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Should I choose the DTV visa or the Thai Elite visa?

Jul 15, 2025
10 months ago
CapableC********
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV or Thai Elite? Still debating whether I should spend the extra money and go with the Elite to avoid all the hassle
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether to opt for the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) or the Thai Elite Visa, debating the financial investment versus hassle involved. Some participants favor DTV for its affordability and simplicity, while others advocate for the Thai Elite Visa due to its perks despite the high cost. Key points include that DTV allows for easy renewals with minimal paperwork while Thai Elite offers benefits like a longer stay and easier banking, albeit at a significantly higher price. The conversation also touches on experiences with visa applications and the need for supporting documents.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tommy ********
Elite you’re treated like other work permit holders, better benefits.

DTV is a tourist visa that is only losing its credibility because of how many people are getting it and the decline of tourism numbers and behaviour in recent years.
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Christian ****
DTV or elite your gonna have fo gather paperwork after you can’t get a agent to do the DTV it will save you money
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Andrew *****
DTV what hassle!
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Paul ********
Just get an agent go to Phnom P for a day and your visa is delivered in about 6 weeks.
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Avii ****************
What's elite!
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Donna ******
LTR is just advantageous, if you're in that category of income or investment potential, but it takes longer.
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Anonymous ******************
If money is no object Elite.
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Anonymous ******************
It took me 5 weeks in the Philippines to get dtv. Spent like 6k there
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Anonymous ******************
DTV is not that hard, the elite visa don't give enough value for the price. If elite started 5k$/5years I will probably take it but not 15k$
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Chris ********
Everyone saying DTV, not everyone meets the requirements for a DTV and how long do you think they are going to keep accepting cooking classes or Muay Thai as a reason.
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MJ *******
Elite
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Anonymous ******************
Some people have 25k just for their spending funds for the month separate from investments. If that's you then go for elite. I burnt 30 days in Vietnam spent 30k on hotel and food there and got rejected for the DTV even though all documents were accurate. Should have just taken elite.
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Anonymous ******************
Covid 19 booster jab ✅✅✅
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Alexander *************
Elite has been devalued almost entirely with the DTV so freely available and still widely accepted by immigration. The real value play is the LTR.
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Josef ************
If you think about 5 Years, go for the much cheaper DTV, but without possible to open a bank account in Thailand
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Anonymous ******************
Pro list for Privilege bronze card:

- you can stay 365 days and then extend inside the country. Only useful for people who never leave during the year Thailand

- you can get a bank account

- fast track at airport

- no questions at immigration

Con list for Privilege bronze card

- the very high price

- you can't work in Thailand. If you wanna start a business some day you need to cancel the Privilege visa

- you still pay the same tax like with DTV

- the are allowed to reduce some perks or raise prises for services

- still need to do the 90day report

I recommend go for DTV and if it still bothers you after a while you still can cancel it and go for privilege card.
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 502 all cons mentioned are also valid for the dtv
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Siggi *******
Anonymous participant 502 you can work remote same like with DTV. With dtv you also can't work inside Thailand
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Siggi *******
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Luis **********
depends if you need a thai bank account
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Brian ****
You must be stupid rich if you're considering the elite. In that case, go for the elite. What's an extra 650k baht for you...
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Adam *******
If you have the money and it doesn’t bother you spending where it really isn’t needed, go for it. There are some small perks for sure.

Also… if you are that rich, can I have a couple thousand £ please 😁
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Pascal ***********
If you don’t need to worry about money, then buy the Elite. No doubt. But a better option might be the LTR if money really isn’t an issue.
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Ali **********
Elite is so easy and then you have so many benefits but , if you have money
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Andi ***********
@Ali *********
so many benefits?
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Ali **********
@Andi **********
Yes - Do some research about it
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Sefton ********
@Ali *********
not legal to work. Restricted to the 2 year 'provisional' driving licenses, etc. Elite has as many drawbacks as advantages imo.
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Andi ***********
@Ali *********
not many benefits in my view but each to their own
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Andi ***********
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Anonymous ******************
If you have the money just get the elite visa,
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Anonymous ******************
I mean. You can just buy a dtv from an agent if you’re worried about hassle. $2k
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Mel *********
Anonymous participant 821 I’ll take that contact lol 😆.
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 821 pay $2k for a $310 visa??????
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Anonymous ******************
@An**
I mean. If you haven’t got your own supporting documents. Yeah. lol.

People been paying the same for 1 year Ed visas for years. And still having to pay immi every 3 months. 🤣😭
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 821 if you not got supporting docs and the financials i get why some may pay that. Having the financials for the DTV and paying 2k does not make sense to me.
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 821 im planning for to pay for ED visa and it’s 1.5k$, could you please give me the contact of agent that provides dtv for 2k$ ? It’s much better in this case
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous we’re going to struggle here being both anon.

If you come off anon I will dm you.
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 821 here’s my account since it won’t let me comment, dm me please:
@https://www.facebook.com/shar*****************************
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant sent dm. 🙏🏼
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 821 it won’t allow me to comment in my account lol, i think it’s stuck on this post xD
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 816 why not apply yourself?
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Andi ***********
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Anonymous ******************
If you prefer spend 25k$ than loose
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day to get and send some document , then go elite
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 548 right? Dtv all the way
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 548 True, much better to invest 25K,, save it for retirement or even go towards buying a property
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Andi ***********
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Andi ***********
I think DTV is far superior in terms of value for money. I find no hassle with the DTV, simply leave and re-enter get a 6-month stamp, rinse and repeat for 5 years or maybe more.
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David ********
@Andi **********
agree 💯 %
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David ********
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Mateusz *******
Dude the extra money is like 100x the cost of the DTV visa. Application for DTV is not that hard, if you really want to avoid a hassle, you can pay some agency to do DTV for you it still will be 50x cheaper then Elite
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Pete *******
Thai Elite is worthless, DTV or LTR.
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Pete *******
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