you apply in person, it is:

- Same day Taiwan.

- Japan + Korea only accept local applicants.

- 5 day wait cambodia.

- 2-3 days Vientianne and has been so far higher success rate. Requires a booking,

- Jakarta is walk in.

3. You need 500k in the bank.

4. You need to be a remote worker or remote business owner.

I will have my VA check into the cooking class or whatever those requirements are, but without looking, I would assume it’s the same as with not ‘really’ meeting the requirements so you will NEED to use an agent to ‘squeeze’ it through. Which could be the school offering the classes or the agent themselves, I’m sure agents will get onto this ‘quicker’ though.

Who to call? I haven’t found a reputable one yet, but if you have one please let me know. But I think I might make some calls over the next few days. If you could as well and let me know what they say would be appreciated.

How do they do this? God knows. Pay them? Have a party. I have no idea, but they can sometimes and no one seems to care.

So those are your two options:

1. If you’re clearly a remote worker or business owner I don’t think this is going to be too hard at all. But, still, apply in person if you can, as they can then give feedback on your application. When I did my last multi-entry in Australia I flew to canberra, which was a pain, but at least they could amend on the spot the 2-3 mistakes I made (one being printing off the ‘sydney’ form which theh said would be an instant fail).

2. If you’re going to try to ‘get one past the goalie’ as an English teacher or online trader or whatever. I would recommend finding and hiring an agent. As you’re going to be met with: “oh, you need 6 months of statements” when really they mean: “You don’t meet the requirements sorry” they’re just being nice.

For me, this is far more likely the situation. Then ‘so many’ qualified people being rejected for the superfluous reasons being thrown around.

One more thing…

Almost all Thailand’s visas’s are tourist visas. A LOT of people have been scammed into thinking they are residency visas when they aren’t or maybe they’re just complaceant, I’m not aure.

But there is residency options out there and I am looking for them.

There is essentially free houses in Japan, Taiwan gives actual residency for the same price as Thailand with the ‘gold card’. And there is many others which I want to find so have hired a few VA’s and am scouring the globe now.

I think Thailand is a fantastic start, especially with the DTV. But you really should be going into it with eyes open. Especially three things:

1. It will never lead to residency. The only path is being on a work permit or starting a company and hiring yourself, which I would oersonally only do under an’investment’ with a thai person. Expecting it would probably go south anyway.

2. You should NOT have a bank account here or they will tax you, so if you have one, close it and use Wise or Revolut. The best strategy I have found (if you can) is to have a HK company (can set up for $1000 with one I found that does crypto too) and then pay yourself from there, to revolut or wise. Or just use the company account. But never a Thai one. I’ve read the rules and it is only on money brought in, so just don’t bring it in.

3. Never and I mean NEVER go to immigration if you have overstayed your visa. Always leave and pay the fine or you risk ending up in jail.

And that, to me, is the biggest (and scariest) risk in Thailand for me, for all the people who don’t even know about it. That if you ever have a ‘brush’ with the law and end up in jail, or god forbid get in an accident and end up in hospital. then go to immigration with ‘just cause’ for overstaying you could (and should treat it as will) end up in the IDC where they essentially lock you up and throw away the key. No joke. Look it up.

So personally, for me this is a temporary place. Just like the DTV and with all the legal landminds surrounding it, I am personally looking for somewhere else long term. Is why I hired the VA’s. To look up all the different options for residency and long term stay and will release it later once we’ve got a really solid understanding of the market. For me what’s most important is:

1. I can own land 100%.

2. They give an actual passport or residency eventually.

3. It’s well priced.

4. It’s safe.

5. It’s fun.

But am using like 100-200 different criteria including tax rates, investment amount needed etc.

Anyway, not really that interested in feedback as it will all almost definitely be passive aggressive whinging. But if you have something to ‘add’ to the conversation feel free.

All the best.