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Why do some people believe immigration in Thailand has issues with the DTV visa?
Thai ImmigrationDigital Nomad VisaDTVVisa IssuesImmigration PoliciesExpat AdviceMFA vs Immigration DepartmentVisa Extensions
Jan 7, 2026
4 months ago
Saltee ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhy are people saying immigration doesn't like DTV? Thoughts
TLDR : Answer Summary
There are rumors that immigration in Thailand is not supportive of the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), with discussions highlighting potential conflicts between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which created the DTV, and the Immigration Department, which handles visa processing. Some commenters suggest that immigration is easily frustrated with applicants and may prefer traditional methods like border bouncing for renewals. However, many users report having no issues when using the DTV, emphasizing that a valid visa is typically sufficient for uninterrupted travel and residence.
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.
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Dee ******
I’ve gone through immigration a total of 7 times since my DTV was approved last year and I’ve had no issues on any occasion.
Irina ****
Immigration hates everyone
Kabir ******
@Irina ***
I don’t think so because- one Immigration Officer when I did queue with my DTV in Bangkok he even told me that I din’t know that I have rights to fast track …no need to do long line — so they are really so kind and nice Officers . I think it depends on the case of any individual given their history with Thailand immigrationJonas *************
I don't think it's included, it may be allowed at some airports. Some may require pay...
Kabir ******
@Jonas ************
anyway it’s the Immigration Officer himself told me and it was last year in November . Also maybe the law may have been changed 🤷♂️Reply to
Kabir ******
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Reply to
Jonas *************
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Jonas *************
@Irina ***
strangely enough I have only good impression of the immigration at Bangkok. As hard as they can be in person they seem very happy when you actually follow the rules and try to follow them and get all your papers laid out right. But maybe it also requires a little bit of a right attitude/humility which for people in other countries might be unusual...
When it comes to the DTV approvals online it seems very impersonal and bordering on scammy.
Reply to
Jonas *************
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Successful***********
Because they are agents who might benefit from you being scared. 😏
Ade ********
Don’t listen to them.
Adnan ********
immigration in Thailand is changing and catching up with the new laws and regulations, also they have to deal with many losers everyday.....dont waste there time, have everything ready in hand, Patience, smile treat them with respect, dont think you have any type of privilege and you will be just fine
Biff *******
Same reason people are saying the earth is flat.
แดนนี่ ***********
No idea
It must be people who have bad history or a reason for them to be given trouble lol
I’ve went in and out countless times with my DTV and not once had any issue
I flew, Suvarnabhumi, don mueang,
Trains to Laos
Drove across boarders
Never any issue
It must be people who have bad history or a reason for them to be given trouble lol
I’ve went in and out countless times with my DTV and not once had any issue
I flew, Suvarnabhumi, don mueang,
Trains to Laos
Drove across boarders
Never any issue
DelightfulC***********
@แดนนี่ **********
great manReply to
DelightfulC***********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
surely it's not about their financial incentives from what used to be education and volunteer visas. they must be really upset people are cheating the old system with a new system
Anonymous ******************
Perhaps it's the order from the superiors to keep the bad guys out in this tightened national security period. Chinese scammers, illegal business owners and visa abusers alike
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 982 yeah, surely. thats why any basic criminal can buy a DTV or airport fast track entry and skip whatever measures they put up. "national security", oh yeah.
what do you go to work for every morning? MONEY AND BONUSES
what do you go to work for every morning? MONEY AND BONUSES
**********************************************************************
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Waqar ********
It's mofa vs immig department tustle. Don't worry. As long as you have a valid visa, no one can do anything.
Allan **************
@Waqar *******
. No the government can cancel them anytime. Jast as quickly as they started them.Colin *******
@Allan *************
is there any history of visas being cancelled and withdrawn,,. Let's not be scared, the houses may bolt.Allan **************
Colin Faith. Probably not they are more likely to change the requirements wich they do for most visas.
Waqar ********
@Allan *************
change of requirement is always for new applicants. Once you have a legally obtained visa, except US, everyone regards it.Reply to
Waqar ********
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DelightfulC***********
@Waqar *******
really??Bob **********
@Waqar *******
Your not really up on things are you ?an IO can deny you anytime holding a visa is no guarantee of entryKieran ***************
@Waqar *******
immigration can deny you for any reason, they just likely won't for proper visa holders unless there's something seriously wrong.Reply to
Kieran ***************
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Jan ******************
The DTV, as initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, does in some ways break with the principles immigration traditionally applies. Immigration normally assesses continuous time spent in Thailand without a corresponding visa and focuses on patterns such as border bouncing. Under that logic it does seem inconsistent that a five year "carte blanche" visa can be granted on the basis of participation in something like a few months of cooking classes.
Jonas *************
@Jan *****************
anyway it's a VISA which is too good to be true. Maybe that's why they are so harsh to people applying for it... It's also an unfairly cheap visa for such a long time. Could be said to take away the value of the elite Visa which now also have increased tremendously in price.
Maybe that's why they make you dot your L:s and dash your S:s when you apply.
Robin *********
@Jonas ************
it is cheaper than the Elite Visa, but comparing it internationaly, it is medium range. India for example offers a five year multiple entry visa for just 80 USDJonas *************
@Robin ********
well it turns out cheaper than the retirement Visa too... Especially 5 years and no more work for 10,000, whereas retirement is five times 1900 extensions Plus potentially 5x multiple returning permits which are more than 3,000.... The elite Visa 5 years now I think is 900,000 but if you calculate how much that is per month it's actually 15,000 Thai baht...
So yes DTV is a steal". :-D
Reply to
Jonas *************
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Wannikea *********
No brown envelopes for five years.
Anonymous ******************
@Wannikea ********
try a gold bar: **********************************************************************
Anonymous ******************
@Wannikea ********
Brown envelope + tourist visa 100 times more efficient.Derek ***********
@Wannikea ********
lmao 🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Derek ***********
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Chris *********
Sounds like a personal problem, for them.
Brandon ************
Because the MFA created and announced the DTV without ever consulting immigration. Immigration wants nothing to do with it, and they do not like processing extensions for it. That is why they will always tell you to just do a border bounce and make it very difficult to get an extension inside of the country
Anonymous ******************
@Brandon ***********
you somehow missed the reason WHY exactly they don't like thatNeil **********
@Brandon ***********
Did a government minister confirm this to you - that the MFA acted unilaterally and did not consult with any other ministry? I've heard this theory being bounded around before with absolutely nothing to back it up.Brandon ************
@Neil *********
This group has multiple immigration volunteers who have been told exactly this while they were working at immigration.Anonymous ******************
Brandon Thurkettle right, immigration VOLUNTEERS. they don't make money and probably aren't even told the full story. but surely boss is very upset for missing out on 'communication'. not nice to be out-of-the-loop ❤️🩹
Neil **********
@Brandon ***********
Interesting, thanksReply to
Neil **********
Reply
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