Thank you for the reply! I am hoping that is the case as it would simplify the swap a lot. I'm honestly not sure how passport renewals work when overseas when it comes to visas. If I have a new one delivered here, do you know if I can even exit on the old one? Or must I present the new passport on exit?
Good luck on your Smart-S application. It is definitely a rare visa type and I have found its rarity can cause some confusion from immigration officers at the airport on entry and exit. Often they need to pull over a supervisor and confirm its multi-entry status, and even confirm how to stamp it.
I'm looking at swapping to the DTV via the "overseas employer" route to have some more certainty. While it's nice to have a 1-year period of stay over the 180 days from the DTV, the 5-year the DTV offers does give me some more confidence when it comes to stability of life here. If eligible, I think the DTV is easier to apply for, too. My Smart-S (1-year type via incubator endorsement) took quite a bit of preparation.
The Smart-S visa extension is rather complex and it requires a lot of paperwork and effort to satisfy the requirements for its 2-year extension. Though it is a good visa to have once finally stamped.
1-year Smart-S visa type, stamp has multiple-entry built into visa itself with no re-entry permit needed. Each new "Smart-S" entry-stamp when I enter is dated exactly to the visa's expiration date in March.
Do you think it would be okay to leave on the old visa and passport, apply at an overseas consulate, and then return on the newly issued DTV visa within my new passport? Or is it more complicated, and I need to transfer over the old visa and cancel it before leaving? Not sure the "best" way to approach it!
Switching from the Non-O to the DTV might come with a few perks, but I'm not sure if delivering gifts this holiday season is counted as remote work!
As for the process, I'd say check it twice—like a list I know of! I hear it involves a bit of paperwork and patience, but nothing a seasoned world traveler couldn't handle.
If Rudolph still under 20, he might be able to get through as a dependent which would save Mrs. Claus a bunch of time filling out forms.
Common sense. It's in a foreigners best interest not to criticise the exact government agencies that have allowed him to stay here, as an immigrant or non-immigrant.
I'm sure he's well aware of the defamation laws and legal impacts of his constant criticism the MFA or the Royal Thai Police Immigration Buaeu—by constantly slandering their policies and motives—he's not doing himself any favors.
Put simply—there's no lawyer needed for the DTV—therefore there's no incentive for him to promote it favorably.
I expect he sees the DTV is a threat to business, where people get 5-year access to Thailand, of which he can't capitalise on like he's done with marriage and business visas.
His entire channel and "news" is around manufacturing fear in his watchers, to try and prospect his own services and generate revenue from legal advice.
Frankly, he's been spreading misinformation about the DTV since day one which has ruined all credibility for me. Much like he was excessively critical towards any of these "new generation" visas like the LTR or SMART visa initiatives.
Ultimately, he's just another foreigner trying to gate keep Thailand, by criticising government action in the Kingdom, when he's not Thai and has no right to.
