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Can a DTV visa be processed in Thailand if I am already on a valid ED visa?

ED visa DTV visa visa regulations Thai immigration rules Phuket airport expat visa process

Cameron *********

Cameron *********

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asked Dec 24, 2024

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Just at Phuket airport flying out to HCM and got questioned a bit, apparently (Phuket) immigration could have processed the DTV if already in Thailand on a valid ED visa? Explained to her we need to be out the country etc etc, she went off to double check but insisted they can/could have processed. 

Given she spoke fluent English, seems unlikely to have been a miscommunication/misunderstanding. Anyone heard of this before?

Answer summary

In this discussion, users are debating whether it's possible to switch from an Educational (ED) visa to a Digital Nomad (DTV) visa while remaining in Thailand. There's a consensus among some commenters that this transition may not be possible without leaving the country, although one commenter mentioned that legal assistance could potentially facilitate this. Others stressed the importance of relying on information from Thai immigration offices inside the country rather than embassies abroad, as they operate independently.

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Joel *******

Joel *******

I got pulled up there too when i arrived into phuket. First time in 2-3 years...

0

James ********

James ********

Not ❌ possible to get the DTV Visa from inside Thailand.

reply is correct ✅

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

This is an excellent reason why you should follow this rule

𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆

𝗔𝗡𝗗

𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆/𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮/𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆

Thai Embassies/Consulates scattered around the world are run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Whereas;

Entry points to Thailand and all Thai Immigration offices inside the country are run by the Immigration Division of the Royal Thai Police

They are two completely different governmental offices and have abso-tively, posi-lutely nothing to do with each other

24

Jake *********

Jake *********

Yes, the lawyer who has handled immigration matters for me in Bangkok since the 90s also told me that he could arrange for the DTV visa to be issued here without leaving the country if I wanted to switch. So I gather it’s at least possible, although I don’t know if it’s a ‘general public’ thing, or just (as with practically everything in Thailand) a ‘with the right connections’ thing.

0

James ********

James ********

it's 🚫 NOT possible LEGALLY . You need to get a NEW lawyer.

0

Jake *********

Jake *********

With the greatest of respect, Jim, this is a senior partner at one of the most prominent Thai firms in Bangkok. He's well connected and makes things happens. He's made things happen for me for nearly thirty years, so I would hope you'd understand why I have have more confidence in his interpretation of Thai law and his judgments as to their application than I do in yours. I think it's generally foolish for foreigners who aren't even qualified lawyers to trumpet definitive opinions as to the meaning and application of Thai law. Respectfully.

1

Peter **************

Peter **************

yes ..I know a few people who had DTV done whilst in Thailand ..but with an agent who charges ..1..was 18,000 b plus the 10,000b other was 25,000b including the 10,000b for visa ..other guy said said he had an agent but didn't say the fee ...I did mine by myself at Vientiane...stayed 5 days ...and entered Thailand with DTV ..cost 10,000 visa fee ....petrol to border and back 1800b, hotel .. 5500b plus beers and food ..which i would have paid anyway, as I go for rides anyhow but enjoyed the place, was bit boring but had a book 🍺

2

David ********

David ********

I know an agent that does it but all agents have increased the prices in the past few months, pretty sure it’s closer to 75k baht now

0

Vincent ******

Vincent ******

@Peter *************

interested as well

0

Tim *********

Tim *********

@Peter *************

do you perhaps have any contact of said agent 😊

0

Tim *********

Tim *********

@Peter *************

would be nice . thank you

0

Peter **************

Peter **************

I'll ask them ..but only when I see them ..not friends on Facebook

1

Kajetan *************

Kajetan *************

the embassy is king

1

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

You need to cancel the ED visa and then enter Thailand with the DTV

5

Cameron *********

Cameron *********

OP

@Wannikea ********

Yes, I'm aware, which is why I'm in Vietnam now...having done exactly that. The staff member spoke fluently and was surprised that I was doing exactly this.

0

Alma ***************

Alma ***************

Dtv and ED visa are two different visas I think..and for all we know you can change to ED without leaving but not DTV ...

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