What are the differences between the "Workcation" and "Soft Power" versions of the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

@David **********

well, i am not so sure. Thai imigration are known to change the rules of the game quite often. There are the "real rules" and the "unspoken rules". I myself experienced the troubles about getting my NON O visa extension. I understood they would not give me my renewal whatever i do, when they sent me back home for the fourth times because the pictures i was supposed to show didn't suit them for totally stupid reasons (need to wear long trousers, in the kitchen, on the sofa, show the house number, draw a map of the aera where the house is located (no you can't print Google map...) ect ect . DTV visa could very well be revoked or they can request any other dumb rule making it impossible to keep using it because they found this visa not suitable anymore for the country.

@Bruno **********

Switch to a DTV and you won't have to visit an Immigration office for 5 years. Take a picture with long pants on the sofa. 😂

@Sean ******

yes, i applied a week ago in HCM 😉

@David **********

You are wrong. Even with an approved visa, Thai immigration officers at the airport or land border have the authority to deny entry if they believe you do not meet the conditions of your visa… it will most likely get checked in the future. even the MFA reps said in previous calls that you would need an ongoing activity. is there a proof check right now? no. but there will be random checks down the line, very surely… if the visa requirement was a one-time criteria then why do you need to proof it to immigration again when you extend the visa? the same ministry (immigration) that decides about letting you enter or not into the country… they can easily ask you questions and then good luck.. of course you need ongoing activity to be compliant with your visa…

i dont need a lawyer. thanks. i have a DTV for workcation and i even extended it inside thailand.

@Dany *******

If you're worried about being questioned use a visa agency for a border run or safe entry at the airport.

@Sean ******

i am not worried at all and i wish everyone to have an easy life with their DTV without any checks… we are just pointing out to the obvious… its like sitting for 10 hours in a restaurant and only ordering an initial coffee. surely at some point later someone will ask you for the reason of your stay…. same with the education visa in the past where many many people have been questioned at the border. believe what you want. but not a single officer will tell you that you are doing it correctly when you actually ask / or get checked. ;)

@Dany *******

While it’s true that immigration officers retain the authority to question entrants, the DTV is structured so that you prove your eligibility once—through financial evidence and proof of employment or cultural activity—and that initial assessment remains valid for the visa’s duration. The extension process is meant to confirm that you still meet the required financial criteria, not to demand continuous revalidation of daily activity. Spreading disinformation only confuses the discussion and helps no one; for clear and accurate guidance, it’s best to rely on official sources or consult an expert lawyer.

@David **********

You'll learn that there are few people on here who think their DTV is superior to others. Because they applied via workation and not soft power. They're wishing so hard for Immigration to check everyone on entry with a DTV. Very sad.

@Sean ******

I appreciate the heads up, Sean. It’s as if belittling fellow DTV holders somehow makes one feel more secure—quite unnecessary and frankly sad.

@David **********

You're welcome mate. In case you haven't noticed, Dany

@Nom***

is one of them. 👍

@Sean ******

you sound like someone is trying to take away your lollipop 🤣🤣🤣 everything will be fine and we will see how the future unfolds. just dont come crying when you actually dont comply with the visa regulations and someone starts questioning you at the border 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

@Dany *******

Next year at Krabi Immigration for DTV extension. They will ask people to stand on a spacehopper and juggle three coffee cups. Better start practicing pal.

@Dany *******

Doubtful. No one is taking thousands of dollars in cooking classes every year for 5+ years. And some people are too old / injured for Muay Thai.

@David **********

what is doubtful? for the visa you would have to comply with the requirements at any time during the 5 years. that means ongoing activity. There will be random checks at immigration in the future. very sure… same in the past with education visa for example. where they sometimes wanted to see extensive documentation and questioned you for a good while… it happened in the past and it will happen with the DTV. its more likely than not that random checks will happen.