Answered5 months ago
Should I Consider the Non-O Visa for Medical Treatment Instead of the DTV Visa?
I wrote to the Thai embassy in London asking a question about the amount of time the 500,000 thb had to be in the bank, which they answered but then sent this second email suggesting I consider the Non O for medical treatment.
Is this a bad sign? It’s the 5 yr DTV I really want.
Thanks all
Is this a bad sign? It’s the 5 yr DTV I really want.
Thanks all
Answer summary
The original poster is concerned about the advice received from the Thai embassy in London, suggesting the Non-O visa for medical treatment instead of the desired DTV visa. Many commenters noted that embassies have become stricter with the DTV visa requirements, and several suggested applying for the Non-O visa for medical reasons, as it may be easier to obtain and extend. There were discussions about the requirements and strategies for applying, especially regarding medical care plans and bank amounts needed for the visa application.
71 repliesnewest first
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Michael **********
It seems clear to me that embassies have gotten much stricter lately, especially with the DTV. That second mail is a clue, you can take the gamble of applying for the DTV but if I were you, I'd do that elsewhere
Greg ********
@Michael *********
Agree. I think we are seeing a general tightening up. New government etc. A guy I know got the DTV in London with 2 dental appointments first month it was out.James ********
Forget about the DTV for medical reasons... The Thai Embassy in the UK did you a favor by their reply to you.
James ********
That's a few of the DTV visa posts about VIENTIANE
Scott ********
OPThanks again James. Would applying from Laos be more difficult, or more likely to succeed, and if so why please?
The DTV application here asks for proof of residence in UK.
The DTV application here asks for proof of residence in UK.
James ********
@Scott *******
They appear to be more friendly for Thai Visa applications... possible personal interview... BUT not all are being interviewed now... whereas they all were until recently.You enter Laos...
Submit the DTV visa application using the on-line Evisa online application system.
Use the hotel booking confrontation for proof of your being in Laos...
Along with the Laos Visa stamp received on arrival into Laos
Read the posts on this forum about getting the DTV visa from Vientiane.
Use the search 🔍 tool top of the forum page
ENTER... VIENTIANE
CLICK on it and all posts about getting the DTV visa in VIENTIANE will Pop Up to read the posts and experiences of others.
Scott ********
OPThanks James. I’ll have a look 👍🏻
Scott ********
OPHi James. Can I ask why you think they’ve done me a favour? I’m not sure I understand.
James ********
@Scott *******
I updated my suggestion...Scott Powell IF you are age 50+, apply for the Non O Visa as Retired...
Enter Thailand and meet with the doctors and hospital with a treatment plan for your medical care needs.
Go to the VIENTIANE Laos Thai Embassy and apply for the DTV visa using the medical care plan prepared by your doctors.
DTV visa for medical care needs. Have your doctors and hospital document your medical diagnosis and outline the treatment plan for your medical care needs for the coming year.
James ********
@Scott *******
as I read the reply they are asking you if you want the Non O Visa for medical care. As it appears that what you submitted for the DTV visa is not acceptable to them.
Tore *********
@James *******
can you elaborate on why no DTV for medical treatment?James ********
@Tore ********
I've replied below. And its ease of obtaining it varies among the Thai Embassies and Consulates.. May I ask what Thai Visa do you now have?
Your passport nation is?
Tore *********
@James *******
medical DTV, Norwegian passport. I did my DTV when I lived in Jakarta. I go for regular appointments for my chronic health issuesJames ********
@Tore ********
it's not impossible. BUT requires documents from the Thai doctor and or hospital which describes the need for the medical care and a treatment plan for it. Supported by the need for medical care over an extended time with appointments set.As with the DTV visa for soft power activity...
"Please Note that it's now recommended by many soft power activity course providers to submit at least 9 months or more of your course with your DTV Visa Application. Reason for that is to avoid getting the SETV single entry tourist visa or METV multiple entry tourist visa issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate instead of the DTV visa applied for.
Reasoning that with the SETV ( 3 months) or METV (6 months) visa you can complete the course you're applying for vs the DTV visa."
Tore *********
@James *******
what link do you need? 1+1 isn’t 3 🤷🏻♂️. The question isn’t where it says you have to continue to qualify for the visa you are holding. (The conditions are stated during the application)
The question is > where does it say you suddenly become exempt from the conditions you applied under.
Those that have tried in country extension certainly learned that the hard way.
James ********
@Tore ********
there is no requirement for continuing the Soft Power Activity which you obtained the DTV visa. Please link 🔗 us to that requirement it exists.
I fully understand what you are saying... BUT in practice there's NO requirement for continuing the Soft Power Activity.
Tore *********
@James *******
im not sure whats unknown about it. A visa condition is a visa condition. It would be very strange if DTV would suddenly be exempt for from ongoing qualification of the condition that got you the visa. Like any visa.James ********
@Tore ********
the need for continued activity in the soft power activity for which one obtained the DTV visa is unknown. Only speculation at this time. BUT I suspect that will be one of the questions to be clarified in the future. Until then, actively participating in the chosen soft power activity is highly recommended...as there are reports of Thai Immigration visiting course providers and asking to see attendance records of the DTV visa students.
James ********
@Tore ********
Yes two years ago it was easy to get the DTV visa for medical reasons. NOT now.
And having a need for long term treatment is still a valid reason for the DTV visa with the supporting documents from the Thai doctor and hospital.
Tore *********
@James *******
ok understand, Was very straightforward for me, but almost 2 years ago. And I am under long term treatment.
But getting 9 months treatment plan should not be difficult if one plans to stay that long. You are still supposed to do the activity your visa is based on for the duration of your stay anyway. That has always been the case for all Thai Visas
Jan ******************
@Tore ********
It varies greatly between different foreign missions. Some are very strict and may decline the application, while others have approved a full DTV based on relatively short medical treatment periods and even dental treatment. In this case, the message from the Thai embassy in London seems quite clear.Greg ********
Looks like they are suggesting a Non-O would be more appropriate in your case.
Andi ***********
@Greg *******
Yeah, the terms of treatment possibly insufficient for 5 years.Greg ********
@Andi **********
I think there is just a general tightening up. Chronic disease treatment for life should be OK like Diabetes, Arthritis etcAndi ***********
@Greg *******
Yes they are ok, basically have to show the need for the 5 year visa, a few months of dental appointments no longer enough.
Anonymous ******************
What did they say regarding the 500k how long does it need to be in the account going to apply from london next month hoping doesn't need to be seasoned for full three months
Scott ********
OP10 days mate
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 734 10 days in London
Anonymous ******************
Thanks mate in London they usually don't do interviews do they . I am Irish no embassy in Ireland hoping don't have to fly over their
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 734 They do not interview as much as other embassies, but they have increased the number of interviews they do. Hopefully you do not get asked for an interview living in Ireland. The interview is brief.
Kool *******
What category are you applying under?
Scott ********
OPMedical
Robert *******
Why do you want the DTV in stead of the advices Non Immigrant O based on medical reasons?
Please do not explain that you are NOT allowed to work on-line with both purpose of visit.
Please do not explain that you are NOT allowed to work on-line with both purpose of visit.
Scott ********
OPThanks Robert. I have looked at that visa too, but the 800,000 sat in a bank will really restrict what I am able to afford for the other treatments. I’m 58.
Scott ********
OPI’m sorry Robert I don’t understand quite what it is you ask. I’m medically retired and won’t be working if that’s what you are asking me to confirm.
Robert *******
@Scott *******
If you are above 50 years of age, go for the No n Immigrant O visa based on retirement. More easy to apply for and easy to extend year after year.DTV is good for those who need to work to stay in Thailand.
Scott ********
OPIf I apply for DTV and it isn’t awarded do I lose my £300 application, or, will they use that fee to pay for the medical visa or any other? This is a big consideration.
Scott ********
OPI want and need considerable orthodontal work. I also want to have corrective eye surgery, and I want to explore regular treatment options for calcified lower spine. All of these treatments are so much cheaper in Thailand.
James ********
@Scott *******
IF you are age 50+, apply for the Non O Visa as Retired...Enter Thailand and meet with the doctors and hospital with a treatment plan for your medical care needs.
Go to the VIENTIANE Laos Thai Embassy and apply for the DTV visa using the medical care plan prepared by your doctors.
DTV visa for medical care needs. Have your doctors and hospital document your medical diagnosis and outline the treatment plan for your medical care needs.
Scott ********
OPThank you James. That’s the plan. I have a treatment plan and appointment already for the orthogonal works, and am working on the others.
Kool *******
@Robert ******
you are aware that the type O for medical reasons is only a 30 day visa, with 30 day extensions based on when a doctor's release to fly is issued?Robert *******
@Kool ******
Yes. being in Thailand for medical reasons should be for the period of medical reasons.OR do you think that there is a need to be 6 years in Thailand to visit a docitor.
Robert *******
@Ivan ***********
I just did upload the picture, which obvios you ignored to keep telling that YOU are making new rules.So please call their helpdesk, it is multi lingual so they might understand that you will explain them to change the visa rules.
****************************************
Ivan ************
@Rob***
I'm glad you find this entertaining. Show me a picture of an Elite/Privilege visa that is longer than 5 years. Bet you won't be able to. I know exactly how this works because I have had two of these visas myself. It's a succession of 5 year visas, and you will only be stamped in the last year up to the end of the visa. That is how it works. I don't understand why you are so insistent on sticking to your misinformation and pushing that, you have never had any of these 5 year visas and what you are saying simply is wrong here.Robert *******
@Ivan ***********
You mix admitted to stay and validity of visa.No problem, one day you get it correct
Ivan ************
@Rob***
Thailand Privilege (formerly Elite) is a membership which entitles you to a succession of 5 year visas as long as you remain a member. At the end of each 5 years, you need to get a NEW visa.LTR visa is a 10 year programme that involves 2x 5 year visas. You need to reapply with full documentation that you still meet all the criteria at the 5 year point to get your next 5 years.
Neither of these gives you a visa longer than 5 years.
Robert *******
@Ivan ***********
Yep, several LTR visa is 10 years
Privilage visa is 15 years.
BUT again, in this group all the official rules are nonsense as members decide the new rules
Ivan ************
@Rob***
Elite is one example, it's a 5 year visa with 1 year stamps. You used be able to get 6 years by getting a 1 year stamp in the last year of validity but they now only stamp up to the end of the visa. LTR and O-X would be other examples of 5 year multi-entry visas. In each case you are stamped up to the end of the visa, no later.
Note in some of these cases there may be membership or eligibility for additional visas but there are no Thai visas longer than 5 years, this is a hard cap on visa length. Anything longer than that, it's a new visa. With Elite, this means a full new background check each new visa, if you have a longer membership.
Do you know of a 5 year visa that you can be stamped beyond the end of the visa?
Robert *******
@Ivan ***********
You are confused with the Elite program.Some extras during the validity of the visa.
Ivan ************
@Rob***
every other 5 year visa cuts off at the 5 years, you don't get stamped in beyond the visa expiry date. Used be the case you did but they changed this about 5 years ago. It's unclear how the DTV will work but it is certain you don't get an extension after the visa expiry, that is written directly in the legislation that established the DTV. Extensions in no case can go beyond the validity of the visa.
Anonymous *************
@John *******
He clearly is getting confused. This post is about medical treatment and he's talking about working illegally. Which has nothing to do with it.
John ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer just read your communication with Robert, myself don't trust to much someone here, but Robert is one of the best Thailand Visa Rules experts here.
Anonymous *************
Max Fredriksson Thanks for your useless comments bored pensioner.
Max *************
Anonym deltagare They should ban anonymous participants. Just saying. 😎
Max *************
@Kool ******
Don't forget that the DTV is a tourist visa, meaning it's not designed for a person to stay in Thailand long term. You can't for example open a bank account.Anonymous *************
@Robert ******
I'm glad you're seeking the help you need 🙏Robert *******
Anonymous participant Still okay, I guess I have to start to show my passport with 90 days Extension of STay based on medical reasons, BUT
DTV claims NO SIR, your passport is invalid and the stamps are fraud.
IT is 30 days maximum for years.
DTV claims NO SIR, your passport is invalid and the stamps are fraud.
IT is 30 days maximum for years.
Anonymous *************
@Robert ******
Are you feeling ok Robert? You're coming across as a bit unstable my friend.Kool *******
@Robert ******
the details of the type O based on medical reasons hasn't changed in over 20 years. Guess again ..Robert *******
@Kool ******
Yep, new rules as expected in this lovely group.All to promote illegal working in Thailand.
Kool *******
@Robert ******
actually the type O visa based on medical conditions must be extended every 30 days, not every year. Guess again.Robert *******
@Kool ******
DTV valid for 5 years, each entry gives 180 days and can be extended once with 180 days, make it almost 6 years in Thailand.Life treatment would be better with Non O as that can be extended year after year for 1.900 Thb and NOT need to travel abroad every year and apply after nearly 6 years for a new DTV.
Kool *******
@Robert ******
there are chronic medical reasons that require treatment for the rest of your life. You are aware of this fact right? Also, the dtv is 5 years not six.Activity
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