Answereda year ago
What visa options should I consider for remote work in Thailand as a US citizen?
So, here's my situation. I'm a remote worker with completely foreign income of around 3600 usd monthly. I work for a family business but it's not incorporated and more importantly I don't have an employment contract. I have 600k in an American account in my name and a great resume as a software engineer. I'm American and have no overstays or issues, although I did once get denied entry for having two active visas. I also stayed 2 years on ED visa and mastered the content. What do you guys think I should do? DTV remote worker or soft power? I want to take Muay Thai anyway and will probably sign up for it one way or the other.
Answer summary
The user is a remote worker earning USD 3600 monthly but lacks a formal employment contract due to working for a family business. Considering their background and financial stability, they are contemplating between applying for the DTV remote worker visa and the Soft Power visa. Comments suggest that both visas allow remote work under certain conditions, with DTV being more suitable for the user's situation as it could accommodate freelancers without formal contracts. Alternatives such as creating a mock employment contract and using personal portfolios for visa applications are also discussed.
31 repliesnewest first
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Thai ************
As you mentioned, you're a remote worker but don't have a work contract and the business is not incorporated, then - if you can present a portfolio to support you're a freelancer, you can go with the workcation route...if you are not able to do that, Softpower is a safe choice.
Vladislav *************
i hope you declared your income here and paid ~25% taxes on your ~$40k/yr income while you were making money being on ED visa, for these "amazing thai people to benefit greatly". Correct? /troll mode off
ดาร่า ********
OP@Vladislav ************
I'm being quite sincere, I hope I can.Vladislav *************
@ดาร่า *******
good intention, but as for now u scammed them for ~$20kดาร่า ********
OP@Vladislav ************
I look forward to paying Thai taxes and love to support Thai people and the Thai government any way I can.Vladislav *************
Go with DTV visa workcation, easy option for you.
Get a free-form letter from your company that you are authorized to work from Thailand.
Be ready that your thai bank account will be frozen eventually, and you wont be able to use local bank app (if you had a thai bank account here).
Get a free-form letter from your company that you are authorized to work from Thailand.
Be ready that your thai bank account will be frozen eventually, and you wont be able to use local bank app (if you had a thai bank account here).
Kurt *************
Cant your family company give you a contract?
Zess ********
I’ll let you know how I go. I’m in a similar position, but also in a worse one.
I work for family business and it’s an ordinary partnership so no business reg. - I sent VAT document which had all the same info but not sure if they’ll accept it. (I’m also British so not sure what your equivalent is)
I also didn’t have a formal contract. And I’ve been travelling for two years so have zero income tax (only started working recently)
These are all documents they’ve asked additionally. We’ll see what they say.
Update: status has changed to pending approval
I work for family business and it’s an ordinary partnership so no business reg. - I sent VAT document which had all the same info but not sure if they’ll accept it. (I’m also British so not sure what your equivalent is)
I also didn’t have a formal contract. And I’ve been travelling for two years so have zero income tax (only started working recently)
These are all documents they’ve asked additionally. We’ll see what they say.
Update: status has changed to pending approval
John **********
@Zess *******
even a family business must be registered with the authorities, show them that along with a letter from one of the partners giving you permission to work remotely from ThailandZess ********
@John *********
ordinary partnerships businesses are not required to have the business registration document which is what the embassy has requested. I have given VAT registration document in place of that. I’ve moved to pending approval so it seems to have been sufficient.
Decade ****
You should go for a DTV remote worker. I did the same. Just showed them my work portfolio, PayPal invoices, and 500k. And it was approved. Not even a single question was asked on entry.
Al ****
You can work remotely on any visa including the 60 day tourist visa, just not for Thai companies or clients or collecting payment from Thailand in anyway. Softpower is by far an easier application if you don’t have all your business affairs in order for the documents they are asking for. It is the exact same visa with the same rights within Thailand
John **********
@Al ***
that is absolutely not true. You can only work remotely on 2 specific visas. A DTV issued for workation and the LTR Remote Worker visa, why do you think these visas were introduced?Al ****
@John *********
mate you have no idea what you are talking about. You can do whatever you want on the internet to create money as long as you are not soliciting Thai businesses, Thai clients or receiving money from them you are breaking no rules. The visa was introduced to allow people to stay long term because digital nomads have been working legally on 60 day visa exempts since the dawn of the internetAl ****
@James **********
hahahah the world needs less people like you 🤦♀️Al ****
@Zess *******
sure this is the embassy in my country, they even put it in capital letters for you so hopefully you don’t miss it 🤣*************************************************************************************
James ***********
@Ze**
he looked em up man 👀Zess ********
@Al ***
could you provide me with source because everything I have ever seen, it is against the law.Al ****
@Zess *******
I’ve looked up the lawsZess ********
@Al ***
you’re talking about what you think the answer should be morally. Laws and legality don’t work like that my friend.Al ****
@Zess *******
just because you are in someone’s country does not mean they own your time and what you do with it. You can literally work anywhere you want just not ‘within’ that country ie not soliciting clients, with local businesses etc. what you do in your time on the internet cannot be controlledZess ********
@Al ***
he is not wrong. Legally you are not allowed to work remotely. However, enforcement is next to zero.I was actually researching this earlier today.
John **********
@Al ***
no, it was introduced to allow digital nomads to work legally. Those working remotely on visa exempt stamps, tourist visas, retirement visas, marriage visas and so on have been doing so illegallyJohn **********
If you want to work remotely then you need to apply using the workation option. The soft power options don't give permission to work remotely. You can sign up to a gym independently
Al ****
@John *********
this is not true 🤦♀️John **********
@Al ***
it is absolutely true, the visa is issued for the purpose you apply for and not for a purpose of your choosingJohn **********
@Al ***
but you are, you are working in Thailand illegally. Go and look up the official definition of work in Thai law and you will understandAl ****
@John *********
no one can stop you using the internet as long as you’re not soliciting business in the country you’re doing nothing wrong
Guy ********
Get creative with the contract. You’ll need tax payment evidence, company registration might be an issue but perhaps some official looking letterheads and website would suffice. Just provide what the application requests
Aliz ****
definitely DTV remote. I have a few friends who wrote their own emplyment contract cuz they're freelancers
Robert *******
Change of plan seems to be a god option.
Try the only visa that fits your story, DTV workcatin.
In free time you can train Muay Thai, visit hospital and cook a meal.
Try the only visa that fits your story, DTV workcatin.
In free time you can train Muay Thai, visit hospital and cook a meal.
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