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Is the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) being abused in Thailand?

DTV Visa Visa Abuse Thai Immigration Visa Regulations Extensions and Renewals Visa Types Expat Community Visa Loopholes

Apr 24, 2025

2 days ago

Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hopefully this can be a sensible discussion, Is it just me or is the DTV being abused to a ridiculous extent? admittedly the Thai government left it full of loopholes and open to abuse but for me it really isn't working

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion centers around concerns regarding the abuse of the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Thailand. Many comments reflect a consensus that the visa system has significant loopholes that are being exploited by foreigners. Some users express frustration over the government's lax approach in handling extensions and border bouncing, while others debate the necessity for stricter regulations. The conversation touches on various aspects of the visa, including personal experiences and criticisms of the current immigration policies, suggesting that a potential tightening of the DTV requirements may be on the horizon.

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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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michel ********

people abusing it, you see posts like " if I sign up for cooking can I just old the first 6 months and then stay for the whole 5 years"

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Michel *********

What exactly is not working for you with the DTV visa ????

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Anna *********

When you run a country you can decide the rules 😀

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Phil ******

@Gary **********

abused yep as the Thai govt wants it to be

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Leroy *******

Do you really have nothing better to do in your life?

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Davis ******

Good grief, the absolute state of this post.

Stop the DTV now! It’s not working for Gary Colclough!

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Judge ********

Yes, being very abused. What bugs me is that studying Thai language in a class isn’t included. To me that would be a good one to include

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Frank **********

That is what an ED Visa is for.

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Frank **********

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Mark ***************************

How do you know it doesn’t start till may 1st

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Nigel **************

@Mark **************************

the electronic entry online form starts on 1st May

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Nigel **************

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Blade ********

Are you a bitter sexpat who lost all its money during a marriage visa with a bar girl or did you pay for an elite visa? 💀

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

can't see my wife (English) being very impressed with me trying any of those plans 🤣

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Gary ***********

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Aaron *******

Unless you work in the Thai Government, you have no way of knowing this. Please provide some statistics and actual data to support your position.

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Frank **********

are you referring to my post?

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Aaron *******

@Frank *********

All the posts, speculating on DTV.

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Frank **********

yes it's all speculation, if anything changes at all.

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Frank **********

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Frank **********

There was an article in The Thaiger not too long ago about possible tightening of the requirements for DTV. Of course it is just speculation at this point.

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

hopefully that happens

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Anna *********

@Gary **********

why do you care. It’s no skin off your nose how/which visa other people get

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Davis ******

because he has nothing, and I mean NOTHING in his life

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Anna *********

a sense of superiority and entitlement is evident along with a disdain for other 🤣

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Anna *********

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Davis ******

@Gary **********

why, what’s it to you?

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Davis ******

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C.j. **********

People here in this seem to hate visas. I’m confused. They want visas to be very difficult?

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Aaron *******

@C.j. *********

Or some paid for a very expensive Elite Visa and now are not happy a cheaper long term visa is available.

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Jason **********

@C.j. *********

most of them are either bitter old men upset at the requirements of the non o retirement visa or its people who couldn't qualify for it and are suffering border runs and now cant stay long time. The DTV visa is working as intended and bringing money to thailand. Lots of people can't help but want others to suffer or struggle. They also sit in thailand as a foreigner and complain about other foreigners in thailand or their home country. It's a sad bunch of entitled angry individuals.

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Davis ******

@Jason *********

yeah, but it’s not working for Gary. They should therefore stop it at once

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Frank **********

@Jason *********

bullshit.

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Stephen ********

@Jason *********

nailed it.

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Allan ******

@Jason *********

sounds just like what you’re doing 🙃

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Allan ******

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Michael *******

Yip the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

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Jim ***********

5 year multi visa on dental appointment was crazy

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Anna *********

@Jim **********

yes if approved of course it is

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jim **********

Is that a serious way to get a DTV?

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James *****

@Gary **********

it should be for what is intended for only. Digital nomads and not medical appointments and Muay Thai

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm not in favour of the nomads (well some of them) but can understand it but the 5yr stay for 2 cooking lessons , a quick gym course or teeth whitening is taking the p*** ) OK i'm exaggerating there but you get my point

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James *****

@Gary **********

Agree

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Jason ******

@Gary **********

I'm the same ,Bali was a great place until the Digital nomads and their Instagram style ruined it.

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Richard ********

It was the Bogans from Australia that ruined Bali, in particular the dump Kuta.

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Jason ******

@Richard *******

add the primitive Russian and ukeraine Instagram obsessed morons and you have a bad cake

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Richard ********

Ubud had a large mix of Asians and Westerners. Sure, they like taking selfies, but I wasn't struck by an enormous number of Russians and Ukrainians. I got fed up with the narrow roads and constant traffic jams.

Kuta was dismal.

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Stuart **********

@Richard *******

would have to agree with you.

Have been to ngha Trang in Vietnam on numerous occasions and get sick of the loudmouth Russians and Chinese there.

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Jason ******

@Richard *******

correct about the traffic and roads ,canggu is the worst area now and loads of Russians and ukraine,there always the ones upsetting the locals taking Instagram photos in religious sensitive places

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Jim ***********

@Gary **********

yes extreme a 5 year Tourist visa when us on long term visa O need renew annually

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Jim ***********

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Jim ***********

@Gary **********

or hospital appointment. Think changed now

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Jim ***********

@Gary **********

used to be yes

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Jim ***********

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Brandon ************

Of course it's being abused. Give foreigners an inch and they will take a mile. Immigration isn't happy about it but it is what it is. They're already making it incredibly difficult to get extensions, and likely at some point they will at least give a little scrutiny to people border bouncing.

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Dave *******

@Brandon ***********

why not if they say cooking coarser etc lol

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Jared **********

@Brandon ***********

can’t even blame them when it was so poorly thought out and implemented, just a hot mess per the status quo

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Brad *******

@Jared *********

something poorly thought out and implemented in Thailand?

I’m shocked. 😂

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared *********

yep, a terrible situation they've got themselves into

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

It's a tricky way back, fortunately the Thai government aren't averse to snap decisions (not always for the best but in this case I think it would be for the best)

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Helen ********

@Gary **********

curious, do you think it's any more abused then the Ed or volunteer visas are/were?

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

nope they are as bad

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Gary ***********

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Gary ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Agree, I do hope they crack down on it, also thanks to the admins for approving as some may deem it a contentious subject

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Gary ***********

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