Online application vs. embassy: Why one or the other? Pros/cons? 🙏🏽❤️

I found two great videos on the DTV.

One is an interview with a Deputy General of Consular Affairs clearing up a lot of common questions people have about the DTV. The interview starts around the 3:23 mark. [members only]

The second is from Siam Legal about the Soft Power Activities option. [members only]

Some key information from the first video is that:

*You cannot apply for the DTV while in Thailand.

* After 180 days you can apply for an extension of another 180 days without doing a border run and leaving the country or having to provide proof that you are still eligible under whatever terms you applied (digital nomad or Soft Power Activities: medical appointments, conferences/seminars/festivals, Muay Thai training, Thai Yoga Massage training, Thai cooking lessons, etc.). There is no cost for this extension!

*After 360 consecutive days in residence however, you would have to leave Thailand. In the video they mentioned as short as a week, but gave no minimum (It could be less?) but you do not have to go far or outside the region). This would have a fee.

*You still have to check in every 90 days with this visa.

*After leaving the country you could then return for another 180+180 days as long as it’s still within the 5 year window, but you would then need to provide new documentation of either continued remote work, soft power activities or another medical appointment. I am not sure if this has a fee.

*Every time you leave and return to Thailand (within the five year window) the 180 day clock restarts after which you could apply for another 180 day extension. (I don’t believe it was specifically said, but I think you would have to resubmit documentation of either remote work, soft power activities or medical appointments at this time as well.) I am not sure if this has a fee.

*As of the making of that video, there is no minimum amount of time you have to engage in soft power activities to be eligible. I took that to mean you could schedule as little as a few days of soft power activities but as people have noted here your acceptance may depend on the official who is reviewing your application.

Hope this helps someone the way it helped me! Let me know if anything is different from how I described based on the videos or personal experience!

Monday, I went to Pattaya immigration to get an extension, I was done in 30 minutes. I showed up at/about 9:00AM, nobody was in line. I had almost all of my correct paperwork, I needed a photo copy of my TM30, which they allowed me to go make a copy and come back to the same counter (by that time a few more people came so there was a little line). I got my queue number and waited about 5-10 minutes, I gave the IO my paperwork and about 5-10 minutes later they return my passport.

I am not sure what happened but Pattaya Immigration has changed quite a bit over the pass couple of years. Not only have they done building renovations but "customer service" seems to have been renovated. The last time I did an extension myself, I went to immigration 3 times/days and finally was told I would have to come back on the last day of my visa, I finally paid an agent and got the extension same-day. 3 days + 4000 baht for extension two years ago vs 30 minutes + 1900 for an extension today...

Well Done Pattaya Immigration - THANK YOU

Also noteworthy, I have a long questionable visa history and a new passport, not sure if the new passport helped or not.

I have injured my back and am stuck in bed. My 90 days is due on1/9 I submitted an on line application today (31)as I have just found out the date. If that is refused and I can’t travel to CM immigration what can I do?

Hi guys, I will be very happy if you help me!I have been accepted for an exchange program at Chula University. I have not yet received the necessary letter to obtain a Non-immigrant visa. I have purchased a ticket which we are worried about burning as it takes 21 working days to process the visa. Do you know if I can enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then renew it with a Non-immigrant?

Hi, I'm not sure which form I need to download and fill in when applying for a visa extension based on retirement from Chaengwattana. Currently on an EdVisa with just over 30 days left. Is it TM7? TM 86? Thank you.

I need to thank you all for the great work you do. I applied for Visa-exempt extension for a further 30 days at jomtien immigration office. I followed the information provided from this group that made the process incredibly easy got there early number 3 in line office opened 08.30 am out by 09.15 am again many thanks

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Hi all. I have a question regarding the Thai visa exemption. Is it single entry? Specifically, I entered Thailand on 1st April and was granted the 30 day visa exemption. Now I am in Laos for two weeks and would like to re-enter Thailand before the visa exemption expires. Would I be issued with a new visa exemption for 30 days (this is what I would prefer) or would I have to re-enter on the previous one which will have just one week left?

Thanks 🙏

Last year I had an 15 month ( 3+ 12) Non-o visa that expired on Dec 18. I arrived Dec 19 (ev30) and extended at Jomtien, no issues. I just flew out to Vietnam for 5 days and on my return was asked for boarding pass and outbound ticket (which I had). Stamped in ev30 again.

I have now been asked to attend a conference in HK early march.

Question:

will purchasing and using a Fast Track pass ease my immigration concerns of not being let back in, or do i just suck it up and hope for the best, with the worst is i'm ejected.

I'm in HK for 6 days, Aussie passport. constructive options please?

Married to a Thai national when arriving at swampy can I go through Thai immigration with the wife to get. My passport stamped n collect bags