Answered8 months ago
What type of visa should I apply for if I plan to work online while living in Thailand?
I need some help! I am thoroughly confused as to my situation. I welcome any insight or clarity on what visa I can & should apply for. I am in the US.
I am 72 yrs old & am preparing to move Thailand for a yr (looking at early June to get there) & then come back & access whether to make it permanent or not.
Phase#1: I have sold or donated a lot! I have a storage unit with basics to restart back here if I chose to or to sell & donate all the remaining items after my 1 yr.
I am still working virtually however & don't anticipate stopping for a while. I tutor Chinese children on English for a couple of hrs a day & I represent 2 Network marketing companies that are based in the US but have a presence in Thailand along with other countries.
I was looking at a retirement visa, but it seems that you cannot work at all. I don't have the 800K bht unless I liquidate a 401K & I just meet the 65K bht monthly income with social security, dividend distribution + some of my business income.
What do you suggest. I met with a consultant for a 1 hr consult, but it isn't clear which visa I should focus on.
Thank you in advance for all your help.
I am 72 yrs old & am preparing to move Thailand for a yr (looking at early June to get there) & then come back & access whether to make it permanent or not.
Phase#1: I have sold or donated a lot! I have a storage unit with basics to restart back here if I chose to or to sell & donate all the remaining items after my 1 yr.
I am still working virtually however & don't anticipate stopping for a while. I tutor Chinese children on English for a couple of hrs a day & I represent 2 Network marketing companies that are based in the US but have a presence in Thailand along with other countries.
I was looking at a retirement visa, but it seems that you cannot work at all. I don't have the 800K bht unless I liquidate a 401K & I just meet the 65K bht monthly income with social security, dividend distribution + some of my business income.
What do you suggest. I met with a consultant for a 1 hr consult, but it isn't clear which visa I should focus on.
Thank you in advance for all your help.
Answer summary
The individual is seeking guidance on which visa to apply for as they plan to move to Thailand for a year while still working online. They are 72 years old and currently reside in the US. They are considering a retirement visa but are confused about its restrictions on working, as they need to contribute to their income while in Thailand. Key suggestions from the comments indicated that the most suitable option could be a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), though concerns about its limitations and requirements were raised. Others mentioned the possibility of a Non-B visa since the person has income from companies with a presence in Thailand. The conversation includes various opinions on the best approach to achieving their goals.
54 repliesnewest first
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Jennifer **************
Look into the LTR visa (long term resident). It’s for 10 years. No quarterly check-ins. Can do volunteer work. Can get work permit.
There are a few different types. We got the Wealthy Pensioner version. Requires PASSIVE income of 65k USD annually. No money needs to be invested in Thailand.
There are a few different types. We got the Wealthy Pensioner version. Requires PASSIVE income of 65k USD annually. No money needs to be invested in Thailand.
Barbara ********
OPthank you
Dan ********
Get an invitation approval letter from BOI then submit it to the official website to your consulate.
Dan ********
****************************
Dan ********
***********************
Rene ********
Contact Thai visa centre
Greg ***********
Rene Ordman they won't be able to offer a solution that is neither based on a retirement extension, and LTR or a DTV. She cannot afford any of it. Getting a retirement visa is out of question because she would work for a Thai company and this is outlawed on this visa class
Barbara ********
OPGreg Alexander I'm not working for a Thai company. I am an independent consultant for an american company that is global
Alex ****
Greg Alexander
I guarantee you that ANY visa agent will be able to facilitate a retirement visa!
Who are you???
I guarantee you that ANY visa agent will be able to facilitate a retirement visa!
Who are you???
Rene ********
Yes but she wishes to work I think
Rene ********
True, well if she takes the work outta the equation and comes with the right visa, Non O, I THINK, and pays an agent the fee for retirement it would likely be 15-20,000 baht only, that gives her 15 months in Thailand. Live on the other monies and check it out.
John **********
Because you work for companies with a presence in Thailand then your only real option is a Non-B visa. If you stop working with Thai entities or Thai clients then you could get the DTV based on your remote tutoring. You can't work at all on any of the retirement visa options so these are out unless you stop working entirely.
Barbara ********
OP@John *********
I don't have any Thai customers, but the company ships to Thailand and there are independent Thai consultants under this company. We are in many countriesJohn **********
@Barbara *******
if you can get a letter from the company stating that you will not work with any Thai entities or clients inside Thailand that may then be sufficient for the purposes of applying for the DTVDavid **********
@John *********
Great advice, thanks for pointing out the part about the US company having a presence in Thailand
Brad *******
You met for one hour with consultant and not clear about your visa status? Poor hire
Thai *****
Brad Sturz YouTuber "consultant". People like CB Media charge for Non-professional advice.
Larry *********
for a DTV dont they require you to sign up for classes? can be muay thai , thai language, cooking class? that means you have to stick around to attend the classes. ?
Alex ****
Don’t get a DTV visa!
DTV visa holders face several hurdles and restrictions:
1. Banking Limitations: You may face significant difficulties opening or maintaining a Thai bank account compared to other visa types.
2. Strict Entry Requirements: At the airport, immigration officers may demand proof of funds in cash and extensive paperwork confirming your remote work arrangements.
3. No Guarantee of Approval: Even after paying the 10,000 THB application fee, approval is never guaranteed. Many applicants are denied without being provided a specific reason.
4. Mandatory Departures: Every 180 days, you are required to leave the country. Upon re-entry, you must again provide proof of work arrangements and show at least 20,000 THB in cash.
A Retirement Visa bypasses all these complications entirely!
DTV visa holders face several hurdles and restrictions:
1. Banking Limitations: You may face significant difficulties opening or maintaining a Thai bank account compared to other visa types.
2. Strict Entry Requirements: At the airport, immigration officers may demand proof of funds in cash and extensive paperwork confirming your remote work arrangements.
3. No Guarantee of Approval: Even after paying the 10,000 THB application fee, approval is never guaranteed. Many applicants are denied without being provided a specific reason.
4. Mandatory Departures: Every 180 days, you are required to leave the country. Upon re-entry, you must again provide proof of work arrangements and show at least 20,000 THB in cash.
A Retirement Visa bypasses all these complications entirely!
Alex ****
You don’t need ANY money in a Thai bank account to get a retirement visa if you use a visa agent to facilitate the process!
Just come to Thailand - you will get a free 60 days visa at the airport, and get yourself a visa agent - there are literally hundreds of them in Thailand.
For a fee, a visa agent will also help you open a bank account.
There are hundreds of thousands of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent.
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
Just come to Thailand - you will get a free 60 days visa at the airport, and get yourself a visa agent - there are literally hundreds of them in Thailand.
For a fee, a visa agent will also help you open a bank account.
There are hundreds of thousands of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent.
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
Greg ***********
Alex Ve first: there are no hundreds of thousands of retirees in Thailand that use agents to front money they do not have on their own. There are a total of around 250,000 western expats living in Thailand. . . and second: she would not only have to pay an agent up from 60,000 THB for the "full package", but also break the law every other day working on a visa that doesn't allow to work
Alex ****
Greg Alexander
Bullshit!
There are approximately 450,000 of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent!
It only cost me 13,000 baht to renew my retirement visa last year for another 12 months
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
You’re a sheep!
Wake the fuck up, moron!
Bullshit!
There are approximately 450,000 of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent!
It only cost me 13,000 baht to renew my retirement visa last year for another 12 months
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
You’re a sheep!
Wake the fuck up, moron!
Robert *********
Alex Ve best of luck with Russian roulette if you play like this.
Alex ****
Robert Compton
There are hundreds of thousands of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent.
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
There are hundreds of thousands of retirees living in Thailand, and many, if not most - secure their retirement visas through a visa agent.
I’ve been living in Thailand for more than ten years, so I know how it works here.
Robert *********
Alex Ve totally illegal and likely to be placed on a ban list. Purpose of the 800,000 is to avoid people staying or leaving without paying bills.
Ray ********
Robert Compton why is there hundreds of visa agents operating if it's illegal. Even the moderator of this Facebook Group is a visa agent
Charles ********
Ray Low-On I’ve lived here since 2002, around 2004, many tourists and foreigners living here were using, so called agents…thousands were told to leave immediately!
Robert *********
Ray Low-On agents are 💯 percent legit if they help you with the process. What is illegal is circumventing the 800,000 baht requirement by lending the money and facilitating a corrupt practice. That is part of how bank accounts esp by Bangkok Bank have been frozen.
Brad *******
Alex Ve poor advice…illegal and morally wrong in support of corruption
Alex ****
Brad Sturz
Bullshit!
Hundreds of thousands of retirees get their visas that way!
Bullshit!
Hundreds of thousands of retirees get their visas that way!
Ray ********
Brad Sturz give evidence it's illegal. Thousands of people uses the services of a visa agent
Jim *******
@Arild *********
Accounts frozen: Opened with mickey mouse SIM card from the airport that gets recycled and belongs to someone else;
Accounts opened with no or with improper visa (it was possible until maybe 2 years ago);
Account inactive for more than a year (some banks 3, some 5 years). There are foreigners with bank account who have not been to Thai for years).
Foreigners got caught into what was the major sweep against mule accounts - scammers paid money to Thais to open an account and hand over to them. And their mobile number raised a red flag (there were many reports that street merchants accounts got frozen).
Graham ******
Ray Low-On The Immigration Act of 1979 and the listed financial requirements for visas
Arild **********
Ray Low-On and why have so many bank accounts been frozen ?
Mike ********
A long-term resident Visa allows you to work. it might be worth a look for you .
David **********
Mike Pearce She barely qualifies for retirement visa so LTR is out of the question
Barath *******
Mike Pearce, the last I read, for the long-term resident visa, your monthly income is higher than Retirement Visa.
Thai *****
Barath Faust LTR work from Thailand is salary of $80,000, or if Masters or above, $40,000. The employer needs to qualify (they may have relaxed that). If you work from Thailand, you don't qualify for a digital work permit, so you are free to work online, but not conduct business with Thai entities. But you work for a company with what's called Permanent Establishment, ie. they are assessed for Thai corporation taxes. So you need a 3000 Bht a year digital work permit. With such a permit the employer is exempt from employing extra Thais, and the visa holder pays a flat rate of 17% income tax. If you don't have the permit, you are rated at 0% income tax. The visa costs 50,000 baht for 10 years, initially issued for 5 years. You have to conform to the requirements for the entire period of the visa.
Barbara ********
OPThai Jag This sounds good, it is confusing. The company I represent is a Network Marketing company, so I am not an employee and it is not my employer, I am a 1099. As far as teaching, I am independent & teach Chinese children.
Barath *******
Thai Jag, Barbara Drtina might be interest in this info. Thank you!
David **********
The best option for you at this point is the DTV. You can work online and you get 180 days every time you enter Thailand. You need to have the equivalent of 500k Thai baht in any bank (just under 16k USD) as opposed to 800k (almost 26k USD - which must be transferred to a Thai bank) for the retirement visa and you can't work in Thailand you're on the retirement visa.
Side note: your so-called consultant must not know much about Thailand visas if they spent an hour and it's still not clear what visa you should focus on. Given the information you provided the DTV is clearly your only option. (Before anyone mentions the LTR, she clearly doesn't qualify and the retirement visa won't allow her to continue to work)
Side note: your so-called consultant must not know much about Thailand visas if they spent an hour and it's still not clear what visa you should focus on. Given the information you provided the DTV is clearly your only option. (Before anyone mentions the LTR, she clearly doesn't qualify and the retirement visa won't allow her to continue to work)
John **********
@David *********
DTV won't work for her as she represents companies that have a presence in ThailandDavid **********
@John *********
Thanks for clarifying that. I saw that the company was based in the US and thought that was the key factor.Alex ****
David E Moore
DTV visa sucks!
Read my comments below
DTV visa sucks!
Read my comments below
Greg ******
Liquidating your 401k is a horrible option. Deposit 65k mth into a bank account. Better yet, move to the Phillipines, and avoid all these risky financial issues.
Alex ****
Greg Pill
Bullshit!
A visa agent can facilitate a retirement visa without any money in a Thai bank account!
Philippines SUCK!
I lived there before escaping to Thailand
Bullshit!
A visa agent can facilitate a retirement visa without any money in a Thai bank account!
Philippines SUCK!
I lived there before escaping to Thailand
Barath *******
Alex Ve, I agree with you, I didn't like Phili, especially if you're a female solo traveller. Thailand is the best option.
Wayne *******
I understand its OK to work online as long as the platform you use to teach is not Thai or based in Thailand and your students are not Thai.
That said, the laws change often but the last time (a few months ago) I had a conversation, this was the case
There is the DTV option which I enquired about but because I have been in the UK 2 years and havent used the platform I use for online teaching, I didnt qualify as you have to have up to date payments from your platform to show (live and currently working) when you apply. Speak to Thai Visa
That said, the laws change often but the last time (a few months ago) I had a conversation, this was the case
There is the DTV option which I enquired about but because I have been in the UK 2 years and havent used the platform I use for online teaching, I didnt qualify as you have to have up to date payments from your platform to show (live and currently working) when you apply. Speak to Thai Visa
@THAI *****************************
and they will be able to guide you more. I spoke via email with someone else (a different agent) who informed me of this. The DTV gives you 5 years in 6 month increments and I think the amount you need to have in your bank is 500,000bhtActivity
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