Answered3 months ago
Why do some remote workers choose the Soft Power category over Workcation for their visa applications in Thailand?
Question: For those who have a remote job with a sufficient income, why did you choose to apply under the Soft Power category instead of Workcation?
I’m curious to understand the reasoning behind this, especially since both options seem applicable to remote workers.
I’m curious to understand the reasoning behind this, especially since both options seem applicable to remote workers.
Answer summary
Many remote workers are curious about choosing between the Soft Power and Workcation visa categories in Thailand. Comments indicate that Soft Power may require less paperwork and scrutiny, making it an attractive option. Supporters of this category often highlight their genuine interest in taking classes and the less complicated application process. However, concerns about legalities arise, particularly about working remotely while on a Soft Power visa. Some participants in the discussion suggest that while both visa types might allow for remote work, clarity and adherence to immigration rules remain pivotal for applicants.
63 repliesnewest first
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DeterminedE***********
Why shall they know my company and my bank accounts and earnings.
CapableC********
Because they take out the rubber glove if you press workcation - softskills way better
Christopher ***********
CapableCelery590 'way better' in what way? Successful applications or smooth entries into Thailand (or both)?
CapableC********
@Christopher **********
No questions asked, just the course and proof of savings. A few friends of mine went down the workcation route and most were rejected, then ended up applying through soft skills instead. It’s not impossible to get approved through workcation, but there’s a lot more scrutiny — they seem to want everything.CapableC********
@Christopher **********
What’s that got to do with the airport? We’re talking about the application process. Are you getting confusedChristopher ***********
CapableCelery590 Like they're doing this all the time at Suvarnabhumi Airport? Not happening.
CapableC********
@Christopher **********
No problem if you want to scramble around gathering portfolios, active contracts, company formation documents, tax returns, potentially having them translated, and a long list of evidence to prove your activity. Be my guest.Or you can upload 1 x simple PDF from your school showing your enrolment. I know which one I’d pick.
Christopher ***********
CapableCelery590 Appears to conflict with previous reports that workcation applications are seldom rejected. One thing for sure, digital nomads by definition have continuity of status. Cooking and Muay Thai Boxing courses much less so.
Michael ********
Because soft power is much better and easier to obtain
Elías ********
I didn't. I applied under remote job.
Michael ********
@Elías *******
DTV is for remote job. The reason is doesn't matter.Christopher ***********
@Elías *******
Very wise. If ever asked for purpose of stay your answer is 'remote online working' and you have payslips to back that up if requested.Elías ********
@Christopher **********
yes, and I can both say out loud that 1)I'm not saying in hotels in different cities nor I have a tourism itinerary 2) I work full time remotely for a non-Thai company, if asked I mean.
Anonymous ******************
I applied under soft power and stated I will be working remotely when they asked how I will be supporting myself while in Thailand and was approved.
If it was not allowed I don’t believe I would have been approved.
If it was not allowed I don’t believe I would have been approved.
Anonymous ******************
Hanoi, I showed invoices and 3 months of bank statements that they asked for.
Shandy ********
Anonymous participant 337 How were you asked? Did you have to upload a statement of how you'd support yourself?
Kivanc *********
Anonymous participant 337 Which embassy was it? Did you need to show documents regarding your remote work/income?
Rhys ******
It’s not hard to apply even with the paperwork took me about 1 hour to put together approved in 1 week 🥲
NiceB******
If I apply for a DTV under the Soft Power category and the Ambassador asks me, “What will you do in Thailand for five years? What is your source of income? How will you support yourself and pay your expenses in Thailand?”
If I say, “I have a remote job and I will continue working remotely while staying in Thailand,” could that cause any problem?
If I say, “I have a remote job and I will continue working remotely while staying in Thailand,” could that cause any problem?
Al ****
NiceBeet125 No
Greg ********
NiceBeet125 Nope. No issues. People have stated that in applications.
Christopher ***********
NiceBeet125 Not a problem for application as has already been stated. For immigration, purpose of visit is vacation which circumvents their apparent belief (at least in Phuket) that you need a workcation DTV in order to work remotely online.
CleverA********
What type of remote work are people doing . Just want try do this for next year
RedDragonf**********
My wife asked Phuket immigration and they said you need workation to work legally on DTV. I mean they're not running around looking for people, but if that's what they said then that's the law as what they think is the law is the law.
RedDragonf**********
Anonymous participant 410 not worried. Just saying....
Michael ********
RedDragonfruitIsBest you can work legally on both of them. All is the same DTV.
RedDragonf**********
@Michael *******
doesn't figure. Immigration have checked soft power by calling gyms so they obviously know it's soft power.CapableC********
Rumours vs legal documents are different
Greg ********
RedDragonfruitIsBest Can you point out where in the Royal Gazette this "Law" was published? It may have been the interpretation of Phuket Immigration or even one officer but I wager it is not a gazetted "Law".
RedDragonf**********
@Greg *******
all that matters is what the immigration see as the law. You going to argue with them and win?RedDragonf**********
@Greg *******
visit your local immigration, find someone who speaks English well, and ask them if working on soft power is ok. Then you can come back and say anecdotal evidence.....Greg ********
RedDragonfruitIsBest So you cannot cite the Royal Gazette with this being the law? OK. Everyone should just rely on your anecdotal evidence.
Anonymous ******************
RedDragonfruitIsBest And there have been reports of other Immigration offices saying that you can. If you go in tomorrow and ask a different IO they will probably say yes. So who do you believe?
RedDragonf**********
Anonymous participant 410 better cross your fingers and hope for the right officer then.....
Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 410 Not a problem. State reason for visit as vacation.
Steve *******
I work remotely and applied for workcation. I also don't understand why one would choose to enroll in classes and get more scrutinized after the course ends when you have remote work.
But everyone's situation is different, so there are probably good reasons I just can't relate to.
But everyone's situation is different, so there are probably good reasons I just can't relate to.
Tonny **********
I chose soft power because im genuinely interested in taking classes. During the process i included my remote work as well as my means of taking care of myself
Christopher ***********
@Tonny *********
Interesting thanks. Do you know whether your DTV was issued for soft power, workcation or both?Tonny **********
i went for softpower. i believe if you go softpower they still want to see that you are somehow making an income or come up with a 5 year plan. Not 100% sure how accurate i am.
Chris *********
Less paperwork and less can go wrong for soft power.
Elías ********
@Chris ********
you're paying for something that you won't be using. At least me, I have zero time and zero interest to join any course of whatever it is. Also, there's a risk that if your course finished already two or three years ago, Immigration might question you upon future entries.Greg ********
@Chris ********
The possibility is they require proof of ongoing courses with payment for entry in the future.Christopher ***********
Why do you believe that a digital nomad would apply under soft power instead? How many instances are you aware of?
GrayWal********
Less paperwork for Soft Power
Roxana ******
GrayWallaby8130 agree
Christopher ***********
@Roxana *****
Depends if you actually wish to participate in your chosen soft power activity or ignore the trolls who insist that you must be enrolled upon a qualifying course for the whole of the five year duration of your DTV.Christopher ***********
GrayWallaby8130 'I don’t need to show' translates as; I can't show. Neither requirement exists. If ever asked; 'purpose of visit'? the answer is; vacation. Verifiable reports of success.
GrayWal********
@Christopher **********
I don’t need to show , the IO is going to tell them when they won’t be able to show their enrollment. You simply don’t want to get out from under your rock, do you?Christopher ***********
GrayWallaby8130 Why should it concern you what other people do or don't do? Incidentally, can you show the group where it is stated that you must attend the course for which you enrolled? Neither is anything stated that for a DTV to remain valid you need to enrol upon any subsequest course(s) after the original one has ended.
GrayWal********
@Christopher **********
I guess you are the biggest troll here advising the people to breach their visas and fail to fulfill their visa requirementsJohn **********
Both options are not applicable. If you will work remotely from Thailand you apply using the Workation option, it's the only option that allows you to legally do so
John **********
Anonymous participant 410 go away anonymous troll
krazye******
Anonymer Teilnehmer 410 of course it's possible to block anonymous. You want to try it? I block you and you can try to find me?🤡
krazye******
Anonymer Teilnehmer 410 If he blocks you under your anonymous name your real name is blocked aswell. If he is the admin of the group he can always see your real name
John **********
Anonymous participant 410 go away anonymous troll
John **********
You explain the difference but not the legality. You can take Muay Thai classes on any visa or no visa at all, all that's required is that you are in Thailand and you go to a gym. But there are only two visa options that specifically provide permission to work remotely from Thailand, the DTV based on Workation and the LTR based on the Work From Thailand Professional. You can't legally work remotely from Thailand without that permission
Ted *******
@John *********
getting a DTV granted via Workcation vs. Soft Power has no impact on your ability to work remotely for a non-Thai companyJohn **********
@Ted ******
it impacts your ability to do so legally
Danielle ********
@John *********
I've seen no (official) statements that say you are not allowed to have a remote job while on the DTV soft power. You are not allowed to work IN THAILAND on the DTV. There's nothing stopping you from working from another country. Just like there's nothing stopping you from taking Muay Thai classes if you have the DTV workcation.The DTV is the same visa regardless if you get approved via the workcation route or the soft power route. The only difference is how you qualify to apply for it.
Anonymous ******************
@John *********
Refrain from stating your opinion as a fact
Uppe*****
Anonymous participant 410 it says work is literally prohibited on a soft power DTV, are we missing something?
John **********
Anonymous participant 410 go away anonymous troll
Greg ********
It was probably the path with less friction for those without access to company documentation and tax records etc if asked.
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