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What is the current status and future of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for expats?

Nov 26, 2025
2 days ago
So how long do you all think the DTV soft power option will be available like that ?

Now with all the changes for tourist visa I’m worried they will get it that a 6 month course doesn’t really justify a 5 year visa.. anybody had the experience applying for DTV but getting less than 5 year visa ? Or does it depend on the embassy you’re applying at ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) currently allows expats to stay in Thailand for an extended period, primarily for soft power activities like training in Muay Thai. However, there are concerns regarding its long-term validity, especially as some predict an impending halt to new applications by the end of December 2025. Experiences shared in the community suggest that the justification for a 5-year visa is being questioned, particularly if the course duration is significantly shorter. While there are varied perspectives on the future of DTV, the consensus indicates that stricter regulations may be implemented to manage immigration more effectively.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
someone working at the copy shop of a strict immigration office in the South said "the boss" don't like DTV because the office makes more money from ED visa (15 month university) through the backdoor. "only visit one time for make picture, don't need go class". go figure

DTV killed much revenue for local offices. everything else is NPC virtue signaling
Peter ****
I think they should not give that visa at all for soft power
René *******
It doesn’t matter ‘what you all think’. It only matter either the Thai authorities changes rules or not.
Dca *****
Go Ask the person who's Signature appears on the Notice Promulgating the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) into Existence on 15 July 2024 = Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister!

As published in the Thai Royal Gazette and also the signed copy:

ประกาศ กระทรวง มหาดไทย เรื่อง

การอนุญาต ให้ คนต่างด้าว อยู่ในราชอาณาจักร เพื่อ ท่องเที่ยว และ ทำงาน ทางไกล เป็น กรณีพิเศษ

15 ก.ค. 2567 เล่ม 141 ตอนพิเศษ 192 ง หน้า 9

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*****
.pdf
Ian **********
Soft power DTV does give easy access to undesirables for long term stay in Thailand. I expect them to tighten up on that in the near future
Happy **********
I guess from their perspective they are filtering out people that can’t get together $20,000 in their bank account… for three months…

They just want people that can afford to be here and aren’t planning to do crime.

On top of that, the visa fee is pretty much a generous donation… to their entire department and supports regulating and checking up on who comes into the country and how they behave
Shandy ********
Happy Thailand Yes, they're just raising the financial bar a little, and cracking down on visa runners will eliminate those who are essentially living in Thailand who can't come up with money for a course and application fee, who aren't contributing much anyway. If you don't do remote work, then the soft power route comes with a nominal fee for a sports course or medical treatment. This visa probably came as a surprise boon for local gyms last year.
Anonymous ******************
I have it from a credible source they will stop applications for Dtv at the end of December .
IndigoG********
Anonymous participant 757 my source says you dont have a source
Anonymous ******************
Many experts on here let's just wait and see
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 757 I have a credible source that Neverland is accepting applications for the DTV Jan 1st.
Khun ******
Anonymous participant 757 My sauce says the DTV is increasing to 10 years validity next week.
David *******
@Khun *****
my source says most sauce is made from tomatoes 😂😂
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
The thing is the DTV doesn’t show if it’s soft power or remote work so they would really need to question everybody about their visa background right ?! I just don’t know yet if I always want to train for muay Thai the second I step a foot in the country. And that’s why I thought it has the reason for this time period that you can come and go and train whenever you want. Like honestly how many of the Muay Thai DTV holders are really training full time 5 years ??
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah ok I didn’t know that, thank you
Khun ******
Anonymous participant It does say on some DTVs.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant internally it is noted as DTV1 for workcation, DTV2 for soft power and DTV3 for dependents.
De *****
Anonymous participant 152 That's an interesting claim, do you have a source?
Luit *****************
Technically a 6 months course does not justify a 5 year visa, the visa is only valid when you are enrolled in a soft power activity.

A number of people here do believe when they are approved for the visa all requirements are void from that moment on, but nobody until now could point ot where that is described.

When you ask the embassy where you got the visa what are the requirements at subsequent entries they will tell you they are exactly the same as at moment of approval, and that it is up to border immigration offcials to decide what they need to check.

The checks at approval are only meant to check if it is trustworthy that you need a visa for a longer time.

So technically there is also no need to issue DTV visa for a shorter period if you have a shorter training, simply because when the training ends, your purpose of stay does not match the visa, what makes it illegal to use the visa at that moment.

At the moment there are not much checks at entry of the country, that can stay the same for years, but can also change very soon.

There is no change of rules necessary for that, only change of guidelines for border immigration officers.
Dayumay **********
@Luit ****************
retirement extension is not permanent either, they might just tell you to get an elite visa or to get the hell out of here.
Luit *****************
@Dayumay *********
you are right, no visa guarantees permanent citizenship.
Christopher ***********
@Dayumay *********
Thai government should protect their National Health Service from losses caused by foreigners. Apart from motorcycle accidents, retirees must pose considerable risk with heart attacks and strokes. Even those with health insurance may not be covered for repatriation. Some lie to obtain lower premiums with denied claims resulting. Others die in their five thousand baht per month apartments without even the means to pay for their funerals. IMHO, foreigners should be required to lodge a realistic sum (say, $250,000 USD) with the Thai government whilst in country.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
*****
0 usd for what?
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
ITU and/or high dependency treatment (for example). Even pulling the plug after 72 hours would still leave a debt.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
It is up to people if they want to be treated, if they want have money or insurance. If they don't want, just up to them. And 72 hrs will normally cost 50K to 60K THB, far from 250K USD.
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
First responders would take you to the nearest A/E. You may be incapable of communicating your wishes. There have been cases of treatment continuing as the patient held health insurance. After racking up a huge bill the claim was denied leaving the hospital with a bad debt to write off.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
And that is why visa requirements are in place, but
*****
0 USD is just overdoing it.
Kurt *************
I think they will become more strict in 6-12 months like they changed ED visa
Alex ****
@Kurt ************
They will begin asking DTV holders why they need to stay in Thailand — regardless of whether it’s Soft Power DTV or Workcation DTV. Everyone must have a strong reason to enter and remain in the country.

Do you really think saying “I work remotely” will satisfy immigration? They could easily respond: “If you work remotely, you can do that in Vietnam or another country and return to Thailand later. Your reason isn’t strong enough.”
Kurt *************
I thonk they will be more strict on softpower before they start checking work related stuff. Easier for them to make requirements from muay thai gyms to show attendance recorda thwn asking for work related stuff for sure.
Anonymous ******************
@Kurt ************
What was changed about the ED visa?
Kurt *************
Anonymous participant 906 they are checking that people with ed visa actually are showing up to class etc and many lost their visa for not coming
Anonymous ******************
@Kurt ************
true !

I am on Thai language ED Visa and I actually have to go to immigration tomorrow where they check my Thai level. This is a new requirement just implemented 6 months ago. Before it was never necessary
Anonymous ******************
Anonymní účastník 362 next time study english 😂 easy ;)