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What visa can a USA passport holder obtain to work remotely in Thailand?

USA PassportNon-O VisaSmart Visa
Jan 27, 2020
5 years ago
Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there a specific visa a USA passport holder can obtain to stay in Thailand legally while working remotely for an American based company as a software engineer?

Does this fall under the smart visa 'talent' type or something else?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A USA passport holder can consider a Non-Immigrant B visa and Work Permit or the Smart Visa (if applicable) for staying in Thailand while working remotely. However, the Smart Visa may not apply as the individual is not employed by a local business or paying taxes in Thailand. Other options like the Thai Elite visa can be explored for longer stays.
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James ********
Good luck...

Commenting closed.
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks guys gonna ride out my current ED visa and explore the elite option when the time comes
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
If you go on the elite visa, you can not have any overstay in your passport
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Vladimir ********
> Does this fall under the smart visa 'talent' type

Not, as you are not working in the country / not employed by local business / not paying taxes here.

5 or 20 years Elite looks good in your case.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
and we are done Good Luck
@Tubby ******
 in your endeavor (y)
5 years ago
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Simon ********
Only option is buy a Thai Elite or get married and then keep your head down.
5 years ago
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James ********
May we ask?

Are you or do you plan to Marry a Thai?
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
No plans of marriage to a Thai at this time
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
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Benjamin ******
One option to look into is talking to your company about opening a branch office here in Thailand, and hiring you as an employee on a Non-B visa with a valid work permit. I'm assuming your company is incorporated in the United States. If it is, it may qualify for a Treaty of Amity business, letting it be a peer to Thai business.

See
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for more information.
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks I'll look into this
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the input guys. And as far as purchasing a Thai elite visa there would be no issue?
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all, cheers
5 years ago
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Tod *********
nope, no problem getting an elite visa and LIVING here.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
Same as most visa types, Employment Prohibited.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
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Tod *********
Your best bet to live here and work remotely is to STFU, keep your head down, get a long term visa (or as long term of a visa as you can get) and don't blab what you're doing to every tom dick and somchai. Get paid in your bank account in your country, and just live here.
5 years ago
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Tubby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is a non immigrant b visa and work permit feasible to get while working for an American based company with seemingly no ties to any Thai business entity?
5 years ago
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Robert *******
You set up a Thai branch first
5 years ago
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Tod *********
nope, it is not
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Robert *******
The Non Immigrant B visa and Work Permit, or the Smart Visa if your company startup can meet all the requirements. More infor about the Smart Visa you find here
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5 years ago
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Robert *******
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