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Does the visa category (Workation vs. Soft Power) actually matter in Thailand?
Thai visa categoriesDTV visaWorkation visaSoft Power visaVisa extension rulesImmigration policyExpat adviceRemote work in Thailand
Jul 9, 2025
10 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERIn reality does it actually matter under what category you apply? Workation or Soft Power? The actual visa is exactly the same.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation debates whether it matters under which category (Workation or Soft Power) one applies for a visa in Thailand, noting that the actual visa remains the same. Some comments suggest that extensions may be easier under a Workation visa due to ongoing activity requirements, while others argue that the interpretation of rules can vary and lack clear guidelines. The discussion also highlights confusion regarding requirements for extensions and participation in activities related to the Soft Power visa.
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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Luca G.ā
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AuthenticPas************
Same visa with different categories learn, remote work, medical.
James ********
Anonymous participant sadly, it's wrong information. Guesswork at best. Way too early to REALLY know what will happen in the coming year or years with the DTV Visa. Enjoy it while we can.š¤©
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 184 are you in charge of the Group? š
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 184 thatās not the question. The question is do you need to keep doing courses after the initial six months IF you leave the country. Btw I have had multi entry O, marriage and retirement extensions for the last 8 years so I do have half a clue š.
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Anonymous *************
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERTo be honest from what I have read - no one knows! Posts saying āyou need more coursesā - what about āmore clientsā or still proof of 500k? I think if you donāt get extensions at Immigration and just travel it should be straight forward. (BTW Iāve just applied for Medical treatment ) I have read āeverythingā and nowhere does it say you need more courses or more medical treatment.
Peter *********
No difference. Getting an extension will be easier if you're working though and no need to buy more classes.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ********
evidence of this? As far as Iām aware - once you fulfill the requirements for originally getting the Visa - thatās it for 5 years.Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer extensions need all documents and proof again and moreā¦ freshly dated. so you would need to border run every 180 days to prevent further checks. but things can change in the future
Anonymous ******************
Participant(e) anonyme Google AI is wrong... You need ALL THE DOCUMENTS. Dany has got his extension at immigration and knows what he's talking about. Check his previous posts on this group.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 184 AI says you need ALL your documents and your proof of 500k. Iām talking about leaving the country.
Anonymous ******************
Participant(e) anonyme My bad if I misunderstood you. For leaving/return, no one really knows. It may or may not. Thailand is known for its constant changing rules and it gets stricter with time (extensions, banks, etc.)
Siggi *******
Anonymous participant 184 no you don't need anything when you leave and come back same as non O visas and non b visas or MTV's. Why someone would be so stupid and try and extension? It's a tourist visa and tourist are meant to travel.
Anonymous ******************
@Siggi ******
Well happened to me on a Non-B twice in 15 years so I can definitely confirm that can happen. Certainly not common but possible. But yes for DTV Exits/Returns nothing is asked for now as I said to another person. You just can't predict it will remain that way or not.Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 184 I know Iāve lived there for the last 8 years!
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Anonymous *************
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John **********
Depends if they specify in the comments or not
Dom ********
Yes, soft power requires to continue the soft power activity throughout your time in Thailand on the DTV.
Enforcement of that is very low but as youāll know sentiment can change overnight in Thailand
Enforcement of that is very low but as youāll know sentiment can change overnight in Thailand
Siggi *******
@Dom *******
no softpower does not require to continue, once given it is valid. Also you don't need to have the 500.000 on a bank account anymore. And for all the trolls here: you can't change backwards requirements, only for future visas. This is call the grandfather rule and it exist in all countries
Anonymous ******************
@Siggi ******
Sure. What's about the extensions rules that came MONTHS AFTER the issuance of the first DTVs? Explain the concept of grandfathering in that case? You're just guessing what no ones can predict.Peter *********
Anonymous participant 184 Wrong. The rules about extensions and re entries were set from the start. And NOTHING has changed nearly a year later.
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Peter *********
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dom *******
evidence of this ?Dom ********
Anonymous participant youāre asking me for evidence that the soft power dtv requires you to take part in the soft power? š¤ the evidence is in the name mate
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dom *******
no - that you need more than the initial six months to get the visa - which is what you said? āYes, soft power requires to continue the soft power activity throughout your time in Thailand on the DTV.āReply to
Anonymous *************
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Dennis ******
@Dom *******
any official source on that requirement of throughout attendance?Anonymous ******************
@Dennis *****
Extensions with immigration for example. These require ongoing activity. Exits/Returns so far not but could eventually change.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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