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Can I keep my DTV if I obtain a work permit in Thailand?

Oct 16, 2024
2 years ago
If I get a work permit, do I have to cancel my DTV? Hoping to keep both simultaneously
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TLDR : Answer Summary
You cannot simultaneously hold a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) and a work permit in Thailand, as the DTV does not support employment and only allows for tourism-related activities. To obtain a work permit, you need a visa that permits employment, which means you'll have to cancel the DTV. While some commenters mentioned specific cases related to entering and exiting Thailand with different visa types, the general consensus is that it is against regulations to hold two active visas.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jason *********
Why would you need both?
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Michael *********
You can’t hold two visa’s.
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Elías ********
DTV is NOT compatible with local employment, according to all the official explanations.
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Wannikea *********
You aren't getting any kind of legit work permit without first having a visa class that permits a work permit. They won't issue you a work permit.
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John **********
In order to get a work permit you need a visa that allows you to hold one, the DTV does not. But the DTV does allow you to convert to a different visa type. You won't be able to retain the DTV in my view
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James ********
YES 👍
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Sefton ********
The DTV doesnt support a work permit so you cannot 'get a work permit' until you already move to another work permit supporting visa class.
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Stephen ********
A guy at the embassy said he had to cancel his work permit to get the DTV. I would assume so…
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Greg ********
You cannot get a Work Permit on a DTV. The DTV is basically a tourist visa. You would need a different visa to apply and obtain a Work Permit.
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Tatiana **********
Starting point of DTV is bank confirmation that you earn enough and/or have enough in your bank, and purpose of your stay in spending money, you can’t get offline work. So you will have to switch visa if you get employed.
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Su ********
If your work is based here, should cancel DTV to avoid further complications.
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Greg ********
@Su *******
If he gets a Work Permit he would already need to have a different visa ie a B. I think he wants to look for a job and then get a WP on the DTV which is not possible. The process is get a job. The employer applies for a WP at ministry of labour. You take the letter issued along with employer and employee documents to apply for a visa ie B. That is issued and is taken to Ministry of Labour. They issue the WP and yiu take that to Immigration and the visa ie B is extended to same length as the WP.
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Su ********
@Greg *******
i know. No body has to come and give me clarification. Thanks.
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Greg ********
@Su *******
I could not go from Retirement Visa O direct to Business Visa B for a WP. I had to have my O cancelled. I could then leave the country and apply for the B at the Singapore Embassy. I do not know how it will work with DTV but nobody is getting a WP on a DTV
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Greg ********
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Stephan ***********
@Su *******
It's inside the country for sure... otherwise he wouldn't have a workpermit.
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Su ********
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Su ********
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Alex *********
If you are in Thailand already with visa free or NON B got work permit processing in immigration, and you just got EVisa DTV previously from Thai Embassy outside of Thailand, but did not enter with this visa into Thailand yet, but already got work permit so you can try entering Thailand when your work permit expires if DTV would still be valid in future.
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Stephan ***********
@Alex ********
Doubt it... you are actually not allowed to hold two active visa at a time.
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Alex *********
@Stephan **********
but if there Evisa and not any stamp about second visa in passport, hard to know for anybody about this secret.

But basically correct rules is rules it's not allowed.

But I saw some cases already happened especially with DTV EVisa.
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Stephan ***********
@Alex ********
They have these funny things at the Immigration... with all the nformation about you inside... what are they called...? Oh... right... Computer... 😁

Since eVisa the Immigration, the Embassies and the Consulates have the most data in the same database... no chance to "hide" the fact that you hold a visa anymore. Maybe some shady agent can manage something like that, but it's a very big maybe...
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Alex *********
@Stephan **********
I had very unpleasant experiences, when I had my NON B from Embassy with sticker visa in my passport, but immigration officer with them smart *computer* system, stamped me visa exemption for 60 days, instead of activation of my NON B. And when I came to immigration office they told me it is the best to go out and re-enter again with my Non B or trying to find that immigration officer in the airport and please him to fix this mistake that he made. So I did easy way later I just re-enter again with my NON B, but important to do it till the entry in the visa sticker is still valid.

Thai embassy and Thai immigration

They don't have one system.

Thailand's Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) are different entities with distinct functions:

1. **Thailand Immigration Bureau**: This entity is part of the Royal Thai Police and is responsible for regulating the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in Thailand. It handles visa applications, work permits, and visa extensions for foreigners already within the country.

2. **Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)**: The MFA is a government body responsible for Thailand's diplomatic relations and foreign affairs. It oversees Thai embassies and consulates abroad, where visa applications and related services for entering Thailand are processed.

In summary, the Immigration Bureau deals with immigration matters inside Thailand, while the MFA manages international relations, including visa issuance through its overseas missions.
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Alex *********
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Pierre ********
You can only hold one type of visa at the time
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Pierre ********
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