DTV is happening. Now info on the official Thai E-Visa Website. [members only]
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The recent introduction of the Digital Visa (DTV) for Thailand has sparked discussions on its application process and requirements. While applications are reportedly open, some users mention that certain details remain unapproved and that individuals might need to wait for consulate-specific guidelines. Notably, proof of funds is required, with many discussing whether stock portfolios qualify, although consensus leans towards only liquid assets being acceptable. The visa is said to allow multiple entries over five years, with each stay lasting up to 180 days and potentially extendable under specific conditions. However, questions persist on whether applicants can apply from abroad or only from their home country, and the application site has faced technical issues. Overall, further clarification from Thai authorities is anticipated.
So am I right in thinking that if you are happy to extend every 180 days, you have to leave every 360 days so can technically stay for 5 years with only leaving once a year? (If you do the extensions every 6 months) Have I understood correctly?
Makes our lives easier but this Thai goverment is throwing the country and the culture out to the hungry vultures just to compensate for their financial mismanagement . The result will be that the poor Thai will get poorer. Slowly turning the nice country into a long beach bar , with only one marketing purpose: money,
That seems the be the path Thailand is going, sadly. Then again, this process has started long before the DTV now. And I hope from experience, that long term visitors will have less of a negative impact than short term party mass tourism already has. Also, Thailand is quite big. Just avoid the usual over touristic areas and enjoy.
I truly hope that will be the future Frank Steven . I ll live in Isaan , so quite safe for now . But I ll do what it takes to protect people from the easy - money thinking . This digital wallet story 😡😡.
Thanks for showing some understanding in this matter. Many people react with laughter and a ‘ who cares ‘ attitude.
I feel you. I have seen good Thai people change under the bad influence of the wrong kind of mass tourism. I hope Thailand finds the right balance to attract the right visitors in the future.
I know you are in a hurry 😉 ... but the site is still not stable at the moment. Give them a day or two to get it back up running after the implemented changed. Thailand and IT ... well, it is what it is. 🙂
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Pui *****
The PE visa still seems the only viable option for non-working unmarried dependents that don't have their own bank account to prove the funds (such as half of a same sex couple without their own bank account), unless by sponsorship letter, they mean they will accept a letter from the partner showing they guarantee the funds.
Rene ******
I work as seasonal worker in the summer on campings. Will the contract of 2024 and a letter of intent for 2025 be enough?
Us *****
I trade stocks for a living. How would I show them requirement 5?
Depends on your local circumstances and the requirements of your closest Thai embassy. For example, in Germany, if you are self-employed, you would register your self-employed activity and could likely use that as proof. Or another thought: Just show your stock portfolio - afterall, they mention a "professional portfolio" as a means of proof. Best to check with the Thai consulate closest to you.
thanks for the reply. Almost same situation with me. I still have over 5 months left on my multi entry Non O retirement extension, but I’m in the UK at the moment so I’m thinking to possibly switch to the e-DTV which suits my travelling habits better, meaning I’m not constrained to be in Thailand for the extension renewal dates, and of course reducing my bank deposit. I’ll keep you posted if I do decide to attempt swapping.
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Sam ******
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Raquel ***********
An employment contract/certificate for a freelancer?! 😂 What do we think they mean by that?
I party agree on that. If the DTV becomes as popular as it could be, then there would certainly be more competition in terms of resources like accomodation etc. I am not a big fan of overtourism. But I would hope that longter term visitors would be having less negative effects than other groups of tourists.
look around the world. Over tourism and people staying on visas, illegally or legally, jacks the price up with accommodation, bars, everything. Those living in Thailand, locals affected most, and legitimate expats, will largely be unhappy at a wave of new people staying longer. Most pray for the low season so the hordes go home. But it’s clear the gov is wanting to maximise foreign dollar income.
I hear you and agree on most of it. And I feel for the locals whose needs need to be addressed and interests procreated. But I don’t feel for the hordes of retirees, a group that always had it much easier than folks under 50 to stay in Thailand.
It’s only recently Thailand has become a place for younger people to live. To travel, it’s always been popular for everyone. But 12 years ago when I arrived, and travelled, the foreigners living here were largely in over their 30’s and 40’s. Of course some teachers in their 20’s too but mainly older.
Today the TikTok kids and people in their early 20’s wanting to live in Thailand is growing. For me, Thailand is a better place to move to as you get older and want less stress. It’s an easy place to live once you’re legitimately and legally allowed to. So many other places in the world to live while your youthful energy is high.
I guess that’s a generation dig, younger people want the easy life, and the dopamine kicks before experiencing other more challenging and rewarding parts of the world.
Let’s hope the DTV separates that and brings in quality long term “tourists” or “nomads”.
Doubt it. My guess would be either in English, in Thai, or in the local language of the country the Thai consulate is in. It is not like with the LTR visa, where a central agency in Thailand (the BOI) pre-approves everything and needs translations. But that is also why I assume that the DTV might only be available at consulates in ones country of residence, and maybe not at 3rd countries.
no - the way it's described sounds more aligned with financial evidence for tourist visas (i.e. bank account from the country where you apply for the visa is fine) rather than for extensions of stay for retirees (i.e. must keep a deposit in a Thai bank account)
No mention of it needing to be in a Thai bank for this visa. I think you need to demonstrate your sufficient funding to the consulate where you apply at. That makes me assume, that this visa may only be able to apply for in your country of residence. But unclear at this time.
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Will ************
5 . Employment contract or employment certificate in their country or professional portfolio showcasing digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent or freelancer status
Will ************
4 . Financial evidence: amount of no less than 500,000 THB, e.g. bank statements, sponsorship letter
Paul *****
Wondering if you can apply to this while currently in Thailand. It doesn't allow me to set Thailand as my "current location".
The e-visa system only works in certain countries. You are only allowed to use it if you are physically in that country. So, I am American and in Cambodia. While people based in the US can use the e-visa system, since I am on Cambodian soil, I cannot. Only other locations stated are embassies and consulates. Just hoping that it isn't a type of visa that I cant apply for at the Phnom Penh consulate.
Yeah. Some visa can only be applied for in ones home country / country of residence and not in 3rd countries. Unclear, yet. I would it find it likely that the DTV is one of those visa - but I don't know for sure.
Well been in Cambodia since 2018 and not back to the US since 2019, so might be able to swing the "resident" definition. Also, would be strange for them to limit it this way. The target audience is digital nomads, aka, individuals who live away from their home/home country. Many countries have already opened the door to digital nomads and therefore their target audience is often not going to be in their home countries. Just have to wait and see :)
And yet, the LTR "Visa" can be obtained in-country ... as can changes of other visa, like from tourist visa to Non-ED visa. Anyways, not known (but unlikely) at this point that the DTV can also be obtained by changing to it while within Thailand.
Like will not be possible - not like with the LTR. If you are lucky, though, it might be possible to apply at one of Thailand neighboring countries. Not known yet. Maybe only possible at your country of residence.
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Ivan *******
My wife is from Thailand. Can i apply for the DTV visa..??
Jacob **********
Is there an example of an employment contract or employment certificate people usually show?
I am a business owner in the UK so I think I can qualify for this but unsure what would pass for that. Or maybe I can just write a letter.
Similar here. I will write a letter confirming my employment as MD (in my own company), while also mentioning the official court registration number of the company.
Mayne wait for the Thai consulate near you to mention their specific details on their website.
Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
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Brian ********
Still need more information on this. No one is sure if you can come every year for 180 days or if it is a one time use within a 5 year period. If the latter, some folks will be screwed because they think it's the former.
yes, very clear, you can enter 5 times for 180 days, and each stay can be extended for 180 days, aka you can stay for full 5 years (just have to leave for 1 hour each year and come back).
- There is probably a cost associated with the extensions. So you would need to determine if it makes more sense to exit and re-enter more than 5 times (aka every 6 months) instead of paying the extension costs. No idea what the extension costs would be, but if you did as you suggest above, it would be 5 times. Another point to highlight, if you re-enter the day before your visa expires (in 5 years), you might get another 180 days, but not sure and that is far in the future.
You are correct. A common thing people used to do with the METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa), to leave and re-enter a day or so before its expiry date to obtain another full period. Should work with the DTV just the same, effectively giving 5 years + 180 days.
I am not aware of such a problem with Thai visa. The DTV is a 5 year visa - how long of those 5 years you choose to spend outside of Thailand should have no effect. Neither with the LTR for all I know. The LTR comes initially for 5 years, too.
Yup. Gotta extend your LTR for that other 5 years before the first stamp expires. And that extension for another 5 years can and will only happen in Thailand (even only in Bangkok). One of the things I found annoying with the LTR.
it's better than either of those explanations - it's a visa that's valid for entry anytime within 5 years, which is valid for 180 days from entry, and extendable, by a further 180 days immediately after
- Cambodia. I handed them my work letters, bank statements, etc. Also gave them proof of location (which I think is more for e-visas, but included it anyway). He quickly looked at it all and took the $400 bucks. Many people where there and many of them were also applying for DTV
I don't think it will be possible to change to that visa in Thailand. Does not look like it right now - unlike with the LTR. If you are lucky, you just need to leave to a neighboring country - but maybe even to your home country to get the DTV.
i already change just entry stamp visa exception to ED without any problem. I hope in the future in the same process, in my country the embassy sucks, they have problem just approve for people tourist visa
What is your problem? Are you bitter because you wasted money on a less advantageous type of visa. Just enjoy your time in Thailand. The DTV is what it is: A 5 year Multiple Entry visa for 10k THB with which you can enter Thailand as many time as you want for either 180 days each (included in the original visa price), or for up to 180+180 days with an extension at an additional fee. Like every other multiple entry visa works in Thailand - just better. Period.
It is great for many people. Just be sure you meet the requirements - as in 500k in savings. And be aware you can only apply for the DTV outside of Thailand. If in your home country only or in any foreign country is not clear yet.
ok, you try that and see how it works out for you. The cost is 10k for 180 days you clown.
Maxim ***********
The cost is NOT 10k every 180 days. Frank is factually correct about everything. It's in writing, if you can't read properly and understand what multi entry means, not his fault.
Dude. Whatever. I am trying to help people out with information here. I won't waste my time on trolls with a lack of intellect. Have another beer, mate.
Officially 10k THB. But expect to pay slightly more at your Thai conculate. They are sometimes adding quite some premium with the money "conversion" rates.
Exactly. As it clearly states there: After the maximum stay of 180 (+ optional 180 days extension), one needs to leave the country and can then return right back for another 180 days on the same old visa.
I was shocked when I read this on the Thai embassy page in the US. It clearly states that you just have to leave the country before 180+180 extension runs up and that you can then enter back in on the same DTV, as long as it is still in the 5 year validity period. Not sure how it would work once you got to the last year, with less than a year validity left and then tried to enter, but it does look like 4-5 years.
Why shocked. This is how a multiple entry visa works. Shocked in a good way, right? Technically, in the last year, you should also be able to extend once even if period is beyond your visa validity then. And extensions are optional: you could also just bounce in and out every 180days to avoid extension fees.
I have an Indian 5 year visa that costed me 80$. Can go stay 3 months, then come back for another 3 months. For some countries it is a maximum of 180 days a year. Then 10k is not so cheap. But still I would be very happy with it.
no one knows if you are allowed one 180 day stay every year or if it is one with an extension available in a 5 year period. We need to know more about it.
YES we know. It is a MULTIPLE entry visa. 180 days per entry. As many entries as you want in that 5 year period. Otherwise it would be a Single entry visa - which it isn’t.
There is no explicit tax exemption with the DTV (unlike with the LTR). After 180 days there may be tax liability. Details of those still not fully clear.
You may. A) because that is how all multiple entry visa work in Thailand. And B) The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it explicitly that is works like that.
that could mean you can come and go during your one stay. That would mean purchasing a DTV every year and pay 10,000 baht twice every year. Again, we don't know. Assuming that is what a multi entry visa means is just dangerous without more information.
It could not be more clear. It is a 5 year visa. It is a 5 year multiple entry visa. With every entry during those 5 years of the visa validity, you can stay up to 180 days each. You can repeat that as often as you like until the end of the 5 year validity. You only need to pay additionally, if you don’t want to leave and extend ONCE more while in Thailand.
generally to apply for a visa you have to use the option for the country you are currently in. Whether that is the evisa system or an actual consulate will depend on what that specific country uses
I believe details like this will be left with the according Thai consulate at your location. Unlike with the LTR visa, the DTV does not seem to follow a centralized (pre-) approbal process. So maybe wait and see for details to be published by your consulate.
yeah I would be fairly sure you cannot. The proof of funds thing is about readily accessible money. Stocks are not that. They carry risk, could reduce in value over the course of weeks/days. Selling I guess is always possible but it's not a trivial decision to get funding for living expenses. Shouldn't qualify.
Many local Thai embassy / consulate sites have not updated their information on this, yet. Give them a few days. If you are eligible for eVisa, you can go ahead. Otherwise, wait for instructions of your local consulate website.
Being eligable for a visa category is not the same as being eligable for using the eVisa system. If you are not eligible for eVisa, then you have to get a visa the old fashioned way by means of a paper application form and showing up (or sending your passport in) at an consulate.
i get it. There is an approved list of countries that this system is available to. Secondly there is a criteria list that one needs to meet. I understand that too. But even though India is mentioned on the list, the moment I input Indian Passport it gives me the message that I am not eligible. Thats strange.
The Thai eVisa website has issues right now - try again tomorrow. There is a section on the website that lets you check: "Am I eligible to apply online?". Either yes, then proceed applying for a visa online, or no, then proceed applying for a visa directly with your closest Thai consulate in person.
the webpage opens, but the moment I input "indian passport' it gives a message that I am not eligible to apply for e-visa, and that I need to apply through the local thai embassy.