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What documents do I need for my DTV Freelance visa application in Thailand if I have no income?
Thailand visasDTV Freelance visaimmigration documentsfreelancing in Thailandvisa application requirementsbank statements for visaHMRC tax documents
Aug 29, 2025
8 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Everyone,
Applied via the London Embassy. For DTV Freelance.
I just quit my job and am about to start my Freelance business. I currently have 0 clients and therefore £0 income yet, but I have my own website showcasing my abilities and portfolio of websites I launched as learning projects. I am planning to gain clients while in Thailand. I have already provided 3 months' bank statement of >500K Baht. I did mention in the application that I was of Freelance Status and No Income.
I have been asked to provide:
* Other request documents: - A recently letter confirming employment/contract details from your contractor or client stating your position and work role as remotely worker in Thailand (address to Royal Thai Embassy in London) signed by an authorised person.
* Other request documents: - Self assessment tax return / Statement of accounts / Accountant's letter / Personal tax calculation or computation statement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (Apart form your name, you can conceal any details that you would not want to show.)
* Other request documents: - Please upload your bank statement showing your monthly income transactions for last 3 months. (Please highlight income transactions from work. Screenshots are not accepted).
Would appreciate some help and clarity on the last 2 requests on what documents they are trying to acquire. Do I submit my tax documents from HRMC even though they were from my last employment? Do I create an LTD?
Thank you for your help,
Applied via the London Embassy. For DTV Freelance.
I just quit my job and am about to start my Freelance business. I currently have 0 clients and therefore £0 income yet, but I have my own website showcasing my abilities and portfolio of websites I launched as learning projects. I am planning to gain clients while in Thailand. I have already provided 3 months' bank statement of >500K Baht. I did mention in the application that I was of Freelance Status and No Income.
I have been asked to provide:
* Other request documents: - A recently letter confirming employment/contract details from your contractor or client stating your position and work role as remotely worker in Thailand (address to Royal Thai Embassy in London) signed by an authorised person.
* Other request documents: - Self assessment tax return / Statement of accounts / Accountant's letter / Personal tax calculation or computation statement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (Apart form your name, you can conceal any details that you would not want to show.)
* Other request documents: - Please upload your bank statement showing your monthly income transactions for last 3 months. (Please highlight income transactions from work. Screenshots are not accepted).
Would appreciate some help and clarity on the last 2 requests on what documents they are trying to acquire. Do I submit my tax documents from HRMC even though they were from my last employment? Do I create an LTD?
Thank you for your help,
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is applying for a DTV Freelance visa in Thailand and seeks clarification on specific document requests related to their freelance status with no existing income. They need assistance understanding whether to submit tax documents from their previous employment and what constitutes sufficient proof of income for their visa application. Comments from the community suggest strategies for demonstrating financial viability and the importance of proving potential income.
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.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Stuart *******
Without your business off the ground that's not going to work, you would need to apply via the likes of a Muay Thai gym, thai cooking etc - have you looked into those avenues? With no business off the ground you're not going to be able to prove that you will be bringing in an income to stay there - it's a 5 year visa after all, 500k baht ain't a lot.
Tomer ********
I found this app called mydtv its actually really helpful for dtv holders it gives you reminders and has cool features check them out mydtv.app
Anonymous ******************
You can get approved only with a masterful explainer. I did it but had strong evidence of commercial viability.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi can you please elaborate on 'masterful explainer' I am getting 2 future client emails
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant do you mind sharing what you uploaded for commercial viability? I am going to add letters from future customers + company stamp
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant when you have revenue you are applying based on "showcasing a professional portfolio that demonstrates digital nomad status". Regardless of what some of the gatekeepers say, digital nomad does not equal freelancer or require monthly income.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 437 *when you don't have revenue
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant a sales contract, and appraisals demonstrating my assets had real world value.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant you'll have to go beyond just attaching an email. You'll need to create a compelling, bulletproof narrative. Just uploading some emails won't cut it.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Don't forget they make money on every rejected application. They have zero incentive to warn you in the earlier stages that you'll likely get rejected.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERParticipant anonyme 189 Yes, but they lose money in not having me in their country so ROI is bad for them
Stuart *******
Anonymous participant They don't as all you have is 12k baht (at the moment) so for all intents and purposes over 5 years you'd work illegally/through means that don't benefit them. I see you've stated elsewhere you have 80k UK - you could try and use that for leverage. 5 years is a long time for sometime who doesn't have anything other than a business plan with no proof it's going to work as it's not off the ground yet. It's absolutely a money maker for them. Soft power is more expensive but without a remote job with income that would be your only 'guaranteed' way of gaining entry.
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Stuart *******
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Anonymous ******************
Try soft power
Sean *******
Soft power.
John **********
Forget it. Apply using soft power. You don't have the history to apply using workation
Anonymous ******************
@John *********
Plenty approved without history too.James ********
@John *********
agreed ✅Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
They should be clearer on the requirements...Sebastian *********
Anonymous participant Try Bali.. a lot of “freelancers” with zero clients and zero Income 😂😂
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant and "A recently letter" is not english
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant if they were i wouldn't be asking here
John **********
Anonymous participant they are clear
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John **********
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John *******
You may need to stay put and grow your business somewhat first and reapply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
But what I don't get is that I did put Freelance and No Income and they didn't reject me.... they asked for more documents.Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks James!
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for the clarification, although I did say I had 0 income, they are asking me for a client. What I can do is attach a letter from possible future clients, but that is about it. I do want to be as transparent as possible. For tax return I'll submit my p60 and PAYE.
James ********
Anonymous participant doubtful that will work... Reality is that you have just started this new business and they are questioning it. Likely to be DENIED. BUT...Good Luck 🍀.
John *******
Anonymous participant I know nothing about the UK tax system so can’t respond to that. At this stage, can’t hurt to try with potential client. See what they say. Sorry, what cell/field did you state you have “zero income”? Trying to recollect what the question asked.
John *******
Anonymous participant yeah, you would assume they would get that you don’t have income, but they have been known to ask for things again. Maybe they are giving you a chance to show income before rejecting and not just rejecting based on the application statement.
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John *******
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John *******
Anonymous participant They asked for three documents. The first has two option. The second option is a letter from one of your clients, which is still in line with freelance. They then want to see that you make a living from this. Some people might interpret income as being a routine weekly/biweekly/monthly paycheck. Since you freelance, you would be receiving payments irregularly. They want to see that. Other document is your tax paperwork.
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John *******
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Anonymous ******************
Ask your partner to sign a letter as director legal to confirm your employment in your own company. If you don’t have a business look around your friends circle and get a letter
Show proof of income in statement
Submit your tax returns
Show proof of income in statement
Submit your tax returns
Bob **********
Anonymous participant 342 he has no income
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERParticipant anonyme 342 I will be submitting my p60 and PAYE. Thanks, I will ask a friend to add a letter.
Anonymous ******************
Participant(e) anonyme show them your last 3 personnal tax, even if not related to freelance.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
You will probably be denied, try to show them that you have enough money to live with no income. I was in similar position, I show them enough money to live more than 5 years in thailand, and I get it. ( if you can not, ask you yourself why they will deliver a 5 year visa to a person with no income and no saving )
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERParticipant anonyme 959 Would it be ok if I show them >80K GBP?
Anonymous ******************
Participant(e) anonyme cannot yell you if 80k is enough, it look good, I will say minimum viable is 20k/year so for 5 year 100k, but I think 80k will be okay. Good luck
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERParticipant anonyme 959 Thanks!
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Anonymous *************
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant Yes, that's fine.. i had low online income when I applied but showed substantial savings to show financial independence.
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Andi ***********
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