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Can I obtain a long-term visa for scuba diving in Thailand while on a visa exemption?

Visa ExemptionThailand ImmigrationScuba Diving VisaDTV (Destination Thailand Visa)NON-B VisaVisa ExtensionsExpat Visa Options
Sep 5, 2024
2 months ago
Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Guys, Just another quick question, I'm going over to Thailand to do my Scuba Diving Certifications, I'm going via the UK Visa Exemption Scheme which gives me 90 days to play with,

Is there any chance I can get this confirmed by someone, Am I able to get a different visa while I'm already over there, Like an airplane ticket, I was wondering if there was a thing like a 90 day to like 2 years... I know there's the Non-Immigrant Type B Visa, but I'm a bit too far gone to start the process of acquiring one of them before my flight out on Monday...

What options do I have, because the more time I have to play with, the more time I can pursue my career in Scuba Diving.

ScubaJay
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is traveling to Thailand under the Visa Exemption Scheme, which allows a 60-day stay with a potential 30-day extension, totaling 90 days. They are inquiring about obtaining a different visa while in Thailand, specifically looking for options that could allow a longer stay to pursue scuba diving certifications. Community members clarify that while the original exemption can be extended, options for switching to a long-term visa like the DTV, which requires application from outside Thailand, exist, but may not be applicable during their current stay.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
David ********
You have not revealed how old you are or if you are over 50y/o and have some money it could be better for you. With a retirement visa if you are over 50 y/o, you could stay for ever. (there are ways of avoiding paying Bt800,000??) If learning deep diving and Bt500,000 you could stay for up to 5 years on a DTV but you need to prove you have at Bt500,000 and apply at a Consul. You will not be allowed to work in Thailand. ????
2 months ago
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Angelo ***********
There is the new "Destination Thailand" Visa, DTV. It is 5 years valid, but requires some proof of funds. I think about 20,000EURO - google it.

It has basically two categories, one is "digital nomad", aka working remotely in Thailand, the other one is "sport and cultural activities".

Your Scuba diving would fall into the second one.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
 Do I have to leave Thailand within my 90 days of Visa Exemption to get the DTV or can I acquire it while I'm over there already.
2 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Josh ********
 You can/have to do it via web site. And: need to be outside Thailand to stamp it into your passport. As far as I understand it, you have to apply via a certain country, and use an embassy/consulate in that country.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
 I was hoping that wasn't the case... Are you sure there's no way or form of assistance that I'm able to obtain within my 90 days on the Exemption Visa, say upgrading it to a DTV As I technically fit into the sports activities part of it for requirements.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
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Terary **********
People discourage it, in this group, but I have had good luck getting eVisa while in Thailand and doing a quick border bounce to activate it. Otherwise, you will need to go to a different country apply for a different visa, wait there until it's granted, then return on the new visa. Probably some agents can help you figure-out the quickest options.
2 months ago
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Ian **********
Never had a problem doing that I worked in Kho Tao and its a very simple process to extend
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Work isn't the priority here, Yes the scuba diving will/potentially come with work but the work is world wide, I'm just looking for homebase to be Thailand.
2 months ago
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Ian **********
@Josh ********
 as all the other posts say, you can stay for 60 then go immigration for another 30 then do a border bounce and repeat, if diving is what you want go to Koh Tao, message me mate I am a diving instructor
2 months ago
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Ian **********
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Guys, I was wondering about something completely different to what you guys are actually explaining I think.

I just wanted to know if I can upgrade my Visa Exemption to a DTV, As I'm scuba diving and obtaining my licenses to become an instructor/dive master, without leaving thailand within my 90 days...
2 months ago
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Ian **********
@Josh ********
 i read your post correctly mate
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Josh ********
 You said you want to work in Thailand, so why would you spend 10,000 baht on a DTV which doesn't allow work in Thailand? You'd spend that money and then have to cancel the visa to get a work visa.
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Aake **********
@Ian *********
 what visa?
2 months ago
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Ian **********
@Aake *********
 you don't need a bank account on exemption its just tourist until you decide after to pick a long term visa, only if you puck retirement visa you need to confirm to certain parameters
2 months ago
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Aake **********
@Ian *********
 So how do you solve the problem with 800,000 baht on the account? Expert
2 months ago
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Ian **********
@Aake *********
 did you actually read the post lol
2 months ago
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Ian **********
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Ian **********
@Aake *********
 visa on entry and just extend
2 months ago
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Aake **********
You dont get any bankaccount on that
2 months ago
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Aake **********
@Ian *********
 its no visa on entry mabe visa exemption
2 months ago
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Aake **********
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Ralph *******
You only get 60 days on the visa exemption. You can extend it by another 30 days with a fee of 1900 baht. After that you must leave Thailand (within the 90 days).
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ralph ******
 I know and I don't want the 90 days to finish at all, but I was wondering if there is any visas that I am able to obtain while I'm over there within the 90 days.
2 months ago
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Pete *******
@Josh ********
 you could apply for an ED visa and learn Thai for a year.
2 months ago
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Pete *******
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Brandon ************
If you travel visa exempt, you will receive a 60 day stamp when you arrive, and can apply one time for a 30-day extension. That is 90 days total.

Your airline might require you to show proof of a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days if you are traveling without a visa, so you should check with them first.

You would not qualify for a non-B visa, as that is a work visa for someone who has an employer to sponsor them for both the visa and a work permit.

You can either leave and return for an additional 60-day stamp, or you can look into other options like the DTV. Though I'm not sure if scuba diving qualifies as the soft-power category.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 To add-on to your answer. The scuba diving will be coming with a confirmed job and accomodation if/and or obtained the relevant certs. But I am unsure on which location I'm going for. Still undecided. I don't know if it would happen in the first 60 + 30 days or if i have to visit a non neighbouring country for a couple of weeks then come back to Thailand to get the Job and Accommodation.
2 months ago
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Colin *********
@Josh ********
 I'm curious and I'm sure others will be after your reply to
@Brandon ***********
... if you're going to Thailand on Visa Exempt and going to get your Scuba diving certification and you don't even know "which location"... for the job, or Certification? Are you organising this "Certification" through an 'Agent', or directly with a 'Scuba Diving' business? There's very few occupations in Thailand that are available to foreigners, so I'm wondering if this is a real job, if you don't know the location by now. If the job is real then the employer should know where they will employ you, I would think.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 There is the new "Destination Thailand" Visa, DTV. It is 5 years valid, but requires some proof of funds. I think about 20,000EURO - google it.

It has basically two categories, one is "digital nomad", aka working remotely in Thailand, the other one is "sport and cultural activities".

My Scuba diving would fall into the second one.
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Josh ********
 I haven't seen anyone confirm whether they have received a DTV on the basis of scuba diving. And it's not mentioned in the announcement for the DTV visa in the list of soft power activities. It would likely be up to the specific embassy to decide if it qualifies.

But you cannot work on a DTV visa so that's not suitable for your plans.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 I have 3 locations to choose from, all vary in course costs, I'm waiting on arrival before anything gets confirmed on my end. Just in case anything were to happen on arrival to Thailand.
2 months ago
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Josh *********
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