Should I switch from my NON O visa to the DTV visa?

Aug 16, 2024
3 months ago
Bruno ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
hi, i have a NON O, (spouse of Thai citizen) visa that expire in 3 months. I fulfill the requirements for the DTV, should i switch for this "new" visa ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has a NON O visa due to being a spouse of a Thai citizen, which expires soon and is considering switching to the DTV visa. Comments indicate that while the DTV visa is popular and easy to obtain, it may not provide the same long-term benefits as the NON O visa, especially in terms of obtaining permanent residency and work permits.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Andy ************
Absolutely. Everyone's changing to DTV. Easiest visa ever
Andy ************
@Mike *****
Not sure what a bank account has to do with a DTV, but I'm sure you've got it covered somewhere!
Mike ******
About 40 uk pounds a year
Mike ******
Cost me 1900bt a year
Mike ******
@Andy ***********
what planet are you living on
Andy ************
@Mike *****
Planet Earth. If you haven't noticed how many people are applying for the DTV, you must get out more! πŸ˜‚
Graham ******
Andy ************
@Graham *****
Already seeing. There's an avalanche of applications. I know two retirees personally who have already switched, and another six ready to go. Some are sick of having to pay the scam visa agents every year and are happy to find a way out. I'll be jumping on the DTV bandwagon early next year
Stephan ***********
@Andy ***********
So... all these retirees are suddenly digital nomads or remote worker or how they qualify?
Andy ************
@Stephan **********
So many ways to become a remote worker. I'll be doing it by using my registered business which "manages" my property and sharemarket portfolios in Australia. But take a look at most Facebook profiles. Everyone is a "digital creator" or "content creator". Very easy to start a YouTube channel and start uploading gormless videos about Thailand! Thousands already doing it! πŸ˜†
Colin *********
@Andy ***********
"Easiest visa ever"? How can you say that? Maybe it is if you fit the criteria for "applying", but down the track when Immigration are fully involved, it might be a different story, they'll be the ones that say 'you can't do this, you can't do that, this is what you must do'. It's only one month since the first applications were lodged and nobody knows how they'll operate day to day. You refer to your friends and "scam agents". Yes, those agents are bribing Immigration Officers to approve Visas and Extensions, so it's a scam, it's dishonesty, it's fraud. Honest people who have the required funds as per the requirements for the Visas and Extensions don't need to participate in fraudulent activities. There's not that much difference between 800k and 500k really, so is it so much easier to meet the requirement?
Andy ************
@Colin ********
Difference is the 500k can be sitting in a pension fund, or a high interest cash management account in your home country, the 800k has to be in a Thai bank account earning at best 1% interest. Huge difference. I know two retirees who have already obtained the DTV, trust me it was easy for them!
Colin *********
@Andy ***********
that's not an excuse for fraud
Andy ************
@Colin ********
If you're going to talk fraud, let's take a long hard look at visa agents who for years have paid bribes to immigration officers to ignore the 800k financial requirement of a retirement visa. For years, people have said "hey, it's ok, everyone does it!". Let me now add my voice to the Muay Thai 5-year visas "hey, it's ok, everyone does it"! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Colin *********
@Andy ***********
so someone does something illegal, then others follow suit, does that make it right? To some extent, these things have occurred throughout human history, but in modern society, it's rampant and one of the causes of a very 'sick' society. Then people wonder why there's so many problems facing them or their friends and families 🀷🏼
Jim ********
@Colin ********
Who cares? We live in a "it's all about me" society these days. The guys who have paid bribes for years to get their retirement visas are continually excused. Now we have Muay Thai operators offering the same as what scamming agents have done for years, just in different clothes. It's all the same. It's corruption, but hey, who really cares?
Colin *********
@Jim *******
who cares? Then I won't care when someone empties out your bank account while you're sleeping 🀣
Andy ************
@Colin ********
I think you're straying off the topic somewhat!
Jim ********
@Colin ********
Wow! Is there a connection? Or are you smoking some green stuff? πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Brandon ************
@Andy ***********
yeah but no one knows the future now that the PM who spearheaded it is out. It could be gone by next week. Impossible to say with such a new thing
Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
It's not going anywhere. The new PM will embrace it. It's a positive change in the visa process in Thailand, and it'll bring millions of dollars into the country, which is its sole aim
Graham ******
@Andy ***********
A YouTube creator posting videos about Thailand qualifies for a DTV, are you sure?
Andy ************
@Graham *****
Here's the latest. And no obligation to actually participate!
Colin *********
@Graham *****
Dreamers, fraudsters...
Andy ************
@Graham *****
Why not? If a cooking class gets you a DTV, why not a YouTube channel? πŸ˜†
Brandon ************
@Andy ***********
didn't realize you're a political insider and know what the new government will do before it's even been established
Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
Yep. Just wait and see what happens!
Ruud ******************
@Andy ***********
you want to say : if you cannot meet the financial requirements for an extension for a NON O, it’s a good alternative.
Andy ************
@Ruud *****************
It's not a case of not being able to meet the financial conditions, although it will be a plus for those poor people who always had to use agents, but the other point, for frequent travellers such as myself, it eliminates for five years, the need to ever visit an immigration and is significantly cheaper over five years - a big savings. Not so advantageous for those who just want to sit in Thailand and not travel, but I'm an avid traveller so the DTV fits perfectly
Bastien ********
I’d I were you and if you are still eligible for the Non O visa you should keep it as it seems it give you more advantages on the long run compared to the DTV

DTV you have 6months+ extension 6months then go out and come back the other one give you a year (right?)
Brandon ************
That's up to you. But if you're hoping to get permanent residency or citizenship based on being married to a Thai in the future, you can only qualify if you've been on a non-immigrant visa and extension, which the DTV is not.

Also on a marriage extension you can get a work permit, and DTV you cannot.
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