Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice

I’d really like to continue staying in Thailand

long-term, but I’m a bit stuck on what visa options are realistically possible for me right now.

I’ve already been on an ED visa for the past 2 years (through an agency), so I don’t think continuing the same route is a good idea anymore.

I was considering the DTV visa, but I don’t currently meet the financial requirements (not enough funds in my bank account), so I’m not sure if that’s still an option.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

What visa options would you recommend that are actually doable (and safe) for staying longer in Thailand?

Also, if you’ve had any good (or bad) experiences with visa agencies, I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thank you so much

This may be a long shot. I am in the process of applying for a DTV and have been working for the month or so. I want to know if anyone has used Data Annotation as part of their application for a DTV ? If so, DM me please.

Hello all, I was looking for some help and or advice on the best path for me. I work for a large worldwide company and predominantly vessel based worldwide. I want to reside in Thailand for the majority of the time I’m off with the occasional few weeks in the uk throughout the year. From what I can gather the DTV would be the best option however I’m not exactly a digital nomad or remote worker as such. From what I understand I could fall under a workcationer as they do not seem to care where you make your money so long as it’s not in Thailand or through a Thai employer etc.

The privilege cards are pricy today the least and a LTR seems difficult to get. I could possibly get a letter from my company stating I am not required to be in the UK for my work and I can easily provide evidence for funds etc.

I tried in one of the other expat groups but it’s just so full of people more interested in sarcastic comments. I am headed to Bangkok at the end of the month to escape this crappy winter that’s still going on back there.

I'm 25 and want to stay here long-term. I'd like to work remotely from Thailand in the future. Which visa is easiest to get for this?

And can I still work remotely with a Muay Thai visa? Does anyone have experience with this?

***EDIT: Thank you to those who gave helpful mature insight 👍 shame about some of the other numpties who always seem a bit too unhappy internally/in their own lives to contribute constructively 🤦

I just had a mild panic at the time (we're all human after all) 😅 Hopefully all will be well after the interview 🙏***

Hi all, hoping for some advice.

I applied for the DTV (workcation), 1 month ago.

After 2 weeks I emailed for an update and with an hour was asked for additional documents, which I know is fairly standard.

I supplied everything (6 individual requests), proof of funds far beyond the 500,000thb consistently for over 3mnths, plus some documents I had already submitted previously, all with detailed cover letters for each document request.

Today I sent an email asking kindly could I have an update on my application (2 weeks since I sent the additional documents). Within half an hour I recieved an email with a request for further documents, however it is a request to attend an interview!

There's no formal invitation, it's just a request under 'additional documents'...

My understanding as a civilian attending an Embassy (I could of course be mistaken), is you need a formal invitation and can't just turn up at an Embassy.

The request simply says "Please visit Consular Section,Royal Thai Embassy in London for interview on Tue 27 Jan 2026 between 09:00 - 11.00 hours only. Please bring your passport with you for visa interview".

I'm surprised by the request as I've been following this group for a while, which has been very helpful, and I've never seen anyone asked to attend in person in London (as far as I'm aware).

For context, I live in the UK, have applied in the UK, and I have a British Passport.

What concerns me, is not only is it very vague (only asking me to bring passport), but there's no seperate email invitation request, which you would expect for something so official.

Also, on the online portal, there is a bell at the top of the page for notifications which has a drop-down menu which says "Request documents-1, Request an interview-0"

I would have expected the interview request to be under the interview section, not as a simple document request.

I've sent them a cover letter asking for further details, where I was given the option to attach a document... I've emailed them, and I've phoned several times, without luck.

I am of course happy to comply with the request, but I live very far from London and the request seems to lack detail. It will mean travelling up the night before, etc... and the cost involved seems a bit risky when I don't have a formal interview or time/appointment when I turn up there.

This is my first time applying for the DTV, so naturally I don't know everything, and that's what groups like this should be for - to help others & to learn.

So if anyone has any experience or insight they could provide, I'd be super grateful.

This may well all be completely normal, but hoping those with more experience could shed some light perhaps.

Many thanks in advance 🙏

Just got approved for the DTV (no additional documents requested)

Hi guys,

This group has been super helpful for me to figure out the DTV and getting approved, so I thought I'd help out and list down exactly what I submitted

I applied to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chennai, I currently live in Bangalore and arranged for a travel agency to go and submit the demand draft on my behalf, they charged me an extra Rs. 800 ($9) to drop the demand draft to the consulate which I think was a steal cause otherwise, I would've had to go to Chennai or find a friend to do this who was also free on working days (which was tough)

Payment date - 19th Dec

Processing/Pending approval - 19th Dec

Approved - 12th Jan

Here's what I submitted, I'm gonna break this down by the category so its easier for you to understand

* Passport scan copy

* Recent photo

Document indication current location

* Drivers license scanned copy

* Three month accommodation in Bangkok - free cancellation (booking.com)

Financial evidence

* 3 month bank statement (maintaining 500,000+ THB/month) (I had this across multiple bank accounts)

* Proof of tax filings (3 years) - I dont think this is a requirement but I put it there under financial proof

* Invoices from clients

Employment contract or employment certificate/professional portfolio

* GST registration (I don't think this is a requirement but it shows that you're a registered business and it likely helped me)

* Cover letter (explaining profession, purpose of visit, Portfolio Overview) - Brief intro about me and my intention to work remotely from Thailand

Wasn't requested any additional documents and got approved in ~10 working days. Hope this helps :)

P.S. If there's anyone coming to Bangkok to work remotely, hit me up, would love to grab a beer

Hi. I have a rather urgent question. I'm already on DTV under workcation. I'm an employee for a US company. So my application that I submitted to the Thai Embassy included my employment contract and also the authorization letter from my boss. And so Thailand therefore has the name of the company I work for on record. Having worked in Thailand as an employee of a US company, could the Thai Revenue Department argue that the company has a Permanent Establishment (PE) in Thailand and therefore will want to go after them for payment of any Thai corporate income taxes?

DTV question. If a company based in Japan were to hire me to attend events in SE Asia on their behalf, including public appearances in Bangkok, would this be allowed as per DTV guidelines around working in Thailand?

DTV Aprroved 🎉

Where: Jakarta

October 8th (applied for workation)

October 17th (requested contract signed & stamped)

October 20th (resubmitted contract with cover letter explaining that the company doesn't do this along with more proof that it is indeed a real company that hires independent contractors & more proof I'm one them)

October 21st: Aprroved 🎉

Finally got approved guys. Thought I would give you a write up since I had a lot of support from this group. Uk passport. Remote worker route via HCMC.

Documents provided - I used ISSA compass who are slow in getting back to you but they obviously know what they are doing. I uploaded all documents required to there portal. 6 months bank statements showing twice the required balance for 2 months. 6 months payslips. Employment contract and certificate with busienss registrstion. My advice would be to use them but let them get on with it I hassled them far too much 😂. 10 working days.

Good luck to you all!!!