How can I apply for the DTV visa as a full-time cyclist without event confirmation in Thailand?

Jul 25, 2024
4 months ago
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
**EDITED saturday the 27th as im now applying for DTV....

*Applying for DTV under the "thai soft power" activity since I am a full time cyclist and im coming to train for half the year but there are no "confirmation of activities or events/appointments" theres no races or anything. Maybe theres something else I can just buy a cheap reservation for that will qualify me?*

Also it is asking for FLIGHT & ACCOMODATION addresses and dates and proof. How am I supposed to pay for a flight 2 mo from now if I dont know the visa will be approved? also will the accomodations need to be for the full 180days? I plan to stay in a rented condo on airbnb for maybe a week untill I find something better for the long term.***

*thanks in advance.*
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking to apply for the DTV visa in Thailand under the 'Thai soft power' activity as a cyclist but is facing challenges due to the lack of official events to confirm participation. They are also uncertain about the requirements for flight and accommodation proof during the application process, particularly regarding the need for full 180-day bookings and the financial overview required for the visa.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Chris *******
I don't like to promote anybody.

But this guy had a meeting with MFA basically explaining how it works.

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Ora *******
Any catch ? For multiple entry 5 years whenever leave Thailand do we need to pay $$ for fee and come back pay again $$ . Anyone know ?
Angelo ***********
@Ora ******
You only pay once the visa fee.
Nicole ****************
@Ora ******
nope, no additional fees.

Check out this video that explains everything in detail

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Ora *******
@Nicole ***************
thank you for that . We are plan to retire in bkk but don’t know we can apply for DTV.
Angelo ***********
@Ora ******
Stephan Studtmann posted the requirements above. And I'm pretty sure your embassy in your country writes them in your language down just fine, too. /sarcasm
Ora *******
@Angelo **********
no shit lol … they are clear as glass
Angelo ***********
@Ora ******
They actually are as clear glass.
Gordon ********
Seems pretty clear in the description, sounds too good to be true.

The reality is it’s a great visa and it’s true.

Maybe too good to last…. ?
Alan ******
Try reading this morning Bangkok Post, it outlines the new visa rules😎😎😎
Batuh ****
@Alan *****
summarize please. any new info we dont know?
Alan ******
Well, the only thing that surprised me you can apply for another 180 days and stay a year.
Tim *********
It sounds like you want to live here, but maybe there is no visa that will allow you to do that. This visa is designed for nomads, not would-be residents. If you try doing border-bounces to extend it beyond 180 days, I suspect you will meet a border guard who will refuse you re-entry
Terary **********
@Tim ********
I have been here a long time a tourist visa. It could be I am very lucky or possibly border guards aren't that concerned.
Timothy **********
If dependents are included then is there a separate 10,000 Thai baht fee for each person or is there only one fee per head of family?
Graham ******
@Timothy *********
All dependents (i.e. legal spouse and/or children) need their own DTV but only the one person needs to meet the DTV qualifying criteria
Timothy **********
@Graham *****
that is very helpful information. Thank you so much
Ryan *******
Do you need
*****
0 baht in your account at the start. Or the whole time.. Is this in your home account or a Thai bank?
Frank-Steven ***********
@Ryan ******
Does NOT need to be on a Thai account. Certainly needed when applying for the visa. Might also still be needed when extending a stay or when re-entering Thailand. Would only consider the DTV is I know I can always demonstrate sufficient funds.
Ryan *******
@Frank-Steven **********
thanks. Yeah I cannot stand Canada. Where I live cold for 6 months so I go to Thailand and visa hop. I work online from home. I just want to get a apartment in Bangkok and go work from my Canadian job. BUT. I do not have enough for a proper visa currently so I may have to do some hopping.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Ryan ******
Good hopping, then. 😊 Look at the multi entry tourist visa METV. It gives you up to 9 months of hopping.
Ryan *******
@Frank-Steven **********
metv would be 6 months for me, $250cad plus leaving every 2months to Malaysia for a run...

With the new rules of 60 days... I could come stay 60. Pay 1900baht to extend another 30.. I think boarder hopping will cost less
Frank-Steven ***********
@Ryan ******
But yes: maybe come the visa exemption way for a few months and then figure out more long term visa on the way. Enjoy your stay.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Ryan ******
True. Border hopping is cheaper. And the land border limit of max 2 entries per calendar year also seems to have been lifted. Just bear in mind that they won’t let you stay on free visa exemptions indefinitely - especially not when using many of those back-to-back with only short border bounces in between. At some point they might pull you aside and grill you or even give you a denied stamp. But yes: probably fine for 2-3 times, so you might save that money for a METV at the cost of slightly higher risks at the border crossings.
Ryan *******
@Frank-Steven **********
they grilled me last time when I went to Malaysia I didn't have a tm30 from my apartment. So when questioned I said am meeting other tourist so plans always change. I said we might go to Vietnam blah blah and they let me stay with a smile.

My Italian friend has been in Bangkok for 6 years. He said he met an agent and paid her a "fee" and got a legit 1yr visa stamp.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Ryan ******
in Thailand … where there is a will, there is a way. 😅 But bear in mind … if you go that agent road you might face more trouble down the road if and when you want to obtain a legit long time visa. In the past agents enabled people to obtain volunteer visa / extensions or shady education visa / stamps. But immigration has been cracking down on those.
Radost **************************
@Frank-Steven **********
the METV make no sense! As is the same as you won't take a visa
Angelo ***********
@Radost *************************
it makes sense. As no visa means: only 2 times land border crossing. With a visa you can cross as often as you want. In total a METV gives you close to 9month of stay. No visa, aka visa exempt + extension, gives you 8month. Unless you fly out and flay back in.
Radost **************************
@Angelo **********
no there is no limitation for land border anymore as Thai government is desperate about tourism, down 40%
Frank-Steven ***********
@Radost *************************
The OP said that he did not have the funds / savings required for a DTV, yet. I merely suggested him an alternative visa that he might be able to afford until he has enough savings to demonstrate for the DTV. I didn’t even mention LTR as financial requirements are even much higher there. Unfortunately options are limited for people with under 50.
Radost **************************
@Frank-Steven **********
he needs 5000 euro for METV minimum and visa exemptions you need nothing and there is no limitation on border runs anymore
Stephan ***********
Here it seems to be pretty clear...
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
that seems better but im used to reading USA fine print that constantly says excludes this that and the other and or also xyz. so sounding pretty good its a 5yr full time visa as long as you take a few quick vacations to get passport stamped elsewhere every 180days
Nick **********
@Eric ******
"...สำหรับใช้ได้ไม่จำกัดจำนวนครั้ง...." from article 4 in the ORIGINAL text of the law in the Royal Gazette.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Nick *********
That is why I also shared the published law both in its Thai original and an English translation for convenience. So people in doubt don't have to rely on illustrations alone, but can dive deeper into the facts. 👍
Stephan ***********
@Eric ******
Well... much more official than from the "Government Press Release Department" is almost impossible, no?

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3
Bart **************
Do you have a source for the claim that extensions are possible only once per 5 years?
Nicole ****************
@Bart *************
there is a video on youtube where the popular vlogger Chris “Retired Working for You” that interviewed a consulate and clarified everything. You can do one extension every 180 days to add up to 360 days then you depart Thailand and come back with another 180 days and the cycle continues within a 5 year period
Nongnuch ********
@Nicole ***************
he didn't interview a "consulate".
@Bart *************
He went to the SOURCE of all Thai government ministries handling visa-related matter: He interviewed the deputy minister of Thailand's "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS". Which is the "Mother of All Sources"! 😄🙂
Bart **************
@Nicole ***************
I don't need a video for that. I am just surprised by the claim, which apparently also isn't supported by your video, that you cannot extend more than once in five years.
Nongnuch ********
@Bart *************
and you are right, the 180-days extension for 1900.- THB can be had on any 180-days stay permit stamped upon any entry within the 5-.year visa validity
Frank-Steven ***********
@Bart *************
I am sure he could find a "source". The problem is, that many false and irritating articles and illustrations have been circulating before the DTV came into actual law. Sadly, most people trust information too easily without questioning the validity of the source or understanding the hierarchy that of information sources. That is why it is such a mess right now to "convince" people again and again that they should only believe the facts now.
Frank-Steven ***********
No unnecessary confusion again, please.

Read this to wrap your head around how the DTV works:

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Look here to actually see a the DTV visa:

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Check this, if you care for the pure facts written and published in Thai law:

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Things that will vary and depend on your individual consulate in your jurisdiction and open questions:
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Steve *******
@Frank-Steven **********
this is great, thank you!
Henrik *****
Check the post, links not working.
Ling *****
@Henrik ****
it works on my end too
Frank-Steven ***********
@Henrik ****
Hm. They work on my end.
Brandon ************
The DTV is a 5-year multiple entry visa.

This means EVERY TIME you enter Thailand during those 5 years, you will receive a stamp for 180 days. If you enter Thailand with the DTV and then leave Thailand 10 days later, then return the same day, you'll receive another 180 day stamp. That's how multiple entry visas work.

EACH time you enter Thailand with the DTV, you can apply one time for a 180 day extension. So you can stay 360 days per year without leaving if you apply for the extension. You could then leave on day 360 and return the same day and get a new 180 day stamp.

Or you could stay 180 days, leave and return, and get a new 180 day stamp and not have to apply for the extension at all.

Or you could come to Thailand, stay 150 days, apply for the 180 day extension. Leave and return and get a new 180 day stamp, and apply for another extension, since you can apply once on each entry.
Angelo ***********
@Brandon ***********
As a add on: this means you get 6 years out of it, if you leave and reenter the last day of the 5 years validity, and extend that again with 180 days.
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