What is the process and requirements for applying for a Digital Workcation Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

Oct 9, 2024
a month ago
Pascal ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have received my DTV today, two weeks after I had applied. Here is my experience :

I’m a business owner in Belgium, resident in Belgium and spending most of the “European wintertime” in Thailand where I have a condo since many years. I fly 2 or 3 times a year to Thailand and stay each time 1 to (maximum) 3 months.

Usually I apply for a Multiple Tourist Visa, and occasionally a Single Tourist Visa if I have an extra trip to Thailand outside the 6 months period from the MTV.

I have never had an overstay, never used the “visa exemption” multiple times within a year. And I have Thai driver’s licenses and Thai bank accounts.

My application :

- applied for DTV E-visa on 22nd September from Belgium; selected “workcation”.

- 2 days later the status -can be checked online- changed from “checking documents” to “pending approval”.

- this status continued for about two weeks until I received my E-visa by mail on 7th October. No other documents were asked.

Documents that I uploaded for the application :

- copy of my passport

- recent picture similar to pictures you would use for passport/ID card/…

- proof of current residency; official document from the local government. In Belgium we can get this online within a couple of minutes. Document was in Dutch en had digital signatures. No wet signature or stamp.

- address in Thailand; I have a condo in Phuket and entered that address.

- flight ticket; I have booked a flight arriving in Thailand end of October, returning end of November.

- bank statement of a Belgian savings account on my personal name. I uploaded the statements from the last 6 months though a specific period was not asked. The balance was never below 25.000,- euro (about 950.000,- THB), exceeding the requested 500.000,- THB all the time.

- I had made a portfolio to prove my status as “remote worker”. In that portfolio I started with a presentation of myself. Who I am, what I do/did for work, the average time I spent in Thailand since 2012, why I can run my business as a remote worker and why I think the DTV is the most suitable visa for me.

I added the most recent annual accounts of my company. This includes the balance sheet, showing a decent profit, and the shareholders with 100% of the shares on my name. All documents were in Dutch.

And finally I added a copy of the title deed of my condo to the portfolio.

I was getting nervous when the application stayed on “pending approval” for two weeks. Wondering if they would ask for some kind of labour contract or invoices, or reject my application as my next stay is only 1 month. But -luckily for me- I got approved without further requests.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their successful experience applying for a Digital Work Visa (DTV) from Belgium, detailing the required documents, application process, and timeline, which took about two weeks from application to approval. They mention their status as a remote worker and provide insights into the necessary documentation, including proof of residency, bank statements, and a portfolio showcasing their professional background. Other comments discuss varying application processing times and practical advice regarding property tax bills.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
George *******
Have you received the property tax bill for your condo yet? Check your mailbox.
George *******
Graham Heyes

My application send to Washington DC Thai embassy most likely triggered a investigation to the condo ownership when applying for the DTV as I provided one address in the building for Condos I owned as I provided the copy of my ownership for the one I stay in as proof of My address in Thailand. Alas, when I arrived in Thailand shortly after there were property tax bills for the condos I purchased over 15 years ago in my mailbox. Hi suspect during the two week interim where my application reflected, checking documents this was triggered The application
Pascal ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@George ******
as in most countries, you must pay taxes in Thailand on your property/properties. I’m not spending time in Thailand to dodge taxes. I receive yearly the tax bill for my condo and I’m paying it correctly.
George *******
Pascal De Cortefirst I heard about the yearly tax as previously they only charged us any tax upon resale. No inclination or intention to dodge any taxes. The tax bill was less than $10. In my understanding, it would be the responsibility of the government office to submit the bill for the property owner.

I am just sharing the information.
Graham *******
@George ******
what does that have to do with DTV?
Lee ***********
Pretty much the same thing for me in the UK, I read some have taken 24hrs and others over a month, I don't believe there is any reasoning other than like any office, some workers are slow and some are fast, luck of the draw I guess, I'm talking about from point of pending. We'll done anyway it's a breath of fresh air.
Elías ********
@Lee **********
I think the intended entry date you write on the application has also something to do. If you write a date like 2 months in the future, they might not approve it right away in order for you to "buy" some time, as the 5-year validity starts to run from the visa approval date, not the first actual entry date.
Pascal ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elías *******
might be a reason as well. My next trip starts in three weeks. As mentioned in my reply to Lee; it’s just a guess.
Lee ***********
@Elías *******
I thought the same
Pascal ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee **********
maybe they are checking some documents like my previous Visa, my title deed, ID number of my Ltd,…

Just a guess. I would verify some of them if I was the head of the department. 🙂
Filip *******
@Pascal **********
Thai embassy in Brussels states it takes
***
weeks for the visa .

Yours did go fast , my DTV took 1 month and i also have no negative history, always had the 6 month METV.

Congratulations on your visa.