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What is the experience with the DTV Visa entry process in Thailand?

Mar 23, 2026
a month ago
Puneet ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV - 4th Entry: Stress Free

To all who have been making a fuss over DTV entry to Thailand.

I made my Entry yesterday. It was a breeze. The immigration officer was the absolute best I have ever met. He took my passport and said "You have the DTV Visa" smiled and stamped. This was for me, my wife and my kid. Even smiled and waved at my kid as we left.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently shared a positive experience entering Thailand with a DTV Visa, highlighting a smooth immigration process. This post sparked a discussion with mixed responses, showing both agreement and skepticism about the DTV Visa's reliability and future, mentioning concerns about its stability, misconceptions among new DTV holders, and the necessity for proper documentation. Some users also debated whether the DTV is a top-tier visa option compared to retirement or elite visas, noting issues like banking restrictions and varying individual experiences.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Thomas ********************
Cheap advertisement.
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Nicknam*******
Yes because you have DTV. Why would there be any issue?
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ConfidentR***********
If you qualify and have the correct paperwork and funds then yes no problems, it's people who don't and winging it without funds in the bank to support the stay in Thailand that has the problems, always be prepared to show paperwork and proof of funds to immigration
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Steven *********
You want a gold medal ? Stupid post .
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Alan **********
Steven Kureiji

The "Reply" button is EVERYBODY'S friend.
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Graham *******
Steven Kureiji why do you even need to reply? Just to make him feel bad?
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Steven *********
Graham Simms he did this to himself with his useless post
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Steven *********
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Coaches *********
Stupid comment

Well done

Congratulations

So what?

A total waste of time

Ones personal subjective experience is evidence of what?

That others have not been getting trouble?

That everyone is making a " fuss" for no reason?

Such pathetic logic
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James **********
Coaches Charlie I'd bet that those that get some trouble re-entering are those that have blagged the visa.
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Coaches *********
James Mitchell Not in my experience

Or anyone l know

Zero problems

Several decades

No visa

***
plus time per year in Thailand
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James **********
Coaches Charlie the DTV is only 2 years old. That was the topic of the post
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James **********
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Brad *******
However the female agent next door sent her victim into detention 😂
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Pete ********
Il Stick with my non Imm B and work permit lol
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Josh *****
post about DTV entry should cease immediately that shouldn't even be a thing, it's not some huge event like , "Oh my gosh wow immigration let you into Thailand with a top tier visa noo way!" you complied and it's supposed to be a surprise you got in? that's just annoying to be honest.
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BronzeNec**********
Josh Lee Top tier…I doubt it. LTR would be top tier and Elite would be paid top tier. DTV is just a glorified ED visa with a possibility for renewal every 6 months. You can’t even open a bank account on it and it can be discontinued by the government anytime.
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Josh *****
BronzeNectarine3305 You're right it's a solid choice, it's stable mostly, and you can live here on it, but not top tier. Thanks for correcting me and making me think twice, it's a solid bridge while working out future plans. I really want a Thai bank, this part sucks, I'm tired of all the fees to turn my USD into THB
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Josh *****
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Andrew *************
Josh Lee Settle kettle, you’ll bust a valve.
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Josh *****
Andrew Constantino don't get it. but it sounds toxic.
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Josh *****
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Steven *********
Josh Leehe is showing off. Dumb post
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Josh *****
Steven Kureiji How am I showing off? I'm just annoyed.
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Josh *****
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Charlie *********
Josh Lee DTV isn't really a "top tier" visa, tho. I'd probably rank it below retirement visa in terms of stability. Nowhere near LTR or Elite.
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James **********
@Charlie ********
why isn't it stable? Its people like yourself saying things like that which has created all the misinformation and is the exact reason for the OP.

If people have forged the paperwork, or not taking thai lesson etc, then those people might come unstuck further down the line, but that's down to them, not the visa being unstable.
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Charlie *********
James Mitchell Also, forgot to mention, but the DTV doesn't even allow for Thai banking, so, that's another big knock against it. And that's why I would rank it below the retirement visas, LTR, and TE. It's basically a step up from METV.
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James **********
@Charlie ********
Charlie Whiskey yeah, but that is the point of it, to allow remote workers, to work from Thailand, while being paid in their home country. People that say its dodgy are mostly expats, and many complain about shit for the sake of complaining. The visa is new yes, doesn't make it unstable, they might change the requirement over time, but those already on DTV now won't lose it.
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Charlie *********
James Mitchell Wouldn't DTV holders also be "expats" (immigrants would be perhaps a better term, or economic migrants), though? And what makes you so certain that those on it now wont lose it? I'm not saying your wrong or anything, just curious. And given how many posts I've seen from folks trying to skirt or fake the requirements for DTV, I would think it would be a big thing for changes/crackdown. That's why, for example, the Elite visa is much more stable. You pass the background check, you pay, you're good to go. DTV doesn't have a background check, so far as I know. That might change given the whole foreigners behaving badly thing, the increase of bad behavior coinciding with the introduction of the DTV (not saying that the DTV is the cause, but when you look at the timing, it's not a good look)
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James **********
@Charlie ********
yeah, I know of a few that have blagged it. I can see the requirements might change in the future, for this reason, but I don't imagine they will revoke already issued dtvs, unless maybe some of those scamming it get caught out further down the line if questioned by immigration. But its currently a legal way for those under 50 to stay with out have to fork out for the elite visas options
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Josh *****
@Charlie ********
Yeah but I only met requirements for DTV and that was still alot actually, no unstable person can get it. But I'm not rich by any means and there's no fuckin way I can consider LTR or elite visa. Because I'm a working class guy with decent savings. I'm only DTV material... it would be a pipe dream only to imagine any better visa, I did my best.
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Charlie *********
Josh Lee Hey, no worries there, that's great, and good that you got it. TE wasn't that bad, until they really raised the rates a couple years ago. LTR is the insane one I think haha. DTV is certainly a great option for some, but, I do caution the people (there seem to be SO MANY) who seem to think that the DTV is like the premier VIP Thailand Visa, and many of them are new to Thailand, new to living abroad, and they seem to think that they have it all figured out and should have the red carpet rolled out for them (not saying that you are, in this case, but, well, it's elsewhere, and it's noticeable). It's important to understand it's standing and stability, in case things do actually change (they may not, ya never quite can know around here until it's in the Gazette). For example, because in large part to foreigners behaving badly, the 60 day visa exempt scheme is going back to 30 days. This has shocked many, but they clearly aren't aware or familiar with the fact that it's only been 60 days for a short period of time, about as long as DTV has been around, so, a switch back to 30 really isn't that huge of a thing. That said, here's to hoping for smooth sailing with every entry and renewal for ya!
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Charlie *********
James Mitchell Why isn't it stable? Well, firstly, it's the newest one. It's barely been around. Has it even been two years? Also, it wasn't a creation of the immigration department, and it seems to be seeing a lot of abuse (for example, nomads, as they like to call themselves, are supposed to be bouncing around, not exactly using it as a 5 year residency visa, which is what most seem to be trying to do, which seems to go against the intention of the visa), so, it remains to be seen what changes will come to it, and, given the lack of longevity of the DTV, one would be reasonable to expect tweaks and changes to it in the future.
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Charlie *********
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Dany ********
Josh Lee it is the countermeasure to all the anonymous posts that tell anecdotes about difficulties on entry ;)
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Dany ********
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Steve *****************
Can you get multiple entry with it? I come and go to work offshore.
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James **********
@Steve ****************
it is, you get 180 days every entry. But can't open a bank account.
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Dany ********
@Steve ****************
DTV is a multiple entry visa. you can come and go as you please
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Dany ********
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Josh *****
If it wasn't a breeze and it was supposed to be scrutinized then why the fuck should we get it? Why comply, why spend money , or even try to live in Thailand with a proper visa. Stupid fear mongering, do you think Thailand wants to instill fear and lose millions and billions of baht from tourism just do prove a "bigger dick" NO, because people will simply go to Vietnam, Phillipines , and Indonesia instead if they get too carried away with a crackdown. It will end counter productively.
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BronzeNec**********
Josh Lee I have elite visa. Technically I should be good for 20 years but we all know Thailand has a tendency of making rush and sometimes not always sensible decisions on visa changes. So a “proper visa” today might be useless tomorrow. Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos all have their own laws and different issues on different things. At the end of the day, those countries are not Thailand,many people move here because it’s Thailand, and the Thai government knows it well.
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Jim *******
BronzeNectarine3305 With the Elite visa 20 years you are good for 20 years since issued. Long before, then Thai Prime Minister Thaksin invented it, I think 2003.

Then, in the news, it was titled as "Thais massage foreigners wallets". None of those visas have ever been rescinded, it is still a valid option now.

Even more, when Thaksin was deposed by military junta, the junta published reports that Thai fishermen get their nets tangled with something at the bottom of the sea. Junta propaganda said those were the sunk containers loaded with Elite Visa brochures.

Shamessly, then junta, adopted that exact flow and continued to nowdays with whatever now Thai government may be.
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Josh *****
BronzeNectarine3305 Yeah but I only met requirements for DTV and that was still alot for me actually, no unstable person can get it. But I'm not rich by any means and there's no fuckin way I can consider LTR or elite visa. Because I'm a working class guy with decent savings. I'm only DTV material... it would be a pipe dream only to imagine any better visa, I did my best and I complied but I wish I could do better, because this is home to me , I'm back and forth between here and Taiwan, for Taiwan I secured permanent residency, good for life ,they have better systems for immigrants to get set up though.
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Josh *****
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Yo***
Josh Lee i could understand your feeling like that. But, in my experiences, I lived and even retired to various countries as you already mentioned. Vietnam is Ok but there is no right visa for retirees. Many do other ways to live there. Well, simply speaking, not for me. If vietnam offers real retirement program, Vietnam can be strong competitor of Thailand. other countries like Phillipines, Malaysia, Indoneisa, Singpore, etc.. all very inferior to Thailand. Honestly, Thailand is clear winner for me. I do not know what is yours. But anywhere you go, I say good luck to you.
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Charlie *********
Josh Lee You think that places like Vietnam and the Philippines don't have various crackdowns? 🤔
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Jared **********
Because there’s very few options for people to live or stay long term if they’re under 50.

It’s quite poorly thought out and susceptible to the same corruption and pitfalls the volunteer visa was subject to and ultimately neutered.

Many people who want to spend that amount of time in thailand won’t “simply move to a different country”

Kind of weird to be that obnoxious and melodramatic over a simple and positive post
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Jared **********
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