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Is the DTV visa in Thailand designed for long-term residence or just for temporary visits?
DTV VisaThailand Visa RulesLong-term ResidencyVisa RegulationsExpat Living in ThailandRemote Work in Thailand
Jan 11, 2026
4 months ago
Gregory **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI came into Thailand on March 2025 with the DTV visa. I have been here ever since except the mandatory leaving after 180 days. When I do leave it’s only for a week. I just got back from Vietnam doing my 180 day reset, again. I was standing in line at the airport and people were getting denied left and right. The officer in the line I was waiting was denying every other person. I thought for sure I would get questioned why I’ve been here so long. Because the DTV is not made to live here. Only to come and go. Well she asked no questions. Stamped by book and let me in. We’ll see how easy of a process this will last.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Thailand, with varying opinions on whether it is intended for long-term living or just for temporary stays. The original poster expressed concern about potential scrutiny from immigration officers due to their prolonged stay on the DTV visa, which is technically designed for multiple entries with a maximum stay of 180 days per visit. Commenters debated the purpose of the DTV, with some stating it allows individuals to work remotely and live in Thailand for extended periods, as long as they adhere to the visa regulations, including mandatory exits every 180 days. Others emphasized the risks of overstaying or misusing the visa, suggesting that those denied entry were likely due to not filling out required forms rather than visa rules being enforced differently.
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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Dany ********
next week someone anonymous will reference this post and tell us how immigration is cracking down and denying literally every second person…
while in reality people just had to queue again for the TDAC.
LOL.
while in reality people just had to queue again for the TDAC.
LOL.
Luit *****************
@Dany *******
That is why you should not take facebook groups too serious.There is just not enough info, all is speculation, it might be of missing TDAC, but it also might be several other reasons.
The only fact is that as long you keep to the rules as they are intended you have nothing to worry.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Anonymous ******************
very hard to understand people even have proper visa still scarying of possible deny crazy
Chris ***********
sorry, but that is the whole purpose of the DTV. So why would it be any other way?
Luit *****************
@Chris **********
What is the purpose of DTV? Certainly it is not live 5 years continuously in Thailand, if that was the purpose they would not have designed it to have a stay of 180 days, with only once for each stay a possibility to extend in country.They want you to leave and come back later.
Chris ***********
@Luit ****************
as it to be a long-term tourist visa. not a permanent residency visa. so yeah, you'd need to leave the country every 180 days. By the way, just for your information, this goes for every country. I live in the Netherlands, just as you and here in Europe, people can't stay longer than 180 as well. Otherwise, you'd become a tax resident.But I guess there's always something to complain about.
Luit *****************
@Chris **********
This has nothing to do with tax residency, and with DTV you get tax resident already with a full stay of 180 days, let alone when you get back immediately.And certainly not all countries have that same 180 days. Netherlands and other EU countries have a max of 90 days stay in a 180 day period, you never can stay in EU longer than 90 days when you don't have a resident permit.
And as soon as you have that permit you can stay longet than 180 days, in fact you need to stay longer than 180 days, otherwise you will loose the permit.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Adam ********
A lot of posts in this group make me chuckle
Anonymous ******************
Mr Anonymous...... nice story
Guy ********
Great story
Luit *****************
The DTV indeed is not made to live in Thailand, but there is nothing illegal in leaving and returning the same day, it is just a loophole you can use.
Immigration might not like and they can check if you comply with the visa requirements, but as long as you do, it is difficult to deny you, even when you are only out of the country for a few minutes.
On the other hand, every entry with or without visa can be denied by IO.
Immigration might not like and they can check if you comply with the visa requirements, but as long as you do, it is difficult to deny you, even when you are only out of the country for a few minutes.
On the other hand, every entry with or without visa can be denied by IO.
Johnny *************
It’s to live here ! It’s called remote work DTV
Anonymous ******************
The officers most likely sent them back to fill out the TDAC I saw it multiple times, people just forget and then get send back to do it at the machine
Andrew *********
Did they people getting denied have a dtv ?
CleverRa********
This is how rumors spread. Did you actually see people being denied entry, or just sent back (likely to fill out TDAC)? And regarding your second point- DTV is a 5 year visa with 180 days per entry and no limit on number of entries. You can effectively live here on it, as long as you pop out twice a year.
Trustworth**********
CleverRadish5177 effectively yes Kami. Still a tourist in Thailand
CleverRa********
TrustworthyFerret454 yep. According to Thai authorities the 5 YEAR DTV is also “short term” so yeah 😅
Reply to
CleverRa********
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Cliff *********
I came through DMK 1 week ago from Philippines.
The wait in the Farang line was about 30 minutes.
NOBODY was pulled out of line that I saw.
Stop making nonsense stories.
I was with the male IO for 90 seconds and had my DTV visa in front of him.
NO questions or hassles.
The wait in the Farang line was about 30 minutes.
NOBODY was pulled out of line that I saw.
Stop making nonsense stories.
I was with the male IO for 90 seconds and had my DTV visa in front of him.
NO questions or hassles.
Luit *****************
@Cliff ********
What has gender of IO to do with this? Seems irrelevant info to me.Gregory **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Cliff ********
I didn’t see anyone pulled out of the line either. I don’t know what you’re talking aboutReply to
Gregory **********
Reply
Winston ************
Relax bro, they were probably being asked to go back to the end of the line to fill in the TDAC. I've seen it all the time. Chill. Nobody just get's "denied" entry at the IO booth. They're escorted to another room for an interview first.
Brian ****
Please site government sources that the DTV isn't made to live here.
Anonymous ******************
@Brian ***
If you were meant to live in Thailand for the entire 5 years then the visa would be single entry and you’d get a 5 year stamp upon entry like the LTR (which has to extend once a to get the further 5 years). The DTV is meant for tourists on extended holidays and not for people to relocate fully.
Elías ********
Participante anónimo 917 single entry? hahaha 😂 Because people don't travel? 👀
Anonymous ******************
@Elías *******
Yes, you can obtain a single-entry or multiple-entry on a non-immigrant visa. You can also hold a visa without a re-entry permit, but in that case, you cannot return on that visa once you leave the country.Anonymous ******************
@Elías *******
I suggest you look up what a re-entry permit is then get back to me.Elías ********
Participante anónimo 917 re-entry permits aren't free, are they? Why should I need to pay 1.900 baht for every time I exit? Some months I've exited two times, so I'd be spending around 19,000 baht in reentry permits alone for one single year? 😂 The DTV is just 10,000 baht for the whole 5 years, no need to pay anything else, and that's what makes it attractive.
Reply to
Elías ********
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Jack ********
Anonymous participant 917 lies. It’s multiple entry so you can come and go as you please, not because you’re required to leave or it’s implied you will.
I train Muay Thai 6 days a week, every week, all year as I’m using the visa to train Muay Thai.
At what point am I supposed to leave as a tourist would? I’m using the visa entirely within the spirit and letter of the law.
I train Muay Thai 6 days a week, every week, all year as I’m using the visa to train Muay Thai.
At what point am I supposed to leave as a tourist would? I’m using the visa entirely within the spirit and letter of the law.
Anonymous ******************
@Jack *******
One may also come and go as they please on a Non-Immigrant O visa as well. They simply need to obtain a single or multiple use re-entry permit. Again, the DTV isn’t really designed for people to relocate on it. If they wanted people to use it to live in Thailand for the whole 5 years then you would likely be able to have bank accounts and you would likely have something closer to the LTR where you’re stamped in for 5 years and the re-entry permit is baked into the visa.
The DTV is really just a protracted METV and just like the METV, people use border runs in order to stay longer but it still relies on Immigration tolerating it. There’s nothing affirmatively guaranteeing 5 continuous years in Thailand on a DTV.
Luit *****************
@Jack *******
You cannot come and go as you please, the stay is 180 days and can only be extended once, so you have to leave after maximum 360 days, even if you don't want.That you can come back immediately just is a loophole, but for everyone with a least some brains it should be clear that such a visa is not meant to live in the country.
When it was meant to stay the whole 5 years continiously, there would be no limit on in country extensions.
Elías ********
@Luit ****************
You can go and come as you please. I've already came, exited and reentered like 15 times or so since I got the DTV 🤷🏻 Going abroad next week for a good friend wedding too.Luit *****************
@Elías *******
the point is that if you don't feel the need to go at all you have to go even if you don't want it.I don't say this should be a problem for everyone because some travel enough anyway, but it just is not free to come and go when you want.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Waqar ********
Which airport?
Gregory **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Waqar *******
bkkReply to
Gregory **********
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Kool *******
Most are being refused entry for abusing the visa exempt entry. Thailand instituted limits for those trying to live here long term on visa exempt entries, and taking the 30 day extension each entry. Now they limit that to two each year, and made it retroactive, meaning they look at your entry history since your last return to your passport country for a period of time. If the pattern follows what a real tourist would be doing, then no problem either. They also stereotype and profile. When you have the correct visa for what you are really doing in Thailand there is no problem, and don't fit any of their profile targets.
Johnny *******
@Kool ******
how do they know if you returned to your home passport country? You’re making things up boy.Kool *******
@Johnny ******
you seem to think they don't have access to your entry and exit from everywhere you've been, and when, as soon as they scan your passport, and then facial recognition, tied with your thumb print.Marc ********
@Kool ******
they can see in the tdac where I am coming from but not what country I have visited unless there is a stap. If i visit germany for instance I will not get any stamp so they will not know I have been thereJohnny *******
@Marc *******
exactly and due to EU privacy laws for example the data isn’t shared unless there is a valid reason.Johnny *******
@Kool ******
they don’t. You’re making things up again boy. Not all countries share the data you clownKool *******
@Johnny ******
okay, if you think so...lolololJohnny *******
@Kool ******
stop showing your ignorance grandpaReply to
Johnny *******
Reply
Successful***********
Absolutely untrue. This visa is designed for working remotely while living in Thailand too.
You can be here for 5 years, just leave every 180 days and report every 90 days. They have the right to question you but being denied because living here and working remotely for Non-Thai company and Non-Thai clients is perfectly fine and risk of being denied while not breaking any other rules is close to ZERO.
You can be here for 5 years, just leave every 180 days and report every 90 days. They have the right to question you but being denied because living here and working remotely for Non-Thai company and Non-Thai clients is perfectly fine and risk of being denied while not breaking any other rules is close to ZERO.
Luit *****************
SuccessfullinMalaysia The visa is NOT DESIGNED to live continuously 5 years in Thailand, but is USED completely legally that way.
That are 2 different things.
That are 2 different things.
Successful***********
"The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a new 5-year, multiple-entry visa for remote workers, digital nomads, freelancers, and participants in Thai "soft power" activities (like cooking, Muay Thai, or seminars). It allows stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once for another 180 days, supporting remote work for companies outside Thailand and cultural immersion, while also covering dependents like spouses and children. Key requirements include financial proof (e.g., 500,000 THB in savings) and documentation for remote work or program enrollment, with applications made at Thai embassies/consulates outside Thailand. "
It says more like potentially designed to do this too and yes, totally legal. Somebody can live in Thailand for 5 years and, for example, change locations every few months within Thailand, islands etc. But I believe nobody will ever mind that you rent long term and have 1 year contract. Actually, Kuala Lumpur embassy asked me to provide "minimum 6 months contract with condo owner" as part of docs which was ridiculous at that time but I had as I gambled a little hoping I will get DTV (and I did) and switched from monthly payments to 6 month 25% cheaper contract and had this doc. You can find more people here who had to provide that kind of contract in Malaysia embassies. So there is no one design of DTV visa and living here is fine and I believe will not cause issues. Past 5 years, will see, they might change the rules a bit. Maybe immediate re-application for DTV will be impossible, who knows...
It says more like potentially designed to do this too and yes, totally legal. Somebody can live in Thailand for 5 years and, for example, change locations every few months within Thailand, islands etc. But I believe nobody will ever mind that you rent long term and have 1 year contract. Actually, Kuala Lumpur embassy asked me to provide "minimum 6 months contract with condo owner" as part of docs which was ridiculous at that time but I had as I gambled a little hoping I will get DTV (and I did) and switched from monthly payments to 6 month 25% cheaper contract and had this doc. You can find more people here who had to provide that kind of contract in Malaysia embassies. So there is no one design of DTV visa and living here is fine and I believe will not cause issues. Past 5 years, will see, they might change the rules a bit. Maybe immediate re-application for DTV will be impossible, who knows...
Reply to
Successful***********
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Ali ********
My son just entered again on DTV no problem. A couple questions just home address that’s all. Yes if people denied I doubt if it’s about DTV if they have it.
Brandon ************
You need to say what you mean by "denied."
Someone who is denied entry will likely have the officer turn on the light for their lane, and at least 1 or more officers will come and escort them away to be questioned in another area.
Someone who did not fill out their TDAC will be sent away by themselves to go do it and then return to a line.
Someone who is denied entry will likely have the officer turn on the light for their lane, and at least 1 or more officers will come and escort them away to be questioned in another area.
Someone who did not fill out their TDAC will be sent away by themselves to go do it and then return to a line.
Yasmin ***********
Don’t you think they got denied because they did not fill in the digital arrival form?
Gregory **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Yasmin **********
now that I’m reading the comments, yes. That’s probably what it wasReply to
Gregory **********
Reply
Jesper *******
DTV is for ppl to come stay 180days go out and come back for the next 5yrs
Luit *****************
@Jesper ******
the go out and come back is just a loophole, nobody would do such a stupid thing by design.Reply to
Luit *****************
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Mauro *********
You see people be denying for what???
Neale *********
No TDAC, seen it so many times.
Gregory **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mauro ********
I wasn’t able to hear the convos. But their faces were super disappointed. You can tell some people were being directed to another counter or another place in the airport, some people looked confused like they didn’t know what to do. It sucks cause you can’t do anything but walk away.Mauro *********
@Gregory *********
yes but I think like other people say.. just missing tdac..! Because if you read number of tourism everyday you will understand it's few people been denied...maybe 1 to 1000.!But maybe with new rules this year number will increase so much...
Luit *****************
@Mauro ********
just speculating about numbers and reasons.Reply to
Luit *****************
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Anonymous ******************
A lot of drama about nothing mate.
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Anonymous ******************
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