Can you apply for a DTV visa while holding another valid visa in Thailand?

Aug 6, 2024
4 months ago
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Approved!! 5yr DTV Visa….It took 3 weeks…Currently hold an METV Visa valid until November 2024- I posted back in July that they requested additional documents-taxes, letter and paystub- Applied as remote worker..Glad to answer any questions 😀
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the approval of a 5-year Digital Visa (DTV) while holding a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV). The author outlines the application process, mentioning the required documents such as taxes, letters, and pay stubs as a remote worker. Several commenters ask detailed questions about the application process, the ability to apply while in Thailand, and the implications of application location on visa validity. The conversation reveals that some individuals successfully apply for the DTV while physically present in Thailand, despite claims that applications must be submitted from outside the country.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Uchiha ***********
i have METV, do you have to get it cancelled then apply for dtv or how does it go??
Dylan **********
I have some questions about the proof funds in the account. Can I DM
Jason ***********
What do you do for “remote work”?
Travis *******
I am applying soon with my wife and two children. For the $16,000 "available funds" does that apply for the children also? I believe just my wife and I need $16k each for $32k available?
Nongnuch ********
@Travis ******
you are the main applicant, you need the 500.000.- THB. Your wife and children are dependants. You must get your DTV approved first, and after that your dependants apply each on their own, using proof of your funds and your DTV. . . That's at least what got confirmed from the Thai MfA deputy minister in today's Bangkok Post.
Kaj **********
@Nongnuch *******
i thought so too, but no
Kaj **********
@Nongnuch *******
That didnt aply to me, each dependents had to show proof of funds also. Thats also asked for in the E-visa application. Also asked my embassy of application and they confirmed. Its really strange though, but I complied and we all got DTV. Another strange thing; its stated on the dependents visa that they are accompanying main DTV-holder. Feels like dependents cant travel alone and use DTV.
Nongnuch ********
@Kaj *********
well but these funds can be YOUR funds. They are "dependents". They need your funds, they don't need any on their own. That why they are "dependent to you". And dependents can only start to apply for their own DTV, as soon as the main caretaker has been issued his/her DTV. . . well, it seems, different embassies, different interpretations. In the future we should expect a lot of confusion among different Thai Embassies. They don't follow the same thing, they all pull their own rules out of their noses
Travis *******
@Nongnuch *******
ohh that's great! We have been planning on both of us needing it. We had been waiting to apply together but what you said makes sense. I'll get my application in ASAP.
Daniel ********
When does the visa 5 year start. The day you enter, or the day you get it ?
Frank-Steven ***********
@Daniel *******
The day it is issued. See "Valid from" on the image.
David ******
Find me a job 63. Age holland i go there
Jordan *******
I’m already at Bangkok now but want to get the DTV visa without going back to europe (those flights are expensive)

But cannot apply online from any location other than the UK OR Hong Kong it seems
Tore *********
@Jordan ******
be careful, what Kami did (Apply from Thailand) is illegal. During the application you have to declare your physical location.

It’s technically possible to do, but get caught and face potential entry ban. It’s not worth the risk
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ******
Apply online in thailand if you still have an address in your home country. I'd card or dl works as proof of home country address
Jordan *******
@Kami *****
you applied from Thailand? That’s crazy to me I always thought you had to be out the country
Sabine *********
Congratulations
Steven *******
My one took one work day to process, so fast.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ******
wow you were lucky! I've been nervous for 3 weeks!!
Steven *******
@Kami *****
it could be that I have applied for several visas in the past, so they have a lot of my information already and I am just confirming the details. Or it could be that I phoned the embassy up and asked what documents were required and provided this plus a lot extra just to be sure.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ******
I would say both. When I first sent in my HR letter, it wasn't signed and they came back to me and asked me to send a letter with a wet signature.So I think that's why mine was so delayed other than that.If my letter was correct the first time I probably would have gotten it sooner
Emmanuel **********************
Are you a freelancer or employed?
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Emmanuel *********************
Own an Ecommerce company in the US
Jim ********
So reading through the comments and your responses to some of them I can see that you applied for the DTV whilst already being in Thailand on another visa? So when doing the DTV application you stated that your current location is outside of Thailand but in fact you are in Thailand? I have done this loads with TR visas but everyone has told me this is not possible on the DTV but to me this clearly shows it is possible 🤷‍♂️
John **********
@Jim *******
pretty sure
@Kami *****
came to Thailand after she had applied for the visa. In one of her responses she says the application took 3 weeks and she'd been in Thailand 2 weeks before it was approved.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Kai *********
@Jim *******
Yep...Asked the same question a week ago in here and it got denied. Now it seems many are doing this. Up to each person whether they want to do it or not of course...
Jim ********
@Kai ********
I personally don’t think Thai immigration care where you are applying for the visa as really makes no difference to them. If you are eligible then you are eligible 🤷‍♂️
Dmitry ********
It would be great to see whole list of documents you gave them
Alexander ****
was the letter addressed to the embassy?
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dmitry *******
- HR Letter from My Company on Company Letter Head

-Photo of Passport

-Photo of my US Drivers License

-Flight Number of Incoming Flight to Thaland in 4 weeks
Gayan **********
Could you please tel me is there any limitations of this visa ? Or we can stay thaialnd up to 5 yaers?
Mike ******
@Gayan *********
180 days entry, 180 days extension then must leave after 360 days... free to come back and do this as many times as you can in 5 years
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gayan *********
up to 5 years.. No limits but I know they will end this soon.
Marie *******************
@Kami *****
I’m going to need to start this process immediately.
Gayan **********
@Kami *****
why you say that ? Did you apply within thailand? Or from your hoke country or did you use any agent?
DL ********
I'm definitely going to have questions when my time comes
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@DL *******
I can help... had to get through it so I'm Here to help
John **********
It will be interesting see what happens the first time you try to enter Thailand on the DTV if your METV is still valid at that time
Tore *********
@John *********
even more interesting to see what happens if they figure out he wasn’t in the US when applying
Paulie ********
What do you meen by remote worker?
Andrew *********
@Paulie *******
he changes channels with a remote 😁
Ken ***********
@Paulie *******
I don't understand the difference between a digital nomad and a remote worker. Either requires THB 500,000 and past payslips showing source of income. I believe another major criteria is that your company and clients are outside of thailand
Charlie ******
@Ken **********
a remote worker is a worker that have a base somewhere else then where the work is located.

A digital nomad is a traveling worker, traveling around and never have a primary base somewhere else.(This is why people say its been a grayarea all the time) As soon as he/she rents something he/she becomes a remote worker. (before the DTV came out They should've gotten a workpermit etc)
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Current work letter, most recent bank statement
Marie *******************
@Kami *****
if one was retired, would it make this process any different ( employment letter) ?
James ******
@Kami *****
Congrats. What needs to be detailed in the work letter, Would you mind showing us your redacted work letter?
Pat *****
Randy **********
You mentioned they requested additional information....how far back did they ask for?...and did you originally supple the info but didn't go back far enough. (Just trying to figure out if there is an official amount of time they want you to go back or it's just arbitrary.)
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Randy *********
I sent them my most recent bank statement
Robin ****************
Is it possible to apply for DTV when you are currently or already in Thailand ?
Leong ***********
@Robin ***************
, no….there is no Thai embassy in Thailand to take your application.
Robin ****************
Well but you can still apply it online while you’re in Thailand or not ?
John *******
@Robin ***************
officially you can’t. On the evisa platform you are supposed to declare where you are physically located and your application is sent to that embassy. However, I believe there are applicants who are stating on the evisa application that they are located in other locations, while actually being in Thailand
Dan *********
@Kami *****
do you know if you are able to apply to it from Thailand?
Sabine *********
@Dan ********
need to apply outside Thailand
Andi ***********
@Dan ********
You apply outside of Thailand.
Emeka ****
Where are you heading to in Thailand? Just applied for my DTV visa and waiting (it’s been 5 business days could take up to 15 I’ve been told).
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Emeka ***
yes but it took three weeks so I had already been here for two weeks
Bradley **********
Just came thru immigration at Suvarnabhumi with mine last night. Presented my passport and evisa (as shown above). Agent asked what I was doing in Thailand then stamped my passport and that was all.
Alexander ****
dtv?
Bradley **********
@Alexander ***
yes, see stamp attached
Rusty ******
What country did you apply from?
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tore *********
@Kami *****
while in Thailand?
Kevin *******
Did you have to mail in your passport? Or could you take it in person and pick it up when done?
Marie *******************
@Kevin ******
Can this link we shared for application for VISA?
Henrik *****
Thats why most countrys use the e-visa system, where everything is online.

Then less people come to the embassy, which is better from a security point of view, and infektionrisk.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin ******
Not at all. Just upload online. It's all through the online visa system
Rai **********
Did you apply online and while outside of Thailand? Thanks! 🙏
Henrik *****
You have to apply from outside of Thailand, since there are no Thai Embassies or consulates inside Thailand.

See first box.

Further more the Thai authorities will know you have a entry stamp, but no exit stamp.
Farzad *******
@Henrik ****
i mean, you would just leave soon as you get eVisa to a neighbouring country and fly back in
Henrik *****
You are not allowed to apply, when you are inside Thailand.

If the Immigration see you have applied in the period between your entry and exit stamps in the passport, you can be denied to enter with the DTV, and you will have lost the 10.000 Baht visafee.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Henrik *****
Write the answer here, so everybody can benefit from it.
Don *****
@Kami *****
just DM’d you about the same question
Ettie *********
@Kami *****
Sorry I didn’t ask here, I hope it’s ok that I dm’d you this morning. 😊🙏🏻
Farzad *******
@Kami *****
DM'd also :D
Traveler *****
@Kami *****
I have the same question. Can I dm you?
Ken ***********
Congrats. From what Thai Embassy did you apply ?
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken **********
Washington DC
David ****
@Kami *****
Hello. I’m from the DC area. For remote worker, other than work contact you said they requested tax return, letter and paystub? Could you please elaborate. Thanks
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
Yes when I initially applied I sent the letter from my company showing my pay, approval to work in thailand, when I started and my position...and bank statement. But then they asked me for paystubs and tax returns... It could have been flagged because when I initially sent in my letter.It was not signed by the company so I had to get another letter
David ****
@Kami *****
Thanks for the reply. From my experience, the DC embassy is quite particular with regards to accurate, excessive documents. I’ve read from other members that their embassy seems more lenient. Congrats on your approval. Btw, how much is the cost here?
Ken ***********
@Kami *****
thanks.
Frank-Steven ***********
Thanks for sharing. I guess this proves that one can in fact apply for the DTV while still holding another valid visa - METV in your case. I always thought this shouldn’t be an obstacle.
Nongnuch ********
@Frank-Steven **********
I doubt it. Apparently this embassy did not notice the applicant was still on a validv stay permit. Or - he might have exited Thailand without a re-entry permit, thus invalidating an existing stay permit
Alexander ****
yeh but this is Thailand
Alexander ****
Wouldn’t they check that she got a dtv when leaving the country?
Alexander ****
She said she’s still in Thailand while applying dtv
Tore *********
@Alexander ***
interesting, then OP basically commit fraud. You have to lie in the application to apply from within Thailand with E-visa
Frank-Steven ***********
@Alexander ***
They wouldn’t notice anymore. It used to be that one had to upload recent visa stamps - so they could have noticed the Thai entry stamp without a corresponding exit stamp. But now this isn’t required anymore in the Thai eVisa system. Same goes for proof of flights. So I practically don’t see why people shouldn’t be able to apply with eVisa in their home countries while still on another “vacation” in Thailand. Sure they would have to leave and reenter to activate the DTV then.
Stephen ********
@Nongnuch *******
if they had an METV then no re entry permit needed as it is already multi entry
Helen ********
@Frank-Steven **********
we had Non O's that were approved but had not entered Thailand yet. We contacted the Thai consulate in Vancouver about the DTV. They told us we couldn't have two visas but if the DTV was approved, they'd cancel the existing Non O.
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
Yes, that was my main concern.Because I saw somewhere that someone said that you could not have two visas , but obviously it has changed
Alexander ****
so when she enters Thailand I wonder what will they do? Will they cancel her existing visa? Or dtv?
Andreas *********
@Kami *****
you were just lucky, they didn't notice that you still were on a valid stay permit. It's the normal way things are handled - as long as you hold a stay permit or a still valid visa, you cannot apply for another one. The Thai embassy which issued your DTV made a mistake.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Kami *****
Not sure that was ever true. Anyways, enjoy your time in Thailand. Where will you be headed?
Kami ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
Currently Phuket but moving to Bangkok. I've been all over the country
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