Answered2 years ago

What was the process for receiving a DTV visa as a nomad photographer in Thailand?

DTV Visa Freelance Visa Photography Visa Digital Nomad Thailand Immigration Visa Application Process

Stéphane *********

asked Sep 27, 2024

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DTV visa approved today as a nomad photographer, I sell photos through online microstock agencies.

E-visa from the Thai Embassy in France.

* Screenshots of the first page of several portfolios, with text introduction explaining my work and clarifying that I do not receive any money from a Thai agency.

* Very important: copy of my registered personal business status (INSEE in France)

* 1 month of bank account statements                                                   

Submitted the application online on September 3rd, and a lady from the embassy called 14 days later to request clickable links to my portfolios for verification, while noting that my file was excellent. September 26th: DTV visa approval.

Answer summary

A user shares their successful approval of a DTV visa as a nomad photographer selling photos online. They submitted an e-visa application from the Thai Embassy in France with supporting documents, including a registered business status and bank statements. The approval process took about three weeks, during which the embassy requested additional verification. The community discusses related topics on working legally in Thailand as a foreign photographer and the required permits for such activities.

9 repliesnewest first

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Jason *********

Congrats

2 years ago

Anna **********

That is brilliant, love photography. Congrats and enjoy

2 years ago

Sahil ********

Nice :))

just wondering, what did you fill in for your 'intended date of arrival' ?

I have been reading that they approve the visa as close to that date as possible.

Was it true in your case ?

2 years ago

Stéphane *********

I chose a date at the end of November.

2 years ago

Sefton ********

Curious if anything was mentioned in the process about taking photos in Thailand as part of that business.

I can see an obvious argument that to do so would then be working 'in' Thailand and not working remote. There were similar distinctions about youtubers in the past where they could be earning youtube income (from overseas video) but not make Thai content which then became domestic work and required a work permit.

2 years ago

Stéphane *********

Nothing is mentioned in my auto-enterprise record as it's a 100% French protocole for inside France.

As a remote worker, you just need to earn money from outside Thailand, that's the case with microstock. Taking high quality pictures of Thailand is a good work for the promotion of the country.

2 years ago

Sefton ********

@Stéphane ********

Its for sure in the grey area, and assuming what is good for Thailand is hence legal is not how it works, remember the DTV is only exempted from a work permit for 'non domestic' work, previously media work, like youtube would be domestic especially if it was Thaicentric.

Heres how the employment office covered the topic in the past. Similar distinctions on internal recording v simply collecting revenue.

Is uploading videos to YouTube considered work?

I have a YouTube channel showing a video diary of my travels around Thailand – promoting the country and activities here.

I am trying to understand what laws I need to be aware of in relation to my current and past activities. Is uploading videos to YouTube considered work? Does it matter if I have YouTube ads turned on or off?

I have many other videos on my channel, which I made 100 per cent outside Thailand – before my arrival. If I have ads turned on and am being paid for these past activities while I am in the Kingdom, is this considered work?

Concerned vlogger, Thailand.

No, it isn’t, as long as the uploading is for fun or to share on social media networks publicly for free. However, if you turn on YouTube ads while living in Thailand, or post them in your own blog where they can collect revenue, this could be considered work. Even if you posted videos while outside Thailand, but then activated or turned on ads related to them, this would still be considered work, as you would be making money while in the country. It means you are working while you are living in the Kingdom. However, if you activated the ads before entering the country, but still received revenue once entering the country for your holiday, then this would not be considered as working while staying in Thailand.

Yaowapa Pibulpol, chief of Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO).

2 years ago

Sefton ********

@Stéphane ********

But they would have zero reason to explain the distinction of domestic media capture v earning income from overseas media capture. Embassys are generally clueless on the workings of labour law and routinely give poor advice even on visas, as MFA is a totally different government department, whereas labour law, taxation and payrolling is what I do for a living. Assuming these things are linked connected or knowledgable is a rookie mistake.

Anyway I was just curious if this was brought up, it seems it wasnt.

2 years ago

Stéphane *********

My activity has nothing to do with a Vlogger, Im registered as an Author-Photographer, the embassy carefully checked my portfolios directly online as they asked me the links, Im sure they know the process better than you.

2 years ago