Can I switch to a DTV from another Thai visa before my old visa expires?

Thai visa DTV visa passport renewal visa expiration visa transfer Thai immigration rules

Jan 30, 2025

6 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Question on changing to the DTV from another Thai visa.

My current Thai visa will expire in March, and I would like to renew my passport before applying for the DTV, as my passport is also due to expire next year.

While having a new passport delivered here to Thailand in February, can I then leave using my old passport in March, and then apply for the DTV for my new passport right as the old visa expires?

Or, would I need to "cancel" my old visa in the system, regardless of whether I would be applying for the DTV and later re-entering on the new passport?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the process of switching to a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) from another Thai visa while managing passport renewal. They want to know if they can leave Thailand on their old passport when their visa expires and apply for the DTV using their new passport, or if they need to cancel their old visa first.

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Steve ********

What visa are you on?

6 days ago

Anon*****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve *******

1-year Smart-S visa type, stamp has multiple-entry built into visa itself with no re-entry permit needed. Each new "Smart-S" entry-stamp when I enter is dated exactly to the visa's expiration date in March.

Do you think it would be okay to leave on the old visa and passport, apply at an overseas consulate, and then return on the newly issued DTV visa within my new passport? Or is it more complicated, and I need to transfer over the old visa and cancel it before leaving? Not sure the "best" way to approach it!

6 days ago

Reply to

Anon*****

Greg ********

What is the "Old" Visa? For example of you are on an "O" and you leave without a re-entry peemit it is cancelled automatically.

You are not supplying enough information for anyone to answer your questions.

Once your new passport arrives is your old passport not automatically cancelled? Not the visa though - depending on Visa it needs to be transferred to new passport.

6 days ago

Anon*****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *******

My apologies—it's a multi-entry Smart-S visa type.

6 days ago

Sai ************

Will be best to call the immigration directly if you are in the country or have a Thai friend call for you. From what I understand is that, when you have new passport - you have to go to immigration and request transfer of visa from old passport to new passport (just need to fill in the form with old and new passport). I heard that a year back someone apply for visa and got rejected because he still has his education visa although it is already expire. And he need to cancel that (expired visa) before applying for a new one. Yes, rules are changing all the time and better check with immigration. They are now pretty much responsive and speak good English as well.

6 days ago

Anon*****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the reply! I am hoping that is the case as it would simplify the swap a lot. I'm honestly not sure how passport renewals work when overseas when it comes to visas. If I have a new one delivered here, do you know if I can even exit on the old one? Or must I present the new passport on exit?

Good luck on your Smart-S application. It is definitely a rare visa type and I have found its rarity can cause some confusion from immigration officers at the airport on entry and exit. Often they need to pull over a supervisor and confirm its multi-entry status, and even confirm how to stamp it.

I'm looking at swapping to the DTV via the "overseas employer" route to have some more certainty. While it's nice to have a 1-year period of stay over the 180 days from the DTV, the 5-year the DTV offers does give me some more confidence when it comes to stability of life here. If eligible, I think the DTV is easier to apply for, too. My Smart-S (1-year type via incubator endorsement) took quite a bit of preparation.

The Smart-S visa extension is rather complex and it requires a lot of paperwork and effort to satisfy the requirements for its 2-year extension. Though it is a good visa to have once finally stamped.

6 days ago

Greg ********

@Anon*****

When I got a new passport while on a "O" Visa years ago while in Thailand I had to take both passports to immigration and had the stamp in passport transferred. I doubt I could have exited on the old one as they cut the corner off as usual. No idea thiugh if I could have just taken both passports to the airport if close to expiry.

Cheers for the notes about the "S" I am noticing the extra work involved in the application. I do have someone who has good contacts at BOI and has dealth with them frequently in the past. I was previously on a BOI when working as employee at a large global company. Once obtained the advantages ate worth it ie 15% flat tax. I have an ex colleague from Singapoore who is looking at 'S" too as he needs to work with Thai companies and organisations. He has a company on Singapore where I am a consultant. I could use that for a DTV as I could avoid working with Thai companies if I wanted to change my business model slightly and go online only outside Thailand. Decision decisions.

5 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

@Anon*****

Anonymous OK. No idea about that one. Applying myself soon. I would think it is it expired then you just apply for DTV outside the country. You are first I have heard of doing this from Smart "S"

6 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

What should I do if I get a new passport while holding a Thai visa in my old passport?

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