Answereda month ago
What are the requirements for Soft Power DTV holders in Thailand after the first year?
Hi for soft power dtv holders, what happen in year 2 to year 5? Does Thailand still allow u to stay in Thailand without taking any course after year one?
Answer summary
This post discusses the ongoing requirements and conditions for holders of the Soft Power DTV (Digital nomad visa) in Thailand after the first year. Most contributors emphasize that while individuals can technically continue to hold the DTV for five years without continuously participating in qualifying activities, it is advisable to maintain records of engagement (like course receipts) in case immigration officers inquire upon re-entry. There are concerns about the variability in enforcement by immigration officers, with past experiences suggesting that some DTV holders have managed to travel without proving ongoing activities. Ultimately, immigration policies are subject to change and can vary by officer, making it critical for DTV holders to stay informed and prepared.
51 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
CopperGol*********
Yes, IO will ask about it. Be prepared.
Luit *****************
CopperGoldfish1058 Most times they will ask nothing, but they can, so being prepared is a good thing.
Gregory ********
I don’t see Thai people coming on here complaining about people using/“misusing” the DTV, only foreigners who like to speak for Thailand.
Interesting how that is 🙄
Interesting how that is 🙄
Henrik *****
Simply read the group’s previous answers, instead of repeting already answered questions.
idiots******
No clear rules. Will depend on the immigration officer's mood when you return
Ben ********
Who even takes their course 😅
Michael ********
It's just a reason why you applying, you no need to learn how to cook 5 years long 😂
Pulsw*****
No
Greg ********
Nobody can predict the future, but currently, some people have had soft power for over two years now and are coming and going with no issue no requests for proof of ongoing activities. I know someone who got it for about two or three dental appointments in July 2024, and he is in and out and has never been asked for proof of ongoing treatment.
Positive********
Why not ask the people actually in charge (Immigration) instead of the usual experts here? Since the DTV started changes have consistently been stricter. People follow advice here and then get surprised by changes. In Thailand, the best approach is to be prepared for anything.
Alex ****
@Jay *****************
need to make them like same as Ed visa They like Ed and Retirement
So because DTV visa has too many ways of visa extensions not same as Ed or Retirement
You know 😜💱
Greg ********
PositiveLynx7934 if you ask at five different immigration offices, you will get five different answers. If you ask five officers inside each of those offices, you will get five different answers depending on the time of day and where the moon is in the sky. Anything they say will make not a jot of difference if an IO at an entry point thinks something differently. "This is Thailand".
Knowledgea***********
@Greg *******
yup that’s what I’m saying if you lived here long you know every immigration officer has a different answer 😂Alex ****
Positive********
@Greg *******
I do agree. And that's not the ultimate solution even though an answer from someone important there would be better than the usual guesses from some foreigners. As you say, this is Thailand.Greg ********
PositiveLynx7934 who is the someone important? Let's say I went to ask this question at the Chiang Mai immigration office. Do you think anyone important there is going to put something in writing? Not a chance. Even if it is in writing, It can be over-ridden by an IO at an entry point and can just ignore it. It's even on the MFA website that having a visa does not guarantee entry. There's a very good reason they don't put things in writing or written guidance for many things.
Knowledgea***********
PositiveLynx7934 offer no advice 😂go ask immigration officer right ting tong
Luit *****************
KnowledgeableWolf3453 People here don't like any advice from Immigration, because what Immigration tells they don't want to hear, it disturbes their fairy tales world.
Positive********
KnowledgeableWolf3453 Yes K. Cha lad, please keep your useless advice (and comments) based nothing more than temporary trends to yourself.
Positive********
KnowledgeableWolf3453 Of course K. Cha lad. 10 years here (Oh Wow 😯😂), you pretend being an expert and that's all you can say: “ting tong.” Typical. 😂
Knowledgea***********
PositiveLynx7934 only 10 years nothing much 🤭😚
Positive********
KnowledgeableWolf3453 Your “ting tong” makes me think you’ve spent a good amount of time integrating into the walking street culture. 👍
Knowledgea***********
PositiveLynx7934 must be your first time in Thailand 😂
Alex ****
PositiveLynx7934 best to ask immigration because they are in charge of this
Positive********
Alex Ni Funnily enough with the number of nomads here none has managed to publish a proper video or piece of content with real questions answered by the people in charge.
Done only once long time ago with a representative of the MFA (not Immigration) who has since been moved to another position by the government.
Done only once long time ago with a representative of the MFA (not Immigration) who has since been moved to another position by the government.
Ivan ************
PositiveLynx7934 there have been no legal changes since that video. This is the whole issue here, it's all down to changes in interpretation. And while there certainly are coordinated changes in this there is also substantial variance, both between different entry points (Phuket a lot more difficult than BKK) and individual officers.
Plus, if you are asking about immigration at the airport, immigration offices inside the country don't know anything about their policies, they are a different silo, so won't be able to tell you anyway.
You'll get the best actual information on what is happening from following reports in visa groups like this one. You will not get a straight answer from immigration and anything immigration in country tells you won't apply to the border anyway.
Plus, if you are asking about immigration at the airport, immigration offices inside the country don't know anything about their policies, they are a different silo, so won't be able to tell you anyway.
You'll get the best actual information on what is happening from following reports in visa groups like this one. You will not get a straight answer from immigration and anything immigration in country tells you won't apply to the border anyway.
Alex ****
PositiveLynx7934 💯
Alex ****
Here is the reason why no specific purpose for the DTV will be removed separately; it’s more likely that the DTV itself will be removed, just like the STV visa, if changes occur.
If you have a DTV based on Workcation and you get fired or stop working for the company you originally applied with, it doesn’t automatically mean that you are no longer qualified for the DTV.
Your situation can change during the 5-year visa period. You can find a new qualifying job/income or otherwise meet the Workcation requirements.
And if you no longer have employment, you can qualify under the Soft Power option, for example by joining an eligible Thai cooking course of Muya Thai Boxing, when applying for DTV visa extension from Immigration Office.
So basically, it can work both ways: Workcation → Soft Power, or Soft Power → another qualifying basis, as long as you meet the requirements at the time of the visa extension.
The best advice for everyone is to contact their local immigration office to check the qualifications for extending a DTV visa.
If you have a DTV based on Workcation and you get fired or stop working for the company you originally applied with, it doesn’t automatically mean that you are no longer qualified for the DTV.
Your situation can change during the 5-year visa period. You can find a new qualifying job/income or otherwise meet the Workcation requirements.
And if you no longer have employment, you can qualify under the Soft Power option, for example by joining an eligible Thai cooking course of Muya Thai Boxing, when applying for DTV visa extension from Immigration Office.
So basically, it can work both ways: Workcation → Soft Power, or Soft Power → another qualifying basis, as long as you meet the requirements at the time of the visa extension.
The best advice for everyone is to contact their local immigration office to check the qualifications for extending a DTV visa.
Luit *****************
Alex Ni Of course you can qualify again after loosinig your job or ending a soft power activity, but that does not mean the visa keeps valid.
When you have a marriage visa and you divorce you can marry another woman, but that does not mean your visa continues without any problems.
At least during the period you do not qualify your visa is not valid, and technically you are in overstay.
When you have a marriage visa and you divorce you can marry another woman, but that does not mean your visa continues without any problems.
At least during the period you do not qualify your visa is not valid, and technically you are in overstay.
Ivan ************
@Lu**
I think I'm actually understanding where your root misunderstanding of all the stuff is. What you say here IS actually true of an extension of stay. That is tied to a reason and technically, the day the reason stops, so does the extension. You are entirely right here.
However, the same does not apply to visas or entry stamps on visas. This is a fundamental difference in Thai law.
Most long term expats are on extensions of stay, not visas, so it's understandable how this misconception could be generalised.
The DTV is different from a marriage *extension* in that it is a long term multi entry *visa*. These work totally differently legally.
Luit *****************
@Ivan ***********
Those requirements are not only for extensions, they are in place for each stay and just get checked at approval of visa, apply for extension, sometimes at entry of the country and might be checked any moment you get seriously involved with Thai police.I know returning on an extension is different from entering the first time on single entry visa or each time on a multi entry visa, but call that a fundamental difference is a bit over the top, since most requirements are exactly the same which makes sense, because you always strart your stay with the requirements of the visa, and with the extension you just continue that same stay.
DTV is multy entry, that means you get a new stay each time you enter, but I don't see that as totally different, at least not for requirements.
The main difference is that a single entry visa becomes invalid the moment you enter the country and a multiple entry visa stays valid the whole period.
When you are in the country you are always on a stay represented by an entry stamp legally, not on the visa itself technically.
Alex ****
@Luit ****************
good try But I have my experience I been married to Thai already and it does not work as you described I totally speak from my own personal experience about NON O visa.
If you got a NON O visa under Thai marriage and you divorced for example your visa valid till only next extension so basic non o visa issued for one year, after extension ( just 4 months ) person divorced he not qualified for next visa extension, but current visa that was originally granted valid till the date in passport..
And continue example from real experience
Non O Thai wife divorced, if person over 50 y.o he continue his NON O but base on different extension purpose based on retirement if person seasoning 800,000 in Thai bank for 60 days, so he not get cancelling visa, he gets new reason based on what he get another 12 months new extension in local immigration office.
Even if person not over 50 y.o. but having Thai child with ex wife, so he continue his Non O visa base on extension not Thai wife because he has no more documents and not qualified for this purpose of stay, but under Thai child same Non O visa extension but based on new documents supporting this reason..
Luit *****************
Alex Ni Most times you will not get any problems when you divorce during an extension till you try to extend next time, but technically your extension is invalid from the moment you are divorced, and there are example of people that got in trouble.
And indeed you can apply for an extension for another reason.
Same with DTV, when your activity / work stops during a stay you normally don't get any problems, but the next stay just is not allowed anymore
And indeed you can apply for an extension for another reason.
Same with DTV, when your activity / work stops during a stay you normally don't get any problems, but the next stay just is not allowed anymore
Greg ********
Alex Ni so, someone who obtained a workation DTV, who lost their job, can join a SoftPower without cancelling the DTV and get an extension under SoftPower. or vice versa?
Alex ****
@Greg *******
but best is to consult with local immigration office because as many immigration so many opinions. Some immigration even for change from Non O Thai wife to Non O retirement can say Mai Dai krup 555 This is Thailand
Alex ****
@Greg *******
DTV is one visa different purpose. Nobody cancel visa by changing reason of visa extensions for example: In Thailand, an extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen can be changed directly to a retirement extension at immigration without cancelling the underlying Non-Immigrant O visa or leaving the country.
Alex ****
@Greg *******
for this reason with proper documentation need to contact local immigration office. As many Immigration officers as many options and solutions will be there.This is FB group not immigration office so the final decision is always depending on Thailand Immigration officers..
Greg ********
Alex Ni you are not answering the question. You suggested that having a DTV for Soft Power or Workcation could be extended with proof of the other. Is that possible?
Alex ****
@Greg *******
for any visa extension need qualifications for requirements and documents accordingly.We know NON O visa different purpose and nobody cancel Non O if change purpose of visa extension its mean legally there is some room for this. The other way it's not easy for now, because immigration like Ed visa, but don't like DTV Worckation, but who knows what will be later..
Greg ********
Alex Ni the question I'm asking is: let's say somebody is on a Soft Power visa. But they are also a remote worker. Can they go to an immigration office and ask for a 180-day extension using their remote work as proof rather than the Soft Power option? If I understand it correctly, that's what you were saying they could
Graeme ********
Just shows the emerging flaws in the soft program after these courses are completed in some cases in just a few months.
Luit *****************
It is all up to IO at each entry if they check you or not, and when they check you can be denied when you not comply with the visa anymore.
Brandon ********
I asked this same question. You still have the DTV for 5 years. However, I would say you will probably want to continue training (keep receipts) just in case you are questioned, but you are not locked into a particular school per-say. You also are not locked into frequency, etc. You can essentially train once a week, once a month, not sure about once a year 😅 lol…
However, there is nothing painted in law that says you are required to remain actively participating. The only actual requirement is leaving 180 days and re-enter for another 180 days. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
However, there is nothing painted in law that says you are required to remain actively participating. The only actual requirement is leaving 180 days and re-enter for another 180 days. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Za *******
If your visa is based on Soft Power, make sure you have an ongoing course and 500k in your bank account each time you enter the country in case you are pulled out for questioning. Once you stop doing the activity your visa is based on means you are not fulfilling the visa requirements anymore and can be denied entry
Toni *******
@Za ******
requirement for tourist visas is 20k cash (40k a family)Za *******
@Toni ******
don’t get confused between the 20k cash requirements and the 500k DTV requirement. Don’t forget you are granted a 180 day entry, are you able to support yourself 180 days with 20k? Probably not. Use your common senseToni *******
@Za ******
get over it, 500k on arrival is not requirement for entry. Jesus. Show me official sources or stop, I asked once already, stop the bs ok khap? Are you jealous of people qualifying for dtv? They ask for proof of income "to support yourself" during application, but thats nothing to do with entry requirements. Same for retirement visas, showing bank account on arrival is not requirement for entry, its requirement for visa. Jesus youre delucionalZa *******
@Toni ******
seems that in 2 years since you are in this group you did not learn anything , go back to sleep boy and 🤫, The cash requirement is one thing and the 500k for dtv is something else. You can interpret the rules in your favor if that makes you happier when you enter the country but in case you get pulled out for questioning I don’t think the IO’s interpretation will be also in your favor😉Toni *******
@Za ******
no its not. Stop spreading bs fearmongering. Its 20k. Different story for voa/transit visas, where its 10k (you were wrong 2 times now, so obviously you dont know anything, better be quiet). Next time you try to lie, share official government link. I bet you dont even have dtvZa *******
@Toni ******
the 20k cash is official entry requirements for any foreigner entering the country, however with the DTV is a different storyToni *******
@Za ******
yes, the entry requirement is 20k/40k in cash, im not confused. Not sure if the official rules say cash, but its recommendedActivity
18 joined18
people
Related
25Is there an upper age limit for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?
1.2k11135d
What are the requirements for applying for a DTV visa through a cooking course in Thailand?
7068211d
Is it easier to use an agent for the DTV remote working visa application than to apply myself?
6.7k50933mo
Do I need to provide ongoing proof of employment for a DTV visa in Thailand?
900943mo
What are the common reasons for the denial of the Muay Thai soft power DTV visa applications?
635545mo
What should I consider before applying for the Muay Thai DTV visa in Thailand?
5k91385mo
What should I expect when re-entering Thailand on a DTV visa obtained through a school under the Soft Power route?
4.9k111316mo
Should I wait for salary payments before applying for a DTV visa or consider a Soft Power visa instead?
1.3k11118mo
Can I apply for the DTV Visa without a steady income while planning to study and create an online business in Thailand?
1.2k1169mo
What challenges do DTV holders face in residing continuously in Thailand?
11.8k941449mo
What is the process to obtain a long-term DTV visa in Thailand for training in Muay Thai?
7036110mo
What are my options after a DTV visa rejection from Japan, and is it advisable to reapply?
1.1k681y
What are the requirements and tips for obtaining a DTV visa for remote work in Thailand?
6721111y
Do soft power DTV visa holders need to do the 90-day report in Thailand?
2k12271y
Can I apply for a DTV visa in Thailand or do I need to do it from the USA?
1.2k991y
Which visa should I choose: DTV or Retirement visa for staying in Thailand?
4.3k29541y
How can I successfully extend my DTV visa in Thailand, and what documents are required?
3.9k30431y
What are the requirements and best options for Canadian business owners applying for the DTV visa in Thailand?
1.6k1381y
What is the DTV visa and what are its requirements?
3.4k21451y
Are payslips mandatory for the DTV Visa in Thailand?
788441y
What are the experiences and processes for obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?
16.1k712402y
What are the best visa options for a US citizen married to a Thai woman planning to work remotely while living in Thailand?
2.1k14232y
What is the process and requirements for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?
8.1k311302y
What is the process and requirements for obtaining a DTV visa for remote work in Thailand from Australia?
2.1k12152y
What are the document requirements and experiences for applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand from the Netherlands?
9.5k691152y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served