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What are my options for staying in Thailand after the DTV expires without marriage or large investment?

DTV Visa Visa Options Thailand Immigration Retirement Visa Privilege Visa Visa Extensions Expat Life Thailand Visa Rules

Jan 17, 2025

13 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

After the 5-year DTV expires, what are the options for staying in Thailand, excluding marriage or large investment? 

Alsoo, Has any one heard reports of possible DTV extensions beyond 5 years? 

(Yes, I realize Thailand visa requirements can be somewhat "fluid" 🤙) 

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Once the 5-year DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) expires, there are several options to remain in Thailand without resorting to marriage or large investments. Options include applying for a retirement visa if over 50 with sufficient income, or a Privilege Visa which can range from 5 to 20 years depending on investment amounts. There are comments about the possibility of reapplying for the DTV after it expires, although this is uncertain. Experts stress that as visa regulations can frequently change, it is advisable to wait and observe how regulations evolve closer to the expiration date.

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.

Todd *********

Digital ‘nomads’ who never go anywhere 😂😂😂😂

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Marc **********

Wait a few months, then a few more, etc.....for new visas with more questions.....lol

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Ko *******

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Paul *******

Why are people worrying about what happens in FIVE years from now? Geez, that's ages!!

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Ido **********

they probably don’t live in Thailand yet. If they did it would be sabay sabay

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Ido **********

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Chris **********

Who knows yet. There could be an extension, there could be a 10 year thing. All I know is I'm 6 weeks in to life here in Thailand and I can already see myself retiring here. Beautiful country and amazing lovely people.

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Martino *******

@Chris *********

where did you live?

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Martino *******

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Ted *******

It’s 4-/2 years away from any current DTV visa expiring. A whole lot can happen in that time in government positions and policy. Not sure it’s worth the effort to spin your wheels about it now.

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Rich ********

In Thailand now for 2 or 3 months… back home in March… I can defo work remotely so applying for the DTV when I get back .. 5 years is long enough for me .. who knows where things will be then .. not sure I want to fully retire here.. but the way things are going downhill in the UK .. it’s a possibility 😂🤷‍♂️

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Travis ********

Nobody knows what will happen with Thai visa laws 5 years from now. Not the King or God or the head of any gov' department. And definitely not anyone on this group

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Tony *********

@Travis *******

this is the only answer

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Tony *********

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Steve ********

Probably a bit early to be asking a question about something over four years in the future

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Ido **********

1. Retirement if over 50 and have passive income

2. Privilege (select your tier) if you have a good chunk of money

Those are the easiest. Other options are more complicated. But hey 5 years is enough time to find a cute Thai lady to marry 😉

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Daniel ************

or a Thai boy now.

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Ido **********

@Daniel ***********

whatever you like bro no judgement at all

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Ido **********

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Dca *****

Just re-apply for a new DTV Visa after your current DTV Visa expires

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Anonymous ******************

It seems it will not be possible. To be confirmed.

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at 37:00

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Dca *****

Anonymous participant 335 Yes, I have already watched both English language interviews of the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs (DCA) under the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand MFA).

However, if you read the text of the Ministry of Interior Notice signed by the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior published in the Royal Gazette establishing the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and the Immigration Bureau Order implementing the DTV Visa, it is very similar to all the other Thai Visas that have been introduced and has a sense of permanancy to it.

Notwithstanding what I have said, it is noted that the Thai Cabinet this week also rescinded all but one type of the SMART Visas, but those other SMART Visa types are redundant with other existing Thai Visas

As with any country's visa policies, there are no truly permanent policies, as even OECD countries update, repeal, amend, change, revise, revoke, and re-introduce various visa types from time to time.

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Dca *****

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Andi ***********

If you are 50 plus then you have the option of a retirement visa Anyone with the cash can pay to get the Thai Privilege Visa gives you 5-20 years 650K - 5m THB

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Aaron *****

Im 40 and retired applying for my DTV now. An agent told me apply again after the first 5 years so I came get to the age for the retirement visa. They werent able to provide anything that says that would be possible but also theres nothing saying its not.

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Toni *******

if there is dtv in 2030...

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Aaron *****

yeah exactly

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Aaron *****

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Dennis *********

Someone told me apply again which I

Don’t agree will be possible

So don’t buy a fancy car

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Greg ********

LTR if you are earning enough. BOI Startup if opening business in targeted areas. A week is a long time in politics and 5 years is an epoch in Thailand.

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Anonymous ******************

There was an interview where a DTV representative addressed that question. He mentioned that you would need to switch to another visa after the 5-year period, as you would no longer be considered a tourist. As usual, nothing is confirmed in Thailand...

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 Thats absolutely incorrect information. Its never stated by any official. Yes the DTV is for 5 years and they dont plan to extend that beyond that. but it will easily be possible to apply for another DTV. dont spread misinformation.

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Anonymous ******************

As I mentioned, nothing is confirmed. Similarly, there is no "easy possibility" to reapply; no one knows. I am simply basing my words (without confirming anything) on the interview with the MFA representative. You can check the video at 37:00.

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 yep i checked the video and he says that the DTV will remain 5 years and not get changed to another length. That absolutely does NOT imply that you cannot get a new one… actually you can just apply for a new 5 year DTV. thats how everything is set up now. there is not a single law or guideline that limits you to 1 DTV per lifetime… you are spreading misinformation as you falsely interpret the argument from a video.

same as with other visa, you just get a new one… you can even do 5 years on consecutive ED visa. just another example. and that visa is way more strict.

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Anonymous ******************

Let's see what will happen but my interpretation of it is:

Interviewer: Is the DTV seen as a long-term visa?

Answer: Indeed, they wouldn’t extend it beyond 5 years. However, there are other types of visas available if you wish to stay longer in Thailand, such as the LTR 5+5. If you plan to stay in Thailand longer (longer than a DTV), you should apply for the appropriate visa type (in other words getting another type of visa other than a DTV such as LTR,... ).

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 yes after 5 years there is no extension. there is a new approval process for a new DTV. pretty standard stuff. i dunno why you need to come up with wild speculations and wrong interpretations…

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Anonymous ******************

Sorry, I can't predict the future as you seem to, and I admitted that from the very beginning. If I wasn't clear enough: NOTHING IS CONFIRMED. So, the term "wild speculations" is quite subjective, especially since you have no proof to the contrary. The DTV is a long-term tourist visa, while the ED is a non-immigrant visa. The DTV is for 5 years, whereas the ED is for 1 year. The DTV is relatively easy to obtain, while the ED is much more complicated. You can't compare them or treat them the same way, especially in terms of reapplication rules.

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 why do i need to predict and make speculations? the current rules dont limit you to 1 DTV. thats a fact. i only talk facts. you talk speculation and your own subjective interpretation of what you understood wrong. listen again to the video if you are so focused on it. he says that the DTV wont change in length. its 5 years. with no word it was said that it will be limited to one time only… pure speculation on your behalf.

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Anonymous ******************

Current rules? There is nothing confirmed about renewal conditions of the DTV?! They haven't even officially confirmed the ones regarding the extensions 😅... So imagine about the rules linked to what could happen in more than 4 years... Does the "nothing specified" in the law necessarily means allowed? I'm always happy to reconsider my point if you could show me some law or Royal Gazette confirmation to sustain your own facts.

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 there will never be a regulation for a „renewal“. never… there isnt something like that for any other visa… the DTV is exactly defined in the regulations punlished in the royal gazette. that is for getting a new DTV. there is no limitation. so according to that law you can apply again and again. facts… an extension is done by the immigration and there is the Thai Immigration Bureau Order No.

********

which describes the requirements for an extension of the DTV… all regulations have been set many months ago. for getting a new visa and for its extension. i cannot help you if you dont believe those official rules…

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Dany ********

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Phonemyat *******

Anonymous participant 335 he nvr mentioned like this no one knw after 5yr dtv still available or have other options

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Anonymous ******************

@Phonemyat ******

Watch at around 37:00. As I said, nothing is confirmed but possible.

*****************************************

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer 335 its never mentioned that a DTV is limited to 1 approval. just apply for a new one. same as you do with other visa…

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Dany ********

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Paul *******

Really? I'd say depending on whether the DTV remains available in 5 years or your circumstances, you could just apply for another one then.

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Anonymous ******************

I don't think it will disappear for the new applicants, but the option to get a second DTV may not be available. At least, that's what he mentioned and this need to be confirmed on the long term.

Just posted the video and timing on another reply.

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Erik *******

No. It has never been mentionned like this. DTV is a 5 years single shot visa.

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Erik *******

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Will ************

Probably find out about 3 days before the first visa is due to expire. Plenty of time for things to change

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Will ************

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