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What is the process for applying for the DTV visa while facing complications with the Non-O visa in Thailand?

DTV VisaNon-O VisaThai ImmigrationVisa ProcessExpats in ThailandChiang MaiVisa RequirementsEducation VisaRetirement Visa
Oct 5, 2025
3 days ago
Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am trying to apply for the DTV visa and I was wondering if anybody can give me some guidance with this.

I am in Chiang Mai at the moment. I tried to apply for the Non O visa for retirement but while waiting for my funds to be in the Thai account for the required two months, I ran out of visa time and was short ten days of the required time of visa. I had already extended my tourist visa which expires in 19 October.

I was advised to return to the US and apply but I am having a problem with the background check due to the US government’s shut down and not being able to get the FBI background check I need.

I have a one year lease for an apartment with the TM30 from my landlord, health insurance and medical certificate as well.

My question is for the DTV visa which seems to be my only option to come back to Thailand: Can any of this visa’s holders answer how their process worked? I know I can apply in person at the Thai embassy in Washington and want to make sure I have all that’s required as far as documentation.

One option to qualify is enrolling in a Thai language course and but I can’t find any information about the length of course I need to enroll in. I found that TSL language school meets the requirements and can go this week and get enrolled in the program.

I have a ticket to return to the US for 15 October and I’m in a bit of a pickle trying to find a visa that will keep me here or give up my dream of living in Thailand and permanently return to the US.

Thanking you in advance,

Angie
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the DTV visa application process as an alternative after facing issues with the Non-O visa for retirement. They shared their current situation in Chiang Mai, highlighting a need for a background check that is delayed due to US government issues and the requirement for funds in a Thai bank account. Responses emphasized that the Non-O visa does not require a background check, suggested canceling the current application for clarity, and offered advice on how to obtain the Non-O visa either online or through a visa run to a neighboring country. Several commenters provided insights into the requirements for both the DTV and Non-O visas, encouraging the user to enroll in classes for the DTV visa while clarifying that the Non-O visa due to prior funds in a Thai account could still be a feasible option.
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Rick ***********
That was an interesting read. I was waiting for you to also start talking about the insurance requirement.
2 days ago
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Lynnette *******
You've got a bank account. You put required money in bank. Head to neighboring country, apply Non-O retirement e-visa ( NOT O-A ) and use entry stamp with accomodation booking to prove you are there. Re-enter Thailand and do 12 month extension of stay. It's been explained by others too.
3 days ago
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Kevin *************
Don’t give up.

If you have a dream keep focused

TSL curriculum certainly meets the education requirements since they are a school that is that offers Education Visa.

My approach was to enroll in the class first then applied for DTV. It worked, two years ago at Los Angeles Thai Consulate. Now, who knows as nothing seems to be consistent …

DTV is turning out to not work for me because of Banking restrictions. Now in the process of switching to Non-O.

If you want more info dm me.

GOOD LUCK keep trying!
3 days ago
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Kim **********
Sounds like at this point since you have a bank account here your best bet is to go to Vietnam or Laos. Apply for non o there. Wait til it is approved based on home bank account amounts (or I guess Thai ones). Then enter the country. Then when you have 30 days left go apply for extension. Your account will be seasoned enough. And you will be good to go. Above you clarified that you NOW understand that you do not need background check or to go to the us. So your question should now count as successfully answered.
3 days ago
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Glenn *******
Another idea is do a visa run get another 60 day exempt tourist visa then go to an agent and get your non-o three month which you can extend turn on a retirement
3 days ago
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Wannikea *********
Wow you were certainly led down the garden path of multiple misinformation. But what's really astonishing is you've been in this group for 9 months, learning nothing.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
 thank you
3 days ago
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Angie **********
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Jon *****
Do you know if you took the time to read the requirements, you would not be in a state of confusion. So much accurate information out there. It would truly make your life easier to research. I say this with the utmost of respect.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon ****
 I was ten days short on my current visa. When I went to the immigration office to extend the tourist visa I asked and explained my situation and showed my bank information. There was no mention about not having enough time to process the non o visa having to have 30 days still left on my current visa. My money matured in the 29th of September and I was at the immigration office the next day. This is when I found out I would not be able to get it because my current visa would be expired by then.
3 days ago
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Jon *****
@Angie *********
 Had you taken the time to go to immigration and start asking questions you would have known. It's always my first port of call, because different offices have different rules. Now that your money is seasoned if I understand correctly, it should be straight forward applying again you have done it before . Good luck. I think you're applying for Non O no background check or insurance needed
3 days ago
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Jon *****
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Maitin *******
You can do the non O online and it's usually approved very quickly.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maitin ******
 thank you Martin. The problem im having is the background check. If I must have it and I can get it done faster thru a private company that does background checks, I will do this but according to the person my sister spoke with at the consulate in Chicago, it has to be by local police or by the FBI. I lived in Kansas and apparently they don’t offer the background checks service there.
3 days ago
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Maitin *******
@Angie *********
 there is no background check for a non O

The non OA has the criminal check
3 days ago
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Maitin *******
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Marty *********
You should be listening to Brandon. The O and OA are different visas with different requirements. You want the O visa which does not require a background check.

If you were to get a DTV then you cannot have a Thai bank account or you are in danger of losing an existing Thai bank account.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 I want to apply for the Non O visa but the background check the said was required for the application was the issue due to the US government shut down and background check is not considered a priority service by the FBI. This is why I thought the DTV could be an option for me and I can convert this visa to the non o while in Thailand. I am also exploring the possibility of applying for the non o visa once I return from the US with the visa in arrival but it’s my understanding that this may not be an option since this will be my second tourist visa in one years time. If I know I can apply again this way, I will definitely do that as soon as I get back but from my research, seems immigration frowns in doing this.
3 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Angie *********
 there is NO BACKGROUND CHECK FOR NON-O VISA!!! Good grief. How many times do you need to be told this.
3 days ago
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Marty *********
Let me tell you what everyone is already telling you. You do not need a background check for an O visa. You can get an O visa in the US, in a neighboring country, or in Thailand and in all cases you do NOT need a background check. You can only get an OA visa while in the US. The OA visa does require a background check. I know because I originally came to Thailand on an OA visa.

The DTV is a 5 year visa. I'm not sure the answer to this issue but I don't know how you get off of a DTV during that 5 years. You may be stuck with it if you get it. Anyone have an answer to this?
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 thank you Marty, I am not trying to ignore the advise everyone has given me. I was only trying to respond to the response to each person who was kind enough to answer and now it seems I am ignoring what everybody is telling me. Believe me, I want there to not be a background check and that all I have to do is go thru the e visa process since I do have everything else. I want to apologize if I gave the impression that I was ignoring the advice and information that you have given me. I am much appreciated you taking the time to answer my questions and ease my stressed mind.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
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Frank **********
@Angie *********
 you do not need a background check for a Non O. Background check required for a Non O-A.
3 days ago
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Frank **********
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Maitin *******
@Marty ********
 or health insurance... With the OA
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maitin ******
 I am hoping I can still process the non o while in the US. I didn’t know I would lose my accounts with Bangkok bank because I might get the DTV visa instead. Can I ask you to elaborate?

My ultimate goal is the retirement option. What I found out was that I could convert this visa to the non o while in Thailand eventually, like when it comes time to extend the visa? There is another person at the Thai consulate that can best answer my question about the background check but the are on holiday and will not be back until next Tuesday. Do you know if I can come back with the tourist visa, go to immigration and apply for the non o when I come back?
3 days ago
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Maitin *******
@Angie *********
 you do the Non O online while out of Thailand ( like the DTV ). It should take about 10 minutes to apply if you have the information together. You can only upload one file for each required document, so you need to get all the bank statements into one document. That gives you 90 days in Thailand.

Once in Thailand you can apply for a 1 year extension ( this is the retirement visa )

Do not apply for the Non OA. Apply for the Non O, it has less requirements. Look on YouTube there are videos on exactly how the process works and how to fill out the online application. It's very straight forward.
3 days ago
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Marty *********
@Angie *********
 The DTV visa, even though it is 5 years, is considered a tourist visa. The change in bank policies during the past few months is that people on a tourist visa cannot get a Thai bank account. That means tourists cannot open an account and those that previously opened an account while on a tourist visa may have their accounts frozen until they can show that they are now on a long term visa or extension.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 thank you Marty, I have a Thai baht and dollar accounts I’d opened ten years ago while I was going thru cancer treatment. So far I haven’t had any issues with my accounts being frozen or closed. I spoke to the bank manager about what my situation was a couple of days ago and he didn’t say anything about my accounts being in danger of being closed or locked while going through the process.
3 days ago
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Marty *********
@Angie *********
 My impression is that they looking at accounts opened fairly recently so you may be OK with your old account but you really want to get a long term O visa and extension and update your information with the bank to be safe.
3 days ago
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Marty *********
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Frank **********
Unfortunately this is what happens when you do not research things properly or wait until the last minute to ask questions in this group. Could have save you money, time and frustration. However I wish you luck in finding your way back here.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 thank you for your support Frank. Im trying to salvage my situation the best way I can at the moment
3 days ago
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Angie **********
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Brandon ************
The non-O visa does not require a background check. You applied for the wrong visa.

Cancel your application and start a new one for the correct visa.
3 days ago
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Christian **********
To the question of "TSL". I asked them specifically about the success rate of DTV applicants from the US and was told it was zero. Evidently all three consulates/embassy in the US will instruct you to apply for an Education visa to attend a language school, irrespective of TSL's effort to meet the requirements of the DTV. Possibly a US student attending TSL on a DTV will respond differently here.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I was advised I needed to get a background check because I was applying from the US. My sister called the Chicago consulate and they told her I need the background check.

I am now trying to apply for a new visa that doesn’t require the background check and my travel plans were made before I found out I may have another option.
3 days ago
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Alan **********
These were taken at vientiane
3 days ago
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Alan **********
@Angie *********
 I asked on here and got some good information, then what I did was ask google AI the steps and requirements to obtain the dtv visa and it gives very good response include the embassy/consulate you will visit if at all you have to visit (laos you do visit to pay the visa fee in person) and wait for d9cument check/approval (apparently you have a short interview before confirmation) Im still waiting so cant say for definite yet I did take a snap while I was there though
3 days ago
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Ian *******
@Alan *********
 the DTV or the OA are not the correct visa, she should follow the Moderator's (Brandon Thurkettle) advice to apply for the Non-O visa, and stop quoting the wrong information her sister has given her.
2 days ago
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Ian *******
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Ralph *******
@Angie *********
 Not for the non O. The non OA yes. Apply for the non O.
3 days ago
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Stan ******
@Angie *********
 Jesus Christ! Do you not understand simple English?!?! Stop what you are doing, stop listening to your sister. Go to the legitimate Thai website and apply for the proper visa that will allow you to move to Thailand. Are you over 50? Then apply for the non-O retirement visa. NOT the non-OA. Let me repeat…

DO NOT APPLY FOR THE NON-OA.

The non-OA requires the background check.

The Non-O retirement visa does NOT NOT NOT require a background check. Do you understand that?!?!?!
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you Brandon, I do have all the requirements for the non o visa except the background check.

I also checked with the Thai embassy in Laos which was my first choice but you cannot process this visa in a country you are not a resident of according to their website. Why im returning to the US before my current visa expires.
3 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Angie *********
 you don't need a background check. Stop looking at the Non-OA. That is not what you apply for. Listen to Brandon. Follow his advice. Apply for Non-O.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Angie *********
 okay. I'm done trying to help. You refuse to listen. I and others have told you that it's not a requirement. I even told you how to verify that it's not a requirement. Yet you insist on hobbling yourself with a requirement that doesn't even exist. Good luck.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 sorry Brandon, I do appreciate your advise and the help you have given me. It was not my intention to dismiss your advise or anybody else’s. I was only trying to respond to the other responses and I believe why this may feel like I’m ignoring everybody’s advice. Again, thank you and please accept my apologies
3 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Angie *********
 Your sister asked the Chicago consulate about the Non-O/A visa. This is NOT THE CORRECT VISA you should apply for. You need to listen to Brandon! You must apply for the Non-O Retirement Visa in Vientiane, Laos, through the E-visa online system. The requirements for this Non-O Visa application are listed on the website of the Savannakhet Laos Thai consulate. The website of the Thai embassy Vientiane does not offer any information, sadly
3 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Bob **********
@Angie *********
 you need to stop listening to people go on the Thai embassy website and apply for the non-0 or if you have your 800k in a Thai bank just do a border bounce and apply for the non-o in country I think your looking at the OA which you don’t want
3 days ago
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Bob **********
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Brandon ************
Also you did not need to go back to the US. You could've just went to Laos and applied there. Or even bounced out and back in a few hours and then applied at immigration once your money seasoned long enough.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 you are absolutely correct about not being able to apply in person. My previous research was wrong so thanks to you I just double checked. Applying thru the e visa process is not a problem and I have the documents necessary.

My original question was regarding the length of course I’d need to enroll in with TSL language school so that my application will not be denied due to wrong information and get set back. My problem also lies with the fact that I already have a lease here and will need to meet that financial obligation while im in the US
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Angie *********
 forget about DTV. Apply for the correct visa. Your sister got information about the non-OA retirement visa. That's not what you want. Apply for the non-O. Stop asking questions. Stop doing other things. Login to the e-visa system and start the application. Use the same options in the photo I uploaded. It will show you exactly what's required, and background check will not be one of the things it asks you to upload.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 my sister contacted the Chicago consulate and this is the information they gave her. Background check is part of the required documentation and thus is why im exploring the DTV visa which does not have this requirement. It’s my understanding that I can convert this visa into the non o for retirement while in Thailand
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 the embassy option has to do with being able to apply in person as opposed to thru the e visa application. I have family in the Washington area so this is a good possibility for me to apply while I am there
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Angie *********
 there's no such thing as applying in person. All Thai embassies use the e-visa system. You just need to select the 90 day non-O visa using the options in the screenshot I uploaded. There's no background check required for a non-O.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 unfortunately I’ve already done so and I’m trying to salvage my situation the best way possible. The non o visa I was trying to process seems to no longer be an option so I’m thinking the DYV visa is the option I have left.
3 days ago
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Angie **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 when I originally started this, the immigration officer told me I have to apply from outside of Thailand and I cannot apply for a non i visa from a country I am not a resident of. Leaving Thailand has to do with not having an overstay and have that on my record
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Angie *********
 NEVER listen to anything an immigration officer tells you about embassies. And never listen to anything an embassy tells you about immigration. They're completely different government agencies that know nothing about each other.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
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