Answered10 months ago
What are the application challenges and options for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) given an unconventional income situation?
I am considering a DTV but my situation is a little more complicated and I have questions which have not been answered yet, I don't think.
The money in the bank is not an issue. However, as I own businesses in the UK, I don't get a formal salary and I simply draw from a director loan account with over £1m in my favour. I am not trying to explain that to someone at immigration as they will never understand it. I could magic up a contract or whatever but it clearly isn't £xxxxx per month etc. matching deposits into my accounts.
During the application process, it asks when you are arriving and when you are leaving and if you have accommodation for the duration. If I put 180 days and can't show accommodation for 180 days, then what ? Ideally, I don't want to have to arrange any accommodation and I can't arrange it without the surety of obtaining the visa. Same with flight tickets, I can't lose £5k on flights.
Extensions and 90 day reporting. Are they asking for financials everytime or ever ? Has anyone done an extension at 180 days ? My understanding this is available every entry, not just once but that it is available once per entry.
Banking. I have bank accounts at SCB but would prefer to diversify and open others. I read the DTV is not a non immigrant visa so blah blah but is this categorically proven or just half reality, half internet twaddle. It doesn't officially affect me but I could use a non O visa otherwise.
The money in the bank is not an issue. However, as I own businesses in the UK, I don't get a formal salary and I simply draw from a director loan account with over £1m in my favour. I am not trying to explain that to someone at immigration as they will never understand it. I could magic up a contract or whatever but it clearly isn't £xxxxx per month etc. matching deposits into my accounts.
During the application process, it asks when you are arriving and when you are leaving and if you have accommodation for the duration. If I put 180 days and can't show accommodation for 180 days, then what ? Ideally, I don't want to have to arrange any accommodation and I can't arrange it without the surety of obtaining the visa. Same with flight tickets, I can't lose £5k on flights.
Extensions and 90 day reporting. Are they asking for financials everytime or ever ? Has anyone done an extension at 180 days ? My understanding this is available every entry, not just once but that it is available once per entry.
Banking. I have bank accounts at SCB but would prefer to diversify and open others. I read the DTV is not a non immigrant visa so blah blah but is this categorically proven or just half reality, half internet twaddle. It doesn't officially affect me but I could use a non O visa otherwise.
Answer summary
The user is contemplating applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) due to their complex financial situation as a business owner in the UK without a formal salary, and concerns about accommodation and flight arrangements required by the visa application process. They seek clarity on how to prove financial stability, extension options, and the implications of banking on a DTV. Comments from the community suggest various strategies including creating a self-employment contract, showing sufficient funds in a personal account, and recommending border-bouncing for extensions over official procedures.
62 repliesnewest first
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Kyle *******
How do you have a bank account at scb without a visa?
Emma-Louise *********
Your salary amount doesnt matter so show your payslips for the £12.5k.
Its a very common set up, its not that unique.
Its a very common set up, its not that unique.
Gary *******
Three words: get an agent!
Andy **********
OP@Gary ******
No, it would take longer to educate an agent on director loan accounting and corporate taxation !Gary *******
@Andy *********
I sympathize with your situation, but, from reading various comments, and your replies, I dare write that you are no closer to a definitive answer by hoping for something concrete from the internet! There must be an agent, or agency, that has the cross-over knowledge your looking for...Andy **********
OP@Gary ******
In an ideal world you'd be right but I have no time for "agents" who fraudulently fudge Bt800k bank deposits etc. This type of thing can come back and hurt you way down the line, just as folks back in the early 2000s found out when their passports used to go on holiday to Cambodia but then one day, never came back.Every illegal fudge (and no agent can be trusted) can cost you and this is a 5 year visa, so I want to understand it myself.
I'll get to the bottom of it and post back and then do (or attempt if I fail !) an extension and report back and then we'll have some real data points.
Ossie *********
With that type of money why bother going down that road for DTV you have plenty of options plus it’s likely that SCB will close your account as the DTV is a tourist visa
Andy **********
OP@Ossie ********
I know I have plenty of options but for reasons of my own and simplicity, I prefer this option, though I am looking at the LTV as well.It is not likely that SCB will close my account. You can't just republish nonsense from the internet as truth.
Ossie *********
@Andy *********
you ask a question and come back to me with a mouthful do ur own research if ur not happy with my reply ! by the way I’ve been with SCB since 2005 there and I guarantee they will close your account down as tourist visas are no longer allowed bank accounts !Ossie *********
@Andy *********
you said you were considering a DTV visa that was your headline and I replied that the DTV is a 5 year tourist visa you didn’t say what visa you were currently on !Andy **********
OP@Ossie ********
Go read what you write "tourist visas are no longer allowed bank accounts".I'm never on a tourist visa. I might be on a non immigrant visa, or a B visa, or a 60 day entry stamp or whatever.
I've been with SCB since the last century.
The thing is that I am looking for facts, not what someone "thinks" or believes. Their supposition is as valid or invalid as my guessing or spinning the bottle.
I was hoping for someone whose situation was close to mine or who had gone through an extension, not random internet guesswork, but thanks.
Anonymous ******************
Just join Muay Thai
Anonymous ******************
匿名互动者 554 can u help advise a muay thai?
Thai ************
Its totally fine. You may show you own the company. And as long as you’ve 500K in an account under your name - It’s not a problem.
BrightSun**********
@Andy *********
Talking about my own experience and the tips I got in this page. I did applied online. They only want to see the flight number that you are attending to get, doesn't mean that you need to have the flight booked. Luckily for me after they approved my visa I was able to book the exact same flight. They never asked me for anything else beside that flight number that you can find at any airline when looking to book something.
For the accommodation I booked for 21 days in booking a free cancellation hotel in case they rejected my visa I could cancel it without any extra fees I used the address, phone number and everything else that they needed from the accommodation.
I hope it helps! I was also very stressed out!
Andy **********
OPBrightSunflower8975 Yes, this is sort of what I did for a previous non immigration visa. I copied the proposed flight details and the potential accommodation.
Ade ********
Employ Siam legal. Take the stress out of it. You’re over complicating it.
Ade ********
@Andy *********
yes. More than people on here. But you do you.Andy **********
OP@Ade *******
No I'm not, I'm asking specific questions that I very much doubt any agency has knowledge about. Do you really think they have a clue about UK director loan accounts and the associated corporate taxation ?Ade ********
@Andy *********
I put a hotel address. And one way ticket. Flexible. And I got the DTV. All through advice of Siam legal.
ArticulateS***********
You can employ yourself - just show the 500k. Buy a flexible ticket (as you’re talking about £5k that’s a biz return). You don’t need a return or departure flight. Don’t put 180 days a put like 179 etc. London is one of the “best” to apply from. I got a DTV soft power in 3 days.
Iliana *******
ArticulateSquirrel3605 do you need to show tax returns or salary slips are sufficient?
Adam ********
@Iliana ******
if its london then wage slips were fine, i would assume (based on my experience) if your showing as employed then they can see NI and tax on the wage slips. If your self employed or a business owner then it may get more complicated and they will want to see SA302's.i think a lot of people (not aimed at the OP) are making this whole process a lot more complected that it needs to be.
Andy **********
OP@Adam *******
No and this is why if you can't understand it, how on earth would a Thai immigration officer.A director loan account means that the company owes you (or you can owe it) any amount of money that you have previously lent it (or borrowed from it) but as debt is not taxable, if you borrow it then it is tax free but if the company repays you what it owes you, then it is also 100% tax free and does not need to be declared.
If I took dividends, it would cost me circa 45% of the sum but as a director loan repayment, it is 0%.
I do claim the £
*****
as wages and some investment income and small dividend income but at the levels not requiring declaring, as per my accountants advice.The £1m+ is a figure built up over years, such as when I've lent the company money to buy new assets or other companies. It is the same as borrowing from a bank but I am the lender.
You do not have to take any repayment from a director loan account in your favour.
Adam ********
@Andy *********
so you get 1m but you don’t pay tax? The sa302 is from HMRC based on your self assessment that you should submit once a year… also why wouldn’t you claim your tax free allowance per year as wages?
If your drawing from a DLA you need to pay tax 😂
Sounds very strange
Andy **********
OP@Adam *******
Unless your situation is more complicated, such as mine, where I do not complete SA302 because I draw from a director loan account and thus don't have taxable income.
DTV_Be*******
@Iliana ******
depends on the embassyArticulateS***********
@Iliana ******
I don’t know because I applied under soft power and they don’t ask for it.
Terence *******
You’re not special, just read the visa requirements man. It’s super simple.
Ade ********
@Terence ******
ohhhh but I think 🤔 he thinks he is.Andy **********
OP@Ade *******
Not "special" just my circumstances are not some wannabee youtuber bottom feeder trying to prove to immigration that his little YT channel meets the requirements.Ade ********
@Andy *********
wannabe you tuber 😂 best of luck lad
John **********
The 1 extension per entry on a DTV is quite difficult to get, you need all your original documents updated to the time of the extension and 500k baht in a bank for a month. Most people just choose to border bounce to avoid the hassle. They don't check anything at the time of your 90 day report other than your address being registered on the TM30 system. If you were to get a Non-O visa you wouldn't be legally able to work remotely from Thailand
Andy **********
OP@John *********
Have you got a source for this being difficult and that you need all the original documents updated ? This would be a first for any visa to require this and I cannot find an online resource which states this.Andy **********
OPThanks. That website is largely just cut, copy and paste from elsewhere but I think this passage is perhaps the nearest we have gotten to the truth as yet.
You can extend the DTV visa for a 180-day period at the immigration office in Phuket Town once per year.
Prerequisite for the DTV extension are:
- Valid Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) without overstay.
- Up to date address registration.
No bull about all the financial again, no nonsense about full new visa fees, just the same qualifications for every other visa, are you legal and are you registered (if over 90 days).
You can extend the DTV visa for a 180-day period at the immigration office in Phuket Town once per year.
Prerequisite for the DTV extension are:
- Valid Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) without overstay.
- Up to date address registration.
No bull about all the financial again, no nonsense about full new visa fees, just the same qualifications for every other visa, are you legal and are you registered (if over 90 days).
John **********
@Andy *********
Andy Johnston mostly from posts on here, I can't find a link to the actual requirements on an official site but Phuket Immigration Volunteers have also posted this*********************************
Benjamin *********
@John *********
and its useless. You basically buying a new visa and take more days then going 2 days in vietnam or Philippines. For same price.Andy **********
OP@Benjamin ********
No, the cost of an extension is Bt1900, the same as all visa extensions. It is not Bt10k.In any case, I want to iron out the truth, aside from internet speculation.
Luit *****************
@Benjamin ********
With non-o it is accepted you live in Thailand, will make things like bank account and 5 years drivers license easier, only downside of non-o in my opinion is you have to extend each year again and have to be in the country at that moment. Also your visa is not dependant on your employment contract and you don't have an obligation to leave with non-o.So when you want to stay year around, non-o just is the better visa, if you only stay parts of the year DTV is.
Benjamin *********
@Luit ****************
i was answering here for dtv. And i know non b non ib but less familiar with non oAdam ********
Very simple do yourself a contract as a senior manager, you should have wage slips for 13k a year for your tax fee allowance. Apply on this basis and say you get additional income from other sources
Show your bank account with the 500k thb or more
Highlight incoming payments on three months bank statement including dividends and other income
Submit pay slips bank statements company registration personal statement a cv a letter from your company saying you can work remotely and situation won’t change over next 5 years
I didn’t need to submit flight or accommodation confirmation
90 day is just passport tm30 and maybe one other document it’s a 10 min job (when you get passed the que)
Fly out and in if your there more than 179 days to negate the financials again.
Your banks have a high chance of being closed and very hard to open new ones on DTV I wouldn’t keep much cash in them maybe 100k bht max and top up monthly as you need
Show your bank account with the 500k thb or more
Highlight incoming payments on three months bank statement including dividends and other income
Submit pay slips bank statements company registration personal statement a cv a letter from your company saying you can work remotely and situation won’t change over next 5 years
I didn’t need to submit flight or accommodation confirmation
90 day is just passport tm30 and maybe one other document it’s a 10 min job (when you get passed the que)
Fly out and in if your there more than 179 days to negate the financials again.
Your banks have a high chance of being closed and very hard to open new ones on DTV I wouldn’t keep much cash in them maybe 100k bht max and top up monthly as you need
Anonymous ******************
@Adam *******
I'm puzzled. I seen more than one post where the dtv applicant simply put down no income and got a visa quickly. Why not just do that?Adam ********
Anonymous participant 243 you still need to show you are working or going to be, if you don’t have a new startup or similar it won’t work you can’t show you own a business and have no income if it turns over a fair amount
Andy **********
OP@Adam *******
Yes, we do the £*****
through group payroll but I do not need to issue dividends due to a 7 figure director loan account in my favour. However, I can highlight some inward payments.You cannot actually get through the website application unless you upload flight and accommodation details so how did you do that ?
Do you have a link to a resource showing that the extension requires a full set of financials or updated financials ? I can't see that requirement exists.
My banks are not going to be closed. I am verified at SCB and have been through this with them in September when last there, though I know, this is Thailand !
Adam ********
@Andy *********
what your saying about a DLA doesnt make sense to me as DLA need repaying or dividends issuing etc but that's for another time.if you have a basic payslip like i said just use that, it shows income into your account and tax, and put a note on that you receive additional payments from other sources, no need to go into it with them.
The financials they ask for depend on what you say, if you just put you are employed you will need 3 months of your personal bank statements showing money going in and the balance over the 500k thb.
I dont recall the form but i didn't upload any accommodation or flights, i put a rough date in and possible accommodation i certainly didn't pay for anything before i had the visa or even book it. Unless the forms changed in 2 months since i did mine then i dont know why you need to.
As regards the financials on the 180 days just check the forums its bascially the application again which is why people advice to leave prior and return.
Your banks will be closed if they see you are on a DTV as has happened with 90% of people, you may fly under the radar but it could be for a week a month or a year but they are at risk. Check the forums and you will see a number of people have changed to DTV and had their accounts severely restricted or closed.
Wannikea *********
Yes you can draw up in an employment contract between your business and yourself and you don't have to state salary. Depending on what consulate you apply at they may ask to see payslips or similar. Many successful applicants include a very brief cover letter to explain their business model and renumeration. You'll need to show the 500k in a personal account not a business account. Also include that you are eligible to work remotely and specifically in Thailand that you will have no business dealings with Thai persons or entities.
Do not even consider an extension within Thailand just simply border bounce to get another 180 day stamp. Extensions within Thailand are at the whim of immigration and you will have to provide all your initial application paperwork updated, plus plus plus plus plus.
Do not even consider an extension within Thailand just simply border bounce to get another 180 day stamp. Extensions within Thailand are at the whim of immigration and you will have to provide all your initial application paperwork updated, plus plus plus plus plus.
Andy **********
OP@Wannikea ********
Is your statement on extensions from experience or just theoretical ? I have had many extensions based on business and non immigrant visas going back 25 years so I have direct experience that it is not "at the whim of immigration" but rather that properly completed applications are largely rubber stamped as a fee earning service.Wannikea *********
@Andy *********
you may have had many various extensions in the past, but the DTV extension is a whole new ballgame. Just go for it, report back to us. Completely ignore my advice and tell us where you did it, and how it went.Wannikea *********
@Andy *********
77 immigration offices in Thailand, go find out what yours is requiring.Andy **********
OP@Wannikea ********
Why bother with replies like this ? just to get your post count up ?Seriously, I am an adult, who asked a few specific questions and all you can come up with is some childish "go see and find out" as opposed to having any empirical evidence or even being able to post up a link to the immigration website which shows the issues and rules for extensions.
Wannikea *********
@Gary ******
people without a visa using free Visa exempt stamps and extensions to stay in Thailand are being scrutinized.Gary *******
@Asso *****
Aaah right! Doesn't apply to the DTV
Asso ******
@Gary ******
border runs are "now being strongly scrutinized" mostly for people, who do not have any intention to ever get a visa and choose to border bounce to get another 60 day entry stampGary *******
@Wannikea ********
aren't border runs now being strongly scrutinized with many being rejected? Sooo glad I don't have a business, just a simple Non-O that gets renewed every year, no questions, and zero issues with my bank...Anonymous ******************
If you have that much money why don’t you just buy a elite visa
Anonymous ******************
Might be expensive but the benefits are far better than any other option
Andy **********
OPAnonymous participant 974 The Elite visa was a rip off and is now more of a rip off.
Luit *****************
@Andy *********
it might be expensive, but why a rip off? When you have the money, it just is one of the best possibilities.Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 974 And why afraid of loosing some money on flight ticket cancellation or accomodation cancellation in case of visa rejection.
Andy **********
OP@Luit ****************
Where I "live" in Thailand is Bt150k a month and a flight ticket is approximately £4k so what sort of idiot would pay £25k+ and lose it because they didn't iron out the issues beforehand.Luit *****************
@Andy *********
A 4K flight ticket shoud have the option of cancelling free.When you spend 150k THB a month, why all the hassle with a cheap DTV visa with limitations and not just buy an Elite visa.
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