Answereda year ago
Why should I choose a DTV visa instead of a marriage visa if my spouse is Thai?
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!)
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.
31 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
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
Brian ****
Why do they need to know your marital status?
Jason ********
Bro… get a marriage visa 😆😆
Jason ********
It’s not like once you’re on a marriage visa you not allowed to leave ever
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.
Anonymous *************
OP@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.
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
Chris *********
Anonymous participant I prefer elite good for you
Anonymous *************
OP@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.Chris *********
Anonymous participant being arrested doesn't mean anything, being charged for a crime does. Doubt anyone was ever charged
Anonymous *************
OP@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.
Johan **************
I'm also married to a thai. Question never came up.
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.
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 664good to hear. I've considered applying in Jakarta as I'd like to visit Indonesia.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant I would recommend it, it was pain free. Here's my approval post if it can be helpful.
********************************************
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous 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!
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....
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....
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.
I have >10 marriage extensions and had a retirement before I (briefly) got a DTV.
Be aware you might lose your bank tho.
Anonymous *************
OP@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.
Alex *********
Anonymous participant that's correct.u got nothing to worry about cuz you are married to a citizen
Anonymous *************
OP@Alex ********
good to hear!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
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?Anonymous *************
OPAlso 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.
Jef ********
Anonymous participant there is no need to tell them you are married to a Thai
Anonymous *************
OP@Jef *******
in another post, I read that they can ask your visa history, are you married? do you have kids? and so on.Anonymous *************
OP@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!
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.
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)
Anonymous *************
OP@Jef *******
yes that makes sense. I had a multi entry marriage visa from Suvannakhet long ago! I'm not too worried - just preparing.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
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
Activity
14 joined14
people
Related
25Can I apply for a DTV visa to Thailand if I don't meet the financial requirement?
1k10710d
Can I apply for a DTV visa while transitioning from my current freelance work?
171112mo
Will not using my Thai tourist visa affect my future DTV application?
5.2k151332mo
Is it easier to use an agent for the DTV remote working visa application than to apply myself?
6.7k50933mo
Do I Need Fast Track When Re-Entering Thailand With a DTV Visa?
1.8k12264mo
What are the steps to apply for a DTV Dependent visa for my spouse in Berlin after my DTV Visa approval?
1.8k15185mo
Which visa is best for an expat retiring to Thailand with a need for remote work: retirement visa, marriage visa, or DTV?
2.6k26145mo
Should I apply for a Marriage Visa while in Thailand for my wedding paperwork or after returning to the US?
1.1k4225mo
What are the requirements and process for applying for a Non-Immigrant O marriage visa from the UK?
5.2k45546mo
What is the best route for applying for a DTV as a remote worker with medical treatment needs in Thailand?
2k2087mo
Do I need to attend an interview when applying for a DTV visa as a remote worker in Thailand?
3.2k24388mo
What payslips should my wife submit for her DTV visa application if she plans to work remotely for a Malaysian university after leaving her job in Canada?
1.1k941y
What is the process for applying for a DTV in Thailand for expats and their spouses?
1.4k6191y
Do I need to show 500,000 THB in my bank account for 3 months for the DTV visa application?
7.6k22141y
What documents do I need for the DTV visa for remote work, and how should I apply from Israel?
648111y
What should I consider when applying for a Non-O visa based on marriage while moving to Thailand?
4.6k45261y
Can I stay out of Thailand for six months on a retirement visa?
4.1k36331y
What is the process and requirements for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?
2.4k18222y
What is the best and easiest visa option for retiring in Thailand as a UK resident married to a Thai citizen?
1.2k6112y
What are the risks of doing a border run to activate a visa in Thailand while an application is pending?
2.6k19232y
What are the advantages of a marriage visa versus a DTV in Thailand?
1.6k9102y
What are the re-application requirements for the new DTV visa in Thailand?
2.1k1762y
What are the requirements and experiences for applying for the DTV visa as a freelancer in New York?
9.6k461552y
Can I obtain a Non-O Family visa for one year based on my marriage to a Thai woman without showing 400k in a Thai bank account?
2.7k22193y
What should I do after being questioned by Thai immigration about my long-term stay without marriage?
8k471318y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served