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Can my wife keep her DTV visa if I switch to a Non-B visa?
DTV VisaNon-B VisaDependent VisaVisa Change ProcessImmigration in ThailandVisa RegulationsVisa Issues
Oct 18, 2025
6 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everyone, I have a question regarding my situation
I’ve been staying in Thailand on a DTV visa while working remotely. My wife also got a DTV visa as my dependent.
Now I’ve received a full-time job offer in Bangkok, and the company will provide me a Non-B visa.
I’d like to ask
1. If I switch to a Non-B visa, can my wife continue staying in Thailand with her current DTV visa, which was applied as a dependent under mine? (Her DTV stamp doesn’t mention “dependent.”)
2. After 6 months, when she needs to do a border bounce to renew her stay, will there be any issue re-entering Thailand since my DTV will no longer exist?
3. Would it be safer to cancel her current DTV visa and apply for a Non-O dependent visa later (even though I’ll still be in my probation period under the new job)?
Thank you very much in advance for your advice and experiences!
I’ve been staying in Thailand on a DTV visa while working remotely. My wife also got a DTV visa as my dependent.
Now I’ve received a full-time job offer in Bangkok, and the company will provide me a Non-B visa.
I’d like to ask
1. If I switch to a Non-B visa, can my wife continue staying in Thailand with her current DTV visa, which was applied as a dependent under mine? (Her DTV stamp doesn’t mention “dependent.”)
2. After 6 months, when she needs to do a border bounce to renew her stay, will there be any issue re-entering Thailand since my DTV will no longer exist?
3. Would it be safer to cancel her current DTV visa and apply for a Non-O dependent visa later (even though I’ll still be in my probation period under the new job)?
Thank you very much in advance for your advice and experiences!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The question addresses concerns about the implications of switching from a DTV visa to a Non-B visa for the main applicant and how it affects the dependent's DTV visa status. The responses highlight that the wife's DTV visa is likely linked to the main applicant's visa. If the main visa is changed or canceled, the dependent's visa may also become invalid, leading to potential complications during re-entry into Thailand after a border run. Various opinions suggest that the safest approach is to cancel the wife's current DTV and apply for a Non-O dependent visa subsequently, to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.
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.
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ยุถิกา **************
Legally when you change visa types you have to change the dependent attached Visa as well this is required since her visa is tied to a no longer valid DTV.
You will want to get your non-being and cancel her DTV dependent and get her a non-o-dependent tied to your non-b.
With an agent you can probably do it in country, without an agent you may very well need a border run.
The tm-86 change of Visa form is not always something that they want to do in country even though it is a valid immigration form.
There is a strong preference for doing what is familiar by most people working in the government offices and if they are not familiar with the change it is going to come across as strange to them.
My wife is a Visa agent so we have access to most rules for most provinces because honestly there's no way to keep track of all 73.
Moreover, they're about to move to a digital work permit system as well (change in progress arm), so I would imagine all visas; dependent or otherwise, will soon be tied to the online system.as it's clear they're moving that way.
You will want to get your non-being and cancel her DTV dependent and get her a non-o-dependent tied to your non-b.
With an agent you can probably do it in country, without an agent you may very well need a border run.
The tm-86 change of Visa form is not always something that they want to do in country even though it is a valid immigration form.
There is a strong preference for doing what is familiar by most people working in the government offices and if they are not familiar with the change it is going to come across as strange to them.
My wife is a Visa agent so we have access to most rules for most provinces because honestly there's no way to keep track of all 73.
Moreover, they're about to move to a digital work permit system as well (change in progress arm), so I would imagine all visas; dependent or otherwise, will soon be tied to the online system.as it's clear they're moving that way.
Anonymous ******************
As long as the main dtv is valid (5 year validity) she can remain a dependant.
I'd keep the dtv as a backup in case you leave the company. It remains valid, but you'll have to leave the country to activate the new visa
I'd keep the dtv as a backup in case you leave the company. It remains valid, but you'll have to leave the country to activate the new visa
Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant 603 what witch's brew have you been drinking?
Anonymous ******************
@Wannikea ********
that is none of your businessReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 603 Wrong. You can't hold two visas at the same time in Thailand. Please refrain giving advice as your expertise seems quite limited. 😕
Anonymous ******************
This is Facebook. Take it with a grain of salt.
I did also advise that they seek professional advice and not on facebook
I did also advise that they seek professional advice and not on facebook
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Jordi *********
Participante anónimo 603 you need to do your home work. You clearly have no clue about how DTV works, plus you cannot keep 2 visas active just in case.
Anonymous ******************
Maybe you should be the one who should learn to read.
I never said anything about having 2 visas active.
You can certainly hold both. But only enter on one of them. In that case the non B being the better one.
But the dtv visa will remain valid until expiry and can be still used.
I never said anything about having 2 visas active.
You can certainly hold both. But only enter on one of them. In that case the non B being the better one.
But the dtv visa will remain valid until expiry and can be still used.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 603 How many times have you actually dealt with an immigration office or a Non-Immigrant visa? Zero?! Please, we don’t need “three-month experts” on Thailand here. Immigration will not allow anyone to hold two visas at the same time.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Greg ********
Anonymous participant 603 Duh? He cannot keep the DTV and then get a "B" for a Work Permit.
Anonymous ******************
The visa itself will remain active for the entire validity. He will re-enter in on the non B.
You cannot switch that visa type in country
You cannot switch that visa type in country
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
A dependent visa is linked to another valid visa. Legally, it loses its validity once the main visa is no longer active. I recommend checking directly with the immigration office where you’re applying for your new visa, rather than listening to so-called experts who have never even set foot in an immigration office.
Greg ********
Legally she would be a "Dependent" on a non-existent visa. If this was for a " B" in same situation it would be cancelled along with yours. Is the DTV linked in a similar fashion in the system? Even if not if anything was found later it might be a sticky situation. What would your employer make of it too if you had to go asking for a dependent on the B at a later date and immigration made it problematic due to misuse of a previous visa? Why take risks? I would just get her the dependent on your new visa.
John **********
Note that I believe the only way you can switch to a Non-B visa is to apply to do a conversion at an immigration office inside Thailand so make sure the company will supply the correct information to support that. Many companies want people to apply for a Non-B outside Thailand but you won't be able to do that unless you can find a way to first cancel your DTV (which won't be easy).
Jordi *********
If you switch to a Non-B visa, your wife’s current DTV (issued as a dependent) will likely lose its legal basis, since her status is tied to your DTV. Even if her stamp doesn’t mention “dependent,” immigration can still link it to your original application.
When she does her border run later, she may face entry issues if your DTV is no longer active.
The safest option is to cancel her DTV and apply for a Non-O dependent visa once your Non-B and work permit are confirmed, even if you’re still in probation. That gives her a clear, stable legal status under your new visa.
Best
When she does her border run later, she may face entry issues if your DTV is no longer active.
The safest option is to cancel her DTV and apply for a Non-O dependent visa once your Non-B and work permit are confirmed, even if you’re still in probation. That gives her a clear, stable legal status under your new visa.
Best
Roxana ******
Greg Bewick of course! :)
Roxana ******
Greg Bewick exactly!
Greg ********
@Roxana *****
it might even get cancelled anyway when primary visa cancelled. This happens with other dependent visas. Saw it at work. HR gets the passports of the whole family for processing and visa cancellation.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Roxana ******
Greg Bewick yes, I totally agree with you.
Greg ********
@Roxana *****
Why push the envelope with immigration when it is widely known they are not exactly cheerleaders for the DTV? :-) :-)Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Roxana ******
Greg Bewick I bet it would 👀
Greg ********
@Roxana *****
I may be more risk averse than most but I do not understand taking risks when there is no downside to the safe option? The company should pay for the visa for the dependent and it is a "Better" visa. No need to pay for travel after 180 days as no chance of an extension?Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Winston ************
@Jordi ********
That's nonsense. She can keep the DTV until it expires. Once the DTV is issued, nobody is checking for it's "legal basis"! As long as she leaves every 180 days or earlier she'll be fine. Only visa agents want you to worry about "legal status" because worrying about your visa all the time benefits them.Anonymous ******************
@Winston ***********
"That's nonsense", yes, you're the nonsense and have absolutely no idea on how dependent visas work here in Thailand. Get informed.Roxana ******
@Winston ***********
do your homework!Greg ********
@Roxana *****
Coming through immigration together might be fun with passports numbers linked.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
@Winston ***********
You do know how "Dependent" visas work in the case of B etc? Are you arguing a DTV "Dependent" visa is somehow magically different? On what basis did you come to that conclusion? PS: he is getting a "B". I doubt he is paying anything himself through an agent if working for a company.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Jef ********
Leave her visa as is 👌
Anonymous ******************
Could do but couldn't hurt to talk to a professional.
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
The expert just talked... 🤣 Why not recommending the person checking with immigration directly instead?Jef ********
Anonymous participant 662 who cares , it’s a public forum…. Meaning if I was in his shoes that’s what I’d do 🫰🏽🖕🏿
Reply to
Jef ********
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