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What are the one-year visa options for an American under 50 who is not married?

Thai Visa OptionsDTV VisaNon-O VisaVisa Requirements for ExpatsUS Citizen in ThailandLong-term Stay VisaVisa Extensions
Jul 19, 2024
5 months ago
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As of this message what are the 1 year + visa options for someone under 50, not married. American if that matters. I'm aware of the elite visa. He has 27 days left on his current visa but only 3 or 3.5 pages left in his passport. Looking for one year stay + only. Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American under 50, not married, looking for a one-year visa in Thailand has options such as the DTV visa, which offers a 6-month multi-entry and can be extended. This visa can be obtained through a Thai Embassy outside of Thailand. It's recommended to check with embassies in neighboring countries like Laos or Malaysia for the application process. Other possibilities may include the elite visa. Note that with limited pages left in the passport, a new passport may be necessary to facilitate the visa application process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Terary **********
I am US citizen, I just got a new passport from the embassy in Bangkok, took about 3 weeks. Takes 2 to 3 weeks
5 months ago
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Henrik *****
5 months ago
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Henrik *****
5 months ago
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Jim ********
Get the DTV. Best visa ever
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Jim *******
 for now. Likely to be changes. No one wants millions turning up in Thailand hoping for a new place to live and changing the core of what Thailand is loved for.
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Tommy *******
 I think the DTV will encourage every Tom Dick and Harry to apply for long term residence. The conditions are so loose it's unbelievable. But you've only got to look through Facebook profiles to see how many "digital creators" and "content creators" there are, and the number of Tik-Tok "stars" has blown sky high. The government will be raking in 10,000 baht per application from tens of thousands of Tik-Tok, YouTube and OnlyFans "stars" all of whom can illustrate a certain standard of "working online". Thai government now only sees money. Retirees and those married to Thais will be jumping onto this "remote working" lark. In the past we've had examples of expats being warned against "working" in Thailand, such as helping a neighbour paint his house, or helping the in-laws with their rice harvest, so the Thailand definition of "working" is pretty comprehensive, so most people will easily qualify as "digital creators". The DTV has changed the landscape that's for sure
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Jim *******
 I agree. It’s all about money. Annoying for the Thais and expats living here who have worked hard to do legit and professional work. Who wants thousands of TikTok content creators here? There’s enough already and most the information they give is false or misleading.

Also, it’s concerning the amount of overstays, the illegal businesses and those younger Europeans who are coming and thinking this is Magaluf, it’s cringey and won’t sit well.

Let’s hope it evens itself out but other visas now will be less popular because this DTV as it stands seems too easy. I do think there will be added regulations though. More money in the bank, and certain types of “digital nomads”.

No one wants Thailand to become overpriced like Singapore and the discontent of overtourism like Barcelona.
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Tommy *******
 I'm with you on that one. Nothing shits me more than reading about Tik-Tok "stars". It's all bs. And about 80% of the YouTube Thailand videos are poor information and poor production, but people are sucked in by them. Anyway, we'll see what dirt comes out in the wash
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Jim *******
 the government will want a high volume of applicants, but it’s too open for this to be easy as it sounds for the long term. There’s gonna be so many “digital nomads” who try rig the system imo. It’s practically a tourist visa in some sense. It’s so easy in terms of the vetting procedure I think it could cause conflict with the Thais. They accept tourism but a huge foreign community coming over to “live” would be resented.
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Tommy *******
 That might depend on how much money they are prepared to throw around. Unfortunately the criteria for the DTV is hardly exacting, so it's going to encourage a lot of deadwood, people who are long term tourists who just want to do nothing and live on next to nothing
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Jim *******
 this is my point. It’s going to potentially attract the type that Thailand wouldn’t want around for too long
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
 it's Thailand though.... These types of things tend to change like the wind and on a whim. Change for the sake of change to show they're doing something. Maybe I'm being a bit cynical but I've been here a long long time. Seems like they jump on the gun on things before kind of thinking about any type of consequences. The way they legalized cannabis for example. They a lot of time to think about it and look how other countries etc did it and the mistakes that they made or didn't make whatever and still well they're going through the s*** they're going through right now. I do believe this may open them some doors for digital nomads that do make some pretty decent cash and it could bring you know people who are for lack of better words influencers who could encourage more people to come to Thailand. Does pros and cons regardless of what they do. Trying to look at both sides. Anyways I'm just rambling have a great weekend everyone.
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Ron *******
 I know exactly what you're trying to say. I said the DTV is a game-changer, and the game might not be a good one
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Jim *******
 I also have my doubts. The DTV is a game changer but it’s too open. Thailand has notoriously been difficult to work and live in legally and that’s worked well for everyone.

Many Thais I know accept the business of high season. But they like low season also. With this visa it’s a 5 year high season because every man and their dog can figure a way to get this visa. The 500k isn’t that high, and an employment letter these days is easy to produce
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tommy *******
 well the high season at least in my city wasn't really a high season. Thailand might claim to have gotten back to nearly pre-covid times. It seems like a slightly busy low season this last high season. Whether expats like it or not they've got to make their tourism income. It provides jobs. Not saying that this is not going to come with some negative effects but I lived here back in the day when he will get through unlimited border hops or hop on a flight just come back. There is no real perfect solution. Damned if they do. Damn if they don't.
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Ron *******
 I think the main concern is the type of person who comes here and how long. Let’s see
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Ron *******
 these are good points. But Thailand has been well known to the world for years. Unfortunately (or for some fortunately) there is a wave of wannabe influencers and content creators who are young and promoting Thailand. They get a lot of things wrong and come to Thailand for the wrong reasons. Look at some of the slimy Brits who have been in trouble lately to name some. They aren’t suited for the laws and culture here. This is only increasing, so many bro culture lads are coming thinking Thailand is Magaluf, where they can do anything. The DTV only boosts the chances of people like this staying longer and grinding on Thais perception of foreigners. It feels like a big shift this visa, but you’re right things can change quickly.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tommy *******
 I guess when I was thinking of influencers I'm talking about people who are promoting that culture of Thailand. The beautiful spots in Thailand. Food and genuine experience of Thailand. Not the ones promoting walking street. I know the word influencer is a bad taste in many people's mouths but there are some genuine ones who care about what they do and do their research. They'll jump the gun on this one and then make it so difficult that it just becomes redundant. Or maybe they'll surprise me. I've been surprised before.
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
@Ron *******
 yes influencers are good to an extent (influencer is a strange word they are all self-employed marketeers really)

But the DTV invites the cringey type, and others who will do more harm to Thailand, locals and expats then good
5 months ago
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Tommy ********
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Jo **********
@Jim *******
 one of the best, but not the best
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Jo *********
 Let's say the best value for money for someone seeking a long term stay - by a long way. Elite is probably better, but compare the prices!
5 months ago
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Jo **********
@Jim *******
 Elite not better, high cost, 90 day reporting, and one year required renewal. LTR is best stamped in for 5 years no 90 day reporting. And its for 10 years for 50,000 baht. That’s 5000 a year and about 400 per month
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Jo *********
 I was referring to value for money. DTV is better than LTR. It's only 10,000 baht for five years, the LTR is 50,000 baht for five years
5 months ago
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Jo **********
@Jim *******
 no 50 k for 10 years DTV does not come close to LTR in terms of value. The cost is insignificant
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Jo *********
 I think for retirees the DTV is way in front of LTR. What are the benefits of LTR over DTV?
5 months ago
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Jim ********
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
 did a search on the group. Didn't see much in depth information. Do you have a like with up to date info?
5 months ago
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Jim ********
@Ron *******
 I called the Thai Consulate in Sydney and got the info from there. I'm sick of the speculation and guesswork on Facebook
5 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Ron *******
 it was just released 3 days ago. Not a lot of information to be had anywhere.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I noticed lack of info but everyone seems to be praising it. Not counting that chicken before it's hatched. Been here nearly 2 decades. Thanks Brandon.
5 months ago
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Jo **********
@Ron *******
 you are so right and wait until the we experience the details. Also do you want only a year or longer?
5 months ago
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Jo **********
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Andi ***********
New DTV visa 6mths multi entry which can be extended, remote work or participation in cultural activity such as Muay Thai, cooking class etc. Can only be obtained from Thai Embassy outside of Thailand. Check with Laos, Malaysia Thai Embassies to see if application can be done there.
5 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Andrew ********
 I think it would be classed as a 5 year multi entry as that is the validity.
5 months ago
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Andi ***********
@Stephen *******
 Correct.
5 months ago
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Andi ***********
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
 did a search on the group. Didn't see much in depth information. Do you have a link with up to date info?
5 months ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Ron *******
 Pretty sure I shred all in depth info there is on the DTV over the past 3 days in this group - including its original text in law.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
 maybe it got lost in the shuffle. I didn't even know it existed until I dropped into this group. Being under 50 myself it definitely might be something I might be interested in the future.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
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Andi ***********
@Ron *******
 You have to contact the Thai Embassy you will apply from. There are differences in cost, and application amongst Embassies. You can find general info here. There are postings here about applying in Malaysia and Laos, but not got a link.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
 cheers. I read somewhere it couldn't be done in Embassies in surrounding countries. Already know who to contact if Laos is an option. Cheers.
5 months ago
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Andi ***********
@Ron *******
 it is on the Laos Thai Embassy site, check it out.
5 months ago
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Andi ***********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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