What type of visa should my friend from the UK apply for to work remotely in Thailand while occasionally working on-site?

visa types Thailand visa DTV visa Non-Immigrant B visa work permit remote work visa consultant service Thai immigration rules

Jan 8, 2025

10 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all I have a very good friend from the UK who is looking to move to Thailand and live there, so I'm looking for advice and thoughts about what Visa he maybe able to apply for, so for work the plan is to work remotely for a company based in the EU, so first thought would be the DTV, however although the role will be mainly remote the company does have some equipment in a data centre in Thailand and as part of the role my friend would need to maybe once a week go and work on the hardware side of things, repair/replace/upgrade, so this hands on part makes me think the DTV is out as an option, so my thoughts go to starting a consultant service in the UK to apply for a business visa, but not sure if this would allow hands on work or if starting a consultant type service in Thailand is an option somehow, but the problem there is probably 4 Thai staff for 1 work permit as my friend won't need staff, so if anyone has any thoughts please share, thanks in advance...

Sorry I should of been more clear in my question, my friend has NOT been asked by any company to work illegally, it's important to him to stay legal, I do also agree that a work permit would be needed, and this being the case, what are peoples thoughts on the best way to do this please, I don't think an EU based company could help provide a work permit as they don't employ Thai staff and don't have a branch office....

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK citizen seeking to move to Thailand for remote work with occasional hands-on tasks at a data center needs to consider visa options that allow for employment and work permits. The Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) may not be suitable due to the hands-on nature of the job, which requires a work permit. A Non-Immigrant B visa is suggested as a possible route, with the requirement for the employer to facilitate a work permit application. Some commenters note that working remotely without direct engagement in Thai employment might lessen scrutiny, but advise caution due to the need for appropriate documentation.

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Joseph *****

Andrew - what is this about “a friend?” Why is he not the one asking the question? 🙋‍♂️ unless of course you are “the friend” yourself. And worried about possibly exposing your name to the authorities! Don’t worry my friend, there’s so many questions on these pages about some dodgy matters or another, that the authorities wouldn’t have time to do anything else if they have to monitor these pages!! 😂👍

9 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Joseph ****

oh I do wish I was asking for me but sadly that's not the case, and it's me that's ask on my friends behalf as I have spent more time in Thailand than him and so may understand thinks people mention a bit more and he is also very busy trying to get other ducks in a row ready to take the next steps when it's possible, so I'm just trying to be a good friend and take some pressure to help things....maybe I will be asking similar things for me in the future who knows....

9 days ago

Reply to

Andrew *******

Terary **********

You may be over complicating the matter.

I have been in Thailand 10 years on mostly tourist visas. You're not technically supposed to do that but nobody really seems to care. Thai authorities care most about people taking Thai jobs. So if your friend was to work from his room only, they wouldn't really need to concern too much about he visa type.

Because they're going out and playing with hardware, this may expose them to some scrutiny. Although, I doubt very much anybody would care. They would care if your friend was the sort to go around offended Thai or Buddha.

One option would be hire a Thai person to do the repairs, your friend can supervise - wink wink.

Another thing to consider, the Thai authorities are not waiting at the airport to catch that one person with an imperfect visa. Thailand is not a police state. Your friend could come work for awhile (few months) and figure out the rest. Once your friend is here doing their thing, they'll encounter other expats and various other friends (agents). The situation will look different from here than it does from there.

9 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

hmm some food for thought in your answer so thank you for that and also as I have spent some time in Thailand I understand that not every little thing is tested, but I have heard some stories about people getting in to trouble for painting there own home or changing a lightbulb in a bar, so it seems that you can be in wrong place at the wrong time, it just depends on who sees you, most of the answers people have given have matched my thoughts as in it would not be legal as it's really two separate things, remote work part is easy with DTV but the hands on part is the issue, and you might have given a good idea in saying hire a Thai person to do the hands on part, I know there are lots of smart ones about, maybe I will go speak to a computer shop or two next chance I get....

9 days ago

Terary **********

@Andrew ******

I have a Thai friend who is a jr. freelance developer. She lives in Isan so I am not sure if she would be much help but let me if you want their contact details.

8 days ago

Reply to

Terary **********

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

The company hire only rack space in the data centre, there are several companies that rest rack space and I think some fly staff over to do works if needed

10 days ago

Ian **********

So who runs the data centre if they don't have any Thai staff? He needs to get Non imm B visa and then his company have to apply for his work permit

10 days ago

John **********

He would need a work permit and thus a visa that allows him to hold one. That's not the DTV

10 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

yes this is my thoughts

10 days ago

John **********

@Andrew ******

no point thinking about it. Reality.

10 days ago

Reply to

John **********

Brandon ************

Why is a company asking your friend to work illegally in a foreign country? If they want him doing work in Thailand then it's on them to get the appropriate paperwork in place.

10 days ago

Braulio *********

@Brandon ***********

The OP sounds suspicious

10 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Braulio ********

can I ask in what way I sound suspicious please, maybe I just didn't ask my question in the clearest way

10 days ago

Reply to

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

they have not asked him too, he is just looking at possible options, if the consensus on here is it cannot be done then it won't happen

10 days ago

Andy **********

@Andrew ******

Possible LTR Highly Skilled Professional in a targeted industry, with work permit eg "digital industry"

9 days ago

John *******

@Andrew ******

if they are not asking him, can he continue his remote work with them but not be involved with the hardware and/or data center?

10 days ago

Andrew *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John ******

maybe this will be the only option to him, and it's what I think too, but figured no harm in getting others thoughts

10 days ago

John *******

@Andrew ******

So they will let him work outside of Thailand but if he works in Thailand, he needs to do “in person” work? That kind of sounds like they are asking him to do something illegal or the position was only for someone who had legal status to work in Thailand.

10 days ago

Reply to

John *******

Brandon ************

@Andrew ******

doing any work in Thailand without a work permit is illegal. The only way to get a work permit is through a Thai company.

10 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Mark *********

@Brandon ***********

Do it legally or stay home.