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Can I apply for the DTV visa if I'm unemployed and will the application process take long?

DTV Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Embassy Unemployed Expat Financial Requirements Soft Power Activities Visa Rules Proof of Income

Jul 23, 2024

7 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi 

I’ve read about the DTV and I’m unemployed at the moment, can I still apply and how long does the application process take. I’m about to travel to Kuala Lumpar and want to apply there at the Thailand embassy

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The DTV visa can be applied for even if you are currently unemployed, but you must demonstrate financial stability, typically by showing at least 500,000 THB (about 11,000 USD) in savings. The application can be made at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur or other neighboring countries, allowing for flexibility outside of your home country. The visa process timing can vary, depending on the specific embassy's procedures. Some options to fulfill the criteria include taking a short-term soft power activity, like a cooking class. However, there has been substantial debate regarding the requirements, with various interpretations of the rules circulating among expats.

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Matthew ********

I'm currently in thailand on tourist visa. Do you have to apply for DTV in your home country or could I apply in malaysia's thai embassy for example?

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Andi ***********

Matthew Kellie You can apply in Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam in person as a non resident.

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Matthew *******

I have no idea, this visa is confusing

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Addy *******

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Paul *******

There are many options you can apply for.

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Sabine *********

I am in proces of appling. Its different in every country. I need to sent my register of Chamber of commerce + formal contract that i work for a company + a letter that the company allows me to work remote

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Ivan ************

what's the chamber of commerce register? Is this something the NL embassy asked for?

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Sabine *********

where you register a company. I needed to sent it to show i have my own business. It looks like every country handels the rules for the visa different

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Sabine *********

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Bob *********

Do you have a bank statement showing 400,000 baht (11,000 usd) and proof of being a freelancer?

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Lee ***********

its 500,000tb

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yh I have a lot more, worked for many years in London

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Addy *******

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Lee ***********

But, if your unemployed and apply on what basis! Then your unemployed in Thailand and can't work in Thailand. You need to sort out employment and cash flow.

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Ruby ***********

I would say come here first as Thailand has changed alot. Then decide if you want that kind of visa.

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ruby **********

thanks I’m already living in Thailand and about to go on my first visa run. So I was thinking of applying for the DTV at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpar

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Graham *******

why do you have o go on a visa run if you have a work permot as a teacher or don't you have a work permit?

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't have a work permit, I don't work I'm living off savings

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Graham *******

Then you need documents to show the source of your saving. If you can show you earned those saving prior to 1st jan 2024 then if u bring them into Thailand, the capital is not taxable. Any income which is generated after 1st of jan and brought into Thailand is taxable. The most important thing to consider is how are you going to prove what you claim.

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ah ok, I don't think I'm eligible for the DTV visa, I'll be getting an ed visa here to let me stay and train. Thank you very much

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Graham *******

if u are resident for 180 days you need to file a Thai tax return, its not visa specific.

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Graham *******

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Colin *******

Best get in quick then 😉

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Graham *******

if this visa is badly run it will impact all other visa programs and the government will probably see the light and scrap the whole thing.

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Andy ************

It's going to make the non-O, OA retirement visas redundant. Next trip back to Australia I'll be getting the DTV. Five years for 10,000, multi-entry and 180 days each time you enter. Best visa ever this one!

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

don't jump to quick I think this visa is fundamentally a mess!

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Andy ************

I'm on non-O extension, but when you look at the criteria of the DTV it's a no-brainer to switch. It actually pays for itself! No 65k bank transfers required, no annual visits to immigration, no re-entry permits required. It's an absolute beauty. I only bring in money from a closed superannuation account so I have zero tax to pay anyway.

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

yes, I agree you can stay almost all year for 5 years with it. Makes the Elite visa and LTR mostly obsolete. Beware that the Gov realises this and makes changes like saying under 30 years only.

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Andy ************

There's no upper age limit. The government has been mulling this visa for over a month. They're looking for massive numbers of people who they hope will inject money into the Thai economy. The bigger spenders are those over 30! Most under-30's stay in cheap hostels, eat at 7-11, nurse one coffee an hour in coffee shops whilst playing on their computers and always travel by cheap bus - not exactly going to help the economy! 😆

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

The biggest spender are 1m chinese, indians koreans russians and other assorted trailer trash with 2 kids. The digital knobsheads as I call them don't spend much, those going on these schools migh bring some money at the low end. I find the whole thing withnthese new visa's and tax regime very confusing. I think they are throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.

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Andy ************

I think you're going to see a massive migration from non-O retirees and those married to a Thai, and an uptake in new applications. The wearisome conditions of these non-O visas are very outdated, and rather than trying to tinker with these, the MFA have given carte-blanche to those who are prepared to spend money in Thailand the opportunity to finally get a visa at a reasonable price with low entry requirements

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Ivan ************

they have talked about easing the requirements for retirees as well, that is meant to be coming in the next few months. Possibly a reduction of the O-A insurance requirement.

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Graham *******

@Ivan ***********

have not seen it from the horses mouth so ignore it.

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

flood the country. Just as the Chinese now control Lao and Cambodia, so they will here also. Most countries are looking at mass tourism and the damage it has caused and are going up market.

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Andy ************

I don't know what the ultimate plan is, but there's nothing I can do about it except jump on the bandwagon which is what I'll be doing!

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

make sure u have an off-ramp case the modify this failed program and remember if u are here 180 days you are tax resident and need to file a pit 90 tax return. (something the digital knobheads don't know yet)

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Andy ************

I've been a tax resident for years already. I only bring in money from a closed super account so I've never had to pay tax, and still won't. Thai Tax Office has already informed me that as I have no assessable income a tax return is not required. They won't even give me a tax ID number! 😆

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

when did they inform you, post 1st jan 2024?

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Andy ************

Inform me of what?

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

That you do not have to pay Thai income tax!

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Andy ************

Earlier this year. I wanted to make sure that my finances were structured correctly so I asked the question

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

This might actually help you more than living in denial.

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Andy ************

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Andy ************

I see you perpetually post this nonsense! I go to the Tax Office and get my information from there. Savings accumulated prior to January 1 2024 and transferred into Thailand are exempt taxation. Further, can you show me in your wonderful video where is the part dealing with Australian Tax Residents? 😂😂😂

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

Correct, saving remitted into Thailand are tax free if you can prove it was acquired before 1st jan 2024. All Carls vids are for people who are tax resident in Thailand, what Australia taxes is their business. If you are trying to claim all payments from a pension fund are tax free because you made the contributions prior to become resident I suspect you are wrong.

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Andy ************

Actually they are. I have a closed super fund. The amount has stayed constant since I retired. Any earnings go into a separate aggressive strategy fund. I only transfer funds from the closed account. So these are savings accumulated long before I became a tax resident. I am a tax resident of Australia which under the Australian DTA takes precedent over the Thailand tax residency.

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Graham *******

No it does not, if you are tax resident in Thailand and u transfer money into a Thai bank you pay full thai tax. you can claim a tax credit for taxes paid in Australia. Currently you are in a grey area as currently we will only be taxed on funds transferred into a Thai bank. There is a proposal to Tax the funds paid into foreign banks for people who are tax resident in Thailand. After 1st jan the profit of your reinvestment will be taxable if transferred.

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Andy ************

You're still struggling. The money I "remit" to Thailand are savings accumulated prior to becoming a tax resident, which means they are tax exempt. As a safety valve I retain Australian Tax Residency, which means I am treated as an Australian Tax Resident. It's really not that difficult!! 😂

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

if you reside in Thailand for 180 days you are tax resident in Thailand, the fact that may well be also tax resident in Australia is irrelevant to Thailand. Saving earned before 2024 can be remitted tax free so long as you have satisfactory proof. If you invest the lump sum in Australia and gain profit, if that profit remains in Australia, it is not taxable in Thailand. If the profit is remitted to Thailand it is taxable in Thailand and the DTA will allow you any tax paid in Australia to be deducted from Thai tax. If the new proposal is adopted then even if you do not remit the profit to thailand but it remains in Australia it is still taxable in Thailand.

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Andy ************

You missed the dual tax residency clause in the DTA! And the "new proposal" is rubbish. It's never going to happen! 😆😂😆

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

no and no and very probably, same as every other country in the OECD.

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05/new-overseas-income-rules

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Andy ************

This is me! "Deemed to be a resident solely of the contracting state in which the permanent home is available to the person"

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Andy ************

Oh Jesus! Now you've stooped to posting links to Bangkok Post. Is there no end to your naivety? Not the sharpest knife in the kitchen drawer are you? 😂😂😂. I won't be paying tax in Thailand. 100% guarantee!

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Andy ************

Why not? Get in while you can is my motto! Thailand has opened the doors for just about anyone willing to pay 10,000 baht, and had 500,000 savings, and wants to stay five years. It's a beauty

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Graham *******

@Andy ***********

Not arguing with you, I am in already with 12 month extension of stay which is fine, it's just the relevance of the Elite Visa and LTR visa I question, now they seem very expensive for nothing. Myself I will escape tax by being non-resident and transferring in a large sum every 4 years. They should just name these visa's the hoki-kokio visa.

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Graham *******

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Graham *******

this via is issued by the Thai government, they will have not consulted with anyone, so no one in Thailand will know what to do.

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Jeffrey **********

Go to cooking class or underwater basket weaving

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Randy ******

Jeffrey McCollum I love middle eastern food… Can i enroll in non Thai food cooking school? Never had the attraction for thai food

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Randy ******

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Frank-Steven ***********

You don't jave to have a job or work for the DTV ... that is only one of its two tracks. You can also book a recreation / soft power activity to qualify (at some consulates minimum length of bookings apply). BUT, you would still need to proof at least 500k THB in savings. Not sure if the monst fesable way if without a job.

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Ladiina ********

@Frank-Steven **********

i work remotely for company based in Europe and get paid in euro. However my boss is a resident from marriage.

Can he be my guarantor? Because i work, but i dont have that much money in my account 😅

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Steve *******

@Ladiina *******

You can't use a guarantor for the 500k Baht. You need to show it in your own bank account.

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Ivan ************

this depends on the consulate, no? As the MFA says a sponsorship letter is a possibility. I know some consulates aren't, and aren't accepting payslips either, but it's a theoretical option for the visa.

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Steve *******

@Ivan ***********

'Theoretical' being the operative word!

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Steve *******

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Frank-Steven ***********

@Ladiina *******

I am not aware of any shared experiences yet what consulates accepted as proof of financials by means of a guarantor. You will have to check with the consulate in your jurisdiction - or wait for shared experiences / reports to come in on that. You could (in theory!!!) also borrow the money, transfer it to your account and use that as proof. BUT: Some consulates anticipated that and are already asking for bank statements over a longer period of time.

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Brian ********

@Frank-Steven **********

save up the money. Honestly, if you don't have at least 500,000 baht as backup money you probably shouldn't consider moving overseas to begin with.

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Frank-Steven ***********

I certainly wouldn't. Then again, the realities in Thailand seem to be different. I met many people who had no clue how to cover the next month here. 😃

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Frank-Steven ***********

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Henrik *****

Nobody knows anything for certain yet, it is only a lot of guessing, not many real and PROVEN facts, so unless you need a visa right now, then wait and see.

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Graham *******

u need a 500k guarantor.

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Andy ************

Not if you've got the money yourself

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Daniel ******

does the guarantor need to be someone living in Thailand do you know?

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Graham *******

unknow. This is a new visa class and will take a while to fully evaluate.

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Graham *******

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Jon **********

Can sign up for a one day cooking class or one day sports event and use as evidence. I’m not 100% it will work but confident.

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Andi ***********

Cultural activity and medical purposes must be for a prolonged period. A day won't work, months will. Contact relevant embassy for minimum period reqd.

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Frank-Steven ***********

Might work, but likely not. Some consulates reported that at minimum 3 months of booked activity needed. Also, would need to present a confirmation with stamp / seal and signature.

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Colin *******

@Frank-Steven **********

can you state which consulate will accept a 3 month cooking course for. a 5 year visa, please.

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Frank-Steven ***********

Don't exactly recall right now. Might have been the London UK one as they have been the fastest to issue DTV thus far. Also not sure it was explicitly cooking class related. If I remember correctly, in that case that consulate even suggested could be 3 different activities of 1 months each. Anyways, consulates will handle these details differently, I expect. So there is no way around checking with the particular consulate in your jurisdiction - either by checking their website or by contacting them in advance.

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Frank-Steven ***********

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Jon **********

@Frank-Steven **********

yes for example Cambodia embassy can’t pay agent to do everything for old school

Visa. I’d assume in time we

Will see the easiest option.

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Jon **********

@Frank-Steven **********

yes will wait a month or so and see what people are saying. I’m sure the broke over 50s might ruin it for the under 50s

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Steve *******

I'm sure the broke under 50's will ruin it for everyone!

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Frank-Steven ***********

From how I know things Thailand, I would assume that exact requirements to qualify will vary significantly from consulate to consulate. So, yes, best to wait and see what consulate might be most lenient in that case. I also agree that the potential to misuse this open visa might lead to requirements being tightened up at some point. I am not a big fan of playing one (age) group against another. But, being 42, I am happy that finally not only 50+ years people have it easy to be staying in Thailand more long term now.

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Frank-Steven ***********

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Graham ******

An expensive throw of the dice

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Jon **********

do you pay upfront ? For the visa I’m not sure. But the cooking class will be cheap

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Todd *********

yes - apparently non-refundable fee.

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Todd *********

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John **********

Can you show money in the bank?

Have you signed up for and have documentation for one of the soft power options?

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Addy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

Yh I have a couple years worth of savings, and a lot more then then 500k

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John **********

and the 2nd question?

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John **********

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