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Do I have to leave Thailand every 6 months on a DTV Visa or can I re-stamp it for 5 years?
Aug 24, 2025
8 months ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI believe a DTV Visa is for 5 years. But do I have to leave Thailand every 6 months? Or is it possible to re-stamp and stay permanently for the 5 years?
Just considering options comparing to a marriage visa which im planning shortly.
Just considering options comparing to a marriage visa which im planning shortly.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A DTV Visa allows for multiple entries within a 5-year period, with each entry permitting a stay of up to 180 days. You can apply for a 180-day extension once per entry, but many immigration offices may discourage this, leading to a common practice of exiting Thailand every 180 days. Some users suggest considering alternative visa options like the marriage or retirement visa for a more straightforward long-term stay.
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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Christopher ***********
If 50 or over, retirement visa is the simplest. Only requires one annual visit to immigration. I didn’t exit Thailand for six years so only cost was 1,900 baht per annum. If you wish to exit Thailand a reentry permit is required. Single exit/reentry costs 1,000 baht. Multiple 3,800 baht.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher **********
retirement better than marriage visaeven though im maried?I hear many saying that despite being married, retirement is ‘less hassle’
I can’t comment but as im close to sorting my type O visa in London next month, the benefits to marriage visa are that I can work if I wished.
Christopher ***********
@John ********
Retirement involves less paperwork, no home visit (at least I’ve never had one) and only one trip per annum to immigration as there is no ‘under consideration’ period. Another benefit is if you split up you don’t need to change anything. You do, however, need 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account instead of only 400,000.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Tony ******
The DTV is valid for a 5 year period. Within those 5 years you may enter multiple times for 180 days at a time. There is no limit to the amount of times that you can enter within that 5 year period.
Jarek ************
Pay as you go, way cheaper and more fun in the long run without the drama...
Max *************
@Lyn ********
Well,this guy is talking about getting married,so why would he go for an Elite visa that today cost from 650k (5 years) which is a fee? It's the worst option unless you are way younger than 50 and have money to throw away.Lyn *********
My son has an Elite visa and it was 500k bht for a 5 year visa which us just ending He is just renewing it and is costing another 500k bht for another 15 years. he gives his passport to Elite every 90 days and they get the visa stamped he does not have to go to immigration and does not pay anymore for multi entry visa or for them to do everything he also gets privileges like free transport to airport and a person taking him through customs It sounds like a lot of money but for anyone under 50 (retirement visa from 50 onwards) its a great thing to have if you can afford to pay upfront
Pete *******
@Lyn ********
with the arrival of the DTV the Elite visa program is obsolete, completely worthless, zero value. The current cheapest option the Bronze Elite visa costs 650k and gives no benefit over a DTV costing 10k. The so called benefits are nothing but window dressing. The whole program is rapidly going down the toilet.Jarek ************
@Pete ******
your view on elite isn't really accurate. First of all, few people on DTV have been pulled over and have been questioned about their DTV status etc which has never been heard of for Elite members. The 20 year elite was the best option for long term safe access. No issue with bank account and also getting regular drivers license which now at some places requires a long term visa - which DTV isn't. No one really knows what the DTV rules will be in 5 years etc...Pete *******
@Jarek ***********
the only value to the Elite program was it enabled a 5 year stay for those under the age of 50. The DTV has removed that advantage, you’re now left with choosing to pay 10k or 650k for essentially the same visa.Jarek ************
@Pete ******
like I said, not the same visa, not even close. No bank Acc on DTV, no drivers license at some places, possible reevaluation at border which has happened to number of people...Pete *******
@Jarek ***********
DTV holders qualify for driving licenses. So you are paying 640k just to open a bank account? As the Elite visa is a tourist visa I would be interested to know if anyone recently has actually opened a bank account on an Elite as all the banks have stopped opening accounts for tourist visas.Jarek ************
@Pete ******
you're misinformed.Reply to
Jarek ************
Reply
Magnus ******************
@Pete ******
No its very good if you have the money. Its give peach in mind too. And you can have a bank account.Reply to
Magnus ******************
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Lyn ********
your son gets the "grandfathering" rate for the next 15 years. If he had started out in 2024 and finished 5 years later, the 15 years renewal would cost him something like 5 million Baht. He can call himself lucky for entering the Thai Privilege Program much earlier before the price hike in 2024Elías ********
@Lyn ********
So you pay 500K for the first 5 years, but after that is 500K for 15 years?Max *************
@Elías *******
The cheapest 5 years Bronze Elite cost 650k baht.Nongnuch ********
@Max ************
he gets "grandfathered"Max *************
@Nongnuch *******
Yes, but I answered the person who thought the initial cost was only 500k.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
Nico *********
Retirement visa
Pete *******
Marriage visa all the way.
Jarek ************
@Pete ******
pay as you go, way cheaper and more fun in long run without the drama...Leon ********
@Pete ******
gonna cost a lot more laterLeon ********
Never been that desperate to lose my assets
Reply to
Leon ********
Reply
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
marriage visa it is then!! (As was always the plan)Jimmy ****
@Pete ******
what are the requirements?Yoshi **********
@Jimmy ***
Finding a Thai woman who is willing to marry you...sorry couldn't resist hahaPeter **********
@Jimmy ***
Papers, witnesses, more papers, photos, more papers!A ridiculous amount of papers. Marriage certificate, 400k in the bank, a preceding non-O visa, photos of you and the wife in and before the home, housebook, passport photos, everything with copies.
Then in the next month after your annual renewal stay near your home because they come to visit and inspect your home.
Immigration here (Sakon Nakhon) very much dislikes marriage visa and tries to push you towards retirement visa.
Pete *******
@Jimmy ***
Google is your friend.Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
John **********
Another consideration is a bank account. They appear to not like people on tourist visas (which the DTV is) having one
Simon *******
@John *********
Krungthai bank will accept itNigel ********
@Simon ******
not any more they won'tDavid *******
@Simon ******
accept or except. Big difference in meaning. It’s doubtful that they will accept it.Simon *******
@David ******
corrected thank youReply to
Simon *******
Reply
Alan *****
@John *********
but if you have a Thai bank account with money sitting in it, isn’t that good for the banksRobert ********
@Alan ****
Good for the banks yes. But also for scammers and money laundering. That’s why one could open a numbered account in Switzerland without any problems - 30-40 years ago, but not anymore! Same here.
Can foreigners open accounts in your home country?
Alan *****
@Robert *******
probably. Our government is terribleReply to
Alan *****
Reply
Max *************
@John *********
There was a time not long ago when applying for a bank account as a tourist was accepted. That's not any immigration office's business.John **********
@Max ************
sure. I didn't say it was. But the person applying for the visa has to consider the situation on the groundReply to
John **********
Reply
Brandon ************
Your entry stamp will be for 180 days. One time each entry you are allowed to apply for a 180 day extension, but pretend that option doesn't exist and just expect to leave every 180 days and return. Many immigration offices do not want you to extend and will make it all but impossible.
Tony ******
The DTV is valid for a 5 year period. Within those 5 years you may enter multiple times for 180 days at a time. There is no limit to the amount of times that you can enter within that 5 year period.
Dan *******
@Brandon ***********
why is that ? If your not spounging off the system like here in the UK, your making and spending money there , win win for ThailandLynnette *******
@Dan ******
people who sponge off the system in UK? They aren't tourists, they are our own folk. Lol.Dan *******
@Lynnette ******
are you drunk on changLynnette *******
@Dan ******
seems you're unaware of our benefits system and what we British can claim: unemployment benefits, top ups for low incomes, various allowances for disability, pension credit benefits, council tax benefits, industrial injury benefit etc etc. You may think that means people are sponging. I don't, but I know there's always going to be some Brits who play the system. fyi no Chang required.Dan *******
@Lynnette ******
im talking about that ILLEGAL Immigrants claimingLynnette *******
@Dan ******
Illegal immigrants don't get benefits 🤦. You've been reading the daily mail or listening to Farage. Asylum seekers are not illegal, and they get some assistance. . but I suggest you get your information from the correct factual source so you don't post stuff makes you look ridiculous. Your caps lock was on and might be best if you turn it off.Dan *******
@Lynnette ******
you are blindedLynnette *******
@Dan ******
Not at all. I'm educated and knowledgeable. Perhaps if you did some reading of Govts rules, downloaded and checked out the facts, you'd stop posting your nonsense. But perhaps that doesn't fit whatever agenda you've got, so repeat like a parrot the silly stuff you've heard. 😆Dan *******
Lynnette *******
Dan *******
@Lynnette ******
bundle of love you are 🤣Lynnette *******
@Dan ******
yup. A very happy loving person, but I'm selective.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Max *************
@Dan ******
So why do you think everyone on a DTV are big spenders? A 5 year "tourist visa" based on for example cooking classes or Muay Thai lessons, is imo just a joke.Bob **********
@Max ************
it will definitely changeMax *************
@Bob *********
I think so,too. But the idiots at TAT are pro-DTV.Dan *******
@Max ************
but they must make money to survive, and put into economy?Max *************
@Dan ******
What money? Nothing says that these people will even stay here long term and spend money. The soft power DTV is a joke and I understand immigration.John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Max ************
i lnow people that have ‘got in’ on a joke of a workcation and have not worked and no intention of working. Another signed up to a language school, went for one lesson, told me he just wasnts to stay and be in the bar every night.And there was me wanting to sign up to a year at Chulalongorn to do intensive thai language course. And still intend to but on a marriage visa.
Dan *******
@John ********
in the bar every night ? So spending money , honestly im not here for grief just don't get the visa rules, if you got cash and wanna spend it in Thailand what's the problemMax *************
@John ********
Yeah, and this is why I'm saying the soft power DTV is a joke, and I do understand why immigration doesn't like it.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
Brandon ************
@Dan ******
immigration doesn't like the DTV program. They were not consulted before it was announced and implemented. They don't want anything to do with it, including processing extensions for it. Most offices will tell you to just do a border bounce if you want more time. For those that persist and submit an application, they can expect a long list of requirements that changes each time they return to the office, until they finally give up and leave.Max *************
@Brandon ***********
Immigration didn't even like the 60 days visa exempt when it was proposed by tourist authorities and I do understand them.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
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