What can I expect regarding the entry stamp for the new Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

@Todd ********

We were living in Samui from 2017-2019. I used METV’s so this DTV visa is convincing of making a comeback. My wife worked at Kamalaya during that time (she’s born in Canada despite looking Thai). Home was mostly in Lipa Noi.

I changed my profile picture so might look different on FB now but we’ve had chats before. 😁

I really loved wearing nothing but flips flops and shorts. Enjoy on my behalf! 👍👍 There was one day in November that got down to 23° in Samui and I could’ve worn long sleeves, but enjoyed that I didn’t have to. Rainy season was my fave time of year in Samui.

I actually first arrived in Samui this very week in 2017. Really enjoyed this time of year as well. Ok, all of them. 😁

@Todd ********

Interesting thing is, Victoria is considered one of the best places to live in Canada, especially temperature-wise.

Yep, was really tough going back home and still is. Samui feels like yesterday although returned about 5 years ago (right before Labour Day).

The only things keeping us from returning to Samui are family and visa issues. DTV definitely makes it less of an issue now.

@Timothy *********

If you meet the requirements (check the US$ cost on the US Condulate website)

@Tim *******

That is BS, sorry. Read the published law. Trust only official sources not some hearsay or some infographic anybody could have done. I published the original law (plus and English translation) in this group a few days ago. Search for it. I also shared an actual issued DTV visa clearly stating it’s 5 year validity - check that post, too. We have facts now - no need to speculate and spread fake news as you still do.

The confusion came out of saying it was 10k per year, follow what Frank us saying. Don't worry about the calendar year and 365 days v 180 x 2 being 360 it's not relevant. It's still a 5 year visa for 10k. extendable or bounce for another 180 days at applicable costs.

@Frank-Steven **********

well done Frank, exactly as you say.

@Frank-Steven **********

ok Frank. Go to immigration and explain to them that they are spreading false information. And that you know better. Based on your interpretation.

I never said it wasn’t valid for 5 years. Each stamp is 179 days as the first day is day 1. Show him the proof you got from the internet.

Secondly, I said that it’s broken down to 180 day timeframes. Much like the non-immigrant B visas are a 1 year timeframe. You can continue to renew it for 5 years.

Why did they even put 180 days there then of it wasn’t a relevant time frame.

Move on. And keep your false accusations to yourself going forward.

@Tim *******

Read this to wrap your head around it:



Look here to actually see a the DTV visa:



Check this, if you care for the pure facts written and published in Thai law:



Good day.

@Tim *******

Not that tone with me, mate. But your are right in some parts. Only that you don’t have to “renew” the visa. Simply leaving as re-entering gives you another 180 day (179 nights) stamp. Unlimited times. 5 year long. The validity of the visa is clearly different from the allowed days in country per visit.

@Frank-Steven **********

the part of getting a new 180 day stamp every time you leave and come back is not accurate.

I asked them directly about that.

They explained - the timeframe for the visa is 180 days in which time you can come and go as you please.

That is why it is worded as it is? They clearly indicate a 180 day period for the visa. Which can be renewed and extended over 5 years.

I asked specifically, then I would get 180 days initially, come and go as I please and before the original 180 days is up, I can extend in country for another 180 days. They said yes.

And I asked specifically, as there are 365 days in a year, and I can get 360, I have to leave Thailand for 5 days and come back on a new 180 days which again is extendable and they said yes. And repeat each year? Yes. For 5 years? Yes.

I’m simply sharing what the woman at immigration told me. If she’s wrong, take it up with them.

@Tim *******

Each time you enter you get another 180 days. There's no need to visit immigration

@Jim *******

and what if you don’t leave. Where do you get the 180 day extension?

@Tim *******

You must leave at some point. You get the extension for 180 days at an immigration office, but then you must leave after that. If you don't wish to leave at all you're probably better getting the LTR visa

@Tim *******

I remain with “my” version. It is a 5 year visa (as shown sharing an original DTV). Within those 5 years you can come and go and come again as many times as you want. If you come, you can stay 180 days before your have to leave. If you don’t yet want to leave after 180 days, you can pay immigration for an extension of another 180 days. But at the latest after those 360 days you will have to leave before you can return and get a fresh 180 days stamp and can start over again. The key difference you have to understand is the validity of a visa never equals the permitted stay in Thailand. The permitted stay in Thailand is determined on the entry stamp. So, while the visa has 5 years validity. Each entry based on it will only give you a (new) stamp of 180 days. Hope that this is clear. And I have dealt talking to immigration extensively before. Easy to get misunderstandings there. Sometimes they don’t even know themselves exactly (yet). Sometimes things are just lost in translation. My tip: trust what is written in law and published in Thailand - not much else. Cheers.

@Frank-Steven **********

I actually think we’re saying the same thing. But differently.

@Tim *******

Glad to hear it. Just please don’t tell people that the DTV is a 180 day visa and that the visa needs to be renewed after that. I worked hard for fils to move past such potential misconceptions over the past week. The visa is good for a whole 5 years at 10k THB. Each time you use it to enter, you only get 180 days permitted stay stamped in your passport, yes. Then you need to either leave and re-enter or buy and extension at local immigration. All good. 😊

@Lee **********

ya. Each year. baht.

@Tim *******

10,000tb for a five year visa, not each year, only addition is if you extend for another and we are not full sure on that cost, said to be 10,000tb

@Lee **********

the wording on the screenshot is ambiguous so both the Canadian Consulate and a visa agent suggested I speak with immigration directly as they too said it was ambiguous.

On either this page or another someone posted a shot of their DTV (not sure if was real or not and I can’t find it now) and it showed expiration date at 180 days. Not 5 years. It said multi entry as well. As opposed to single entry.

Rather than listening to opinions and speculation on FB, I went to the source and not FB. Neither the consulate nor the agent told me to seek definitive answers on FB.

@Tim *******

and since they work the same, you can probably even push it to 5 years and half if you do a border run on the last week :)

@Tim *******

DTV

@Yoni ***

I’m not disputing the 5 years. I’m saying - it 180 days, extendable for another 180 days. You can keep doing this for 5 years.

You do not get a visa stamped for a 5 year stay and you don’t have to extend or renew. It is for 180 days at a time.

Like I said, this is how it was explained to me.

I went to the source to ask rather than listen to all of the FB immigration experts. Same reason I go to the Dr when I’m not sick rather than consult FB.

There have been many misinterpretations so I went directly to immigration for clarification. Everything I have said here is based on how it was explained to me. By immigration. The ones responsible for enforcing this visa.

If you have a different opinion or feel that they’re wrong, please feel free to go and tell them.

@Tim *******

you said "another 10k"

@Yoni ***

ya. The next calendar year. Once again. The visa is 180 days for b. However, you can extend for another 180 days. Period.

The following year you can repeat the process. Another 180 days for b which you can extend for 180 days.

Year 3: ditto.

Year 4: ditto

Year 5: ditto

Year 6: find another visa type.

The intent is to a) track digital nomads. b) tax digital nomads c) allow digital nomads a long term stay that is affordable.

If this wasn’t so, then why not just lower the cost and qualification requirements for a 5 year METV rather than create a new type for a unique situation.

If anyone has issue about this information that I was given to me by IMMIGRATION, then feel me to go to one of their offices and correct them.

@Tim *******

"The following year you can repeat the process. Another 180 days for b which you can extend for 180 days."

This is written no where and as you are the one who bring it, you are the one who should provide a real source.

@Tim *******

multiple tourist

@Tim *******

from what I understood : 10k the first time , then 1900b if you extend Thailand or FREE if you leave the country, nothing else. To me it make sense since the multiple tourist visa already works like that.

@Lee **********

ok. I’ll let the woman at immigration that I spoke with know

that she was wrong.

It’s b for 180 days in a calendar year. You can extend in country another 180 days. When you do the math, factoring in 365 days in a year, you have to leave Thailand for 5 days.

The next calendar year is the above all over again and for each calendar year for 5 years x 10,000b per 180 + 180 days. That equals b for the 5 years.

After 5 years you cannot remain on a DTV visa.

It is treated as multi entry. You don’t get a new 180 days every time you leave the country.

If it was a 5 year visa for b they would say and call it that. Which they don’t.

It’s clearly: 180 days for b which you can extend for another 180 days. You can do this for 5 years.

Immigration explained it to me how I have just written it.

@Tim *******

You should never tell any Thai civil servant that they are wrong, if there is a slight chance that you will need the goodwill of that civil servant at a later date.

By correcting the Officer, they will “loose face”, which i very bad in Thai context.

@Tim *******

false informations

@Sue *********

whatever things people did before was on a reason of tourism. This is essentially different because it's written in the royal gazette that remote work while living in Thailand is allowed for freelancers, nomads, and etc. That means the future border runs or flight runs are actually free without cost of bureaucracy. Most young remote workers I know travel abroad at least twice a year. So to that visa holder, it's no cost.

@Sue *********

I meant free, as in no additional fee on the Thai side. Of course doing a border run isn’t free: you have to travel and maybe even need a visa for the other country you are doing the border run to.

@Pat ****

No need for re-entry permit. Fresh 180 day stamp at every entry.

@Rob ******

No. Pay once 10k at application and then free entries of 180 days each.

@Frank-Steven **********

thankyou

@Rob ******

don't have to pay anything for an entry.

@Todd ********

And the retirement visa (Non-O) isn’t multiple entry. It is single entry. So most retired people are not on a visa, but on an extension of stay. That extension has a fixed end. And if they want to leave and reenter during that time without needing a new visa, they need to buy re-entry permit. This re-entry mechanism comes included in the LTR. Now other retirees get a Non-OA visa. That visa is multiple entry. If they leave and re-enter they get stamped in 1 fresh more year each time - and squeeze out almost 2 years like that. That is how the DTV works.

@Todd ********

I am still trying to digest the drastic changes and adverse effects of overtourism since the end of COVID. But I know that’s selfish of me. 😅😉

@Todd ********

Looks like it. Let’s just hope Thailand remains the place we want it to be under these conditions.

@Todd ********

Actually, closer to 5 years + 179 days + 180 days final extension. Thus almost 6 years. And yes, that is how it is worded in law that it works. But sure, no rush … can wait for first practical reports of DTV re-entries.

@Frank-Steven **********

correct! The LTR is not a multi-entry visa. If it was, on every entry they would stamp people in for 5 years. They don't do that - the date of expiry always stay the same and so does each entry just carry you on until that expiry date

@Greg **********

Yep. Fixed ending irrespective of new entries vs. dynamic ending based on new entries.

@Steven ********

seems you answered the wrong person ? 😄😄

I answered that the details about the stamp are specified in the Thai law which was published in the Royal Gazette, thus can be easily verified.

@Nick *********

what was I speculating? And I have not seen the DTV stamp so again I do wonder what it will be like and said I'll find out in a couple of weeks when I am back

@Brian *******

I've been reading them. The criteria is pretty loose the way it is. 500k in a bank account and a "remote worker" title (which basically anyone can be).

@David *******

Correct. The LTR had too stringent requirements and I think they've realised this, so they're now offering a diluted LTR and rebranded it DTV

@Todd ********

That's who it might be aimed at, but I think a lot of others will be jumping onto the bandwagon. I know a few people personally who are looking at possibly switching in the near future

@Todd ********

Or retirees looking for a more simplified way to stay here. Compared to the non-O it's a beauty, and although the LTR has a few better perks, the price you pay for them is pretty high. Retirees who are in and out of the country on a regular basis will benefit greatly and the visa will actually pay for itself over a few years.

@Todd ********

Cost wise the DTV beats it. The tax component doesn't affect me. I don't bring much money into Thailand so freedom of money movement doesn't bother me. Yes the 3800 baht reentry permit means the DTV will actually pay for itself over three years, giving two years free. Again it depends on individual circumstances, but for me (and I'm sure many other retirees) it's THE best visa.

@Todd ********

The income aspect of the LTR is easy for most to meet. It's the 50k v 10k fee I'm referring to. For those that don't travel much I can understand, but I'm in and out like a yo-yo so the 180 day stamp suits me down to the ground, and as I won't have to buy re-entry permits, the DTV pays for itself. I only transfer around 80k each month into Thailand which I draw from a closed super account in Australia so there's no tax to pay. My money stays overseas so it's out of reach of the Thai tax office. Hence the "tax-free" component of the LTR is worthless (to me).

@Todd ********

As I keep saying, it's dependent on individual circumstances. I only bring in the bare minimum for what I need on a monthly basis. What's the point of bringing more? The Thai Tax Office can target me if they so wish, but all money I bring in is tax-exempt so that part isn't important for me. So why would I pay 50,000 for a visa when I can get one for effectively - (yes minus) 1800 baht per year, as I won't need to buy a re-entry permit? There's absolutely no advantage whatsoever in getting a LTR (for me). I'll bet we'll be seeing a lot of retirees switching in the next few months

@Neil *****

I'm talking from the Thai perspective. They expected 100,000 in the first year and struggled to get 20,000. That's a bomb

@Brian *******

That already happens. The gates have always been open to perpetual border bouncing cheap Charlies and begpackers. You only have to look through these threads to see people asking for cheap accommodation, living on 7-11 crap and whining like wounded cats at having to pay 300 baht to get into a national park. It's been that way for years

@Andy ***********

it's about to happen on a much larger scale with this visa.

@Brian *******

This one won't bomb. I already know four retirees and one married to a Thai just in my social circle ready to go for it! 10,000 baht for five years with easy financial criteria is a no-brainer. None of them even considered the LTR

@Andy ***********

again, it's a no-brainer for those who think k they can come here for 5 years and get rich on their YouTube channel or be the next drop shipping millionaire.

@Brian *******

Yeah I know all about those. I'm thinking more positively to those who will reinvent themselves as "digital creators" in order to qualify for the DTV. They're certainly not interested in making any money, they just want the visa

@Andy ***********

true, and I'm thinking at least some aren't financially prepared.

@Peter ********

bwahaha triggered much 😂

@Peter ********

let's assume you're right. Let me ask you this. Why would you need an extension......

Remember this is an English translation of Thai law. The reality is you will get 180 days per 'visa' over 5 years (plus another 180).

The real question should be after the 360 days can you apply for the dtv again?

@Paul ********

the extension of stay section says you can stay for 180 days, extend for another 180 days and then depart and reenter again using the Visa.

It's really not that hard

@Paul ********

....

You need the extension if you want to stay in Thailand longer than 180 days in a row, without leaving the country. You can request such an extension only once per visit. So after 360 days you need to cross the border and get back in on the DTV terms...

If you do, you get another brand new 180 days to visit, with the option to request an extension for that visit once... after 360 days, you need to leave the country again etc.etc....

I'm not only using this infographic, but reading up from multiple sources. Please check your sources before posting information, because you're posting non-sense.

@Peter ********

good luck with that

@Ralph ******

exactly. This is something the 20-somethigs who can barely afford travel will not do.

@Andy ***********

I would hold on to that thought. So many of us will never get DTV as it isn't for us. Employees and business owners need Non-B. Other long termers familiar with government flip flopping won't cancel their current visas. Neither will Elite holders.

@Neil *****

All depends on the situation and travel patterns of the retiree. Many resent having the 800k tied up in a Thai bank account and will see this as a way out. Those that use agents to bypass this financial arrangement will wonder if continually paying agents 20,000 baht each year measures up against paying 10,000 for five years. There's a lot of considerations to be made

@Thaimer *****

Brazil does cant remember exactly how many days

@Thaimer *****

if foreigners behaved themselves in Thailand like they do in other countries, that wouldn't be necessary.

@Steven ********

That may be one objective. But I don’t think it’s the prime objective. I think the prime objective is to support the economy to attract more people spending their money in Thailand. Sad, really, when the real objective of a serious government would need to be to transform the Thai economy to be more independent from tourism.

@Frank-Steven **********

I agree and think it's a win win for them, if we like it and stay longer we pay tax as well as help keep paying money into the economy when we go out to bars, restaurants and so on ..

@Todd ********

if you keep saying that then maybe they might take it away from everyone, think don't say 🤔 lol

@Todd ********

A residency visa (like the LTR) is something that is geared to staying guaranteed without having to bounce. The DTV is more suited for people like snowbirds who come every season for a few months. With the DTV meeting requirements can be reevaluated at every extension or border crossing if IO so choose to. Sure, some people will try and use the DTV for an actual 5 year “full time” stay. Time will tell how that works out.

@Todd ********

It will be another 180 day stamp at every entry. That’s what the law reads. Does that mean it will automatically equate to a quasi 10k residency visa? I wouldn’t go that far. Even holding a visa does not guarantee entry / re-entry. As with every visa, the IO will always have the right to check if conditions for the visa are still met. But you should have an answer in a few weeks when people started bouncing with the DTV. I am not even sure anyone even entered once with a DTV.

@Todd ********

I have no heard a single report of someone actually having gotten issued a (paper) DTV visa in Laos, Cambodia, or Malaysia. Hoping for reports to learn about their exact requirements.

@Todd ********

Don’t know how they could know more or would have additional things to add at this point. As I said… if you want more peace of mind just wait a little longer to observe how it will work for others, first. 😊

@Todd ********

I am not sure what you are expecting exactly this early in the game. The DTV was launched only a few days ago. There can hardly be anyone at this point having used a DTV to cross into Thailand with - and less likely so to have done a border bounce with it for you to see what the stamp after re-entering on a DTV looks like.

The basic mechanisms of the DTV are clearly described in published law. Multiple entry visa with 5 years validity and unlimited entries of 180 days each during this period. Believe it, or don’t. There is no guessing in that. 😉

Sure, some things aren’t completely known yet, as they were left vague in the law and were left for the consulates to detail out. These unclear things don’t pertain to how the visa works, but how to qualify to obtain it exactly - and how much to pay to optionally extend it in country.

People will share their experiences at varying consulates here over the course of the next days / weeks. Then we, all of us, including the mods and admins will know.

For now it’s sitting back and relax. 😌

@Todd ********

As I said: How the visa works is clear - both derived from the wording of the law, publications of the foreign ministry, and now even from many consulates already having updated their websites. It works exactly as I “interpreted” it. Also as I said some (more minor) things remain unclear - but limited to who exactly can apply and what exact requirements and proof to present to be granted that visa. Now if you need an admin or mod, because it makes you more easily believe … that is your right. Just call for them or tag them here. They are not commenting on the things I researched and shared because they agree with them. Why comment if everything that can be known at this point is already shared and presented. I have other things to attend to now. Cheers.

@Todd ********

I will leave that space. Eager to see real life experiences and reports of people gotten through with it just the same. And if you think I don’t have expertise in these matters or that only mods do, that is your prerogative. Just ignore my posts and inputs, then. The way I see it, I have contributed the most regarding the DTV in this group. And I considered to join as a mod or group expert. But I am growing tired of arguing against false information without any basis. Everything I shared had a legitimate source. Can’t say the same about other peoples speculations. I am sure you are a nice guy, Todd. Let’s just end this particular thread here - it has run its course. Have a great day.

@Todd ********

Yeah, let’s have a LTR / DTV meetup on beers one day. Would be fun. 🍻