This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the new DTV visa in Thailand and how will it affect existing visa types?
DTV VisaVisa RulesImmigration ThailandVisa CategoriesLTR VisaNon-O VisaDigital NomadsExpat LifeThai Visa Requirements
May 28, 2024
2 years ago
Saran ***************
ORIGINAL POSTERA good read about the DTV visa that was just announced today. While the information is still quite vague, it's still a good read.
Hopefully, we will know more about it on June 1.
Hopefully, we will know more about it on June 1.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The recently announced DTV visa in Thailand has sparked mixed reactions and discussions among expats. While details are still vague, the visa aims to provide opportunities for education and short-term stays, with eligibility expected to be clearer by June 1. Some community members express optimism about the new visa, contrasting it with the existing LTR visa, which they feel has overly complex requirements. Others voice concerns about potential restrictions or bureaucratic issues, emphasizing the need for better clarity in the upcoming official announcements. Overall, this visa seems positioned to impact other types of visas, particularly the Non-O and Elite visas, raising questions about the future of long-term stays in Thailand.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jim ********
A massive exodus of retirees now coming off the Non-O and becoming "digital creators" 😂😂😂
Nongnuch ********
it's official. However, this official poster published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 29, is still in the wrong. Some countries are mentioned for the "60-days visa exempt" elegibility, AND also elegible for "visa-on-arrival". This is most obviously WRONG. Welcome to Thailand, they never stop amazing me
Frank-Steven ***********
@Nongnuch *******
That, plus wait for the details / fineprint. There are for example rumors that 500k THB have to be available throughout the whole stay. That could mean having it sit in a Thai bank account (like with Non-O marriage or retirement). That in turn would yield the chicken-egg problem of needing a Thai bank account for a visa, but not getting any without that respective visa in the first place. TIT.Nongnuch ********
@Frank-Steven **********
There is so much wrong with these plans!except the 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries, which is the only real change that would boost tourism!
All the other stuff could prove to be a huge loss of face due to the many errors contained in it
The LTR visa has already turned out to be a complete mess of impossibilities
Then it's "plans scrapped" again and there's no entry in the Royal Gazette
Frank-Steven ***********
@Nongnuch *******
Give it (them) time to present the final details. In general, the Destination Thailand Visa goes in the right direction. It is just a shame that they always invent new programs, instead of just improving / iterating existing programs (like the LTR Visa).Nongnuch ********
@Frank-Steven **********
I can't believe they create a multiple-entry visa with a 5-year visa validity. It means you can enter unlimited times, and always get issued a 180 days stay permit. It would make the ELITE visa obsoleteJim ********
@Nongnuch *******
It would make EVERY long term visa obsolete. I'll be the first to quit the retirement visa and become a "digital nomad" - apparently the only criteria is you sit in a coffee shop for four hours a day, using the free WiFi, and nursing one cheap coffee! I reckon I could do that! 😂😂😂Nongnuch ********
@Jim *******
I guess there will be an age limit! Unlike the age limit set for a Non-Imm-ED visa. They don't accept any "students" over the age of 50Jim ********
@Nongnuch *******
Not true. My 58 year old drinking buddy got an ED visa last year! There's no age limit in digital nomads!Nongnuch ********
@Jim *******
I don't say digital nomads got an age limit. I only say that this scenario COULD happen. At the very moment, we do not know any details surrounding this DTV visa. There even is the strong possibility that the Thais will scrap all these plans when they realize the pitfalls of itJim ********
@Nongnuch *******
Totally agree with you on that one. I'm convinced most of it is hot air and pie in the sky dreaming. I do think the visa exempt entries will go to 60 days, but there will be no extensions available after that. That's to relieve the pressure on immigration offices continually issuing stupid 30-day extensions. That part makes sense. But this 5-year visa is nonsense. It'll stop people applying for the Elite Visa, and that's the last thing they want!Nongnuch ********
@Jim *******
I did some math. The new 60-day visa-exempt would make the 60-days single entry tourist visa obsolete. Nobody would apply for it anymore. Which means, that in the wake of 25 millions of tourists, around 15 millions will not apply for the tourist visa any more for their holiday. Which means that the Thai MfA is kicking a revenue of 15.000.00 x 35.- Euro visa-fee into the bin. It corresponds for a loss of 525 million Euros!Jim ********
@Nongnuch *******
Correct, but the tourist visa can be extended to 90-days.Nongnuch ********
@Jim *******
the 60 days visa-exempt can ALSO be extended for 30 more days for 1900.- THB on Immigration!Jim ********
@Nongnuch *******
Can you show me where that is stated please?Nongnuch ********
@Jim *******
Can't remember where I read it. It said "extendable"Jim ********
@Nongnuch *******
I think you're guessing. I read that the new measures were to alleviate the pressures in immigration offices handling high numbers of extensions. So they're dropping the extension, and just giving 60 days flatNongnuch ********
@Jim *******
maybe he used an agent help him grease the wheels. Money buys you everythingJim ********
@Nongnuch *******
Nope - it was a language school. Good one too. Duke in Soi 13. All legitFrank-Steven ***********
@Nongnuch *******
Agreed. The details aren’t clear, yet. I doubt it will end up being 180 days per entry. Then again, the Elite getting obsolete would be a good thing. Ridiculous to ask people to pay that much (Elite) for the privilege to spend money in the country. In parts they made the Elite obsolete with the LTR already - which in many ways is the better deal already.Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
Nathan ***********
I’m sure it will be complicated and restrictive
Frank-Steven ***********
Fingers crossed. As the LTR (remote worker category) was a total overkill in requirements - causing it to be a failure.
Frank-Steven ***********
But it looks like they might fix this with the new 5 year visa at 180 days each entry - starting next month.
Sacher *******
@Frank-Steven **********
so far according to the info available it's not 180 days each entry. 180 days per year for 5 years, with the ability to extend by another 180 days in any of the given years.Frank-Steven ***********
@Sacher ******
Let's wait for the details to come. 180 days a year would still be a good deal for a multiple entry 5 year visa at 10k THB. There is other places in the world that are nice to - especially the less nice other 185 days a year.Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Frank-******
Its failed? Seemed pretty successful so far for people with actual jobs or money.Frank-Steven ***********
@Garrett **********
Funny, Garrett. Not. The program was set out to attract 1,000,000 - so far they issued a few hundred. And don’t worry about my money - just because I make it a smarter way (channeling it through a wholly owned corporation) than anticipated by Thai bureaucrats in brown uniforms. 😉Garrett ***********
@Frank-******
Corporation* not an incorperation, verb not a noun. You'd know that though wince you channel all your money through one though 😂.And how many people have been issued thr LTR since inception?
Frank-Steven ***********
@Garrett **********
You are a great English teacher, thank you. 😘 And as for your question: Not more than a couple of hundred LTR's have been issued - maybe a few thousands in the lower 4 digits. The program was set out to attract a million people, though. So, the initiative failed its self-set target. End of story. And it did so, because (like all so often in Thailand) - they messed that great idea up in the details with bureaucratic overkill of requirements that don't align with the desired audiences’ realities. So it failed quantitatively (as in not even a fraction of the desired numbers) but also qualitatively (as in missing out on a big group they would actually desire). But I got better things to do than to debate this here. Have a great day y'all.Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
Jo **********
@Frank-Steven **********
not a failure I got it rather easyFrank-Steven ***********
@Jo *********
Sure. But pensioners had it very easy before. It is the remote worker category of the LTR that went overkill.Jo **********
@Frank-Steven **********
no Mr Oakwood. It is very easy, the easiest. If you work with a big company it’s so clear.Frank-Steven ***********
@Jo *********
I work with many big / listed companies. Only I refuse to be directly employed by them. Instead, I invoice them through a corporation that I own. Almost all smart "remote workers" do it like that - if for tax reasons alone.Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
David *******
Seems quite fair this visa. If wanting to do education courses for a few months, and can rent a short term let condo.
Hope it works. 🍀 🤞🏻
Hope it works. 🍀 🤞🏻
Dirk **************
Yep, and I fail to read anything about tax exemption on these visas....😂😂
Todd *********
@Dirk *************
😂😂😂 safe bet you never will read about tax exemption for themReply to
Todd *********
Reply
John **********
Everything you need to know about something that doesn't yet exist
Stephan ***********
@John *********
Good one... 😁👍Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
What are the implications of the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for frequent travelers in 2025?
8 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
3 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
2 years ago
128 comments
2 years ago
110 comments
2 years ago
29 comments
2 years ago
64 comments
2 years ago
145 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
82 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
134 comments
2 years ago
503 comments
2 years ago
193 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
29 comments
2 years ago
76 comments
2 years ago
12 comments
3 years ago
12 comments
4 years ago
8 comments
5 years ago
40 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.