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What are the best visa options for a European remote worker wanting to stay in Thailand for one year?

LTR Visa Remote Work Visa Multi-Entry Tourist Visa Education Visa Student Visa Language Program Long-Term Stay Tourist Visa Visa Rules Expat Life in Thailand

Apr 26, 2024

8 months ago

Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

European remote worker that wants to stay 1 year in Thailand: what's the best visa options that he has?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A European remote worker looking to stay in Thailand for one year has several visa options. The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa designed for remote workers is the primary legal choice. Other alternatives include the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which allows for a stay of up to 9 months with regular border runs; an Education Visa by enrolling in a language program; and a standard Tourist Visa, requiring short trips out of the country to renew. However, it's important to avoid mentioning remote work when applying for non-LTR visas to avoid complications.

LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic Long Term Resident (LTR) Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Duncanc **********

Marriage

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Yorgos **************

You are he? I thought you were female

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James *********

@Yorgos *************

Same words uttered every night, whilst in bed, by many tourists in Thailand 😊

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Yorgos **************

@James ********

exactly.

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Yorgos **************

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Terary **********

Tourist visas. You can stay up to 90 days. Go visit some other country for a week or two every 90 days.

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

so i do another extra tourist visa after the first one expire? Is not strange to be a tourist for 180 days?

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Terary **********

I have been a tourist for about 9 years. Sure it's strange but not uncommon. Truthfully, I have used various different visa types over the past 9 year but most were tourist.

METV is a better option. Then you only have to do border bounce (go have lunch in a neighboring country).

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Andi ***********

Marta Mazzù METV allows up to 9 mths as a tourist.

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Andi ***********

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Sheikh *************

student visa with language program

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Michael **********

multi entry tourist visa will give u up to 9months. Don't mention you work from remote or they'll flag you

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Nigel ********

@Michael *********

to late is posted on FB

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Harvey *****

@Michael *********

pretty sure they could still pick u up doing that as they can recognise your abusing system and not on the correct visa

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Michael **********

that's a kind of visa. It's called multi entry and allows you to get inside the country up to 6 months without any extension (which would provide 3 more months). That's not abusing the system. Getting in the country on visa exempt for multiple times is

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Stephan ***********

@Michael *********

If you misuse the tourist (!) visa with the intention to work here illegally then it is clearly abusing/cheating the system. You shouldn't give questionable advices here.

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephan **********

yeah but are talking about remote work. Freelance work outside Thailand. I know that is still work, usually Thailand doesn't care if you work for outside clients, but i agree is a bit borderline.

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Stephan ***********

They do care more now... the witch hunt on foreigners is on cause of many stupid incidents lately. And one thing is for sure... it's not fun to deal with the immigration here about any kind of wrongdoing... not at all... 😎

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephan **********

yeah I know! I feel like some foreigners ruined it but taking too much freedom in Thailand. They felt like they can do anything without respect. And that had consequences now...

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Michael **********

they won't care about you and if they do then just reply porcoddio

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Michael **********

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Brandon ************

LTR remote worker visa is the only legal option.

Education visa otherwise and don't talk about the fact that you work.

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

but education visa you have to go daily in the school i think...

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Andy **********

if you get an informal Ed visa, for doing say a beginners course in Thai language or muay Thai, you only need to attend school a couple of days a week, for a couple of hours, and some say you can do part of the course via a group zoom lesson.

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Dovdov *********

you dont school

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Brandon ************

yes

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

i understand. Not really doable for a full time worker. Also, it's feels a bit borderline because you are lying...

LTR remote worker visa i see that you have to make at least

*****

$/year, i don't make it...i understand why so many remote workers they just use multi entry tourist visa or education visa (illegaly), because there's no fully legal way to live in Thailand for a remote worker if you earn less than 80K or elite visa...

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Andy **********

If you have a masters degree or above, then the threshold is $45,000. If you don't have a postgraduate degree, then your solution involves getting one.

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Brandon ************

working on ANY visa other than LTR remote worker visa is "lying"

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

yes is true. That's what I mean: the majority of young remote workers are lying or they use improperly the education visa. I know people living in Thailand for years with education visa...they never go in the school.

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John **********

in the past yes, not any more. ED visas are now only issued for 90 days and then get extended by 90 days at a time at immigration where they check your attendance. Year visas are issued for university

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

i imagined, so the only option now for a remote worker is start to earn at least 80K a year for 2 years 😃

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Kool *******

you can remotely work in any country in the world that has internet. Thailand does not want lower level remote workers here, and why the wage requirements, and, if you read further in the regulations, the company you remote work for must be making at least $100million a year in gross revenue. Thailand doesn't want you here if you, or the company you work for doesn't meet the requirements. Vietnam, or a bunch of other actual third world countries will welcome you with open arms, but not Thailand.

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

but I mean, let's say that a freelance has many clients, there's a requirement on his clients too? I thought the only requirement was the yearly income...i want to ask them if by yearly income is considered on much you earn with your company or how much you put in your personal bank...

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Kool *******

in your case you can not legally remote work here, so just keep your mouth shut about it, as Thailand has some of the most advanced social media tracking in the world. They watch everything. They are not the third world country everyone is led to believe.

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John **********

yep, otherwise you are working illegally. Plus the changes to the tax situation are going to make it very difficult to stay in Thailand earning money without paying tax to the thai revenue department

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

i read that! It feels like Thailand doesn't want long term remote workers/digital nomads, except if hey had a big income or can afford elite visa. I will check the neighbor country, it may be easier in Malaysia or Vietnam...

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John **********

you can't work on the Elite visa.

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

i mean, remote work as a digital nomad. Many "rich" freelance and entrepreneurs are using it. Is borderline in your opinion?

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John **********

not even remotely borderline, it's not allowed. It's basically a long term tourist visa

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Martino *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

i understand. I asked because I know some freelancers using it. One Australian freelance told me that he's staying 3 years in Thailand with ED Visa but he's not going in school, he's working remotely from home... Many people are abusing the system...

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John **********

you're trying too hard to find work around. The visa is personal to you so it looks at your money, but there is also a requirement with regards the company that employs you.

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John **********

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