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What is the likelihood of the Thai visa being removed and how many extensions can you get in 5 years?
Dec 22, 2024
a year ago
Blake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERTwo questions
1) does anyone know how long they are going to keep this visa or is there risk of them abruptly removing it down the road ? I was going to apply next year.
2) i heard that you only get one 180 day extension in the 5 year period. Does that sound right ?
1) does anyone know how long they are going to keep this visa or is there risk of them abruptly removing it down the road ? I was going to apply next year.
2) i heard that you only get one 180 day extension in the 5 year period. Does that sound right ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion revolves around concerns about the long-term Thai visa's future, with participants expressing a belief that it is unlikely to be removed due to its success in attracting foreign investment. There is uncertainty about the extension rules, with some comments referencing a limit of one 180-day extension within a 5-year period, although this remains unverified and is mixed with suggestions of applying for the visa sooner rather than later.
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David ********
I heard they were only going to approve them to men coming over for sex changes.
Mac *******
@David *******
brilliant news, I might change back to a man 🙏🏼🥰Andy ************
@David *******
It's "Gender Correction" these days! 😆👍😆Reply to
Andy ************
Reply
Mason *******
They could make it even better, extending it to 10 years maybe.
Greg ********
@Mason ******
Even the 10 year LTR you renew after 5 years (10 years is a bit of a marketing gimmick). I doubt they will make DTV a 10 year.Mason *******
@Greg *******
You never know, it's all speculation at this point. Why not hope for the best.Greg ********
@Mason ******
Can always hope but they seem reluctant to give out more than 5 at a time except for the 20 year expensive elite. With the BOI LTR you have to show you qualify again after 5 years ie funds, income etc.Reply to
Greg ********
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James ********
OMG 😳
Andy ************
@James *******
Don't you mean OMB? 😆Reply to
Andy ************
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Andy ************
No way in the world will it be stopped. It's been a huge success for Thailand, bringing in countless foreigners, all of them with wallets. Exactly what Thailand wanted!
Luit *****************
@Andy ***********
when it brings in countless foreigners, why do I then see here almost everyone already being in Thailand. That does not bring in anything at all, and will not help injecting money into the economy.
Andy ************
@Luit ****************
But many of those already here are on short-term visas, now the ability to stay five years with no hindrance means these people can rent condos long-term, buy cars, even buy condos. If you can't see how this is pumping money into the economy you're looking the wrong way. My landlord has five condos, four have sat empty since covid. The last three months he's filled them all, all with DTV holders. He's not the only one. My gym previously had five farang members, now there's over 30! Come on, this is the greatest visa ever, and new residents are pouring in, in their dozens!Luit *****************
@Andy ***********
the buying of property is not limited by visa, I did not need any visa at all to pay for our house in Thailand.People that are already in do not spend suddenly more money because they now got (another) visa.
Allthough I only spend less than 6 months a year in Thailand, I agree it is a great visa, no more trips to get 30 days extra because wanting to stay a bit longer, but just come and stay when you want, but I do not spend a single baht more or stay longer.
The feeling that remote work now officially is allowed is also a good thing.
Andy ************
@Luit ****************
I never said it was limited by visa, I said people would be happier to rent and buy property if they're guaranteed five years here, and probably another five, and another five and so on. Condo buildings are filling up with DTV holders in Bangkok. In my building alone I know six DTV'ers who have moved in just in the last few months. Trust me, they are pouring in, and it's great for the countryReply to
Andy ************
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Greg ********
I can see the requirements being tightened up and more barriers to entry. If you are going for it I would apply sooner rather than later.
Ray *****
@Greg *******
why would they need to tighten it up if it's purpose of getting foreigners into the country for longer periods of time is being fulfilled?Greg ********
@Ray ****
We are already seeing it happen. People being refused in sitauations they woukd have been approved for a cluple of months ago. The asking of tax returns. Wanting to see months of income for freelancers. Already happening. Are you claiming nothing has changes since July or are you reading selectively?Ray *****
@Greg *******
individuals are choosing to ask further questions. The government have not changed any rulesGreg ********
@Ray ****
So they have been tightening up - thank you.Ray *****
@Greg *******
no, possibly just an individual having a power trip. The government haven't changed any requirementsReply to
Ray *****
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Andy ************
@Ray ****
I agree. The DTV is achieving what it was designed for, I can't see any reasoning behind any tightening of requirements. We already know some embassies are more pedantic than others, that's all the tightening which is needed ✅Reply to
Andy ************
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Brian ****
If you want it, get it now. No one knows the future.
Elías ********
Extensions are not needed at all if you tavel at least once every six months.
Jim ********
No chance it will be removed. It was introduced to get people into the country on a longer term basis in order to spend money and pump the economy. It's been a total success. It'll be around for a long time yet
Christopher ********
Well it kinda makes elite visa useless Almost so I wonder how long this Will last.
I imagine for tax reasons you can’t keep extending but I can’t confirm.
I imagine for tax reasons you can’t keep extending but I can’t confirm.
Greg ********
@Christopher *******
Yup no real advantages to the Elite visas now. Still some to BOI and LTR if you want to set up business and work here. Low tax on Thai earnings and zero on foreign.Jim ********
@Christopher *******
It's a five year visa. The visa is nothing to do with taxReply to
Jim ********
Reply
Anna *********
No (no one knows but why would they) and no
Greg ********
@Anna ********
Political pressures could force a change in the visa. Nobody can predict what could happen. They pretty much ended the Volunteer Visa due to abuse and tightened up on the Ed visa. There could also be economic reasons if the visa does not prove to have the economic benefits the MFA suggested. Thai politics is very fickle with a lot of power players with self interests.Anna *********
@Greg *******
a "could" is not a valid reason Anything "could " happen Heavens the whole thing could be a huge success and they "could" create even more easier to comply visas with higher baht requirements 🤣Greg ********
@Anna ********
If English is not your first language I apologise but you are not making much sense.Reply to
Greg ********
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Andy ************
@Greg *******
The Volunteer and ED visas were abused by people not complying with the requirements by virtue of bribes being paid by agents to immigration officers. The DTV is an MFA initiative, the requirements are very easy to comply with so no bribes are payable. I think when a visa has been as successful as the DTV, the MFA will not be changing it any time soon. This government is more open to bringing in foreign money, the last one was stuck in the xenophobic middle ages.Reply to
Andy ************
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