This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can my wife apply for a Thai visa as the main applicant while I am a dependent, or vice versa, given my situation as a seafarer?

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)Thai visa types Visa for seafarers Dependent visa Thai immigration rules Muay Thai training Cooking school program ED visa Re-entry permit

May 12, 2025

2 months ago

Antuan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, I am a seafarer on a merchant fleet and my wife and I are currently living in Thailand. I initially considered applying for the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) as a seafarer, but I understand that DTV is for remote workers and digital nomads, and I may not qualify under this category as I am not a remote worker.

So now we are exploring a different option, and I have some specific questions:

 1. At first I wanted to apply as the main applicant (Muay Thai training program as the activity) and my wife as dependent. But I realized that in this case her visa fully depends on mine. If I get delayed at sea (for example, more than 6 months), she cannot stay in Thailand without me and cannot exit/re-enter by border run to reset her stay. So now I am thinking of switching roles and letting my wife be the main applicant.

 2. Could my wife apply as the main applicant (for example, cooking school program), and I apply as dependent? Would Thai Immigration accept me as a male dependent spouse?

 3. We are currently living in Thailand, but plan to fly to Romania and apply for DTV visas at the Thai Embassy in Bucharest based on this plan. Does anyone have experience applying for DTV in Romania?

 4. If we don’t get the DTV visas abroad, we will return to Thailand. I will enter as a tourist (which is fine), but my wife has already spent almost 3 years continuously in Thailand on a student ED visa. We will take a re-entry permit for her before leaving, but will this long history of ED visa cause any problems at the airport or with Immigration? Also, if she returns with a valid re-entry permit, will she be able to extend her current ED visa again as normal?

Any personal experience or advice would be highly appreciated. We want to be 100% legal and safe, even with my frequent travels as a seafarer.

Thank you so much for your help!

697

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A seafarer living in Thailand is exploring visa options for himself and his wife. Initially considering the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) but realizing it may not apply, he has questions about switching their roles for visa applications and the implications of his wife's long-term ED visa. Several commenters provided insights including that she could independently apply for her own visa, allowing her to travel freely without being tied to his visa status. They emphasized the separation of visa statuses for spouses and offered advice on applying from abroad.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Chris *******

She would have her own visa and doesn't matter what you do once she has it.

She can come and go as she pleases.

Yes you could be the dependant also but irrelevant.

2 months ago

Gareth **********

I have just applied and received my DTV from Sydney. Remote worker, I work on ships doing 6 week trips, they needed it written in my employment contract that I was working remotely. Being a seafarer you are working very remotely.

2 months ago

Wannikea *********

So many of your assumptions are just wrong. You can apply soft power, the spouse as spouse of the main approved DTV holder applies citing the main holders DTV number, spousal documents, funding monies or sponsorship letter, upon approval they get their own visa completely separate from the main DTV. They can come and go as they wish.

2 months ago

Antuan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wannikea ********

she cannot do extension, but border run? Sure?

2 months ago

Wannikea *********

@Antuan ********

nobody said that. That said, she can do border bounces all she wants, but if she wants to do an in country extension her spouse main DTV holder would need to do his first with a fresh updated set of qualifying paperwork and 500K funds in the bank for at least 30 days, plus whatever other conditions the particular immigration office might demand. Extensions in country are an exercise in masochism unless you truly really need it as your best option. From day one it's been suggested to border bounce for the most painless way of getting another 180 day stamp.

2 months ago

Reply to

Wannikea *********

John **********

@Wannikea ********

no issue with them doing border bounces, the only issue would be trying to get an extension at immigration if the main holder isn't also extending

2 months ago

Reply to

John **********

How can I change my Non-B visa with a work permit to a DTV visa in Thailand for myself and my wife?

2 comments

3 months ago