What is the best approach for applying for a Digital Workcation Visa in Thailand as an independent consultant?

Question

EDIT: Thanks for the clarity on Thai language not qualifying as soft power. Got conflicting information there. Have adjusted the post accordingly.

I could use some advice from this group as I gear up to apply for my DTV at the beginning of March.

I am looking at Workcation, and could qualify for either Track A or B.

I keep hearing conflicting stories that one/the other are getting harder to obtain, and don’t know what to trust, so I’d like to have plans for both, in case one is denied and I need to reapply.

I’m providing likely more information than is necessary in the hopes of getting high quality responses. I’m posting anonymously because of the depth of this information provided.

I am a French/American citizen, was intending to apply on my French passport, as that’s what I’ve consistently used to travel to Thailand.

I am an independent consultant, facilitator, and speaker in the social impact sector operating out of a US LLC. The business has been operational since 2018.

Most of my work is project based and ad hoc. I do have one longstanding client that pays my business 4,200 euro monthly.

I can show a years work of consistent member draw of $5,500-$6,000 USD per month.

I have the pre-requisite 500k baht in an available personal savings account which I can demonstrate for the last 3 months.

I will be updating my website to show as more of a professional photo - with logos of clients, case studies, and some photos of me facilitating/speaking. There’s ample evidence online (LinkedIn, speaking reels, etc.)

I am currently in Chiang Mai on standard tourist visa, and intend to go to Hanoi beginnning of March before it expires, and apply from there. I have flexibility on location I go, would prefer its relatively close, affordable flights, and needs to have accomodation with reliable internet for video calls. I wanted to do Hanoi because I have a friend there I would like to visit.

Please note I’ve researched requirements at length - with the embassies, online research, AI, and through this group.

Here's the remaining questions that are coming up for me:

1. Based on the above information, for Workcation, is it better to go the Remote Worker (Track A) or Business Owner (Track B) route? I’ve heard advise both ways - including the suggestion to go the Remote Worker track of my own company and write a letter authorizing myself to work from Thailand. 
2. Does the intended date of arrival to Thailand that I put on the application have an impact? I’d ideally book a one way ticket to Hanoi, and then book my return as soon as the visa was approved, so unsure what to put.

Thank you in advance for your constructive responses and support!

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user seeks advice on applying for a Digital Work Visa (DTV) in Thailand, focusing on whether to apply under Track A (Remote Worker) or Track B (Business Owner). They provide details about their freelancing background, monthly income, and preparation for the application. Comments from others advise clarity in application paperwork, the necessary supporting documents required, and the implications of the intended date of arrival on the application process.

Lyle ********* · Answer

DTV is very straight forward. You simply list yourself as a freelance speaker. Then you write a letter from one of your clients giving you permission to work remotely. Then you show invoices of the last 6 months of freelancing. And you submit bank statements to back it up.

All you’re doing here is making it as clear as day that you are a freelancer looking for a workation.

The moment you start adding random stuff is when you confuse the IO and get rejected

Khun ****** · Answer

Use Muay Thai or cooking for soft power if you go that route. You can work remotely too no problem.

Ryan ******** · Answer

Soft power routes are Muay Thai or Cooking (or medical), not language.

Adam ******** · Answer

Suggest if applicable you apply as a worker with all relevant paperwork although the business route is also fine. It appears the rejections from business owner route are down to conflicting paperwork, job ambiguity and finances all over the place.

There was a very recent post from a business owner who got approved very quickly and what he posted looked very good and considered so it would be worth reading that.

The only way I’ve seen to do language is via a cultural program in chiang mai you can find details in here.

No wait period but I would suggest it would raise a red flag if you apply down one route fail then try another, better to review your app and try again. Or even better get it right first time.

I haven’t seen anyone getting tested on the language but if you’re doing a course you should be able to have a basic conversation fairly quickly.

Date doesn’t matter but don’t put it more than 3 months in the future

Good luck

Wannikea ********* · Answer

So you've researched extensively and you ask these questions? Methinks you never researched in this group using the group search tool on the main page.

Language is not a DTV scheme, You can reapply anywhere anytime, you can enter anywhere anytime, You should not apply more than 3 months before your intended date of travel which is non-binding.

John ********** · Answer

If you want to work apply using the workation option, that's what it is for. Language is usually dealt with by an ED visa

ดาร่า ******** · Answer

Many of these apply to me as well, so I don't have answers. My understanding was the language was not an option for soft power? I stayed in Thailand learning Thai and Mandarin for 2 years and I was tested thoroughly. It's common for schools (I went to both Duke and ALA) to test you every quarter, if you fail or don't attend class your visa is denied. My Chinese class required passing an HSK level for each 4.5 month period, which is quite ambitious. Which is part of the reason I'm switching to DTV. I'll be following to see what any kind person might advise.

What is the best approach for applying for a Digital Workcation Visa in Thailand as an independent consultant?

Activity

Related

Resources