Answered11 days ago

What should I prepare for my return to Thailand after traveling on a freelance work DTV?

DTV Visa Freelance Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Renewal Expat Advice Travel to Thailand

Pit *******

asked Oct 16, 2026

2.6k

views

replies

likes

Hey guys, next week I’m gonna leave the country for the third time since getting my DTV to renew my 180 days. I’m going to Hanoi for a week and then coming back. Since I’ve seen a lot of news recently about the Thai government tightening DTV rules, I was wondering if I should still be stress-free about it or prepare any special documents for when I come back?

I’m on a freelance work DTV, and I’ll go and be flying back to BKK airport.

Thanks!

Answer summary

The user is traveling to Hanoi while holding a DTV visa and is concerned about potential issues upon re-entering Thailand due to recent news about stricter immigration controls. Responses from the community generally reassure the user, stating they have had no problems re-entering Thailand on similar visas and advise that as long as the user can prove the legitimacy of their visa and freelance work, they should be fine. The discussions touch on the discretion of immigration officers and the importance of adhering to visa regulations.

17 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Leonard ************

Being stress-free assumes the news is about the visa rules. If it's about how entries are checked at the airport instead, the papers that matter are the ones behind your freelance work, so which of the two the stories describe is the first thing to pin down.

9 days ago

Nikki **********

Just got back from Hanoi two days ago & everything was easy. Same old same, visa was on my phone, they wanted my passport.. stamped and we moved on.

10 days ago

Pit *******

@Nikki *********

how was Hanoi ? Any recommendations ?

10 days ago

John **********

This is like asking, how long is a piece of string. The problem is that entry to Thailand is at the discretion of the immigration officer. When Thai governments decide to crack down on immigration, immigration officers now have to be stricter if they want that next promotion. The main concern of immigration officers are that you are not working locally, have enough funds to sustain yourself, not engaged in crime, and are acting consistently with your visa. If you can prove that to the immigration officer at arrival you are fine. I think the people who are having problems have bad immigration histories or just look like trouble, badly dressed and rude. Common sense applies.

11 days ago

Barnabas *********

@John *********

Those are your opinions. The OP's question was whether he needs to prepare any current proof of his remote online freelance work or not?

10 days ago

Raphael *******

It’s not so much about the number of entries and exits. Immigration officers mainly want to make sure you’re not trying to live in Thailand year-round on a visa that isn’t intended for permanent residence. The DTV is designed for specific purposes, and repeated long stays may raise questions about whether you’re using it as intended. Ultimately, it’s up to the immigration officer’s discretion.

11 days ago

Barnabas *********

@Raphael ******

The OP is a freelance remote online worker. He applied for a DTV so that Thailand could be his base for the next 5 years. He says he's leaving for the third time but doesn't mention how long he stayed each time. He's asking if there's any need to prepare current proof of his work or not? You appear to be warning him that he should, instead, be concerned about the length of his stays?

10 days ago

André ******

@Raphael ******

hmmmm not sure you are right about this. The DTV grants up to 180 days in Thailand on each stay ao you can stay in Thailand 360 days in a calender year without violating any rules

Your post comes across like your opinion rather than facts

If anything, they will be focused on you having the means to live in Thailand without working illegally

10 days ago

Raphael *******

In a recent video, the Belgian YouTuber Jonathailande (20K+ subscribers), who holds a DTV himself and has been a strong advocate of this visa, reported that two of his acquaintances, who also held DTV visas, were denied entry to Thailand this year (he did not specify the reasons).

Following their experiences, he decided not to risk a visa run and instead applied for an extension of his DTV at the immigration office in Pattaya, which, according to him, was not an easy process. He is now considering marrying his girlfriend to switch to a different visa.

9 days ago

André ******

@Raphael ******

It would have had a bit more substance if your source had actually stated WHY they were denied re-entry......there could be a number of reasons for that

9 days ago

Lynn ***********

@André *****

Yes, main concern is illegal workers. Also, deportation laws coming into place, perhaps whatever you do while staying in the Kingdom, certain mannerisms and rules need to be adhered to. Thailand is probably try to straighten up certain issues as it is in the process of accession into an OECD member country.

10 days ago