Thailand DTV for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Thailand's DTV? Yes in practice for self-employed applicants: Royal Thai Embassy pages list freelancers among the Workcation purposes and ask self-employed applicants for a business licence or business registration in their name. No official text says that a company owner is excluded. The official pages don't say whether local clients are allowed. Income needed: No income test. Applicants show bank statements for the last 3 months with an ending balance of at least ฿500,000 (stated as US$16,000 by the Washington embassy and £12,000 by the London embassy).
Thailand's DTV, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | The DTV's Workcation category covers digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Income | Bank statements for the last three months with an ending balance of at least ฿500,000 (US$16,000) each month. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Own company | Self-employed applicants provide a business licence or business registration showing their name. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Local work | The Workcation category is described as remote work, foreign talent and freelance work; the pages read say nothing explicit about Thai clients or employers. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Stay | 5-year multiple-entry visa with 180 days per entry. | london.thaiembassy.org |
| Extension | One extension through the Immigration Bureau of up to 180 days per entry; after 180 + 180 days you must leave and re-enter on the same visa. | london.thaiembassy.org |
| Fee | US$400 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington (the London embassy charges £300). | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| How to apply | Apply online through the official Thai e-Visa system before travelling; embassies cannot issue visas to people already in Thailand. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Processing time | No fixed time is published; the Washington embassy warns e-Visa processing may take longer than usual. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Family | A spouse and children under 20 of a DTV holder can get their own DTV, with the same ฿500,000 financial evidence. | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org |
| Tax | Under the Revenue Code, staying 180 days or more in a tax year makes you a Thai resident for tax. | rd.go.th |
Questions founders ask about Thailand
- Can I run my own company on the Thailand DTV?
- Yes in practice for self-employed applicants: Royal Thai Embassy pages list freelancers among the Workcation purposes and ask self-employed applicants for a business licence or business registration in their name. No official text says that a company owner is excluded.
- Can I work for clients in Thailand on it?
- The official pages don't say so directly. The embassy pages read describe remote work, freelancing and foreign talent but do not state in plain terms whether working for Thai clients or employers is allowed or barred.
- How much income do I need for the Thailand DTV?
- No income test. Applicants show bank statements for the last 3 months with an ending balance of at least ฿500,000 (stated as US$16,000 by the Washington embassy and £12,000 by the London embassy).
- How much does the Thailand DTV cost?
- Charged in local currency by each embassy: US$400 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, £300 at the Royal Thai Embassy in London. That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Thailand DTV?
- Visa valid 5 years, multiple entries, 180 days per entry, extendable once in Thailand by up to 180 days; then you must leave and re-enter. No statement that it leads to residence.
- Do I become tax resident in Thailand?
- Under the Revenue Code, staying 180 days or more in a tax year makes you a Thai resident for tax. A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
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To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Workcation category
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Not stated
- Stay
- Visa valid 5 years, multiple entries, 180 days per entry, extendable once in Thailand by up to 180 days; then you must leave and re-enter. No statement that it leads to residence.
- Government fee
- Charged in local currency by each embassy: US$400 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, £300 at the Royal Thai Embassy in London.
- Official page
- washingtondc.thaiembassy.org
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check washingtondc.thaiembassy.org before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.