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Can a DTV visa be indefinitely renewed for long-term Muay Thai training in Thailand?

DTV Visa Muay Thai Visa Renewal Permanent Residency Long-Term Stay Visa Retirement Visa Eligibility Requirements Immigration Policy Digital Nomad Visa

May 5, 2025

a month ago

A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Would there be any problem with a DTV approach where one intends to use the Muay Thai reason for the entire 5 years, and then again and again, indefinitely? I'm advising a friend who is considering retiring here, and he has done a lot of martial arts study in the past and can actually see himself doing very long term Muay Thai study.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the potential use of a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) for long-term Muay Thai training in Thailand. While some participants express confidence that the DTV can support such an endeavor, concerns about the future of the visa and its renewal after five years are prevalent. Some recommend pursuing a retirement visa instead, particularly for applicants over 50, stating it offers fewer complications than the DTV. Others suggest the DTV may attract scrutiny and impending changes in immigration policy. The conversation emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding visa regulations in Thailand and what constitutes a valid reason for residence under current rules.

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Dave *********

In my opinion if he going to do Muay Thai and join a gym and attend regular then no problem

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Excelle********

I hope they make some kind of changes. Too many working on DTV. Not generating income from outside Thailand. I think it should be only for digital nomads and remove soft power because that is more like an ED

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Tim *********

ExcellentTravel nobody cares what you think 🤡

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Excelle********

ExcellentTravel agree with others. Do retirement

If you plan to travel then DTV is better. If plan to only be in Thailand then retirement is better

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Sam ******

ExcellentTravel what of you're retired but under 50?

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A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thailand doesn't recognize retirement (for visa purposes) by anyone under age 50. If you want to do the "retirement visa," you have to be 50 or over.

And, I might add as a personal observation that if you're under 50 and well-off enough to be retired, then you can afford to do it other ways.

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Sam ******

@A.c. **********

there are no other legal ways, that's the point. DTV is meant to be that but retired people are still not eligible because they can't get an employment letter.

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Sam ******

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Lee ***********

The old asking for a friend..

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A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lee **********

In this case, I literally am asking for a friend. I'm already here married and on a "marriage visa."

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A.c. ***********

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Anonymous ******************

Your friend would be best on retirement visa that's what's it's designed for, DTV is for younger working or sports activities tourists

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant 816 incorrect medical ??? It's designed for everyone with a valid reason

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Andi ***********

Anonymous participant 816 DTV is for remote workers of any age. Plenty of DTVers 30s-60s work online.

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Andi ***********

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Ben *******

Send

***********************

a message, they’ve helped with many DTV and also have retirees training, so might be able to advise

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John **********

If your friend is over 50 it might be less hassle to get a visa based on being over 50. No worries about having to do border runs, no worries about what happens further down the road, no worries about extensions etc. He can still pursue Muay Thai

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A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

I know what you're saying, but this friend of mine is going to be working with a somewhat limited budget, and he will balk at the 800k baht bank balance requirement. It might be enough for him to nix the whole plan of coming here, which would be a bummer because I'd really like him to come here.

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Mark *******

@John *********

not sure i agree. DVT seems to be much easier to manage. I am 55 but still working (remotely) . Idea of keeping 800K Baht in Thai Bank is not to appealing to me. DVT is like long long term tourist visa. It can be used to "test" if Thailand is what you want/like. in 5 years if all is good - no problem applying for retirement visa. I think we should all be grateful for this DTV visa- not many countries offer anything close to this visa.

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John **********

it's perfect for someone like you who works remotely as long as your happy to bounce out regularly. But this idea of having to keep 800k baht in a bank is a misnomer, if your embassy provides income affidavits/certificates you don't need a penny in a Thai bank. If they don't you only need 800k baht to see you through the first year while you build up a history of 12 months of 65k baht transfers (which you can spend) to use as the basis for future extensions

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A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

Hmm, my understanding of the DTV based on released info is that you only have to show 500k baht (equiv) in your foreign bank account, ONCE at the beginning of the 5 years.

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John **********

@A.c. **********

you will certainly be asked to show 500k baht in your account for a month for an extension at immigration and may be asked to show it when entering after a border bounce. Although that presently seems rare it has happened

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Mark *******

@John *********

you made of course good point. all depends on individual situation and preferences

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Mark *******

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Jonas *************

@John *********

the problem is that DTV seems more attractive and cheaper than 5 years of retirement extensions. No yearly paperwork, actually a Visa with multiple entry so you don't need to get to reentry permits.

I would have hoped that they would have updated retirement extensions procedure, for example making clear that there's no tax implication, as we can't work here. But nothing changed.

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David ************

@Jonas ************

Hell, 2K baht a year is nothing. And a border bounce is way more inconvenient then two pieces of paperwork. And talk about paperwork every 5 years and proof of working abroad. Forget it.

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John **********

@Jonas ************

5 years of retirement extensions is 5×1900=9500. No paperwork in theory and yes multiple entry but you must leave the country every 180 days to avoid paperwork currently but there are examples of people's paperwork being checked on entry. As to tax the situation is identical between the two, bring assessable income into Thailand in a year you are tax resident and you are liable for tax

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Jonas *************

@John *********

you're forgetting that you need the multiple return permits to. 9500+ 3800x5=

28,500 for 5 years retirement....

Yes, you can stay "indefinitely" as long as you keep renewing.

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John **********

@Jonas ************

only if you want to leave multiple times per annum. I don't.

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John **********

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Greg ********

Nobody knows if you can renew a DTV after 5 years. They might make a decision in 2029. If Anutn gets his way about a new Immigration Department all bets are off for many visa types. Things change very rapidly in Thailand. Here is another Ed crackdown regarding course attendance

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/05/thailand-enforces-stricter-education-visa-rules-to-combat-misuse/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKFDdtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi5inYpILhb_RGMhdtNffKl2mN4L5fkPnAEL11vMQHObkCMV-o2WMy5Eq47__aem_Hac795KG9kqU60YnlHbOtg

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Declan *******

This Visa his no legs for sure it will be removed in the not too distant future

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Andi ***********

Extremely doubtful that will be happening

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Declan *******

@Andi **********

don't bet your house on it

It's simply like always not been thought through

Will either be removed or it will be restructured in such a way that most who hold the visa will fail to meet the amended criteria...

Watch this space !

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Andi ***********

No doubt DTV restructuring will take place. All visas are being revamped as recently announced by the govt.

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Declan *******

@Andi **********

110% and it won't b favourable

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Declan *******

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Marianne ********

No one knows the future of the DTV Visa. For now it is a solid 5 years of worry-free living in Thailand once approved.

I'd go for it, and adjust if things change.

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Peter *********

No problem.

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Anonymous ******************

That's what its there for. Do muay Thai, with a border hop every 180 days.

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A.c. ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 639 My understanding from the info they released with much fanfare is that you can get an extension on the 180 days and only have to leave and return every 360 days. Has that been changed now?

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A.c. ***********

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Mark *******

in 5 years DTV might not exist. get 1st DTV first. we will see what future brings.

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Mark *******

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