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Why was my DTV visa application denied despite being a business owner?
DTV VisaVisa ApplicationRemote WorkThai Business VisaImmigration in ThailandDigital NomadsVisa Rejection ReasonsBusiness Owner VisaSoft Power Visa
Dec 16, 2025
4 months ago
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERDenied dtv visa.I thought business owners would be able to this visa?Very strange.The business is not in Thailand.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user's DTV visa application was denied, raising questions about eligibility for business owners. Community members clarified that the DTV visa is intended for remote workers earning income from outside Thailand. They discussed various reasons for rejection, including the applicant's mention of tourism, which do not fit the criteria for a DTV visa. Suggestions included re-applying under a correct remote work designation and proving income from abroad. There's a consensus that the visa process can be confusing, especially regarding distinctions between business ownership and remote work.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Anonymous ******************
@Nikhil *****
Please contact him best Thai Immigration experts in ThailandReply to
Anonymous ******************
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Manha ******
Where did you apply for visa? Maybe you can try at another country, such as Vietnam or Indonesia…
Robert ********
Owning a resort isn’t really remote work in normal people’s heads. It’s staying there and surveying the business.
You need to be working for that company and being allowed to work remotely.
You need to be working for that company and being allowed to work remotely.
Damien ***********
You need a Non-Immigrant B visa and Work Permit if you are working in addition to owning.
It's not rocket science.
It's not rocket science.
Robert ***********
Well considering how many people on here think you are operating a resort in Thailand (but you're not), that's probably where the issue came up. The embassy review person probably thought the same thing. I would resubmit and leave out all the comments about tourism and outline how your business is located outside of Thailand and just tell them you will be working remotely. What you do on your time in country is your business. You also should be filing under remote worker not under the "soft" version of DTV.
Zafer *****
As a business owner outside Thailand you should show regular salary received from your own company. Then you can apply as remote worker
Adam *********
Correct. A tourist visa is not what business owners need to get.
Christopher *********
Adam Kummins many people who have DTV visa have a business. You can't work in Thailand.
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Christopher *********
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Anu *****
being a owner of a resort is not a digital job
Wannikea *********
The Visa is geared towards remote workers, digital nomads and people on a workcation. All those would be people working REMOTELY. The visa isn't carte blanche for business owners unless they can demonstrate that/how they run their business affairs online.
Alix *********
The lack of basic intelligence of some of the people in here is astounding but also encouraging... If they can get approval then certainly ANYONE can 😂
Don *******
A resort isn’t remote work 🙃
Michael *************
Reapply and only tell them about the income you can earn while working in Thailand that is earned from abroad. Use a letterhead and tell them how much you earn. I would not talk about passive income… ie resort or rental income.
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael ************
good idea. Thank you.Reply to
Dwight ******
Reply
Darren *******
That’s how I got my DTV, my agent called it Workcation DTV
DTV_Be*******
did you you apply under remote work or under soft power?
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker remote work.
DTV_Be*******
Dwight Berg interesting because they seem to think your primary focus on long term tourism. At some point is seems like they may have got confused or determined they thought otherwise
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker I think your right.Chat gtp helped me with portfolio.Maby I shouldn't have mentioned tourism? But I thought dtv was a tourist visa?
Reply to
Dwight ******
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जगद्गुरु *****************
At least they provided a detailed reason for the rejection. This is a first, it seems.
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@जगद्गुरु ****************
yea actually they sent another message yelling me the tr visa would be better for my Sichuan. Also they answered my phone calls 3 times. Very helpful.जगद्गुरु *****************
Dwight, I arrived in Bangkok early today with only a few minor incidents. ✈️
Reply to
जगद्गुरु *****************
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Irina ****
An owner can not. You should hire yourself
Swami ********
Following
James ******
You must prove that you can do your work remotely.
Mike **********
There is zero reason you need a DTV. you need a tourist visa
Dan ********
@Mike *********
there is no reason anyone needs a DTV ?Mike **********
Dan Boulby i use mine for it is meant for. I actually have a 9-5 job i work at 5 days a week. I use mine at least 8 months a year abd rest of time i travel for work. Abd i know seceral others that are the same. But you dont need a DTV to go to a cooking class , get one with nature or culture, or think you are Muay thai fighter.
Reply to
Mike **********
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Anonymous ******************
Better to make up another profession unrelated to tourism and say that.
Seun **********
Keep it simple, people. All you needed to let them know is that, you have 500k TBH in your bank account.
Petrov ********
In YouTube many people explain haw to do DTV if you have business. Have to sign contract between your company and you like private person. And in contract should have point that you can work remotely. Try to find in YouTube.
Don *******
@Petrov *******
wrote a letter to myself with my company in the letterhead. Explained what online businesses I owned. Then created a .txt file in each that stated my name and partial of my passport. That solved it.Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Petrov *******
. I watched as manyYouTube videos as I could to gather info.I didn't see where I had to sign a contract to myself as the business owner, seems kinda silly.But who knows.Ive heard about 20 different possibile reason so far.One must be the right one.Anyway I just hope this will help someone.So much misinformation with this particular visa.Axel *******
Dwight Berg there is a lot of misinformation. People just don’t look in the right places.
Here is a place that has a guide cover letters checklists etc
Dtvquickdotcom
I used the guide and the cover letters as a business owner and got approval in 4 days
Did you state in your cover letter that you would not work in Thailand or got Thai companies?
Tourism is very precious here so even a hint of you working in it may have led to your rejection.
Here is a place that has a guide cover letters checklists etc
Dtvquickdotcom
I used the guide and the cover letters as a business owner and got approval in 4 days
Did you state in your cover letter that you would not work in Thailand or got Thai companies?
Tourism is very precious here so even a hint of you working in it may have led to your rejection.
Petrov ********
Dwight Berg
*************************************************
watch after 5th minPetrov ********
Dwight Berg i will try to find for you video as company owner more difficult, more documents tax return .....
Reply to
Petrov ********
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Steven *********
They can be quite literal in their interpretation, guessing business owner doesn't fit in with being an employee or freelancer
Anonymous ******************
I guess you didn’t frame it correctly how you worked remotely for the resort
Angeil ********
You should have applied as a remote nomad employee if the resort… not the owner. TMI
I **************************
Correct denial
John **********
Why on earth did you apply under soft power then go on to tell them you work remotely. No wonder it got denied. If you work remotely then you must apply under the workation option, no other choice. The visa is issued for a purpose and you didn't meet the purpose. You can't apply for soft power then legally work remotely from Thailand
John **********
700k what? 700k baht is nothing for a 5 year visa. If you persist with the soft power route you can't work legally in Thailand remotely or otherwise. If you want to work remotely from Thailand you must apply using workation. You can still use your gym subscription independently of the visa, you can attend a gym on any visa or none.
Swami ********
@John *********
i am gonna apply tomorrow under muay thai soft power, Which i paid the subscription alreadyIn the cover letter i wrote that i am based in ireland since s decade as a freelancer who is use to work from remote.
I wrote i will support my expenses through my savings, which are about 700k, with the economic support of family and friends, and in case is needed doing some freelance work with European customers
Would it be a problem if i write that i can work online if the purpose is soft power?
Better if i write: in case of needs i will go back to europe to work and then back to continue my traning in thailand?
Swami ********
@John Stanners
i am gonna apply tomorrow under muay thai soft power, Which i paid the subscription already
In the cover letter i wrote that i am based in ireland as a freelancer who is use to work from remote.
I wrote i will support my expenses through my savings, which are about 700k with the economic support of family and friends, and in case is needed doing some freelance work with European customers
Would it be a problem if i write that i can work online if the purpose is soft power?
Better if i write: in case of needs i will go back to europe to work and then back to continue my traning in thailand?
i am gonna apply tomorrow under muay thai soft power, Which i paid the subscription already
In the cover letter i wrote that i am based in ireland as a freelancer who is use to work from remote.
I wrote i will support my expenses through my savings, which are about 700k with the economic support of family and friends, and in case is needed doing some freelance work with European customers
Would it be a problem if i write that i can work online if the purpose is soft power?
Better if i write: in case of needs i will go back to europe to work and then back to continue my traning in thailand?
Shandy ********
@Swami *******
I verbally told the embassy where I was granted my DTV that I would be working remotely. I applied for the medical soft power in Taipei. Maybe there is a rule against working while holding the SP visa, but the Taipei embassy workers were not aware of it.John **********
@Swami *******
you are applying for the wrong thing, if you will work remotely from Thailand at any point in the 5 years you need to apply for the workation option. You can still do Muay Thai alongside it, but you can't work alongside Muay Thai. The options are quite distinct.Romain *****
@John *********
I have never heard before that you cannot work remote when you apply under soft power for muay thai. I thought you could do both.John **********
@Romain ****
there is no "I want to do both" option in the application. You select which of the 3 options you want to apply under and the visa is issued for that option. If you apply for workation then you can pursue a soft power activity privately but it has nothing to do with your visa. If you apply for soft power you can't legally work remotelyRomain *****
@John *********
Could you tell me where did you get this information ? Because I really never heard this one before. ThanksJohn **********
@Romain ****
just look at the options you can apply under. Like every other visa you apply for to enter Thailand you enter for the purposes you applied for and the visa was granted for. Look at the Non-O visa as an example, it can be issued for many different reasons but you can't just decide to change the reason part way through. Though there's nothing in writing stipulating this, it's common senseRomain *****
@John *********
I get your point. But I do not know why you could do muay thai when you apply for work remote dtv, but not work remote when you apply for muay thai soft power dtv. Maybe I am wrong, but anyway, I dont think they are going to check if you work remote.Reply to
Romain *****
Reply
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFist time I heard that one but maby?They didn't ask for that in the application..Ive heard about 20 different reasons so far.who knows.
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERGave all of that info except a letter giving myself permission to work remotely.I own the buiseness.Who would I ask permission from?
Dan ********
Dwight Berg Thai's like paperwork. Whatever it is, it's more easily understood and accepted if it's something reasonably official on paper. They wouldn't bat an eyelid at a letter from yourself, the company/resort owner and employer, to yourself, the employee and DTV applicant, expressing permission to work remotely, and from thailand. They'll look down on you if you didn't include this. It's obviously quite an important part of the requirements given the nature of the visa. They don't want 20,000 'nomads' losing their jobs 3 months into a 5 year visa.
Jonas *************
Official looking stamp is important in Asia. Lol
Reply to
Jonas *************
Reply
John **********
@Dwight *****
you write a letter from yourself as the business owner to yourself as the visa applicant. May seem strange I know but that letter is a fairly basic requirement. It should give you explicit permission to work remotely from Thailand.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
. Obviously I didn't apply under soft power.Dont know where you got that one.John **********
@Dwight *****
from the rejection message you shared. Why mention tourism if you applied under workation?Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
.Right I think that may have been my mistake.I had chat gtp help me with the portfolio part.I think your right, that may have sounded conflicting to them.Maby? They also sent me a second message saying I should apply for tr visa.Also they answered 3 of my phone calls and were very helpful.Props to Manilla embassy even though they denied.Pascal ***********
Dwight Berg it’s indeed confusing why they sometimes allow and sometimes deny applications.
I have received my DTV for remote work as a business owner managing my real estate (which is set up in my company).
But in my portfolio I explained what I do and why I can do it online. I explained that I come to my condo in Thailand 2 or 3 times a year, and each time staying 2 to 3 months. Which is consistent with ny travel history.
I have received my DTV for remote work as a business owner managing my real estate (which is set up in my company).
But in my portfolio I explained what I do and why I can do it online. I explained that I come to my condo in Thailand 2 or 3 times a year, and each time staying 2 to 3 months. Which is consistent with ny travel history.
John **********
@Dwight *****
It sounds like you gave way to much information on the tourism aspect and not enough on the work aspect. And best to ignore ChatGPT. For workation you need to emphasise how you can manage the resort remotely, you also need a letter stating you have permission to work remotely from Thailand and of course show financials. So invoices/receipts matched up with bank statements would help, but also that it pays you a regular income which you can show. Also helps if you show you are registered to pay tax and supply tax returnsReply to
John **********
Reply
Waqar ********
DTV is for remote workers and students of soft courses only. No third option available 😕
Lucie ******
@Waqar *******
Medical as well?Anonymous ******************
@Waqar *******
medical is 3rd optionLuit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 105 No, medical is softpower category too
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 105 also freelance
Waqar ********
@Dwight *****
no, only that freelance work that can be done remote. If you are a freelancer (not employed by a single client) but do physical work, then you won't get DTV.Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Waqar *******
.Its funny how everyone is so sure they know the answer but have so many different answers.I think that's why this particular visa is confusing to a lot of people.Also different embassys having different requirements can't help.Reply to
Dwight ******
Reply
Konstantin ***********
This is due to a misunderstanding of the rules by visa applicants...
Fran *******
Embassies have no idea what they are doing, get an agency, they might twist your info a bit just to make sure embassies dont get confused
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fran ******
Right.I really thought I had a very solid case.Nothing sketchy or any bs.ooh well. I'll try for the tr visa.Reply to
Dwight ******
Reply
Bob **********
You out for tourism didn’t you ??
Anonymous ******************
At least he got a reason instead of just a plain old rejection.
What embassy was this ?
What embassy was this ?
Wannikea *********
Even if you owned a resort outside of Thailand I think they'd worry about you contacting possible Thai clients. Sounds like you gave them way too much info.
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
maby.Reply to
Dwight ******
Reply
Greg ********
The DTV specifically states you can not run a business located in Thailand.
Bernard *******
@Greg *******
he made it clear it’s not in thailandRyan ********
Bernard Mahon OP edited it after the fact. It was not clear before the edit.
Greg ********
Bernard Mahon Not in the initial post Mr Pedant. Bore off elsewhere as you have nothing useful to add.
Reply to
Greg ********
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Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
. It's not in Thailand.DL ********
@Dwight *****
i think you answered some questions incorrectly. I am a business owner with this Visa.Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERDL Bailey. First reply that made any sence, Thank you.Not sure why it was denied.Guess I'll try another visa.
Manocho *******
@Dwight *****
sense*Reply to
Manocho *******
Reply
Greg ********
@Dwight *****
OK. I misread it. No idea why refused then.Reply to
Greg ********
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Peter ********
It’s for remote workers. If you are a business owner in Thailand, you need a different visa.
David ***********
If you own a resort in Thailand, you can't count that as your income for the dtv, as I understand it.. the money has to come from outside of Thailand.
I read that a small business owner wrote a letter of recommendation from the business to the owner and got approved.. but it all seems a coin toss to me at the moment
I read that a small business owner wrote a letter of recommendation from the business to the owner and got approved.. but it all seems a coin toss to me at the moment
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David **********
I never said my business was in Thailand.Obviously it's in another countryDavid ***********
@Dwight *****
not obvious, from the information you gave.. maybe you were as unclear on your application and that caused the rejection..Reply to
David ***********
Reply
Denis **********
to legally operate resort in Thailand you need a Business visa, DTV is for remote workers whose source of income based outside of Thailand
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThey ask how I work remotely as part of the application. Guest bookings, employee schedules, food and material s, etc. All are done online. All remote work.
MyCaptain ******
Dwight Berg my initial thought is I would not say that I own a resort. I would say I’m an employee of said resort and these are my job duties and they can be done remotely
Robert ********
MyCaptain Chaz
I guess you need to change your thinking
From “it can be done remotely “
To “It IS my remote job for years already”
I guess you need to change your thinking
From “it can be done remotely “
To “It IS my remote job for years already”
Jonas *************
MyCaptain Chaz make a statement on company letterhead and stamp it... Lol
Phrase it as remote work position.
Maybe that works?
Phrase it as remote work position.
Maybe that works?
Reply to
Jonas *************
Reply
Understandi***********
@Dwight *****
where did you apply? I do this kind of work but also some life coaching and I got accepted in Ho Chi Minh - maybe you can apply there and use the other suggestions from people here to help your role sound more remote?Mo ********
@Dwight *****
remote business administration, CRM updates, use modern terminologyReply to
Mo ********
Reply
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTEROur resort is not in Thailand,
Denis **********
@Dwight *****
still, probably it was interpreted as a red flag by consulate workers. like a probability that could be interested in opening a resort in Thailand w/o proper papersHo ******
Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHo Schi, we've been doing it for 5 years,we take extended vacations often, works fine.not weird at all.
DTV_Be*******
@Dwight *****
- But DTV isn’t for “extended vacation” - it is for remote work. If you are taking a vacation you can apply for a tourist visaReply to
DTV_Be*******
Reply
Mo ********
@Dwight *****
and which question prompted you to notify Thai immigration about your resort abroad? Did they ask how you diversified your investments? 😆Dwight ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mo *******
. They ask in the application how you work remotely. Make senceJohnny *******
@Mo *******
DTVs are applied for at consulates not immigrationReply to
Johnny *******
Reply
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