Answered7 months ago
What are the experiences and opinions on the DTV visa for Thailand?
*EDIT* - As some of you seem to lack the ability to read, I'll write it again here. This post was for INFORMATION only of an experience, that's it. If you want to argue, please do so elsewhere.
Just wanted to share my experience at BKK this afternoon - I have the DTV for workcation (online business) and have been travelling around South East Asia for the past year or so and have many stamps in and out of countries. The immigration officer (female) initially scoffed at my visa and I was escorted for questioning - after completing a passenger statement & a conversation with a very nice/polite immigration officer (male) I was allowed to continue into Thailand as normal.
He advised me that DTV holders should only stay for 3-4 months, not the full 6 months each time, as people should use the visa for travel.
UK passport holder - travelling in a couple (only female took for questioning not male).
Travelled from Vietnam to BKK (many others in the immigration holding also seemed to have travelled from Vietnam too).
*This is for information of my experience only - this group has a habit of fear mongering unfortunately but if you have the visa for the correct purpose then you should have no issues.*
Just wanted to share my experience at BKK this afternoon - I have the DTV for workcation (online business) and have been travelling around South East Asia for the past year or so and have many stamps in and out of countries. The immigration officer (female) initially scoffed at my visa and I was escorted for questioning - after completing a passenger statement & a conversation with a very nice/polite immigration officer (male) I was allowed to continue into Thailand as normal.
He advised me that DTV holders should only stay for 3-4 months, not the full 6 months each time, as people should use the visa for travel.
UK passport holder - travelling in a couple (only female took for questioning not male).
Travelled from Vietnam to BKK (many others in the immigration holding also seemed to have travelled from Vietnam too).
*This is for information of my experience only - this group has a habit of fear mongering unfortunately but if you have the visa for the correct purpose then you should have no issues.*
Answer summary
A user shared their personal experience at Bangkok immigration with a Digital Work Visa (DTV), highlighting mixed reactions from officers regarding the visa's intended use and stay duration. The immigration officer suggested that DTV holders should ideally travel and not stay the full 6 months allowed on the visa, which sparked a debate among commenters questioning the validity of the officer's advice against the official guidelines. Some comments express concerns about the misuse of the DTV visa as a form of residency, while others defend the user's account and criticize the perceived fear-mongering behavior in the group.
55 repliesnewest first
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Ian **********
...and you were stamped in for 6 months :D
Christopher ***********
Troll post. 100% BS.
Anonymous ******************
They are getting stricter with DTVs. What was considered impossible by some experts here is now getting a bit more probable. As for other visa types (ED).
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 242 Well that is not anonymous and I have met that guy so I know he exists :-)
Mark *************************
The male officer has given such advice because he knows many other officers would look at staying the full 6 months in a different way. Its not a law written in stone, but it is good advice nevertheless because he knows better. Since when advising became fear mongering? Do what you want with your 6 months but be prepared for re-entry. Some people are cupid stunts with their heads so high up their poophole. SMFH.
Anonymous ******************
@Mark ************************
Correct. Some people here still think immigration is here to stamp your passport and say enjoy your stay only. For these, it's or 100% of people getting checked or none, zero balance. They are funny.
Robert *******
So you are not scaremongering but just telling that you hate females doing their job.
Thanks, as you are free in life choices, avoid any female contact.
Thanks, as you are free in life choices, avoid any female contact.
Ben ******
@Robert ******
they are more moody and ask many questions at immigration I've noticed, its true, especially avoid the fat ones they are nasty pieces of workAnonymous *************
OP@Robert ******
when did I say anything about hating a female? You are also free in life choices so maybe read the full post before commenting next time.Robert *******
Anonymous participant The immigration officer (female) initially scoffed
a very nice/polite immigration officer (male)
travelling in a couple (only female took for questioning not male).
And all misgendered?
a very nice/polite immigration officer (male)
travelling in a couple (only female took for questioning not male).
And all misgendered?
Anonymous *************
OP@Robert ******
again, providing context for my experience. In future I will just allow people to ask questions about everything instead.The term misgenered also means that someone has been labelled with the incorrect gender. This was my experience therefore I have the information of who was involved in the situation.
Sefton ********
Always anon accounts isnt it ??
I dont think the group should allow anon and alias's any more.
I dont think the group should allow anon and alias's any more.
Anonymous *************
OP@Sefton *******
what has an anonymous post got to do with anything here? Again just simply posted for information, if it's irritating for you, maybe just don't read it 🤷🏼♀️
Anonymous ******************
This visa is flawed af
Maximus ************
Immigration making their own rules. This is a 5 year visa with which you can bring ‘dependants’ on. Imagine putting kids in a school and then be denied entry…. 🤦♂️
Greg ********
Maximus guanteenus Immigration officers have discretion. Even the MFA clearly state that on their own website. As for schools that is why many insist the kids have an Ed visa instead of the DTV
Anonymous ******************
It’s just like on Reddit. You’ve posted this several times using a newly created account
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 376 I'm not bored enough to use Reddit unfortunately but thank you for the pointless comment.
Sam *********
Annonomousssssss
Gerry ********
There definitely seems to be a pattern forming here. Avoid the female immigration officers 🤔 😅
LongTimeLivi************
This story doesn’t match Thai immigration rules. The DTV visa allows 180 days per entry, extendable to 360 days and not just 3–4 months. Immigration officers don’t give casual advice that contradicts published regulations. They admit or refuse entry based on the law. Don’t let fear mongering confuse you.
Anonymous ******************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Published regulations? Which ones? The ones also saying its easy to extend in-country?
Anonymous *************
OPLongTimeLivingInThailand this is not a 'story' - it is my own experience that I am sharing for information only.
I understand the visa guidelines, this is simply what he said to me. I never said it was an official rule or guideline.
I understand the visa guidelines, this is simply what he said to me. I never said it was an official rule or guideline.
Anonymous ******************
I guess what the immigration officer meant to stay 3-4 months not the full 6 months each time is not to use the visa as a resident visa and stay 360 days in a year inside Thailand. I guess the immigration are realising people are bound to use the visa and stay inside Thailand for 5 years. Remember this visa was introduced by the previous political regime, and I guess there will be changes implemented in the future once there are more cases of people actually living full 360 days on this visa. By filling the passenger declaration they are also collecting data on people staying the whole majority of the year inside Thailand.
Sid ******
Anonymous participant 344 I can anyway stay 3 months at a time - so DTV is pointless?
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 344 Introduced by a previous PM who is known to be at odds with the current PM
Relaxing********
Oh look another anonomoyous visa agent trying make people with DTV nervous to buy fast track service….shameless
Sid ******
RelaxingFrog7053 won't this make them lose business? If people learn that dtvs still lead to hassle and may not even work, then they won't bother getting it and the agencies lose money?
Anonymous ******************
@Sid *****
Lose business? For a little amount of agents only. There is much more to lose with people going for the DTV and paying 10k for 5 years (agent or not).Anonymous ******************
RelaxingFrog7053 Sure Mr. (or Miss?) Relaxing Frog. 🐸
Anonymous *************
OPRelaxingFrog7053 please read the full post before you comment. visa agents also can't write in English this well, I don't think - even with translation (also it's 'anonymous')
Andi ***********
What the alleged IO said makes no sense at all.
Sam *********
@Andi **********
cos he's trollingAnonymous *************
OP@Sam ********
clearly didn't read the full post.Anonymous *************
OP@Andi **********
yes I agree. why give a visa with a 180 day stamp if really you should leave around 120 days? makes no sense.Andi ***********
Anonymous participant you don't have to leave at 120 days.
Anonymous *************
OP@Andi **********
yes I know. This is just what he said to me. I understand how the visa works and that this is not stipulated in the actual guidelines. I am just sharing my own experience for information purposes.
Anonymous ******************
Yes. It’s a visa for travelling. Thailand. Maybe they need reminding.
Stephen ********
Anonymous participant 381 doesn't say that anywhere, where did you get that from.
When i applied it simply said if I meet the criteria, in my case a remote worker, I can stay 180 days, extendable to 360, multi entry, for 5 years.
Nothing else stated on website or application.
When i applied it simply said if I meet the criteria, in my case a remote worker, I can stay 180 days, extendable to 360, multi entry, for 5 years.
Nothing else stated on website or application.
Anonymous ******************
@Stephen *******
omg. 😂🇹🇭Stephen ********
Anonymous participant 381 oh gawd, not you're going to get all trappy, hiding anno like a little mug🙄
What a 🐓
What a 🐓
Biff *******
His advice was entirely his own. There’s no official guideline to that effect.
Anonymous *************
OP@Biff ******
yes exactly - this is how the IOs work - one rule for one and one for another.Biff *******
Anonymous participant it wasn’t even a rule, it was his suggestion.
Andi ***********
@Biff ******
Exactly, no such official advice at all..Greg ********
@Andi **********
But IO have discretion just like they did with border bouncers.Greg ********
@Andi **********
Just have to see how it pans out. Even if the originators (MFA and Thevasin) wanted it to be a sort of permanent resident for 5 years they could not state that explicity as that is not their wheelhouse. That opens the gate to interpretation by the department that controls this wheelhouse ie Immigration. It is a 5 year tourist visa allowing 180 days per entry. People taking up residence on it might not fall within the spirit of the visa if interpreted that way by Immigration. Remember there is politics involved here too and a new sheriff in town.Andi ***********
@Greg *******
Yes, there is discretion but saying the DTV is for 120 days and years 3-5 are more difficult to enter makes no sense.
Pascal ***********
@Andi **********
it does make some sense. DTV is a tourist visa, not for permanent residency. I’m curious how strict they will be when people have been living in Thailand nearly full-time for 2-3 years on a DTV.
Greg ********
@Andi **********
I can remember a time when there was no clamp down on 30 day border runners to Poipet. People did it for years in the Noughties.Andi ***********
@Pascal **********
The DTV allows a stay of 180 days not 120. It is a tourist visa but you can stay 5 years. There is no clamp down on people staying 2 or 3 years as they are allowed to providing they follow the rules.
Anonymous ******************
Yes you can be questioned and yes there no issue if you can prove you're holding the right visa. And that's for all visas. But "He advised me that DTV holders should only stay for 3-4 months, not the full 6 months each time, as people should use the visa for travel." may become an issue for the ones using it as a full time residency visa. What IOs say isn't always accurate. Time will tell.
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