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What are the restrictions on working remotely with an Elite Visa in Thailand?

Thai Elite VisaVisa RestrictionsRemote Work in ThailandDTV VisaImmigration PolicyVisa Comparison
Jan 29, 2025
2 days ago
Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh dear me. There is a shock. You cannot work in Thailand, even remotely, on an Elite Visa. Pretty much redundant with DTV. Unless I am missing something.[members only]
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the limitations of working remotely on an Elite Visa in Thailand, highlighting that it does not permit remote work. The participants note the differences between this and the DTV visa, expressing surprise and concern over potential policy changes that could impact visa holders. There are suggestions for new conditions regarding visa eligibility and oversight.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Werner ************
Bit late now….lol

He suggested that a condition be introduced, stipulating that foreigners who have already stayed in Thailand for 180 days should be ineligible for the DTV visa.

Manatase also proposed that the Cabinet assign a dedicated agency to oversee all visa types to ensure that newly introduced visas do not undermine existing ones
2 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
@Werner ***********
 Yeah, newcomers are getting a cheap 5-year multi-entry visa, while those who have contributed to the country for years continue to receive their generous 1-year visa or elite expensive visa, at higher cost and with all the options to pay for. Typical thinking... The idea of a cabinet makes sense, but that's about it.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 It is pretty typical though that no coordination between stakeholders even in the same domain. DTV itself is an example. Lol
2 days ago
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Werner ************
@Greg *******
 exactly - this was bound to happen, the DTV is cannibalizing most other visa classes…there will likely be changes coming
2 days ago
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Steve ********
@Werner ***********
 The changes will be to Elite Visa to make it more attractive. How about offering a PR to those who have attained 20 years on Elite. That might keep people interested
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 PS Cannibalization is a good point. I worked on New Produce Development for years. Very important number to present.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 This is a separate private company. Depending who owns it and connections they may be urinating in the wind. Lol What we have seen is LTR requirement lowered. I am going to see BOI soon for an informal chat before a formal application. Will drop it into the conversation.
2 days ago
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Ivan ************
@Gr**
 Elite is not a private company, it's a state enterprise 100% owned by the Thai government.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
 OK. The name confused me ie Co. As stakeholders they were obviously not consulted about the DTV :-)
2 days ago
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Ivan ************
@Gr**
 neither was immigration, it seems. This is just how the Thai government works, there are different factions with their own ideas about things.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
 Yup. They usually try not to step on each others toes thiugh. I think it is becoming glaringly obvious about immigration and we are now seeing their response. Kept their powder dry for 6 months :-)
2 days ago
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Greg ********
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Jon **********
“He suggested that a condition be introduced, stipulating that foreigners who have already stayed in Thailand for 180 days should be ineligible for the DTV visa.”

Trying to railroad people into renewing their elite visa! Nice tactic 🫣
2 days ago
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Kevin ********
@Jon *********
 won’t ever happen as different demographic of people entirely. The DTV is aimed at working people, the Elite is aimed at people with money that just want to sit on there backside and do nothing.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon *********
 I did not read that bit. Good catch. That is an absolutely ridiculous notion. I think this is the squeaky wheel making all of the noise.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
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Donna ******
But they do not see the LTR as a threat?
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *****
 LTR you mean? That has a different target market and is run by BOI. They recently lowered their barriers to entry due to not meeting targets. Still too high for most people. BOI also lowered their requirements slightly for their Smart Visas.
2 days ago
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Donna ******
@Greg *******
 Yeah, typo. Sure, slightly trickier to set up, but better in some ways than a DTV, and many who can pay for an Elite would qualify. And if one has time, then it's a sensible option. Time was the issue on my side, but I'd have preferred it. If they ever make that BOI portion properly more straightforward, I could see a shift towards it.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *****
 I am currently putting together my pitch deck for the BOI Smart "S". I also advised an ex colleague from Big Pharma to go this route also just this morning. I am hoping to get an initial meeting with the BOI themselves in 2 weeks time. Spoken to a couple of agents etc up to now. One of them was absolutely useless. I am sure he was the office junior. I kept asking him what do I get for the 100k you charge. Basically it was a pitch deck and a co-working space with a little networking. The question he could NOT answer was given my business context. Tell me why your services plus BOI offer advantages over the DTV. He had no answer. FFS I can answer that lol
2 days ago
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Donna ******
@Greg *******
 That's a pity. Real potential there! Good luck!
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *****
 I will not name the service provider but it was not a good call from them. Let's see how BOI themselves will respond. I know someone who deals with BOI quite a bit. She is getting me an informal appointment. She has said I must emphasise 1) The benefits to Thailand of the business 2) The technology and skills transfer to Thai people/employees 3) How technology will be used in the business - AI will be mentioned on every page lol
2 days ago
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Donna ******
@Greg *******
 Sounds like a good call, seems to be quite what the Thais (sensibly) are aiming for. 🤞
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *****
 They are quite good at this. I previously worked at a BOI company been here under it 50 years now. Some great Thai staff including engineers etc

Really did encourage appointing locals to senior roles. One of the factory Presidents was an engineer who had worked her way up. When I worked in Big Pharma who Thai staff were excellent

Many in senior roles here and overseas now.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
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Steve ********
Wow! What a surprise!
2 days ago
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Michael ********
I don’t see anything about elite visas not being able to work remotely in the article, however it wouldn’t be a good idea to not explicitly state it. I know several elite holders that do work remotely, and they are slightly salty that they didn’t wait for the DTV or just get it. I remember a couple years back there was discussion about the price increase which got a lot of pure people to get the elite visa asap- it actually is a pretty nice option if you get the 20-year option, at that time, not sure about current pricing.
2 days ago
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Ivan ************
@Mic****
 Elite themselves (who are part of the Thai government) promote the visa for remote work.

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2 days ago
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Ivan ************
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Lyle *********
Two different visas for different purposes
2 days ago
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Joey *********
@Lyle ********
 the purpose of the elite being to line the governments pocket 😂
2 days ago
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Steve ********
The DTV is very flexible. Anybody can get one, for whatever purpose
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyle ********
 It is but many Elite visa holders are not happy.
2 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
 The new Bronze version allows remote work, doesn't it.??
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 Not read it actually. I think it is the company who owns the rights to sell it squealing theast. Sales must have dropped of the cliff.
2 days ago
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Ivan ************
And this is a prominent legal firm (Siam Legal) giving the same opinion.

"While holders of a Thailand Privilege membership aren’t allowed to acquire a Thai work permit or work for a company based in Thailand, they are still permitted to work remotely for international companies."

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I know they are an agent with an incentive to sell you a visa but they are also a prominent legal firm. When both legal opinion and the Thai government itself is saying you can do remote work on a visa, you probably can do remote work on the visa.

I think the Thai government simply doesn't see remote work as the sort of employment that is prohibited on any visa. I don't actually think either Elite or DTV are legally distinct in this regard, DTV was just the first visa they really started to promote widely for this. Elite had actually promoted Elite for this a bit before DTV came out, DNs were was one of the target categories in their re-launch (when they bumped the prices).
2 days ago
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Ivan ************
@Gr**
 Thailand Privilege Card (the company that runs/sells Elite) is also a state enterprise 100% owned by the government, it's part of the tourism ministry. Elite do explicitly promote the visa for digital nomads, and the DTV says "employment prohibited" like any other visa... it's not clear they are any different in this regard.

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2 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
 It does but it is only available for a limited period, I did not know until late last year that the Privelge card is run by a business i thought it was govt run. So shareholders are gonna be annoyed by DTV grabbing a share of their pie. Sales are way down. They need to drop the price much more. Fast track entry is less attractive now with the electronic gate system and the benefits of golf or massage are negligible
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 Yeah it is a separate business. A bit like Angkor Wat fees in Cambodia. :-)
2 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
 The BOI is govt run ?
2 days ago
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Greg ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 It is part of the Govt. It is basically Thailands FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) department. Obviously there are agents and lawyers who offer services facilitating applications etc. Spoke to a few of them recently. I think one was the office boy from one particular place in Bangkok. I am hoping to have an appointment with BOI Chiang Mai in 2 weeks. Working on my pitch deck right now.
2 days ago
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Greg ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Lyle ********
 The purpose may differ (nomads and long-term activities vs. wealthy individuals), but the objective isn’t necessarily different. The issue is that the main key benefit (5 years long stays) is available for both the DTV and Elite Visa. The so-called VIP perks like fast-track immigration (you can anyway pay for separately) are insignificant when you're paying at least 60 times more for an Elite Visa (basic package!).
2 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
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