Answered14 days ago
Is applying for a DTV visa a better option than monthly visa runs in Thailand?
I’ve been thinking of applying for DTV instead of them monthly visa runs. The posts coming out of this group do not instill confidence. Feels about as organised a dog’s breakfast.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the experience and process of applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand as opposed to the frequent monthly visa runs. Some members express concerns about the organization of the DTV application process, while others share their positive experiences, emphasizing that the application itself is straightforward and manageable. They suggest that the DTV is a reasonable option for long-term stays, highlighting the importance of researching specific embassy requirements and staying informed about visa regulations.
44 repliesnewest first
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NiftyTu********
Get organised then and apply 😁
I would say that nobody particularly enjoys the process, but if one qualifies legitimately then, it's not too difficult.
This group and others were a massive help during the preparation process. I spent a good 2 months researching what was required exactly (because the official requirements are quite vague), and taking note of what helped and what hindered people's applications. Then around 2 weeks putting it together and checking everything over 100 times.
I created a post with lots of tips that I believe are helpful...
I would say that nobody particularly enjoys the process, but if one qualifies legitimately then, it's not too difficult.
This group and others were a massive help during the preparation process. I spent a good 2 months researching what was required exactly (because the official requirements are quite vague), and taking note of what helped and what hindered people's applications. Then around 2 weeks putting it together and checking everything over 100 times.
I created a post with lots of tips that I believe are helpful...
********************************************
SageAvo********
OPNiftyTurkey7590 absolute legend. I will read your post shortly
David ********
My dogs breakfast is very well organised. As for the dtv, you have a lot of miserable retired expats who hate the dtv because it allows younger people making a good living to push them even further down the ladder of society here.
TheBatman**********
Funny thing is of you consider this group a dog's breakfast, why are you still looking for help here? And the fact that you're running in and out monthly makes you worse than a dog, right? Woof woof
Inglorious *********
I don’t understand what’s the problem. It’s easy and straightforward to apply for it
James *******
Visa runs? Are you living in the year 2005?
Henrik *****
Research the proper places such as the Thai Embassy website in your resident country, Yes you have to go there and stay there during the whole visaprocess, even if it takes a month or so..
Only read information about that excact Embassy, since it is the only place you can apply now.
There is also a manual in the top right corner on the webpage where you apply
Only read information about that excact Embassy, since it is the only place you can apply now.
There is also a manual in the top right corner on the webpage where you apply
Resilient*********
Apply yourself dildo than .
David ************
Ont believe a few have ers, had mine for years, also lots of mates, fo it yourself just do it smart
TaupeSqu*********
Just get an METV even with SETV you can get up to 5 months I don’t get it tbh
SageAvo********
OPTaupeSquirrel2656 Didn't even know about these 🤣
Thailand's visa options and processes are an abstruse mess.
I think SETV can be applied for from any random country outside of Thailand itself (i.e. you don't have to be in your home country, as long as you stay there while it's processed), but with METV you do have to apply from your home country.
It's also not clear if you can visa-run with SETV and METV (e.g. with METV can you just cross the border as many times as you like within the 6 months to reset the 60 days)? (if so, it's so weird since they're trying to stop people doing that).
Either way, Thailand's visa system really is a clusterf*ck.
Even bureaucratic europe is 1000 times easier (up to 90 days visa free).
Thailand's visa options and processes are an abstruse mess.
I think SETV can be applied for from any random country outside of Thailand itself (i.e. you don't have to be in your home country, as long as you stay there while it's processed), but with METV you do have to apply from your home country.
It's also not clear if you can visa-run with SETV and METV (e.g. with METV can you just cross the border as many times as you like within the 6 months to reset the 60 days)? (if so, it's so weird since they're trying to stop people doing that).
Either way, Thailand's visa system really is a clusterf*ck.
Even bureaucratic europe is 1000 times easier (up to 90 days visa free).
Anonymous ******************
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the DTV or the process to get it. They just made it harder for criminals to get it, which is completely reasonable. I’ve been in and out of the country multiple times and stayed for 5-6 months each time so far and had zero issues. There are more than 35,000 people with a DTV and just a handful of posts on here or reddit dooming about it. So if you can at all rationalise scale and be reasonable, then you’ll see it’s completely fine and you can apply for one without worrying about these people and their experiences.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 999 is 35k people with a dtv a guesstimate or is there a real source for that number? I have dtv and no issues at all. I agree with your comment. After the recent criticisms of it I have often wondered how small a percentage of folks it is who have had re-entry issues during the 5 year term.
SageAvo********
OPAnonymous participant 999
That's heartening. But some things contradict the idea that it's easy and sensible. The whole "you must apply from your home country" thing seems poorly thought through, as a lot of us don't really go back to our home country that often, and when we do, only for 1-2 weeks (and the visa application process can be longer than that as I understand it). How does going home actually stop criminals, anyway? - it's just inconvenient.
Also, I paid close attention to the initial visa on arrival changes announced in 2025, and after about 2 months of tracking it closely I realised they had no clue what they were doing. The announcements were shambolic and contradictory, and dribbled out little bits at a time, and lawyers and visa agents (some who post in this group) made videos saying not even they could figure it out what exactly was allowed and what wasn't.
So I know you say 35k people have done it successfully, but you don't know how many people applied and had their time wasted, or how many like me just thought "too much hassle" and went to malaysia, vietnam or singapore instead.
I'm not saying it's definitely a balls up, just that I am not confident it will be well organised and a good use of time and effort, especially given the minimum amount of time/effort/money is already high (have to pay for flights home and stay there for around a month waiting).
That's heartening. But some things contradict the idea that it's easy and sensible. The whole "you must apply from your home country" thing seems poorly thought through, as a lot of us don't really go back to our home country that often, and when we do, only for 1-2 weeks (and the visa application process can be longer than that as I understand it). How does going home actually stop criminals, anyway? - it's just inconvenient.
Also, I paid close attention to the initial visa on arrival changes announced in 2025, and after about 2 months of tracking it closely I realised they had no clue what they were doing. The announcements were shambolic and contradictory, and dribbled out little bits at a time, and lawyers and visa agents (some who post in this group) made videos saying not even they could figure it out what exactly was allowed and what wasn't.
So I know you say 35k people have done it successfully, but you don't know how many people applied and had their time wasted, or how many like me just thought "too much hassle" and went to malaysia, vietnam or singapore instead.
I'm not saying it's definitely a balls up, just that I am not confident it will be well organised and a good use of time and effort, especially given the minimum amount of time/effort/money is already high (have to pay for flights home and stay there for around a month waiting).
Anonymous ******************
SageAvocado1409 the point of making you do it from your home country is precisely for the reason that you are complaining about. It’s to create the absolute minimum or friction, but enough to deter some people so that the numbers reduced organically by the very inconvenience you are stating.
The mandatory criminal history check is for the criminals.
No, I can’t tell you how many of the people wasted their time in applying, but I can tell you that personally it was very simplistic and just a matter of being thorough and having patience. Which to me, for the ultra low price and a 5 year term, was something I had no difficulty accepting.
What is worth it to you is only a question you can answer for yourself.
The mandatory criminal history check is for the criminals.
No, I can’t tell you how many of the people wasted their time in applying, but I can tell you that personally it was very simplistic and just a matter of being thorough and having patience. Which to me, for the ultra low price and a 5 year term, was something I had no difficulty accepting.
What is worth it to you is only a question you can answer for yourself.
SageAvo********
OPAnonymous participant 999 Sounds like you were already in your home country when you applied and you didn't mind waiting out the processing.
David *******
SageAvocado1409 mate, stop whining and get on with it. Having to apply in your own country and get a police clearance eliminates many criminals. Many come to Thailand to ‘escape’
SageAvo********
OP@David ******
Rushing a decision that affects months of your life is the probably the worst advice I've heard. DTV wastes huge time and money (flying back home, waiting around during the application process, then flying back). And it's even worse if the application is delayed or unsuccessful.Compare that to just a $100 flight across the border to Cambodia or Malaysia (90 day visa on arrival) and do Muay Thai there instead. 1 single visa run gets 180 days! And best of all you can do it immediately. Like, I could do it today if I wanted, not in 1 month or however long DTV takes.
Paul **********
If you've been doing monthly visa runs, it suggests you've been here a while, most knew about the rules changes before the came into place...should have done it then.
James *******
@Paul *********
he's done one and is now wetting his pants.SageAvo********
OP@Paul *********
60 day visa atm. visa runs is a grey area since I do live in other countries in between, just rarely go back to my home country as it's boring and expensive (that narrows it down to about 3 countries lol).James *******
SageAvocado1409 India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Paul **********
SageAvocado1409 you could always be the first one to try applying using a VPN... see if it works
Paul **********
SageAvocado1409 I'd imagine they were thinking of Thailand when making the new rules, not the foreigners who might apply, the vast majority of those wanting the dtv would be doing so from their home town, you already being overseas would be the minority.
Paul **********
SageAvocado1409 online AFAIK, it's 2026, everything is online, i would imagine the criminal record check would be emailed too... the only thing I can see stopping this would be having to show your last departure stamp.
Andi ***********
SageAvocado1409 Have you looked into getting the METV which will give you 6-8 mths multi entry. Double check but you maybe able to get it from Vietnam or Laos., much easier/cheaper process than the DTV..
SageAvo********
OP@Gerry *******
AI says you can get it remotely. (not that AI guaranteed to be right)
Gerry ********
SageAvocado1409 a big part of it is you need to get a criminal record check, in order to apply. It's highly unlikely you can do that remotely.
Andi ***********
SageAvocado1409 Partly to reduce the number of scam applications and criminals obtaining the DTV.
SageAvo********
OP@Andi **********
I wonder why they care? Like, what difference does it even make. I can understand they might want to interview people for various reasons (e.g. to prove they really intend to do as they claim), but I don't understand the obsession about being in one's home country. It feels overbearing but also entirely unnecessary. Hope they roll that one back in the future.Andi ***********
SageAvocado1409 It's all online but you can be asked to show all your passport pages, attend an interview, provide current evidence you are in your home country.
SageAvo********
OP@Paul *********
is the whole application online? I assumed you’d need to visit the embassy in person?
Clare **********
We have our DTV we did the cooking lesson option do one per month, luckily we applied before they changed the rules to “Home country” to apply.
SwiftRasp*********
It’s self destructing
David ************
SwiftRaspberry2631 you know nothing john snow
SageAvo********
OPSwiftRaspberry2631 I see what they're trying to do, it's just inconvenient for people that don't go home very often.
Andi ***********
Where are you going to apply? The application process does differ among embassies but once issued the vast majority have no probs with it.
SageAvo********
OPThat's actually the first annoyance; I rarely go to my home country, to do paperwork I have to go all the way back (expensive and inconvenient) then just wait around like an idiot for a month, possible longer!
I'd love the muay thai visa but just cbf travelling half way around the world just to complete paperwork.
Life's too short!
I'd love the muay thai visa but just cbf travelling half way around the world just to complete paperwork.
Life's too short!
choose*******
SageAvocado1409 Yeah life’s too short. Keep doing the monthly visa runs until…
Clare **********
SageAvocado1409 if that’s your home country? Then you can apply for a DTV if not …. You still have to go home regardless of how many Muay Thai lessons 🤷♀️
SageAvo********
OPchooserich007 probably go to Malaysia or vietnam instead. Know of any good muay thai gyms there? (half joking, half not)
Elías ********
SageAvocado1409 you could have done it before they changed the rules and allowed to lodge applications in any neighboring country.
SageAvo********
OP@Elías *******
just did my first muay thai class a couple of days ago, so didn't really even seriously consider DTV until then, but knowing I have to go all the way home just to apply is very off putting (I don't usually visit my home country often, maybe once per 2 years)Andi ***********
SageAvocado1409 Yeah, can be an expensive paperwork run but the DTV is worth the expense if you are a frequent visitor or plan to stay 6mths plus. Very true, life's too short so just go for it!
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