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Does it make a difference if my Thailand visa is categorized as soft power or work cation?

Thai Visa Regulations Soft Power Visa Work Cation Visa Visa Extensions Immigration Policies

May 19, 2025

11 hours ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Once the visa is approved, does it matter if it's soft power or work cation? An agent told me today it's the same

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The main topic of discussion revolves around whether the categorization of a Thailand visa as 'soft power' or 'work cation' affects the visa holder's status and responsibilities once the visa is approved. Most commenters agree that as long as the visa is granted and conditions are met, the distinction may not currently matter. However, concerns are raised about future implications for visa extensions and potential stricter immigration checks. Some comments highlight the need to honor commitments associated with the soft power visa and note that the specific remarks on the visa can indicate limitations such as 'Employment prohibited'.

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Michael **********

mine only says Employment prohibited (soft powers) am I the only one?

7 hours ago

Peter *********

@Michael *********

No the majority only say Employment Prohibited.

5 hours ago

Luit *****************

@Peter ********

I think most embassies just fill the remarks field just the same like they were always used to do with tourist visa. Only a few decided they could put something else there, like type of DTV or expiration date of passport.

3 hours ago

Reply to

Luit *****************

Anonymous ******************

@Michael *********

….Yeah me too and a 5 year validity. Nothing about only being able to stay 180 days at a time ha ha. Wonder if we could stay all 1825 days without leaving. 😂🤔

7 hours ago

Luit *****************

Anonieme deelnemer 942 Visa does not say how long a stay is, that is mentioned at entry stamp, so unless they give you an entry stamp for 1645 days you cannot stay 1825 days without leaving.

3 hours ago

Reply to

Luit *****************

Adnan ********

it will matter if the immigration decide to crack down inn future to make sure soft power dtvs are doing soft power..... for now its ok....

8 hours ago

จอห์นนี่ *******

Same same but different.

9 hours ago

Andrew ********

When you go to extend yes if its for soft power you must maintain attendance with school like in ed visa

10 hours ago

Bob **********

For the time being

11 hours ago

Peter *********

All the same unless it's stated in the remarks like this one.

11 hours ago

Peter *********

Workation DTV.

5 hours ago

Peter *********

Soft power DTV.

7 hours ago

Peter *********

@Greg *******

You do know the DTV is a tourist visa? And not like a non o which clearly state the category?

8 hours ago

Greg ********

@Peter ********

I know exactly what the DTV is. You did not answer the question. Are you positing that Immigration has no information whether you were awarded the DTV for Workation or SP - that you could turn up for an extension at the Immigration Office and they would not know which category?

8 hours ago

Peter *********

@Greg *******

You did not answer my question, why do some DTVs have it in the remarks when it comes up on the screen?

8 hours ago

Greg ********

Peter Jackson, you are the one saying it is not on the screen. Do you really think Immigration only has the information on the PDF—printout You are the one saying it is not on the screen. Do you really think Immigration only have the information that is on the PDF - print out and NOT in their system?

7 hours ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Peter *********

@Greg *******

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

9 hours ago

Greg ********

@Peter ********

I know what MFA stands for - I am asking you if you think they have a separate immigration database separate from the department that controls Immigration ie the Immigration Department. Do you think when people go to an Immigration Office for an extension the Immigration have no idea if they are on a DTV for Soft Power or Workaytion?

9 hours ago

Peter *********

@Greg *******

Yes, they ask you what you used for the initial application. And might also ask to see them documents. Why would someone DTVs have it in the remarks if it came up on the screen?

9 hours ago

Luit *****************

@Peter ********

When you put it this way, why should there be anything at all except the QR code on the visa, the QR code is enough to see anything they want on their system.

The remark might be useful for the DTV holder, every IO will know work is prohibited with this visa, and IO cannot check anyway you are working.

3 hours ago

Greg ********

@Peter ********

Taking this to the logical conclusion. You are saying someone could obtain the DTV using Soft Power. They then go for in-country extension at an Immigration Office and use the Workaytion route to obtain the extension. Immigration would never know this was happening as they have no information on their system?

9 hours ago

Andi ***********

@Greg *******

Exactly

8 hours ago

Reply to

Andi ***********

Greg ********

@Peter ********

Do you think that is all Immigration see?

10 hours ago

Peter *********

@Greg *******

Yes, the application info is on the MFA database which Immigration don't have access to.

9 hours ago

Andi ***********

@Peter ********

They have access to more than what is on that PDF.

8 hours ago

Greg ********

@Andi **********

Of course they have 🙂 Its like the "O" stamp in the passport he mentions. There is much more in the system than is stamped in the passport. Same as for "B" etc too - company info etc is there too.

8 hours ago

Andi ***********

@Greg *******

Yeah, you have had visas from other countries, same thing they have more info than what your visa states in passport.

7 hours ago

Greg ********

@Andi **********

Exactly - there is no way that Immigration only has the information from the PDF. The notion is ridiculous. That you could go to Immigration for an extensions and decide how you want to extend. For example "I came in on a cookery Course but I have a few dental appointments so please extend Mr IO using those." :-)

7 hours ago

Andi ***********

@Greg *******

It would be an extreme lapse in security for the IO to just have that PDF info.

7 hours ago

Greg ********

@Andi **********

Of course it would. A lot more info is being shared these days too. Heard a senior diplomat say exactly that today :-)

7 hours ago

Greg ********

@Peter ********

So nothing is entered on the Immigration database and immigration only have the data on the eVisa system (What is the MFA database you speak of?)

9 hours ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Anonymous ******************

Assuming the visa is granted under soft power, as long as you honor your soft power commitments it won’t matter.

11 hours ago

Greg ********

It will matter for extensions in country if you go that route. If they ever start with checks on re-entry it will matter there too. PS: if an agent told me it was raining I would look out the window to check :-) They just want a sale and whatever is easiest for them.

11 hours ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *******

and I'm guessing you can't change your status if later you want to workcate

11 hours ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant I have no idea how that would work. If I had to guess and knowing Thailand it would need a new visa. However, nobody knows for sure how that would work. Even to cancel a DTV is not clear. There have been questions about this regarding moving ti a "B" Visa for a Work Permit. Once again I am guessing but I do nkt think Immkgration will cancel a DTV as they do not issue the visa. It is MFA. An agent told me it woukd need to be the issuing embassy who has to cancels the DTV but again who knows.

11 hours ago

Reply to

Greg ********

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