@Luit ****************

the problem is getting the visa for some not about problems in Thailand after getting the visa. And yes there are problems plenty reported in this group. For example some people go somewhere to apply then suddenly they switch to e visa and they have to wait a long time. Other people have issues and need to re apply over very minor details losing time and money. Etc. I don’t think it’s gonna get easier to Get this visa just harder

@Paul ******

Yeah and that’s why DTV is great. You have to fulfill a narrow set of requirements to set yourself up for PR, which is hard for those of us working online that aren’t large enough to incorporate in Thailand and hire 4 Thai staff yet. There are many alternatives, if you’re cash rich then elite visa, otherwise people would do education and learn thai or Muay Thai. This DTV is the best middle ground of easy living in Thailand for remote workers.

I know a friend that did it and got approved but it was like right after the visa launched. He did e visa from his country. I think I read somewhere that your country of residence counts, so it might be okay. However, I’ve also read on there that you must be out of Thailand. Anyways, the friend came back to Thailand no problem.

Personally I lean towards caution here because this visa is so awesome. 5 years of easy living in Thailand is worth it spending a week out. For example in Taiwan where I applied it and got it it’s a 2 business day turn around time but I spent a week there.

I’ve also read and heard you must be out of Thailand, but obviously some people have not done that.

Also I err to the side of caution because if it turns out they don’t like people applying within Thailand then there’s a paper trail proving you were in Thailand when you approved. And this could happen with some immigration officer in a bad mood.

Ultimately, with it taking <1 week in so many other places currently I decided to do that and be safe rather than risk it, but I do know one friend that applied and received the e visa within Thailand and returned no problem.

What is this talk of “extend the 189 days?” I thought it’s 180 days + extend 180?

@Greg *******

I figured the same thing. I know some people that got it on soft power Muay Thai but gyms are helping people get that left and right. Better to do it on workcation so you don’t HAVE a to be proving you’re doing something…. You’re working online anyways

Taiwan is legit too- 2 day business turn around time as of 1-2 weeks ago. Check the recent posts and see what the reports are and discussion is. It’s changing week by week in some cases due to the rollout of e-visa so each month can definitely be different. See which country works best for your passport and where is fast or easy or whatever it is you want and also consider where you want to spend a week or two in case it is delayed or there’s issues.

@Jimmie ******

Taipei Taiwan took 2 business days

I’ve heard that the Evisa takes longer. Also, they may request more documents. Furthermore, several people have reported that their money is NOT taken if rejected in person, they are simply told to fix the problem/bring more documents so then they only pay the fee once instead of twice. Combine these two issues and it’s really frustrating. Imagine waiting a week just to have your application rejected due to a small mistake, and then needing to wait another week and pay another fee to get approved.

People here would rather be living in or visiting Thailand, so it makes sense to bite the bullet now and get it ASAP so that you get it in reasonable time with one payment. So you see many people here cancelling their education and other visas for example because this visa will sort them. My education visa was to expire in December, but I figured better apply sooner in October instead of optimizing for 2 more months.

Finally, because this is a new visa it seems like a good idea to get it early while you can. In fact it’s a great visa, so many people might apply, so it’s better to apply early to guarantee getting it before they add more requirements like higher income or make it more of a hassle to get. Things can change, but I expect that if it did the current visas issued would be honored or the visa holders allowed to apply for another visa cost free.

In short things could change and many people want to be in Thailand so people are applying quickly to get it while it’s going good and fast.

@Steve ********

depends on each country

@Deepak ******

because they don’t want to be stuck in a random country for weeks on end waiting for e visa they want to be in Thailand.