What are the visa and work permit options for an Australian remote worker planning to stay in Thailand for 2-3 months?

Visa Requirements Work Permits Remote Work LTR Visa Australian Expat Thai Immigration Non-B Visa DTV Visa

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a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can someone help me out with visa and work permit requirements.

I am Australian, and my company supports remote working, so I think it will be possible for me to work from Thailand remotely for my home company, but I can't seem to find any information about work permit requirements. I'm not looking to have a super long stay, maybe 2-3 months depending on what I can arrange with visas and such, but my company will require me to show proof that I can legally work in Thailand. 

We do have an office in Thailand as well if that helps. 

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian seeking to work remotely from Thailand for 2-3 months needs to consider several visa and work permit options. While the company in Australia supports remote work, legally working in Thailand typically requires a work permit, which can only be sponsored by a Thai company, such as their local office, provided they meet certain capital and employee requirements. Alternatively, the newly introduced Long-Term Remote Worker (LTR) visa might be applicable, though it has strict requirements. There are suggestions that since the stay is short, it may be possible to work without a formal permit if not advertising the work situation to the Thai authorities.

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Frank-Steven ***********

If you are still interested: the newly launched DTV visa should exactly meet your needs.

4 months ago

Anthony ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks everyone for the inputs, appreciate the help!

6 months ago

Bob ********

I would ask your company to soften their stance a bit and offer to do a bit of training of local staff if they will second you for up to 3 months, and you won't ask for Per diem allowance for the work

6 months ago

Colin *******

Do they know where you are working from, using VPN🤔

6 months ago

Steven *******

@Colin ******

Only if you advertise the fact that you’re working then someone rats you out.

6 months ago

Reply to

Steven *******

Kool *******

If your Australian company has an office in Thailand they can sponsor your work permit, and visa, as long as they have at least bt2million in registered capital for each work permit they sponsor. Depending on what business structure they are set up under, they might also need at least 4 Thai employees they pay wages, and social security on also.

6 months ago

John **********

To be honest no Thai company is going to help you out with a work permit for only 2-3 months unless they really need you working here for some reason, even if they are a subsidiary of the company you work for in Australia. The LTR visa for remote workers is overkill for such a short period even if you do meet the criteria

6 months ago

Terary **********

If you company's local office has Aussies working there, legally, then that office will need to do the same paperwork for you. It's been a long time but I think the process goes, you get a non-b visa, file some paperwork with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they provide the work permit, you convert the visa to a long term visa. The process could take longer than you intend to stay.

I have working remotely while living in Thailand and not once has a government employee asked me about my work. If your work is something you can do from home (not out in the public) then no one will ask/care, especially if it's only 60 days.

You may find it easier to convince the company to soften their requirements that it is to get a work permit/visa.

Does the job require you to be in office sometimes? Do they check the location where you are (IP back tracking as an example). If they don't know, maybe just come and play dumb if/when you get caught.... Your employer will likely be more strict that the Thai government.

6 months ago

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

You can only get a work permit sponsored by a company that's in Thailand.

The only other option you have is the remote worker LTR visa. It has a high level of requirements but has work authorization built in as long as you are working for a company outside of Thailand.

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6 months ago

Kate ********

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

- this is helpful thank you!

6 months ago

Reply to

Kate ********

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