What is the process of obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand as a freelancer?

Question

I received my DTV visa as a freelancer last week and wanted to share my experience for those interested in what happened and how it worked.
1 - I used an agency - it was important to me to have some kind of intermediary - don't think it was necessary but it gave me a bit of security.  For the next time, they are not necessary, and I propobably will not use.

2 - I am and US Citizen who who not lived in the US for many years and so do not have a US residence.  I was advised that it would be best for me to file my application from Vietnam.  I did so from Hanoi

3 - My documentation was submitted  to the agency in advance and I shared my VN entry stamp with the agency on arrival in VN - that was a Monday. The application was submitted on Tues morning

4 - On Thursday I got notice that some additional documents were requested - I provided them and they were submitted.

5 - My visa was approved on the following Thursday - and I entered Thailand from MY on Saturday - with a print out in hand.  The IO indicated that I should have it physically with me at every entry - as there is no "Viisa" attached physically to my passport as I have gotten in other countries.

What I would do differently:
I would organize my documents differently - and include an Index showing what documents were submitted to support what request - eg I submitted two contracts for consulting work - with no explanation - did indicate to the agency - but I am not sure they submitted or that if they did they were understood - one requrest for follow up was to document my ability to earn...... redundant from my POV but would have been better to have the Index showing what documents and if needed adding explanation.

As noted I would probably not use an agency again as they did not really represent me - they tood care of the admin - I am now asking them for some follow up on what my ongoing resposibilities are for registration etc.  I have had to ask for explanation the agency is not providing the information unless I ask.

Even with the inquiry it still took only 8 business days to get the Visa, and in the end for the first effort it was worth it for me to use the agency.

Hope this is helpful as a recent experience.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user shares their experience of obtaining a DTV visa as a freelancer, emphasizing the importance of using an agency for support during the application process. They filed their application from Vietnam and received their visa within eight business days. However, they express a desire for better documentation organization and clarity on ongoing responsibilities such as TM30 and TM47 submissions for residency reporting. The user's comments highlight that after obtaining the visa, the responsibility for compliance lies with the individual.

Doug ******** · Answer

Which papers did they ask for more clarity on?

Tod ********* · Answer

𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘁𝗰.

Why would they provide any follow up?

All they did was submit the documents you gave them for you (rather than you doing it) Their job ended when the visa application was approved

*You're responsible for filing a TM30 (if you choose to do so) to show you're registered as staying where you are in thailand,

*You're responsible for filing a 90 day report (first one due 89 days after you stamp in to the country),

*You're responsible to go to the immigration office and apply for a 180 day extension (should you go that route rather than just fly out/back to get a new 180 day entry stamp)

Pretty much everything from here on out for the next 5 years once you got the visa approved and printed the PDF (which as the officer pointed out when you stamped in IS your visa 🙂 ) is all on you 100%

Glad you got the DTV, congrats (y)

Greg ******** · Answer

Good info - looks like the agency is responsible for obtaining the visa and then it is up to you. Fair enough is that is the service you paid for. As for follow up the only real things are your TM30 and TM47 (90 Day report) - just ask in here and people can help. As you know for extension in-country you would have to basically supply all the application info updated along with residence requirements depending on the Immigration Office. Leaving thailand and returning gets you another 180 days without resubmitting documents.

What is the process of obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand as a freelancer?

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