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Why is a 1 year ED visa considered a resident visa while a 5-Year DTV visa is classified as a tourist visa?
ED VisaDTV VisaThai Visa RegulationsVisa Residency StatusBank Account Opening in ThailandThailand Immigration Rules
Oct 6, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERSo a 1 year ED visa is considered resident, but a 5 years DTV visa is considered tourist
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion revolves around the differing classifications of the ED (Educational) visa and the DTV (Digital Nomad) visa in Thailand. A 1-year ED visa is deemed a resident visa due to its structure, consisting of four consecutive 3-month permits, while a DTV allows stays of up to 180 days at a time, categorizing it as a tourist visa despite its 5-year validity. Participants share personal experiences regarding banking and legislative challenges related to these visa types and suggest that knowledge of Thai culture and laws is crucial for expats.
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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Jordi *******
I've given up trying to find logic in Thai legislation (and mindset in general :D)
Anonymous ******************
You need to know better Thai culture. 9 years on work permit and visa here and I'm still tourist for everyone :)
Dany ********
many ED will be rejected when trying to open an account these days
Sean *******
Correct. Don't forget to put Holiday on your TDAC for purpose of visit.
Anonymous ******************
I definitely recommend getting a DTV for your first year , you can get a bank account with Krungthai and they won’t delete it when you change your Visa to DTV , plus you can study Thai language , anyway helpful if you wanna stay in Thailand( you are just not allowed to work ….)
Maurizio **********
Dtv is a 6 month visa
DTV_Be*******
No a 1 year Ed visa is actually 4 consecutive 3 month visas that can be cancelled at anytime
But now they have the Ed+ plus visa where the holder gets 4 years plus an additional year after studies to look for a career…that is the Ed visa that allows you to open a bank
Acct
A dtv is a 5 year multi entrance tourist visa where the holder can stay inside Thailand for 180 consecutive days at a time…
But now they have the Ed+ plus visa where the holder gets 4 years plus an additional year after studies to look for a career…that is the Ed visa that allows you to open a bank
Acct
A dtv is a 5 year multi entrance tourist visa where the holder can stay inside Thailand for 180 consecutive days at a time…
Koal ******
DTV_Begpacker The meaning are differ as recognition as Non -ED/O or work permit, have right to enter any facilities such as open bank account, residential, driving licence, buy a car and you must cancel NON ED at the immigration office before move out from the country.
Also if you're dating Thais and planing to get married you can do so and if you keep bank balance more than 400k Thai baht during the 60days never missed. Then you can apply for one year spouse visa right away. No need to convert to Non O. also can extend 60 days but only 1 time.
Also if you're dating Thais and planing to get married you can do so and if you keep bank balance more than 400k Thai baht during the 60days never missed. Then you can apply for one year spouse visa right away. No need to convert to Non O. also can extend 60 days but only 1 time.
DTV_Be*******
@Koal *****
that’s the Ed plus visa (bachelor degree studies and above through universities) Not the regular Ed visa (language schools, cooking, Muay Thai etc)
Reply to
DTV_Be*******
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Anonymous ******************
Yes, my friend on non-ed has opened a bank account at krungthai 2 months ago without any agents, other banks however are actively asking for non-b and WP as of now
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 260 they didnt allow those anymore. My school update us with news.
I need to relogin because of I had to reset my phone, and the app told me to go to a branch. At the branch they told me that ED visa are not allowed anymore but I can continue to use my bank card which are useless in a market or street food.
I need to relogin because of I had to reset my phone, and the app told me to go to a branch. At the branch they told me that ED visa are not allowed anymore but I can continue to use my bank card which are useless in a market or street food.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 189 at least you still got a card not bad
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Laurence *******
Participant anonyme 260 where? Please Give contact friend…
Blake *******
Anonymous participant 260 opened a bank account on a digital nomad DTV?
Anonymous ******************
@Blake ******
on non-ed (education visa)Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Andrew ********
Anonymous participant 260 ive tried 4 banks and got denied account
Jirka ********
@Andrew *******
did you get letter from your school for open bank? With ed visa is really pretty simple open bank accountAnonymous ******************
@Andrew *******
try branches in neighboring cities/provinces away from touristy spotsReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Todd *********
Correct.
DTV_Be*******
@Todd ********
only the Ed plus visa allows for a bank acct Not your regular Ed visa
Know your visas
Todd *********
DTV_Begpacker I do know my visas. Which is why I wasn’t stupid enough to get anyone any form of Ed visa. You have shown me you are an absolute rookie here. Keep on grinding and you will learn along the way for sure 👍
DTV_Be*******
@Todd ********
but yet you wrote CORRECT
which was
***
right and completely wrong Amazing information coming from a top contributor
Todd *********
DTV_Begpacker nobody expecting miracles from you here. Keep learning
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
DTV_Begpacker not true ! i don’t have a ed plus I could open anyway in late 2023
DTV_Be*******
Anonymous participant 788 you’re living in the ancient times that was 4 iterations of the immigration system and processes ago
It’s
You have shown me you went extinct like the Tyrannosaurus rex 🦖
It’s
*********
times change fast You have shown me you went extinct like the Tyrannosaurus rex 🦖
Maksym ***********
Анонімний учасник 788 bank that opened my account under language courses Ed visa in 2024, stopped to open them in the middle of 2024. Only long-term Ed they asked
โฟล ******
Anonymous participant 788 in late 2023 it was no problem. In late 2023 u Can open a bank account with every visa. But now everything has changed.
Reply to
โฟล ******
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Jesper *******
One can stay for 1yr and one can stay for 180days
Tim ***********
@Jesper ******
wrong. Please don’t share info that is not trueDany ********
@Jesper ******
ED is 3 months and 3 times extendableDTV_Be*******
@Jesper ******
the Ed plus visa allows you to stay for 4 years plus an additional year after to look for work There are 2 Ed visas
People mistake them everyday
Reply to
DTV_Be*******
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