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What type of visa do I need to move to Thailand and start a business as an expat?
Thai visa typesDTV visaNon-B visaNon-O visaBusiness in ThailandWorking remotely in ThailandExpat adviceVisa regulations
May 8, 2025
a year ago
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi I only joined the group yesterday and haven't scrolled down too much due to work so apologies if this has been asked.
I'm 40 years old (almost)
My fiancee lives in Thailand and I want to move over ASAP (already started selling my belongings) as I am aiming for July/August.
What type of visa can I get or will I need. I plan on starting a business over there and I am open to the idea of getting a job online here that I can do from Thailand to help with cash flow and visa requirements.
Any help and advice would be massively appreciated.
Thanks in advance 🙏
I'm 40 years old (almost)
My fiancee lives in Thailand and I want to move over ASAP (already started selling my belongings) as I am aiming for July/August.
What type of visa can I get or will I need. I plan on starting a business over there and I am open to the idea of getting a job online here that I can do from Thailand to help with cash flow and visa requirements.
Any help and advice would be massively appreciated.
Thanks in advance 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on the appropriate visa to relocate to Thailand to join their fiancée and potentially start a business. Suggestions include the DTV visa for remote work, along with information about obtaining a Non-B or Non-O visa if they plan to work or conduct business within Thailand. Commenters caution about regulations on business ownership and the risks involved in working online for foreign companies while in Thailand.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Wayne *******
Be careful working online as I did that during covid. I worked for an online teaching company (not a thai company) and my salary was paid into a UK PP account, so nothing really that should concern Thailand. I didnt realise I was doing anything untoward and was warned against it
I didnt do it after that but at the time I worked in a school without a degree which the authorities knew about but overlooked as they were short of tutors during covid, so that was OK but online outside Thailand wasnt!!??
As for your relationship, it looks like you are rushing in? Im not gonna say dont or whatever as its your life and you know it better than anyone. What people on here MAY know about better than you are the pitfalls that have caught farangs out so many times in the past.
I knew a bloke who's missus asked him to buy a house in her name outright. He wasnt daft! He told her he will pay monthly payments on a mortgage in her name ONLY. That way he had somewhere to stay as he would only be doing the same with a rental. So she gets the mortgage in HER NAME. That meant if they ever separated, he wouldnt be down financially as she would be left with a mortgage to pay that she might not afford once he was gone. Theyre still renting 😆
DTV is the answer for long term but you wont be able to open a business which in all honesty, might be a good thing. If I was you, I would put the business on hold, you're only forty, for a year while you get used to living in Thailand if its new to you and best not to burn your bridges back home. I did that once and had to start from scratch again! Nightmare.
Apply for a DTV from outside Thailand (pref your home country before you leave) and work on it for a year and see how you feel in a year or so is what I would do
Good luck
I didnt do it after that but at the time I worked in a school without a degree which the authorities knew about but overlooked as they were short of tutors during covid, so that was OK but online outside Thailand wasnt!!??
As for your relationship, it looks like you are rushing in? Im not gonna say dont or whatever as its your life and you know it better than anyone. What people on here MAY know about better than you are the pitfalls that have caught farangs out so many times in the past.
I knew a bloke who's missus asked him to buy a house in her name outright. He wasnt daft! He told her he will pay monthly payments on a mortgage in her name ONLY. That way he had somewhere to stay as he would only be doing the same with a rental. So she gets the mortgage in HER NAME. That meant if they ever separated, he wouldnt be down financially as she would be left with a mortgage to pay that she might not afford once he was gone. Theyre still renting 😆
DTV is the answer for long term but you wont be able to open a business which in all honesty, might be a good thing. If I was you, I would put the business on hold, you're only forty, for a year while you get used to living in Thailand if its new to you and best not to burn your bridges back home. I did that once and had to start from scratch again! Nightmare.
Apply for a DTV from outside Thailand (pref your home country before you leave) and work on it for a year and see how you feel in a year or so is what I would do
Good luck
Aimee **********
@Wayne ******
who warned you against teaching online? Many digital nomads in Thailand are online teachers.Wayne *******
@Aimee *********
Immigration in the city I was working. During covid we had to extend every month instead of every 2 if I remember correctly and it was when I went to extend they told me they knew I was teaching online and told me it was illegal. She also told me it was time I left Thailand and I had to explain to her that the UK wasnt open yet and it really got to her. Its all about saving face and if a foreigner gets a "1 up" on a Thai, its a big no no for the Thai. Anyway its their country so I stopped online teaching but they allowed me to continue in the school until the summer break came in June 2021 and I left for the UK 2 months laterIm of the understanding that a foreigner is not allowed to work INSIDE THAI borders for ANY reason unless they have a WP. Its so strict that a bar owner isnt even allowed to clear tables or wash pots unless Ive been spun a yarn!
**Disclaimer!!! - Im not claiming anything I have said is the law, only my personal experience and the experiences of people I know 👍
Oh and I wasnt using a VPN which may have avoided that issue
Aimee **********
@Wayne ******
I'm totally shocked to hear this!!! Thank you for the information. It's the first time I've heard anything like it!!Reply to
Aimee **********
Reply
Ralph *******
The DTV may suit your circumstance.
I hope you’ve researched foreign ownership of businesses in Thailand because there are quite a lot of regulations.
I hope you’ve researched foreign ownership of businesses in Thailand because there are quite a lot of regulations.
Bob **********
If you get a DTV visa you will not be allowed to open a business in Thailand
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
thanks Bob, good to know as starting a business is definitely on the cards (although perhaps not immediately) 🙏Reply to
Paul ******
Reply
Mark ******
Go live there for 12 months first
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHow do I live there that long without a visa?
Ralph *******
@Paul *****
It’s unlikely that you can. With 60 day exemption plus 30 day extension then a border run you’ve covered almost 6 months. Keep doing that and you’re likely to be stopped. Look at DTV. If you can get work online then you can do the ‘digital nomad’ thing
Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
John **********
@Mark *****
The best advice he is likely to receive 👍Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *****
and just do visa runs until that 12 months is up and then what? Thanks for the reply 🙏Reply to
Paul ******
Reply
Stuart *********
If working online remotely a DTV could work for you.
If working in Thailand you’d need a Non B (or get married and get a Non O) and an appropriate work permit.
If working in Thailand you’d need a Non B (or get married and get a Non O) and an appropriate work permit.
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
how difficult is to obtain a non B visa, what sort of cost is involved? Thanks for such a speedy reply 🙏Stuart *********
@Paul *****
The question is more like how much to set up a company and requirements to get a Non B. You’d probably need to get an accountant or lawyer to do this. Estimate cost about 60k but that could be wildly off the mark.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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