What documents do I need to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand as a freelancer?

Aug 14, 2024
3 months ago
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi ! DTV questions

I am Freelance and I have 3 activities (Website Social media and content creator)

I have clients but all contracts have not started yet and aren’t paid yet, so I do not have any tax receipts from france (only one from last July before I started my ED-Visa)

For the documents to justify I’m digital nomad. I plan to do this :

- All my clients and previous employers will write me a recommendation letter

- freelance contract with amount they will pay (each months with starting date)

- portfolio with some website I made and blog/video content

- official registration of my freelance status in France

- I have the 500k of course

Would it be ok? I will email them but I prefer gather a maximum of info before emailing them.

As I currently have ED Visa I’m not supposed to work so maybe I should explain that in my letter as why all contracts start after my Ed visa ends

Also, is there any template for freelance contract they need or I can just use my Google sheet template as long as my name and clients name signature is there

I plan to apply to Laos or any close country

Thanks for your help
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a freelancer's plan to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand while currently holding an ED visa. The user outlines the documentation they intend to submit, which includes recommendation letters, freelance contracts, a portfolio, and proof of their freelance registration in France. They express concern regarding the lack of income proof at the moment since their contracts have not yet started. Commenters advise them to directly contact the embassy for specific requirements and mention the necessity to cancel their ED visa before applying for the DTV.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Phil ******
@Bastien *******
you cannot apply for a DTV inside Thailand
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
I say I plan to apply to Laos, I ask for documentation stuff
Phil ******
John **********
First things First. You need to cancel your ED visa before you apply for the DTV. Then apply for the DTV at the embassy of your choosing supplying the information they require.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
yes I finish my ED first and ne after I will leave and do the DTV, but the part I am not sure is all the needed documents and for most documents I need to have them translated and certified
John **********
@Bastien *******
only the consulate you plan to use can confirm their requirements so I'd pick one and ask them. I haven't seen any feedback from anyone in quite the same situation as you with regards contracts starting at some point in the future
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I will email for Laos I heard they were very fast, all businesses are legit and I have recommendations letters from my old employer (French ministry of defense) so I mean I’m not fake, I’ll see what they say I just gather a little more info
Graham *******
The Prime Minister has gone and since the DTV was his idea and already a mess, maybe its going to disappear also.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
if it can wait
***
months would be very nice
Vijay *****
DOES Day trader or landlord or teleworking qualify as for DTV
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Steve *******
Your best bet is to email the embassy you are going to apply at and ask if it's enough or what else they would need. Good luck! 🇹🇭
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
I will do, I gather documents and wait for my dear clients to finish their homework (recommandation letters) then I’ll email them nicely

Of course I’ll update group maybe some others are like me overthinking everything ahah
Elías ********
If you're not earning money now, you're not a digital nomad now, by definition. But I don't know what the Embassy would say. In my case, my freelance employer wrote a letter stating that I work as a remote freelancer for them since 202x and that I earn ××× on average every month.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elías *******
i still « earn » money from previous contract but yeah all taxes stuff are from 2023 that’s my only concern

Will ask embassy, just I gather as much information and will plan accordingly
Greta *****
So you have no proof of income but you want them to grant you a visa pretending that you do? Maybe you'll need to find a different path for the DTV?
Andy ************
@Greta ****
You don't need proof of income
Greta *****
@Andy ***********
Right, so what's the whole idea of 'Tax return'?? Why do you need to provide that if they don't care whether you have income or not? Easy to just throw answers that are not true. Don't mislead people
Andy ************
@Greta ****
I'm talking about applying and obtaining the DTV. The criteria is you need to show 500k baht in a bank account. You can include a tax return from your home country to indicate your remote working income, or alternatively a contract from an employer that you are working.
Greta *****
@Bastien *******
Fake it till you make it. If you're interested in Muay Thai contact Zee at KLMT (Khao Lak Muay Thai). She will help you.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greta ****
sadly if I go train Muay Thai I will end up eligible for medical treatment very fast, I’m not really built for these

Would be cool Soft power include Golf as I really want to play here
Greta *****
@Bastien *******
Well if you apply on digital nomad pathway you'll need to provide income proof. If you go on soft power which means cooking classes or Muay Thai training or medical treatment you don't need to. All depends which pathway you select on your application
Chris *********
@Greta ****
I've never seen proof of income as a requirement, just proof of a balance of 500,000 in bank account. do you have a source for income requirement?
Greta *****
@Chris ********
You so have if you choose the digital nomad option
Chris *********
@Greta ****
I have never seen it required from about 5 embassies I have looked into
Henrik *****
They will grant visa’s to people attending some kind of training / courses, so there are no need to actualy having an income, to get the DTV.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
would be great ! As I have incomes but no tax related stuff

Sorry if I’m asking a lot I’m just scared by all the administrative stuff it’s my phobia, I mean I carry around all my blue extensions receipts at all times and still have documents from my first trip just in case
Andi ***********
@Bastien *******
London embassy told me you can show future contracts as a means of potential income. There is no minimum income requirement to get a DTV. The 500k bank deposit is proof you can live comfortably for 180 days with no income. Contact the embassy you will apply from for how they view your situation.
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
great thanks !! I’ll prepare all my documents I have time but I will contact embassies to be sure I have everything ready when I come

My futures clients are aware of the situation and will provide me as much proof as needed but again I don’t want to bother them too much they already have to write me a recommendation letter because i asked
Andi ***********
@Bastien *******
ok, sounds like you will be fine.
Greta *****
@Bastien *******
If you don't have confidence in the digital nomad pathway just go for the soft power one. Way easier
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greta ****
I was thinking about the cooking class to be honest but I don’t know how long I should book in advance, and Muay Thai when they will see me they will think I’m faking everything ahah
Greta *****
@Bastien *******
As I said, you probably better off trying a different path as they might reject your application if you can't provide proof of income
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greta ****
even if on the contract all the amount paid every months are present ?

Also I can show I have money coming every months on my account

My Thai bank will also provide me a letter saying I have money coming (they did it once for a TR visa)
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greta ****
well yeah I have the money and clients proof but the contract will be paid after

Also I have some incomes showing up but no tax related stuff (as I’m on my parents tax)
Henrik *****
Nobody knows for sure what the different embassys, will requiere.

So do what you find best and go ahead with the application.

If the embassy need more documentation, they will request it (and may even ask twice).
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
yeah I know I will email them, just I’m worried I’m not giving enough proof I actually have clients and get refused, to be fair I’m not used yet to all theses process so I’m absolutely afraid to face rejection and have to come back in emergency
Bastien ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also to be clear my last tax related stuff is from july 2023, and other tax stuff is linked to my dad (hard to explain)
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