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What are the limitations of the DTV digital nomad visa in Thailand?

DTV Visa Digital Nomad Visa Limitations Remote Work Work Permit Business Activities in Thailand Thai Immigration Rules

Oct 5, 2024

2 months ago

Benjamin ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

hello. has anyone seen any information regarding the limitations of the DTV digital nomad? of course we can make phone calls and use a laptop. but what about wearing a professional t-shirt, talking about your company to someone in thailand, giving a business card, etc. thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Thailand permits remote work for foreign nationals. However, holders must adhere to strict limitations on business activities. Conducting business or enticing customers within Thailand is prohibited. Simple casual discussions about one's profession are acceptable, but engaging with local businesses for work or trying to establish client relationships could be illegal and may require a Work Permit. For any commercial activities, a remote worker must operate strictly from their home country or seek a different visa.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Deepak *******

If you are trying to get Thai clients, it is not allowed. If you are talking about clients outside Thailand, then I would suggest you move to your home country, why you need a DTV visa?

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Stephen ********

You will clearly not be able to run a local company or work for a local business. The company and you and your visa are two different things, granted you have a company.

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Romain ****

You’re not supposed to sell anything to Thailand so what you’re expecting to do is no way. If you want to do this, create a local business and get a work permit.

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Pierre ********

You cant sell anything to Thai companies. Because if your contacts leading to an invoice in future, you are working and then affecting the Thai economy, which is illegal with dtv. So you cannot represent an company that is abroad and want to get in contact with Thai companies.

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Paul *******

@Pierre *******

Obviously a foreign businessman can do those things but they're not residing in Thailand. A DTV holder technically can't, as you correctly state as they're resident in Thailand and not work authorized.

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Paul *******

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David ********

Why not inquire to your local immigration office for the legal answer?

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Greg ********

It would be the Ministry of Labour where you ask if a Work Permit is required for "X" type of work. When people are arrested for working without a WP Immigration are present as they are part of the "Royal Thai Police" and thus have powers of arrest.

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Pierre ********

maybe because you will not get a consistant answer. If you even get an answer. If they even understand your question.

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Pierre ********

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Lyle *********

No work in Thailand - you already get a great visa, no need to break the law

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Kool *******

Wearing a shirt is no problem, but trying to conduct business, or entice customers inside Thailand is illegal, as that is classed as working, which is illegal inside Thailand. Simply being friendly telling people what you do, and not trying to recruit customers is fine though. You can not do anything that would be classed as doing business in Thailand. It is only for remote work.

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Łukasz *********

Is this your assumption or you know the legal basis of it? I am curious. For example, in Indonesia, you can promote your company but you are not allowed to conduct a business transaction - that would have to go through an overseas entity.

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Stephen ********

@Łukasz ********

Legally you can’t work for a Thai company or physically running a business here. The rest is purely conjecture.

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Kool *******

@Łukasz ********

this is not Indonesia. The DTV visa is a glorified tourist visa, and as such you are not allowed to do any work in Thailand, only remote work. Promoting your company inside Thailand will be classed as working in Thailand.

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Stephen ********

You are confusing corporate vs employment vs immigration law.

A corporation functions as a seperate legal entity. A person’s employment vs a company are two seperate things. You can work for airbnb while airbnb sells into Thailand. And Airbnb does not need a corporation in Thailand or a work visa to do so.

So your company + business are not the same as you as an individual.

Your visa grants you rights to live in Thailand and work for an international company. Meaning not for a local company or running a local business.

What that international company does has absolutely no bearing on the visa and is a completely different set of laws.

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Kool *******

@Stephen *******

you can not work in any capacity inside Thailand on any tourist visa, and the DTV visa is a tourist visa, only allowing you to work remotely while living in Thailand. It is very clear in that respect.

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Stephen ********

And you’re confusing employment law, immigration law and corporation law.

Immigration law allows what you can do in the country, employment law pertains to the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.

You can absolutely work for an international company.

How that company then trades with Thailand is totally seperate.

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Stephen ********

your comment is contradictory.

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Stephen ********

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Greg ********

You are not allowed to work for a Thai company or organisation though. For that you need a different visa and if working in Thailand then a Work Permit too. Why not give some examples of the type of work you are talking about. If you are visiting Thai businesses touting for work you are working locally in Thailand and would need a Work Permit.

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Stephen ********

Yes, and the company or business you work for’s trading is not related to your employment with them.

You can work for google, even though google sells into thailand. That is google’s problem to figure out.

Then, if google is registered in Thailand, you would then be able to make a bank account and get a work permit. i.e. work towards residency.

I don’t think that was his question but yes, you couldn’t work for or run a local business.

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Greg ********

@Stephen *******

As for the Google for example it is same as when I was working for a Japanese company. I worked for the local legal entity and thus needed a Work Permit in Thailand. No matter that 99% of my work was global in nature ie for outside of Thailand.

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Greg ********

@Stephen *******

If you look at his profile it is pretty obvious the type of work he wants to do. He needs a Work Permit!

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Stephen ********

To run an international company. No mate. A company and a person are two different things. I am employed by an international company which includes a global business base. That is not the same as running a fruit stand, which is not allowed.

You are totally misunderstanding immigration and corporation law.

Google’s CEO does not need a work permit to sell to Thailand, their employees wouldn’t either to work here locally either.

For google to sell here though, they would need to comply with the local tax and other regulations.

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Stephen ********

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