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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 Visa Options in Thailand Remote Work Visa Thai Immigration Expat Visa Soft Power Activities Non-O Visa

Oct 8, 2025

2 days 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 individual plans to apply for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) while being married to a Thai citizen. They express concern about potential questions regarding their marital status during the application process, particularly regarding why they are not applying for a marriage visa. Reasons for preferring the DTV include the ability to legally work remotely, the longer 5-year duration, and the flexibility to not reside permanently in Thailand. Comments from the community suggest that marital status may not necessarily be an issue during the visa interview and emphasize focusing on the desire to work online as a valid reason.

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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

18 hours ago

Brian ****

Why do they need to know your marital status?

a day ago

Jason ********

Bro… get a marriage visa 😆😆

a day ago

Jason ********

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

a day ago

Reply to

Jason ********

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.

a day ago

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.

a day ago

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

a day ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Siggi ******

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.

a day ago

Reply to

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

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

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

a day ago

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.

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

2 days ago

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

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

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

2 days ago

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!

a day ago

Reply to

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

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....

2 days ago

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.

2 days ago

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.

2 days ago

Alex *********

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

a day ago

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

@Alex ********

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?

a day ago

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

a day ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alex ********

good to hear!

a day ago

Reply to

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.

2 days ago

Jef ********

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

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jef *******

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

2 days ago

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

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jef *******

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

2 days ago

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.

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

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!

2 days ago

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)

2 days ago

Reply to

Jef ********

How do you transition from a DTV to a Marriage Visa in Thailand?

48 comments

2 months ago

What are the visa options for a family living in Thailand with a remote working partner and a child?

5 comments

3 months ago

Is applying for the DTV visa a better option than visiting Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption?

21 comments

3 months ago