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What does 'Employment Prohibited' mean on my Thai DTV visa, and how can I switch from a tourist visa to a DTV?
DTV VisaVisa RulesEmployment RegulationsVisa Switch ProceduresThailand ImmigrationRemote WorkExpats in Thailand
Mar 11, 2026
2 months ago
Keshet **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWorcation DTV Just Approved, 2 Questions
I just received the approval for my DTV application (took 2 months) for remote working. On the E-Visa which I received it says:
"Remarks: Employment Prohibited"
What does that mean? Only local employment? What about remote work?
Also: I am currently in Thailand on a standard tourist visa. How to switch to the DTV? Can it be done here (e.g., in an immigration office)?
Many thanks.
I just received the approval for my DTV application (took 2 months) for remote working. On the E-Visa which I received it says:
"Remarks: Employment Prohibited"
What does that mean? Only local employment? What about remote work?
Also: I am currently in Thailand on a standard tourist visa. How to switch to the DTV? Can it be done here (e.g., in an immigration office)?
Many thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster has received approval for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) but sees the remark 'Employment Prohibited' on their visa, raising questions about what type of work is allowed. Commenters clarify that this prohibition means no local employment or engaging with Thai clients while holding the DTV. Additionally, the poster inquires about switching from a standard tourist visa to the DTV while in Thailand, to which others recommend leaving the country and re-entering with the new visa, as activating the DTV cannot be done while inside Thailand.
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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Ken ********
What's your basis for the DTV...??
John **********
You can't possibly be in Thailand on a tourist visa else your DTV would not have been issued so I'm going to assume you entered visa exempt when you should not have done so. The DTV is in itself meaningless with regards to being inside Thailand, it is the entry stamp you receive when entering the country that allows you to be in Thailand on your DTV. So yes you must leave and re-enter the country.
Ayla ******
Hey I applied for Thailand DTV visa in January 8 then they email me for additional documents required I submit additional documents in 13 January
Now it's about 2 months and this is already 9th week since the application however the portal is still showing pending documents
I also emailed twice regarding my application but I have not received any response yet If you can help me
Now it's about 2 months and this is already 9th week since the application however the portal is still showing pending documents
I also emailed twice regarding my application but I have not received any response yet If you can help me
Brandon ************
@Ayla *****
no one can help you. The embassy is the one processing the application. They are the only ones who can do anything. See if your embassy has a Facebook page and try to message them there.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
You already broke the rules, as you are not allowed to be inside of Thailand while a DTV visa is processing. You cannot activate a visa inside of Thailand.
The DTV is a tourist visa, so yes it is employment prohibited. It means you cannot work for a Thai company or have any Thai clients.
The DTV is a tourist visa, so yes it is employment prohibited. It means you cannot work for a Thai company or have any Thai clients.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Brandon ***********
Was my first thought, too. But I am not sure that this is actually true. I think this is more likely one of the "soft rules" made up by some embassies. While no doubt at the time of applying for a DTV the law requires you to be in that respective country / juristiction of where the embassy is at, I do not think anything concrete is mentioned in the law about having to stay there (or not being allowed to go to Thailand meanwhile) until they either approve or reject it. But I am open to be proven wrong here.Brandon ************
@Frank-Steven **********
the embassy still views the process the same as it used to be. You give them your passport and they hold it while processing the visa. How would you travel? You couldn't. The embassies want you in their jurisdiction while they process your application.Frank-Steven ***********
@Brandon ***********
Interesting analogy. I never thought about it that way. Well, luckily, things work electronically now. The OP mentioned it took them a whooping 2 months to issue the DTV. In the old days, he might have been prevented from traveling. 😃 Also, I guess I am lucky to have two passports, then. 🙂Stephen ********
Frank-Steven Eichholtz I have three passports, but when I'm in any specific country two are useless. You have to leave the country on the same passport you entered.
Frank-Steven ***********
Stephen Howell Obviously. At no point did I doubt that. But that isn't the topic here. The scenario here was that one passport cannot be used to travel from your home country aborad while the (Thai) embassy is issuing a visa. What Brandon said that in the old days that was not possible, because you had to physically hand in your passport. This is why some countries (like mine) issue a second passport on request, if you can demonstrate that you travel a lot and slow foreign embassies need too much time to issue visa in between.
Stephen ********
Frank-Steven Eichholtz Yes. So having two passports makes no difference whatsoever
Keshet **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI submitted all the documentation electronically. I had one appointment at the embassy where I paid for the DTV application and they checked my passport against the digital copy I sent. Everything after that went throught the e-visa website/email.
Reply to
Keshet **********
Reply
Keshet **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thank you for the reply. What do you suggest as my best course of action? Go out and come back?RubyChe*******
Keshet Anderson that's what I did. Go out and come back. I was a bit nervous from the many people saying that's breaking the rule, the visa can be canceled etc. No questions asked when entering. Quick stamp and done
Frank-Steven ***********
Keshet Anderson "Go out and come back" is your only option. But no need to rush that. You can stay on your current entry stamp. Then leave before it expires. Then re-enter with your DTV. Can also be done with a land border run.
Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
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