Answered2 years ago
What are the pros and cons of the DTV visa in Thailand?
What are the major Pro and Cons of DTV visa? I had understood that it is maximum for 5 yrs. and that you dont actually get 180 each time you exit and return.. can someone lay it out simply... thanks ( I am not looking at the money in the bank - I knw about that and it is not an issue in mny case) just if it can be applied from within thailand and its pro and cons
thankyou
thankyou
Answer summary
The DTV (Digital Nomad Tourist Visa) offers a multi-entry option valid for five years, allowing for a 180-day stay per entry but must be applied for at a Thai consulate rather than within Thailand. While many users reported few to no cons, some noted potential downsides such as the need to exit Thailand every 360 days and varying conditions for extending the visa. Nonetheless, it is generally considered beneficial for those planning long stays in Thailand.
72 repliesnewest first
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Terry ******
Watch the video in comments Lay's everything out in plain English
Brian *********
180 each entry so in theory 360 however I would highly recommend only to use air big land which appear to never really follow the rules as everyone knows on here.
Steve *******
@Brian ********
Better to use land borders, far less strict than airport Immigration, however with a valid visa it will make no differenceBrian *********
ffs
Debbie ********
I got my DTV and came into koh Samui immigration where I was stamped in for 180 days. The lovely officer took the time to explain when I leave and come back I get another 180 days. So it is exactly what it says on the tin.
Phil ******
@Asokā *********
what you posted? The best site to learn about the DTV is the evisa site in the country you will apply from.
Mark *********
for me the con is you have to go to Bangkok at 6 months each year. That's a few hundred bucks in my book that you don't have to spend on the marriage or retirement visas, you just have to file online your location every 90 days of residence in Thailand.
Elías ********
@Mark ********
Why would you need to go to Bangkok?Mark *********
@Elías *******
if you read through the DTV requirements the only place that you can get your renewal is in person in Bangkok at the 6-month point. You could also do a border run, but I get tired those.
Ian **********
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Andy ********
Downside of the DTV
1. You need to extend every 180 days. Details of what the requirements are to extend are not currently clear and are very likely to vary from one immigration office to another.
2. You can only extend once so you need to leave the Kingdom every 360 days.
3. Border bounces are becoming harder with some border crossings requiring stays outside of Thailand for one or two nights.
4. It is a new visa with many questions outstanding about how the Thai Immigration will actually deal with this visa in practice.
With all the above said it is an excellent visa, especially for someone under the age of 50 who is not married or has a dependent child. Also good for someone who travels regularly outside of Thailand.
1. You need to extend every 180 days. Details of what the requirements are to extend are not currently clear and are very likely to vary from one immigration office to another.
2. You can only extend once so you need to leave the Kingdom every 360 days.
3. Border bounces are becoming harder with some border crossings requiring stays outside of Thailand for one or two nights.
4. It is a new visa with many questions outstanding about how the Thai Immigration will actually deal with this visa in practice.
With all the above said it is an excellent visa, especially for someone under the age of 50 who is not married or has a dependent child. Also good for someone who travels regularly outside of Thailand.
Steve *******
@Andy *******
Staying outside Thailand overnight/ 1-2 days is only a requirement at some border crossings if you don't have a valid visa. You can re-enter immediately with a multi entry visa or re entry permitDany ********
@Steve ******
yeah, i mean just take an airplane to malaysia for example and return :D super easy and very cheap
Michael ********
I dont see any cons
Marisa **********
It’s valid for 5 years. Each time I enter I get a 6 month entry stamp (180 days). Apply online outside Thailand. I did it at LA consulate. It costs around $400. Very reasonable.
George *******
@Marisa *********
I was told by an ex work colleague of mine that you can get the DTV twice only. Don't know where he got his info from, but he's lived in Thailand over twenty years and is fairly genned up on visa issues.Dany ********
@George ******
that’s incorrect information. it was nowhere stated that you can only get it twice. and its only out for 5 months. no one can tell what will happen in X yearsAsokā **********
OP@Marisa *********
thank you dear one - do you know ehat happens after 5yrsDany ********
@Asokā *********
after 5 years you just get another DTV for 5 years. as simple as that. but until then the requirements probably have changed.Rogerio ******
@Asokā *********
you're worried about what will happen 5 years from now? curiously, why is it a point of importance? what do you think could happen? the visa ends, that's it, what else could possibly happen?
Asokā **********
OP@Rogerio *****
not worried... just a fair question... myother alternative is retirement... so..
Andy ************
@Asokā *********
At five years it expires
Lynnette *******
@Asokā *********
it's valid for 5 years. After 5 years it's finished. If still available you reapply or get different visa.Marisa **********
No, I just started it. But I assume it just ends. By then I plan to get a retirement visa or open a business...DM me if you want to tell me more about your plans!
Pertti *************
It's 'Tourist' visa and give you ability to remote work in guidelines . Expensive and does not give benefits if you want to move here permanently. Otherwise if plan living here apply real non o and you have opportunities to pr and citizenship👌
Terry ******
@Pertti ************
please show me the real number of foreigners granted Thai CitizenshipPertti *************
@Terry *****
Maybe you go ask government officials?
Shayne **********
@Pertti ************
every year people pay 1,900 baht for an extension of stay to their visa. The base price of the 5 ***
year DTV is 10,000 baht. How's it expensive?Okay if you look at the total fee it's between 70k baht and 100k baht depending on your every 6 months travel decisions, but some retirees fudging the system pay 40k-70k to get a stamp each year.
Education visas are usually 40-60k per year, considering all fees.
Please explain the DTV being expensive?
Pertti *************
@Shayne *********
You look at this matter short-sightedly, while I look at it from a slightly different perspective in the longer term. For a short stay, dtv is certainly good and cheap🙏Pertti *************
@Rogerio *****
It's straightforward process. Just learn more or who ever going to marriage or naturalization route can use agent. Yes it's impossible for 99% so called part time expats and retirees here who not work here and use more money at walking street than charity etc🙏💦Rogerio ******
@Pertti ************
I was under the impression even with a marriage visa it's nearly impossible to get citizenship, or just about damn hard. While duration of stay in Thailand is one of the requirements, you also need to speak the language.Pertti *************
@Rogerio *****
many of us apply citizenship after 3years if married Thai or permanent residency with little longer route to citizenship. If you plan living here 20y to rest of your life then you have spend 5years for nothing with dtv.. I'm sure after I get citizenship here I'm going spend some time abroad and looking better opportunities🙏Rogerio ******
@Pertti ************
i'm curious what the long sighted version of how a DTV would be not a good idea/expensive.Shayne **********
@Pertti ************
15 years in Thailand already. I know visas and I have been living on around USD$400 per month. Please continue with a longer term explanation that doesn't involve marriage or citizenship?Shayne **********
And zero visits to immigration!
Asokā **********
OP@Pertti ************
pr and citizenship is a rare occurence in thailand and i am not looking at that Not a millionaire 🙈Pertti *************
@Asokā *********
Yes, this is certainly the case among tourists, but for us who live here, it is a little different from our point of view.Andy ************
@Pertti ************
I've lived in Thailand for over 15 years - I have zero interest in getting PR or citizenship. Very expensive and just not worth a pinch of salt
Jim ********
@Pertti ************
expensive?
Graham ******
@Jim *******
only in New ZealandJim ********
@Graham *****
even in New Zealand I don’t see how it’s expensive for a 5 year visa which is fairly easy to obtainElías ********
No cons. And you DO get 180 days upon each entry. This is not, maybe, it depends, who knows but rather a fact, proven by myself and many other DTVers.
Asokā **********
OP@Elías *******
excellent so great
Sammie ******
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This gives the clearest and most accurate explanation on DTV.
Roger ********
@Sammie *****
That great Sammie , very informative video Thank
John **********
You can't apply for it inside Thailand, you can only apply for it at a Thai consulate. Other than that it's a 5 year visa which gets you 180 days every time you enter Thailand
Asokā **********
OP@John *********
any thai consulate? Lets say malaysia , india , ?John **********
@Asokā *********
the thai consulate for the country that you are in at the time you apply. Basically you need to treat it as if you were physically attending the consulate, you apply at the consulate and remain in the country until the process completes
Rolf *********
@John *********
it can be applied for from inside Thailand, many agencies do it for you without you leaving the country if you’re already in ThailandJohn **********
@Rolf ********
that's a different thing. You pay the agencies a lot of money to circumvent the law and still end up having to leave and re-enter. It is not possible for a person to apply for the DTV inside ThailandRolf *********
@Rogerio *****
yes I know but some people have a stick up their *** 😁 In 15 years I never been asked about TM30 until 2 months ago when someone wanted to create a problem for me to make money pretending to help me fix it (classic) 😁
Rogerio ******
@Rolf ********
im always amazed at how strict some people are calling 'fraud! fraud! breaking the law!' when either the law itself doesn't seem to care, or is even complicit about allowing it.TM30 is required - ..apparently. In 9 years doing visa extensions I was never once asked for it - at the immigration office.
Rolf *********
@Graham *****
most things in Thailand is 😜 There’s always many options about how to get things done that all work perfectly, backdoor approaches is the name of the game here.Graham ******
@Rolf ********
it's called fraudJohn **********
@Rolf ********
I'm sure they but not legallyRolf *********
@John *********
the agency chargé you $900 to take care of it all, even front the funds in a Thai bank account they open in your name. Easy peasy for someone that is lazy or don’t understand the process. Just saying it can be doneGraham ******
It's a multi-entry 5 year Visa giving 180 days entry, every entry. You've been told rubbish.
Asokā **********
OP@Graham *****
which part is the rubbish? What happens after 5yrs?
Jeremy *********
@Asokā *********
what do you think happens to something that is good for 5 years only 🤣🤦♂️Dany ********
@Asokā *********
who cares what is in 5 years? you should start living in the present. 5 years is a very very long time. its worth thinking about it in 4-4.5 years maybe. until then just enjoy this amazing visa option
Kool *******
@Asokā *********
use common sense. It is only 5 months old. No one knows the answers to your questions, not even immigration. It hasn't even reached the point where it can be extended. You get 180 days on each entry for five years.Jeremy *********
@Asokā *********
you are worried about 5 years from now when you yourself say things change 🤦♂️🤣Jeremy *********
@Asokā *********
it is 5 years away no on has an answer as to if it will be available or what required in 5 yearsAgain common sense is lacking in you I see.
Asokā **********
OP@Jeremy ********
could be tht you cant apply for it anymore afterwards.... #onlyinthai in the land of smiles things move in an out easilyJeremy *********
@Asokā *********
it's literally called a 5 year visa ! Commons sense dictates it is good for 5 years then you have to renew it.But common sense seems to be lacking in most humans anymore 🤷♂️
Asokā **********
OP@Jeremy ********
could be that it isn't applicable anymore afterwards...Graham ******
@Asokā *********
you reapply as you would with any other expired visaAsokā **********
OP@Graham *****
pheew a normal answer to a simple question... thank youJim ********
There isn’t really any cons. If you are eligible for a DTV then it is by far the best option if you are planning to be in Thailand for a prolonged period of time (with border runs of course).
Phil ******
@Asokā *********
who told you this?Asokā **********
OP@Phil *****
who told me what?
Craig *********
@Asokā *********
who said you don’t get another 180 days because you do!Activity
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