Would like you guys' advice on my situation:
I would like to get the DTV, but having some doubts.
Context:
I have been in-and-out of Thailand trying to maximize my stay for about 5 years, always on a TR visa. This is because my boyfriend moved to Bangkok in 2019, and he was able to get a Thai passport because he was born in Thailand.
I always brought supporting documents like our appartment lease and his invitation letter + his ID card copy to help me pass immigration. During my last stay this started becoming harder. Despite having a multiple entry TR visa, the immigration officers started grilling me extensively on every entry, and despite being understanding of my situation, they insisted every time I had to get a different visa and I might be refused entry next time.
At this point I am not comfortable anymore going back on a TR visa and facing this same scenario again (being grilled, facing the risk of being rejected at immigration, doing visa runs every 2 months...)
Since I am a freelance web developer, the DTV seems ideal for me.
However:
- With the TR visa, immigration makes issues if they suspect you of trying to stay in Thailand year-round. I wonder if this also applies to the DTV. Because technically I would like to be able to stay year-round, aside from the occasional trip.
- I do not have a bank account with 500k THB or equivalent. I can loan this from my parents and put it on an account, but this won't make for a 6-month statement of 500k+.
This makes me worry I will face an issue getting it.
Alternatively, we could look into a spouse visa. But this might require me to wait for a while. Thailand is due to allow same-sex marriage this year, which will be a matter of months now. It is not clear yet how this will play into our ability to get married in Thailand (as a Thai national and a foreign national), or the ability to have a foreign marriage recognized. We aren't married yet but we've been together for 11 years now and we are engaged. That being said, the DTV seems like a better solution while we wait this out.
Any advice or insights much appreciated :)