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What are the requirements for Australian DTV holders looking to start a business in Thailand?

Dec 16, 2025
a day ago
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any other business owners and DTV holders with Australian passport? 21 and plan to live in Thailand until my company reaches usd25k a month. I am An individual carrying on a business in their own capacity and dont have anything registered with my government.

- Is registring as a sole trader and getting ABN enough for proof of business?

-Ill also send emails and letters confirming myself as working there for the length of my visa, proof of current Australian clietns and will not take on any Thai clients. —Ive got financial proof of funds. Valid passport, photos, application, app fees not a problem, also an address both Aus and Thailand.

If im missing out on anything let me know
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is an Australian passport holder planning to live in Thailand and run a business. They seek advice on whether registering as a sole trader and obtaining an ABN suffices for proof of business, along with additional documentation like client confirmations and proof of funds. Comments suggest applying for a less complex visa, like a soft power DTV, and mention potential requests for income tax filings during the visa process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Mike **********
Another rejection in the making
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike *********
Thats sort of why I wrote the post
Anonymous ******************
Just got this message from manilla embassy.
Mike **********
Anonymous participant 961 this should be the answer for 90% of the people applying. All these people trying to apply so they can stay in thailand and be a tourist. They need to get a regular METV or just stay like a tourist.
DTV_Be*******
Just apply for a soft power DTV like cooking or Muay Thai

Less hassles and it will make the paperwork process easier
John **********
DTV_Begpacker not much good if he intends to work
DTV_Be*******
@John *********
DTV Facts :

While the actual visa document is the same and allows remote work for both

but both fall under the DTV umbrella for long stays (up to 180 days/entry).

A Workcation DTV is for remote work; a Soft Power DTV is for cultural activities, but the underlying visa allows for remote work regardless of the initial reason, so you're generally covered for "workcation" activities if you have any DTV.

Make me change my mind oh great and omnipotent one
John **********
DTV_Begpacker you get issued a visa for the purposes you apply for the visa. There are 3 purposes you can apply for - workation, soft power, family.

Compare what you have just said to a Non-O visa, it has many different purposes way more than a DTV but you can't apply for one reason and use it for another
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV_BegpackerNot an option for me. Thats why I was hoping ABN and sole trader registration with a few letters would be enough for the foreign ownership part
DTV_Be*******
@Will ********
good luck
Kool *******
They might ask for your latest income tax filing in your situation.
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
My apologies the revenue goal part is a bit irrelevant. I was hoping the statement 500,000 baht would be enough and I didn’t have to prove revenue for the Visa
John **********
@Will ********
you won't get a DTV based on workation if you don't have either revenue or provide a clear plan to attaining revenue. The 500k baht requirement is looked on more as an emergency fund, so they want to see how you will support yourself
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
John Stanners Thanks for the clarification, I was on another group and they said the best bet to prevent sharing current business revenue was to get a sponsors account and letter. Dont know if this is true, you might have some insight?