What are the requirements and procedures for applying for a DTV visa in Thailand?

DTV Visa Visa Application Process Financial Requirements Thai Immigration Visa Extensions Non-O Visa Remote Work

Oct 30, 2024

2 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV Visa Questions

Dear friends, I have been living in Thailand since 2016 on non immigrant OA visa. I had a look at the DTV and it seems that it may be a better option for the next time when I renew. I looked at the requirements for it but I still have a few questions, perhaps I missed. Maybe I can get some clarification here with friends who have had their visa.

1. I have to be outside Thailand to apply, I am a UK passport holder and I have to show 500.000 Baht in my bank account. Will this be a UK bank or Thai bank when I apply for my DTV in the UK? 

2. The visa is for 5 years and after 180 days in Thailand I can apply for another 180 days. After the second 180 days, do I have to leave Thailand and re-enter again? or can I apply for another 180 days extension in Thailand?

3. When I apply for the 180 days extension in Thailand, will the financial requirement of 500K be from a Thai bank or UK bank?

4. When I apply for the extension do I need to submit the same paperwork and prove I am still a freelancer?

I hope it makes sense! Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion focuses on inquiries surrounding the DTV visa, particularly relating to financial requirements, the application process for extensions, and the necessity of leaving Thailand after a specific period. Key clarifications include that the 500,000 Baht requirement can be demonstrated through a UK bank account, and after an initial 180-day extension, applicants will need to exit Thailand before applying for another extension. Procedures for demonstrating ongoing financial stability and freelance status also need to be determined.

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Sylvia ********

There is a special group DTV Visa forum on Facebook set up to answer your questions

2 months ago

Kirsten *********

Nobody knows for sure about the extension as it hasn’t been tested yet. I do know people who’ve shifted from a retirement extension to the DTV but they did it by leaving for a period of time and applying with a contract signed within that period so no questions could be asked about working virtually while on retirement. I don’t know how that might work as a freelancer. And I know people who’ve applied via Vietnam while there on a tourist visa, returned to the Kingdom while the visa was under review and left the kingdom again to activate the visa on their return!

2 months ago

Luit *****************

@Kirsten ********

It is non-O over 50 years, it has nothing to do with actual retirement, you can work with a non-o over 50 years, but NOT in Thailand.

Nobody is telling you should be the whole year in Thaliand, and besides I think working remote on a non-O will not bring you in problems too, but it is a grey area.

About applying for a visa and not waiting till it is approved often works, but might give problems because you should be in the country where you apply from

2 months ago

Kirsten *********

@Luit ****************

????? Why is my name on this. I didn’t ask a question or need any of this information. I was just responding to the OP. I’m not advocating for anything just sharing experiences that have been shared with me recently. People like you lecturing needlessly make me feel like not bothering to share anything Call it what you like. Immigration where I go calls it a permit to stay based on retirement. And the regulations clearly say pension/unearned income. And unlike the LTR and now the DTV there’s no mention of being a remote worker. Some people will just prefer not to be in a grey area or go by what random people on the internet ‘think’ is ok.

2 months ago

Reply to

Kirsten *********

Chris *******

It’s not as simple as having money in the bank, you have to fill one of the criteria too, like a remote worker and I would believe the money would need to be in your countries account not Thailand. You have to prove you have an address in the uk too. And if you go for remote working a copy of the contract from your company. As you have been retired already in Thailand for 8 years you might find it difficult to then justify that you are working. Good luck 🤞

2 months ago

Luit *****************

@Chris ******

Money can be at any bank in the world, as long as it is the equivalent of 500K.

You have to prove you are legally in the country you apply from, that does not need to be your home country, but it cannot be Thailand of course.

For somebody now on a non-o visa it indeed might be difficult to comply with other DTV requirements, because the visa is not meant for those groups.

DTV gives you a tourist status in Thailand, which might mean rights you have with non-o might disappear.

2 months ago

Kemal ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Luit ****************

Yes, I had not thought of that. Although limited, you do get some rights with the non immigrant visa.

2 months ago

Reply to

Kemal ******

John ********

The 500,00 THB equivalent can be in your UK bank account, doesn't have to be in a Thai bank account. After one 180 day extension you have to leave/cross a border out of Thailand. Whether there is any stipulation as to whether you can leave and re-enter the same day is not known at the moment. What I'd do is go to the immigration office where you get your first 180 day extension and ask them whether you can re-enter the same day. It's Upto the IO., at the end of the day.

2 months ago

Chris *******

Money in any bank for embassy approval.

1 extension of 180 - cost unclear as of yet. Have heard 1900b or as Much as 10k.

Exact financial and other qualifications are not set yet.

It is expected you will have to prove the money again worldwide BUT unclear of what will qualify as proof. AND possibly have to prove reason again, work etc.

This will be clearer as we approach the first extension.

Still too new.

They are pushing for exits and reentry rather than incountry extensions to keep in line as a tourist visa.

2 months ago

Elías ********

@Chris ******

I'll just add that we (I'm also DTV holder) really don't need to worry about extensions, as just going out of Thailand even for a day for work or vacations grants another 180 entry stamp upon arrival. So if one is to travel at least once every six months, an extension won't be necessary.

2 months ago

Reply to

Elías ********

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