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Answered7 months ago

What is the best route for applying for a DTV as a remote worker with medical treatment needs in Thailand?

Kenny **********
asked Mar 15, 2026
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Hello everyone, I’m planning to apply for a DTV and would appreciate some advice on which route might be best for my situation.

Remote worker:

I previously applied for this in Kuala Lumpur but they traumatized me with requested additional documents that were tricky, and I ended up canceling the application because I needed to go to Thailand urgently (and they don’t allow multiple applications at once). From what I’ve read here, KL seems to be one of the stricter embassies.

My situation is that I work full-time for a foreign company but on paper I’m a contractor, not an employee. In reality it’s exclusive and full-time (similar to employment), but technically it’s a consultancy agreement. I also don’t run a registered company, so I’m not really a freelancer either. Has anyone successfully applied under the remote-worker route with a similar setup?

Medical:

I’ve been receiving treatment for anxiety at Bumrungrad Hospital for about a year (telemedicine when i couldn’t be at bangkok), with appointments roughly every 3 months. The medication isn’t available in my home country, so the hospital has been shipping it to me, which has been crazy expensive. The treatment is almost coming to an end tho, but I’ll likely have at least a couple more follow-up appointments if not more depending what doctor will say, so 6months+ at least. I’m also considering starting counseling so that might be a thing as well.

Given this situation, which route do you think would be easier or more straightforward:

• applying as a remote worker from another embassy (not KL), or

• applying under the medical route?

Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!
Answer summary
A user is seeking advice on applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand, considering their unique situation as a remote worker without a registered company and ongoing medical treatment for anxiety. They are uncertain whether to apply as a remote worker from a different embassy or under the medical route, especially after a previous complicated experience in Kuala Lumpur. Community responses emphasize highlighting work contracts, suggesting alternative embassies, and experiences with medical treatment in Thailand.
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Dtv *************************
Dtv *************************
I think you can still try in KL because if you didn't respond them, you should have option to respond them for free.
Pascal ***********
Pascal ***********
You are a freelancer, but with only 1 client. That is not the problem.

Just make sure your contract mentions clearly the you can work remotely, show your invoices from the previous year and your tax filings.
John **********
John **********
If you intend to work remotely from Thailand then apply using the workation option. The other options are not suitable for you
Robert *******
Robert *******
Choose wisely, not every option has remoter worker.

Abd be aware that you are responsible for your choice, not the Embassy staff.
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
oh this was the part I wasn’t sure the first time to be more precise, I ended up putting employee which I wasn’t comfortable with. I guess. others can also be a thing didn’t felt legit I guess
John **********
John **********
@Kenny *********
if you work under a full-time contract but are not an employee you have a business relationship with them. You are a business owner.
Robert *******
Robert *******
If you do not know what your work description is, choose other
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
Not sure to follow you. I pay upfront a processing fee that is not refundable whether I get approved or not.
Robert *******
Robert *******
@Kenny *********
Agents want to make money, as long as you pay it is okay.

They do not care what visa and which purpose you choose
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
Yup can try with that one if I end up doing this visa, I guess I was just concerned it might feel a bit weak for these processes where agents wants to see easy cases that does not require much figuring out
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
@Robert ******
I think when you submit for workation they limit your choices between remote worker and freelancer
Elías ********
Elías ********
Have the company that pays you write a letter explaining what's your job, how much you get paid, your schedule and that they have no problem with you doing it from Thailand.
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
Thanks will look into that
DTV_Be*******
DTV_Be*******
Curious - why did you urgently need to get to Thailand? Feels like so many people give up on completing their applications because they “urgently” need to get back in.
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
I had some medication (expensive) that was already paid for and was in Thailand, I use to dhl those to my country but I was in Malaysia at the time, naive about the dtv going smoothly and getting in Thailand Soon. it didn’t went smooth and getting the medication in malaysia via dhl ended up being super complicated, I had to get some approvals, information was not consistent. I also naively thought I could get a tourist visa while keeping the dtv process to be continued later so I had to decide on the spot when they told me I had to let one down. I was short in supply for that medication so I had to go.
DTV_Be*******
DTV_Be*******
@Kenny *********
There are no alternative anxiety meds that Bumrungrad has in stock that you could switch to? Would be less complicated than having to continue to ship internationally. I too get treated for anxiety at Bumrungrad and get my meds through them.
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
What i did while i was here was to ask my doctor to subscribe me for 6 months so I have enough supplies for a good amount of time. She haven’t mentioned changing medication and honestly I ve been on this one for a year now , it’s working and I am scared of changing 😅. Medication can work more or less effectively depending on people, I don’t want to risk it
Carrie ****
Carrie ****
I'd apply for medical soft power in Hanoi. My husband went this route and got his approved on the first try. Just make sure your Dr is aware that you're applying for the DTV so you're going to need documentation from their office.
John **********
John **********
@Carrie ***
but does your husband work remotely? Do you think a visa granted for one purpose allows you to pursue a different purpose?
Kenny **********
Kenny **********
OP
@Carrie ***
thanks, any idea of the key documents they asked him ?

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