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What documents do I need to apply for a DTV as a self-employed individual under a trust in Thailand?
DTV VisaSelf-employmentThai TrustRemote WorkBank Statement RequirementsIncome ProofED VisaVisa Application Documents
Mar 26, 2026
a month ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERSelf employed DTV under a trust.
I am self employed under a trust, and there are multiple people in it. The trust owns various rental properties of which I manage a few. The trust pays me as a family member which is not taxed. I can run my portion of the business online and on the phone- marketing, accounting, making and answering phone calls.
I don't have an employment letter but I can get proof that the trust exists and has assets.
I also have a personal stock portfolio with quite a bit of money in it.
My bank account meets the 500k requirement
I do also plan to study thai during my stay but I would like to travel around a little before I am locked down to one location.
Which documents should I submit or should I just go the soft power route?
I am self employed under a trust, and there are multiple people in it. The trust owns various rental properties of which I manage a few. The trust pays me as a family member which is not taxed. I can run my portion of the business online and on the phone- marketing, accounting, making and answering phone calls.
I don't have an employment letter but I can get proof that the trust exists and has assets.
I also have a personal stock portfolio with quite a bit of money in it.
My bank account meets the 500k requirement
I do also plan to study thai during my stay but I would like to travel around a little before I am locked down to one location.
Which documents should I submit or should I just go the soft power route?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is self-employed under a trust that manages rental properties but doesn’t have a formal employment letter. They are seeking advice on the necessary documents for applying for a DTV visa in Thailand, including proof of assets and income, while planning to study Thai language during their stay. Community members suggest various options, including the necessity of invoices, tax returns, and proof of remote work capabilities, as well as suggestions to consider the ED visa for flexibility.
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Eric ********
I found switching to the ED visa was easier get a bank account and stay longer without having to leave. Drivers Liscence I could also get easy now too. you don’t really work, so no need to prove you do jumping through hoops. Your income comes weather you do anything or not same as me, you’re not working in that case- you’re just an owner enjoying your profits.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eric *******
residual income? What documents did you submit? Or did you just do ed visa?Eric ********
Anonymous participant for my DTV I own a telecom utility in Canada( Like AIS here) it was easy. I have a Canadian Telecom Liscence, own IP space and it’s all registered in the federal websites with my personal name -I gave a screen shot. But Ed you don’t have to leave at all and it’s not a tourist visa so you can do all the things way easier. If you’re going to take Thai classes - which I really enjoy - then just go straight to ED.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eric *******
yes, I do want to study, but I want to travel a few weeks and find a good location before committing to a school. Possibly go on a tourist visa and then change to a ED visa. But if I can go straight to a DTV and have the ability to have multiple entries, it would be easier to just do from that start.Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Anonymous ******************
Do you qualify for the Elite visa? Might be a better option for you especially if there’s a possibility you stay longer in Thailand
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 233 nope
Reply to
Anonymous *************
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David ********
Sounds like this is a post to tell everyone how poor you are and how difficult your life has been... why dont you ask your family or business lawyer instead of a FB group
John **********
If you want to continue with your remote job then you need to apply for the DTV using the workation option. Get the trust to write you an employment contract and a side letter stating you have permission to work remotely from Thailand and won't work with any Thai entities or clients inside Thailand. Match up your income in your bank statements with invoices you raise to the trust
Madelynn ************
@John *********
would echo this. And be prepared to show incorporation documents for the trust if asked.Reply to
Madelynn ************
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Axel *******
Stocks don’t count. Needs to be cash in a personal account.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Axel ******
I only mentioned it because sometimes they just want to know if you have money and will contribute to the economy. But if it doesn't count, then maybe I will not show documents.Axel *******
Anonymous participant they generally want to see the funds as risk off cash you can access immediately.
Probably won’t hurt to show stocks but sometimes not giving more than what’s asked is better.
Probably won’t hurt to show stocks but sometimes not giving more than what’s asked is better.
Reply to
Axel *******
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Marb ********
@Axel ******
did you even read the post? Their bank account meets the 500k requirement..Axel *******
Jordan ********
@Marb *******
yeah but still no need to mention stocksReply to
Jordan ********
Reply
Axel *******
Don’t know your setup or country but if there is a company as trustee for the trust you could use that to provide the documents required for workcation DTV
Axel *******
Anonymous participant unfortunately I don’t know how that works so no help here.
Reply to
Axel *******
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Sefton ********
Do you invoice the trust ?? Do you have tax returns showing the income filed..
That kind of evidence tips the scale. You also likely need to show you are working and not just being paid passive income from the trust in lieu of a letter stating authorisation to work remote as en employee.
That kind of evidence tips the scale. You also likely need to show you are working and not just being paid passive income from the trust in lieu of a letter stating authorisation to work remote as en employee.
Sefton ********
Anonymous participant So where are you currently registered self employed. Surely you pay income taxes somewhere ?
Reply to
Sefton ********
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Marb ********
If you can get it under remote work then always choose that. Likely to have less problems compared to soft power
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marb *******
I am wondering what documents I need to submit in my situation.Marb ********
Anonymous participant the documents they ask for. Tax returns, bank statements, letter confirming you can work remotely, website if possible, clients etc.
Reply to
Marb ********
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