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What visa options are available for Taiwanese citizens working remotely in Thailand's video game industry?

Thai visa applicationsSMART T visaLTR visaVideo game industry in ThailandRemote work in ThailandLiving in ThailandTourist visaExpat challenges in Thailand
May 3, 2024
8 months ago
Agustin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey everyone! me and my wife are Taiwanese citizens, and we would love to move to Thailand and live, eventually the Elite visa is the best option, but at this point, I have a contract with a startup indie video game studio, we are developing a fighting game. I'm a sound designer and composer, my salary is between 60-80k USD a year. What kind of visa can I apply to work and live in Thailand? I was thinking on the SMART T visa, which it seems that aligns with my income, but the problem is the industry, I don't know if Video games are in the technological or digital industry in Thailand. Also the studio hasn't actually sent me to Thailand to work, I work remotely from Taiwan, since I just do sounds and music.

What do you guys think?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Taiwanese couple looking to move to Thailand is considering visa options. The husband works as a sound designer for a video game studio but is currently working remotely from Taiwan with a salary of $60-$80k. They are interested in the SMART T visa but are uncertain about eligibility since it requires employment with a Thai company. Comments suggest considering the LTR visa for remote professionals, starting with a tourist visa for their initial stay, and ensuring local support for their visa application.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Zoe ******
I don't have any advice, just want to say I love Taiwan ❤️
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
agree to disagree
8 months ago
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Zoe ******
@Agustin **********
 I get it, you are moving to Thailand for a reason right? I love Taiwan for visits but I'm sure it's far from perfect, especially for people who have lived there long term.
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@Zoe *****
 yeah, for traveling might be great, it is beautiful, the food is awesome too. Just.... not for me.
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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Terary **********
I am in a similar situation. I work remotely for a good company and I earn a pretty good salary. The company doesn't care where I live but they're not sending me to Thailand nor is it publicly trading. So I meet much of the requirements for SMART but it isn't applicable.

I have been here on Tourist visa for quite some time. You can do a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa which gets you 9 months. During that time you can figure out your next steps. In Thailand you will meet people who have connections, etc.
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@Terary *********
 that's gonna be my backup plan! But it is hard for me to move for 9 months, I need to setup my sound studio, a bunch of equipment etc etc
8 months ago
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Shayne **********
Make sure to get a visa and advice from people in the province you are planning to live in.

Yes the visas you are talking about work all over the country but look locally and have backup and support locally.
8 months ago
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Leroen ***************
If your work is being published in Taiwan and your getting paid on a Taiwanese bank account you can do it on a tourist visa.
8 months ago
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Xjwhudkwhry ********
Taiwan is a dream, Thailand is a shithole, why would you move?? Especially after making all the effort of finding a local woman who would marry you and getting a passport? doesn't make any sense...
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@Xjwhudkwhry *******
 hahaha believe me. Taiwan is not a dream. I've been here 10 years.
8 months ago
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John **********
Take a look at the LTR visa for Work from Thailand Professionals. That's the only one suitable. For the Smart T you need to work for a Thai company
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@John *********
 yeah I took a look at that one. My company is a startup and they don't meet the criteria for this. They have been open for a bit more than a year.
8 months ago
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John **********
@Agustin **********
 I can't think of any other visa that would allow you to legally work in Thailand. It might be worth dropping the BOI, who run these visa schemes, an email and asking them. They're usually pretty responsive
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@John *********
 what if I open a business in Thailand, the business sponsors my work permit. The thing is that I work solo, I have my sound studio, might occasionally hire some artists for projects.
8 months ago
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John **********
@Agustin **********
 you could do that but it would need something like 2m baht capital and to employ a minimum of 4 thais for every work permit for a standard company but opening a company via the BOI Smart Start-up scheme but I think you only get a work permit to work for that specific company. I guess if that company was paid as sub contractor by the Taiwanese company and then paid a salary to you it might work. Like I said talk to the BOI
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@John *********
 i'll contact the BOI thanks man! Appreciate your help
8 months ago
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Zap **********
Believe you have to work for Thai company for this visa
8 months ago
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Henrik *****
If you haven’t stayed in Thailand for more than a couple of weeks, thats where you should start, by making a trial run at least 60 day touristvisa + 30 days extension, since everyday life can be far off compared with holiday life.

Don’t burn you bridges at least the first 6 month.
8 months ago
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Agustin ***********
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@Henrik ****
 ha erasing the comment, AGAIN! I've emigrated before, I'm not the typical gringo moving to Thailand just because IT'S COOL!
8 months ago
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