Unanswereda year ago
What are the requirements for applying for a remote worker DTV in Thailand as a sole proprietor of a foreign company?
As every embassy or consulate has slightly different requirements / paperwork for a DTV, I wanted to run this scenario by all of you so that you can point out any pitfalls I might encounter.
I want to apply for a remote workers DTV in a few months.
Recently I set up a Sole Proprietorship company in another country ( Indonesia ) where I would be acting as the sole shareholder/ director of the company but not as an employee.
The company specializes in Business Consultancy and this is the seasonal work I would be doing while inside Thailand for six months a year.
None of my client base is inside Thailand, all Europe.
The problem is, like Thailand it is a PITA to sort out work permits and business visas for Indonesia but I do NOT need any special visa to be an UNPAID director or shareholder of a company registered there.
The only future income I will be earning will be when I will be remotely working while in Thailand.
So, taking into consideration that I am not an employee but a documented business owner / majority shareholder of a non Thai company with no proof of income YET , will this pass the application process and can it be explained away ?
I can show 500.000 thb in a Thai bank account for over 3 months.
Still undecided as to where I will apply.
Suggestions, comments and advice how to address this issue appreciated.
I want to apply for a remote workers DTV in a few months.
Recently I set up a Sole Proprietorship company in another country ( Indonesia ) where I would be acting as the sole shareholder/ director of the company but not as an employee.
The company specializes in Business Consultancy and this is the seasonal work I would be doing while inside Thailand for six months a year.
None of my client base is inside Thailand, all Europe.
The problem is, like Thailand it is a PITA to sort out work permits and business visas for Indonesia but I do NOT need any special visa to be an UNPAID director or shareholder of a company registered there.
The only future income I will be earning will be when I will be remotely working while in Thailand.
So, taking into consideration that I am not an employee but a documented business owner / majority shareholder of a non Thai company with no proof of income YET , will this pass the application process and can it be explained away ?
I can show 500.000 thb in a Thai bank account for over 3 months.
Still undecided as to where I will apply.
Suggestions, comments and advice how to address this issue appreciated.
Summary so far
The user is seeking advice on applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand while being a sole proprietor of a business in Indonesia. They express concerns about proving income, as they will not have any tangible income from their business at the time of application and will only show funds in a Thai bank account. The comments suggest that the user might face challenges due to the lack of proof of income and propose alternative methods such as providing a work contract or exploring other visa options.
25 repliesnewest first
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John **********
You would need to write yourself a contract with the company that gave you permission to work remotely from Thailand and charge through the company. You sure seem to have gone about this in the hardest way possible, why not just be a freelancer? Show your contracts with the companies you work for, show income, show the 500k and you should be good to go. The alternative is Soft Power but they can still ask for evidence of how you will support yourself for the 5 year period of the visa
Anonymous *************
OP@John *********
- Thanks John, I just saw your post.Yeah it seems the hardest way but its actually legit and once I get the income source generated then it should carry me through the 5 years as I will have all the proof necessary and i wont be worrying about any potential future rule changes.
Any other advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Andi ***********
Anonymous participantYou found his post then. That is exactly what I did. Show contracts, the 500k plus income on statements. You can explain why no income
John **********
Anonymous participant i really don't know but I'd be very surprised if VFS were making the decision although they may be doing the initial sift. My only experience of VFS is here in Thailand when renewing my passport, they check the forms & photos are correct and then just send it on to the UK for processing
Anonymous *************
OP@John *********
Some countries are using VFS to process the applications and I would get banned from this group if I posted what i really think of them.I was wondering if behind the scenes THEY are doing the tedious document verification. They love to make life very difficult for people when it comes to paperwork, its an Indian trait.
Andi ***********
Anonymous participantEverything is done online. You only visit the embassy if you have an interview. There are loads of posts that will help you apply successfully. The friendlies will unlikely change to Malaysian level.
John **********
Anonymous participant no embassy will do that any longer unless they call you in for interview (which is normally just a formality).
Anonymous *************
OP@Andi **********
Last question Andi, explaining is easy to do in person , what embassies will give me the opportunity to do this face to face as opposed to keep sending additional documents. ?Lets call them " friendly embassies ".
My worry is that these places will eventually get overwhelmed and start changing like the Penang Consulate did.
Pete *******
Keep it simple and apply with a qualifying cooking course. You can still work remotely on soft power. Why complicate things?
Anonymous *************
OP@Pete ******
Thanks, from my experience with immigration in Thailand they love to move the goalposts as you say. This DTV is an excellent choice however it seems to be too good to be true for the long term. Yes I can sign up for and do a 6 month cooking class however ai worry that a year or two or three they change the rules and start looking for proof of being registered for the whole term of the visa.Pete *******
Anonymous participant oh for a crystal ball....
Anonymous *************
OP@Pete ******
- I think after living here for a while you dont really need one.They are predictably unpredictable. Everything here is.
Greg ********
So you will not be able to show the company has any income or tax paid. No salary or dividend payments to yourself?
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
Nothing yet as the company has just been set up and no income has been generated. I will start work officially in a few months and was hoping to do 6 months remotely from Thailand .I set up the company on a tourist visa so I do not have the correct visa to get personal tax id number, however I can be a non paid company' Director/ majority shareholder.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant I am pretty sure "Startups" have been approved in some Embassies without a trading industry. You would need to search and find out where. Good luck
Anonymous *************
OP@Andi **********
Thanks Andy.I didnt see John Stammer post regarding client contracts.
John, if you are reading this could you clarify the freelancer / client contract option, cheers
Greg ********
Anonymous participant Well just have to be Zen about it and apply the "Let Them Theory". Trying to predict what will happen in Thailand is like trying to ride a unicorn. My old boss was very senior in a large BOI company here. Economically strategic to the economy. He would meet ministers and come away confused lol. Best to just wait and see and Mai Pen Rai.
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
The " rush job " is what worries me and as I said previously they love to change the terms and conditions.Andi ***********
Anonymous participant You can find posts by newly employed, recent business owners in the threads from many countries. "Friendlies" I know are Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, London. I know someone similar to you approved in Taipei but it was not an easy process. Do not apply in Malaysia, the most difficult embassy for approval. Also consider John Stammer's idea applying as a freelancer via client contracts. There is no minimum income requirement for workcation.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant It is legit to work remotely on a Soft Power DTV. If it was not there would be a lot of people in trouble. If one was to be extremely pedantic I do not think there is anything that says you can. Just as there is nothing that says you cannot. The rules and guidance were a rush job and not well defined.
Anonymous *************
OP@Andi **********
I havnt decided yet as to where to apply. I am a few months away from doing the application.I was hoping that someone had gone through a similar situation and could direct me to a easier embassy where ai can get the opportunity to have face to face time with someone to explain all this. Any ideas ?
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant It is possible to get approved with a legit reason for no salary for the Workcation DTV. You can be unemployed and be approved for SP DTV. Where are you applying ?
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
I tend to at least try and keep thing semi legit when it comes to immigration issues. From reading this forum I see that regardless of the type if visa applied for they are looking for evidence of salary as shown in a bank account.
I was kinda hoping that the legit company ownership+ an explanation might suffice but as I said initially , each embassy has different criteria.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant As someone else advised. Go soft power. Easier than faffing about.
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
Thanks.All company documents are in order but its the history of a salary that I would be lacking, however I would have well in excess if the 500K in a Thai bank.
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