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Why is immigration promoting the DTV visa instead of the ED visa?
DTV visaED visaThailand immigrationvisa regulationsdigital nomadvisa requirementsfinancial requirementsvisa abuseexpats in Thailand
May 1, 2025
a year ago
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERDoes anyone know why immigration tells people to get the DTV and not the ED for example? Is it because you need to have more money for the DTV?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around why Thai immigration advises individuals to apply for the Digital Work Visa (DTV) rather than the Education Visa (ED). Participants suggest that the DTV is promoted because it allows immigration authorities to better control visa holders by requiring proof of funds every 180 days. In contrast, the ED visa has been heavily abused, as it is often used by non-students to extend stays in Thailand without genuine educational intent. The DTV has fewer requirements related to mandatory courses or attendance, aligning more with the needs of digital nomads, while the ED visa necessitates enrollment in a program and attending classes. The DTV is viewed as an easier alternative, despite some expressing concerns about the potential for its own abuse.
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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Henrik *****
With ED you have to study fulltime, and attend classes, pass tests, so you have to stay at the same adress for the duration of the study.
Before it was the most misused visa, so Immigration Officers would lift a eyebrow and be on full alert when they see a ED visa.
Before it was the most misused visa, so Immigration Officers would lift a eyebrow and be on full alert when they see a ED visa.
Anonymous ******************
It seems to be only the Queen Victoria agency that charges more for dtv. I just found 2 that will charge the same amount 3500 baht for dtv as a normal border run. Google pattaya border run company’s and go to their websites. They’re easy to find. They aren’t the 6 seat vans they are the 9 seaters but a lot less than 5700 baht
Tim ***********
They want to channel us with the DTV in order to be able to control us better. Also I believe everything will likely be related to the coming global economic situation, and especially to the economic situation in China. Whatever happens, the Chinese will probably not be able to travel as much as before in the future, so perhaps we should compensate for this in some minimal way
Daniel **********
@Tim **********
how they can control us better?Luit *****************
@Daniel *********
If they want they can check you at every entry for financial requirements. ED does not have financial requirements, so cannot be checked.Daniel **********
@Luit ****************
ah so you mean they wanna get rid of broke people who cant afford staying here long term anyways? Sounds like a good decision to me! Dtv is the best visa thailand ever hadReply to
Daniel **********
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Elías ********
Because the ED is to study? I'm a digital nomad, I'm not studying anything.
Anonymous ******************
People have been abusing ED visa for years and living in Thailand on minimum funds to support there stay, with a DTV funds can be checked and requested each 180 days to make sure people still comply and meet the criteria to stay in Thailand or get refused
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonieme deelnemer 154 Okay so the expectation that they will ask again for these criteria when you fly in? Because now they only ask if you extend at immigration right?
Beatrix **********
@Yasmin **********
They can ask you at any point and there have been reports on this facebook group of some people being asked at the airport on re-entry. They can technically ask you at any point so its important to be able to keep that money available and not dip below that amount.Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Beatrix *********
Yes the money is not the problem in my case but the soft power course will stop someday . so then you will have to do another soft power course if they start checking thisBeatrix **********
@Yasmin **********
Yeah thats the downfall to the softpower route. It’s still a newish visa so its still being figured out but presumably to be 100% safe you would need to be enrolled in courses the whole 5 years and the courses can be quite expensive.Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Beatrix *********
yes. Then it’s getting a quite expensive visa.Beatrix **********
@Yasmin **********
Yup. That’s the downside to the soft power. It can be very expensive. Medical could be an alternative? But potentially the same issue if its not 5 years worth of medical workYasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Beatrix *********
We will see how it goes. I will apply for the softpower in a few weeks and i assume the first year or so you should be good.Reply to
Yasmin ***********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Yasmin **********
wait for it to happen yes, my son was held at the airport until he could show had funds in his account then allowed inJames ********
Anonymous participant 154 what Visa if any was your son on when he arrived at the Airport ?
Anonymous ******************
@James *******
DTV but he's young 21, I covered the funds for him anyway but he was asked if he had itJames ********
Anonymous participant 154 thank you 👍
Reply to
James ********
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Andrew ********
No the DTV fee is cheaper you just have to have 500k baht in an account somewhere with other requirements
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
So what could be the reason then?Andrew ********
@Yasmin **********
i have not seen anything where they promote one visa over the other. Now they may advertise it to get the word out cause it's a newer visa thst has great benifits but no where near the cost of an ED visa .. only thing is you have to show proof of funds in an account not investments eitherReply to
Andrew ********
Reply
John **********
I just read an article 5 minutes ago suggesting they are going to cracking down even harder on ED visa abuse
Andrew ********
@John *********
if you attend the classes required for the course..Beatrix **********
@Andrew *******
Yup. Which I would do. I legitimately want to learn thai.Andrew ********
@Beatrix *******
thsts one thing I am doing too there are many courses/ classes that offer it may i suggest as well thai boxing ? Good work out also qualifies for ed visa / DTV as wellReply to
Andrew ********
Reply
Beatrix **********
@John *********
but if you get the ED visa and actually study thai is there really any concern to this?Tim ***********
I would take the DTV now and when they start cracking down the DTV Visa abuse, then jump on ED
John **********
@Beatrix *******
if you actually attend all the classes and study you should be fine.Beatrix **********
@John *********
okay thanks. thats what i thought but i had started to get concerned with all the comments people makeChristian ************
@Beatrix *********
expect to get tested on your Thai language skills. A friend of mine had a half hour interview all in Thai before being allowed in. I know of several other being pulled aside and interviewed with 2 people being denied entry because they didn’t know the basics. James ********
@Beatrix *******
and don't leave Thailand during the Ed Visa course of study.Beatrix **********
@James *******
Yup! Follow the terms of the visa 😂Reply to
Beatrix **********
Reply
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Yes i've read it too.Reply to
Yasmin ***********
Reply
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI think the dtv is quite easy to abuse and you can do it for 5 years long if you fly out every 180 days
Luit *****************
@Yasmin **********
but it is easier to check the 500K requirement if they want at entry of the country than checking ED visa requirements all the time.Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luit ****************
yes that is true. If it stays with they money requirements as the check I’m happy with itLuit *****************
@Yasmin **********
Me too, money check is not too difficult, and in case they want to check I can still do remote work, logging in to the company at my laptop is also not very difficult.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Yasmin **********
no wait until get questioned at the airport to show you have the funds 500k or refused entry watch this happenReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Peter *********
They're telling people to get it instead of trying to get back to back visa exemptions.
Anonymous ******************
Because ED visa has been heavily abused
John *******
Anonymous participant 811 DTV is also being abused
Rob ******
@John ******
If there is a way or has been a way to abuse a visa it will have or will be abusedReply to
Rob ******
Reply
Greg ********
Where have immigration been advising this?
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
At the airport. They told me to get it and I've read that other people had similar experienceAnonymous ******************
@Yasmin **********
yes to see you have 500k if this stops so can the entryGreg ********
@Yasmin **********
OK. I had never heard it before. A lot of immigration are sill not really up to date with the DTV. The airport though should be aware.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
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