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Why should I choose a DTV visa instead of a marriage visa if my spouse is Thai?

DTV Visa Marriage Visa Thai Immigration Remote Work Visa Visa Application Process Expat Life in Thailand

Oct 8, 2025

2 months ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous as it's a public group! I'm planning to apply for the DTV soft power in Laos. I understand that they always do interviews. I'm married to a Thai citizen. Will they, perhaps, ask why I don't get a marriage visa? If so, how would I justify this to them? (My reasons are that I can work remotely legally, it lasts 5 years, and that I want the flexibility of not always being in Thailand but still being able to return at any point. I don't think I want to live in Thailand forever though so not thinking of the PR route!)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The author plans to apply for a DTV visa while married to a Thai citizen and is concerned about justifying their choice over a marriage visa during the interview process. They value the flexibility of the DTV visa for remote work, its 5-year duration, and the ability to frequently travel without the intent of permanently residing in Thailand. Comments from the community suggest that marital status may not be a relevant inquiry during the interview and emphasize the importance of answering only the questions asked.

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Liza ********

best to simply answer the question you are asked and not offer extraneous information - you want multiple entry, you want to work remotely - thats about it - don't answer questions you have not been asked

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Brian ****

Why do they need to know your marital status?

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Jason ********

Bro… get a marriage visa 😆😆

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Jason ********

It’s not like once you’re on a marriage visa you not allowed to leave ever

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Jason ********

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Chris *********

You can work online legally under any visa as long as you're not working for a thai company. Either way if you don't tell em you're married to a thai they won't ask.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ********

in any case, I still want to get the DTV. I seem to remember reading that remote work for non Thai entities is illegal on a marriage visa without a work permit. It certainly used to be. Of course, it's not strictly enforced. For my main source of income, I always want to be legal though.

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Siggi *******

Anonymous participant you are just wrong, remote work was never illegal you can do it with visa or without. The DTV is just a tourist visa, same like the normal one for 3 month, the difference is the length of stay and the validation

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

in the past some teachers were arrested for teaching online to Chinese students in China from Chiang Mai. Perhaps it was because a Thai company employed them to do it. The law clearly states that work is prohibited without a permit too. But anyway, let's say you're right. I just want to do the application once then be done with all that for 5 years. I didn't ask about whether a marriage visa would be better. I already made up my mind on what I want.

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Chris *********

Anonymous participant being arrested doesn't mean anything, being charged for a crime does. Doubt anyone was ever charged

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ********

in my (indirect) experience, immigration will sometimes give a warning first. Anyway, I like the DTV as it suits my plans much better. Even if working remote on the marriage visa is fine, I prefer the DTV.

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Chris *********

Anonymous participant I prefer elite good for you

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Chris *********

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Johan **************

I'm also married to a thai. Question never came up.

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Anonymous ******************

I'm married to a Thai citizen and they did not ask me why I wanted a DTV instead of a visa based on marriage. Approved in 4 days in Jakarta.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 664good to hear. I've considered applying in Jakarta as I'd like to visit Indonesia.

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant I would recommend it, it was pain free. Here's my approval post if it can be helpful.

********************************************

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 664 interesting to see that you only had the 500k for the last couple of weeks. Better than letting it stagnate for 3 months!

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Anonymous *************

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Dca *****

Besides those with a Thai Spouse, there are those who have been on Thai Retirement Visas/Extensions (Non–O over age 50) and switched to DTV (Medical Care) or on Non–B Visa/Extensions and switched to DTV (Remote Work)....

As long as you have a solid course/plan of Soft Power activities detailed for the future (and accompanying documentation) as determined by the specific Thai Embassy/Thai Consulate, not the only or first person to be Non–O (married to Thai Wife) Visa/Extensions and switched to DTV....

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Sefton ********

You want to work online. Reason enough.

I have >10 marriage extensions and had a retirement before I (briefly) got a DTV.

Be aware you might lose your bank tho.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Sefton *******

apart from the bank, that's good to hear. I heard that those married to a Thai citizen can have a bank account, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it! Can manage without in any case.

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Alex *********

Anonymous participant that's correct.u got nothing to worry about cuz you are married to a citizen

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Luit *****************

Are you sure married to a Thai citizen will make it possible to have a bank account even when you are just a tourist doing some soft power activity or remote work?

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Alex *********

@Luit ****************

yes, I've read from many different users, even those who got the account blocked, they showed up their marriage certificate with a citizen and got their account unblocked right away. I haven't done it but read about that so many times that I assume it works

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

good to hear!

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Anonymous *************

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Also I'm quite happy to do the soft power activity. (which I could also do on the marriage visa) I look forward to learning Thai cooking and meeting people through that.

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Jef ********

Anonymous participant there is no need to tell them you are married to a Thai

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

in another post, I read that they can ask your visa history, are you married? do you have kids? and so on.

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Jef ********

Anonymous participant yeah of course they can ask for copies of every page of your passport , have you had a marriage visa before?

My point is I applied and I’m also locally married and I didn’t show them anything to do with a marriage.

Sure if they ask I’d explain it, but until then I would just apply as you only as a soft power application, then if they ask id supply the other information.

Rather then trying to give them the information if they are not asking for it , hope that make sense

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes that makes sense. I had a multi entry marriage visa from Suvannakhet long ago! I'm not too worried - just preparing.

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Kool *******

Anonymous participant a type O visa extension based on Thai wife is much better than the DTV. It is cheaper by bt100,000 too. And, you can work inside Thailand, getting a work permit, with it. It sounds more like you don't think the marriage will last.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

assumptions! From my statement above, you can see that I don't want to do the Thai work permit route. Also at some point my family would like to relocate so with remote work, I could take that with me! Also the 500k is not a problem for us and I didn't mention it in my post. Let's stay on topic and keep discussions relevant and hopefully useful for everyone!

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Jef ********

Anonymous participant yeah that fair mate , like I said I’d just apply for your soft power application you should be fine ( for context I applied with an Aussie passport)

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Jef ********

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