What should I consider when presenting my freelance work to Thai immigration while on an education visa?

Question

Hello everyone,

I’ve been living in Thailand for a long time using various visas, including multiple tourist visas, a student visa, and for the past four years, I had a work permit for three years while working for a Thai company. After I stopped working there, I switched to a one-year self-defense education visa.

Now, I am a freelancer with a company in my home country. I have sufficient funds to show, with 500k in Wise or my Thai bank account, and I can prove a good lifestyle with Thai bank statements showing around 200k THB per month. I also have a rental contract in my name (30k THB per month).

I would like advice on how best to present my situation to immigration. I want to show that I worked in Thailand for three years, then took an education visa, and now I work as a freelancer with good contracts and income. I can provide client invoices to prove this.

However, I’m aware that working while on an education visa is technically prohibited, so I want to approach this carefully. What would you advise to make my case clear and strong to immigration?

Thank you in advance for your help

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user seeks advice on presenting their immigration case after transitioning from various visas in Thailand, now applying for a long-term freelance situation. They detail their history of tourist, student, work, and education visas, providing evidence of financial stability and rental agreements. Users in the comments suggest focusing on current freelance contracts and available funds, while others express concerns about past working on an education visa potentially raising red flags with immigration.

Abhishek ******* · Answer

Looks like it all depends on the officer. Seems like you are desperate to stay in thailand and are using different visas etc

Werner ************ · Answer

Your case would raise red flags

Matthew ******* · Answer

I would like to know as well, I guess you are saying that you earned money on an ED Visa and you want to know if this will effect your chances of getting the DTV as the bank statement you give will show your earnings while you had an ED Visa.

Is this your concern?

Is this your concern?

Bob ********* · Answer

Since you already go to a boxing gym, have them write you a letter and get your DTV based on soft power

Wannikea ********* · Answer

Embassies and consulates are under the MFA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Gwedoline ******* · Answer

All I can say is good luck! Most long term visas has to be done outside of Thailand from my understanding

Myles ******* · Answer

U dont prove anything to immigration as u apply at an embassy. If you have freelance contract and the funds in bank then thats all u need, forget about all the rest of it.

Pete ******* · Answer

That entirely depends on what you want to achieve which you have failed to articulate in your post.

Delfina ********* · Answer

Check on an official page / visa for Thailand

What should I consider when presenting my freelance work to Thai immigration while on an education visa?

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