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What are the advantages of switching from a Non-O visa to a DTV visa in Thailand?

Thai VisaDTVNon-O VisaVisa TypesImmigrationThailand Visa Rules
Feb 6, 2025
16 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello folks,

Just landed in BKK, (don Mueang airport), first entry on DTV. No question asked by IO.

I went thru the lane for Thai passports as I was traveling with my wife and son.

Switched from non O to DTV as I see it more convenient (no re entry permit, no harsh documentation requested for renewals)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experience of a user who switched from a Non-O visa to a DTV visa after arriving in Bangkok. The user shared that the DTV is more convenient due to less documentation and no need for re-entry permits. Comments indicate a general consensus that the DTV offers significant advantages over the Non-O visa, including easier paperwork and fewer hassles, but there are concerns regarding the lack of a path to residency with the DTV.
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William *******
All they asked me was what I did for work , that’s it
14 days ago
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Jason *******
hi everyone. how can i apply for DTV. i have stayed in bangkok for 4 months. every 2 months 1 go out from bangkok and this is my 3rd times coming in bangkok. i just heard about this DTV. what documentation or any paper works need to be done
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jason ******
 please check the website THAIEVISA you ll find all information you need to apply DTv visa
16 days ago
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Jason *******
thank u for the information given
16 days ago
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Jason *******
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Soukaina ******
Hi can i ask u , what u needed to get accepted in your DTV
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Soukaina *****
 hi, I provided tax return of the company, income tax return. Contract of employment written by myself, company incorporation document, various screenshot of my E-shop and activity, rental contract in Thailand, 6 months bank statement, payslip of salary and dividends.
16 days ago
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Soukaina ******
Anonymous participant do you need to have
*****
$ documents in your bank ?
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Soukaina *****
 yes. You need the equivalent of 500.000 thb (
*****
USD) on your account. These funds should be on saving or check account
16 days ago
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Sunit *********
Anonymous participant how long does this need to be there in the account for? Is it 3 months? Payslips as well? I read it's 3-6m
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sunit ********
 depend of the embassy you apply. They have different requirments. Kuala lumpur, taipei are known to be more difficult, Hanoi, HCMC, friendlier options.
15 days ago
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Sunit *********
Anonymous participant since you did NON O to DTV do you mind if I message you ( or you can PM me?. Just want to make sure before I take the leap myself.
15 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, it is better to write your request there as this could help the community and this is the goal of this group. If you're loking for personal advices regarding your specific situation, you can consider hire an agent but in my opinion, it is useless. you do not need one.
15 days ago
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Soukaina ******
Anonymous participant alright thanks
16 days ago
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Soukaina ******
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Soukaina ******
Anonymous participant alright thanks
16 days ago
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Soukaina ******
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Stuart ********
Thinking of doing the same. Did you apply from your home country and/or where your job is based?
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *******
 no I applied in HCMC, Vietnam, done in 2 working days but I stayed longer in the country due to TET
16 days ago
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Stuart ********
Anonymous participant certainly a more budget friendly option than me heading back to uk. Assuming your company/job isn’t based on Vietnam. So wondering if you have to get anything verified by the relevant embassy as well or were all the original documents enough on their own?
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *******
 sure it is cheaper than return to UK. The embassy requested documents translated in English but they didn t ask for anything notarized or legalized. I provided my documentation in original + translation merged all together
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Explorewith *****
16 days ago
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Steven *******
Exactly what I'm thinking
16 days ago
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Jen ********
Did you cancel your Non O before you applied? I’m about to do the same
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jen *******
 I waited my non O to finish, then I planned my trip to Vietnam
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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James *******
You're the best.
16 days ago
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Sunit *********
Thinking to switch non O marriage to DTV as well. Any drawbacks ?
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
@Sunit ********
 you can’t get permanent residency on the DTV. You can on the non-o visa types.
16 days ago
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Sunit *********
@Mounir ****************
 oh I see. that's another headache to get. So not interested in PR. Thanks for the advice nonetheless
16 days ago
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Jim ********
@Mounir ****************
 What makes you think people want permanent residency?
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
@Jim *******
 he asked for drawbacks 😊
16 days ago
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Jim ********
@Mounir ****************
 I don't see that as a drawback. I don't know anyone who is really interested in paying large sums of money to become a permanent resident of Thailand. There's no significant advantages
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
@Jim *******
 what huge sums of money? It costs the same as a visa renewal and you never have to do it again.
16 days ago
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Jim ********
@Mounir ****************
 Who told you that crap? 😂😂😂😂
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
@Jim *******
 nobody. I did the process 😊 it’s just the application fee
16 days ago
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Jim ********
@Mounir ****************
 100,000+ baht. Yep. The DTV is 10,000 for five years.
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
 I agree with you there is no real advantages to be permanent resident.
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Ayl *********
@Sunit ********
 I’m thinking in doing marriage. Is it hard? Or should I consider DTV?
16 days ago
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Sunit *********
@Ayl ********
 for me I find the yearly extensions a pain I also leave town every 6-8 weeks on average for a week at least so I'd prefer DTV. Just not sure of the exact requirements if no soft activities
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sunit ********
 same as me. I was fed up with re entry permits, and endless requests of documents for extensions.
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Jim ********
Excellent! I switched from non-O retirement to DTV in October last year. Best visa ever. In about two years there won't be many left on non-O, many retirees and marrieds will make the switch. Makes perfect sense
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
 I think so. DTV has so many advantages compared to non O visa
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
@Jim *******
 it makes zero sense if you’re married. The DTV has no path to residency
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mounir ****************
 if you see the many silly requirements for non O extension they ask my friend… they denied 4 times my application. On of them was because I wear flip flop on the pictures you are suppose to provide. 😂
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
Anonymous participant I don’t believe that at all 😊
16 days ago
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Mounir *****************
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Jim ********
@Mounir ****************
 Not everybody wants Thai residency 😂
16 days ago
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Jim ********
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Karsten ********
Nice I come from non o and want to try soft power medical, I have a couple of operations and treatment plan.
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karsten *******
 You might want to consider twice, because it is not 100% sure that they will not ask more documentation than NON O for your DTV extension. If your treatment plan is longer than a year and you have enough evidences to prove it i would say let's go. But if you do not have i would stay NON O
15 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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James ********
Congratulations 👏👏👏
16 days ago
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Ayl *********
You think is better DTV than non o? Because I’m currently thinking in doing the marriage visa or DTV thanks !
16 days ago
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Callum *******
I had a non-o work related visa and i can agree the dtv is MUCH EASIER and less hassle. Nothing but misery with the non-o and work permit crap
16 days ago
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Callum *******
@Ayl ********
 DTV beats Non-o by a mile (i had a working non-o) far less paperwork and hassle, couldnt agree more with this after my experience either
16 days ago
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Ayl *********
Currently I have ED for 2 years in a row in a university in issan!
16 days ago
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Garry ******
@Ayl ********
 are you actually studying? Just asking.
16 days ago
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Ayl *********
@Garry *****
 yes
16 days ago
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Garry ******
@Ayl ********
 Nais! 👍
16 days ago
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Garry ******
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Werner ************
Requests will come from local immigration after 6 months unless you leave and return
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 yes I expect this, this is why I will choose to just take a few days of vacation outside the country and return. Immigration offices are never funny to deal with…
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Steve ********
Is that non-O retirement visa you were previously on?
16 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 non O based on marriage. I was very happy when DTV became available as I meet all requirements for workation
16 days ago
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Sunit *********
Anonymous participant is the only requirement 500k 3 months + income 6 months in home country? Beyond the other basics?
16 days ago
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Henrik *****
Depend on the Embassy you apply at.

Some ask for income information, others don’t.

500.000 Baht varies from 0 to 6 month prior to the application.
16 days ago
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Henrik *****
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Marcus ********
Anonymous participant same I moved to, marriage visa headaches each year
16 days ago
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Steve ********
Anonymous participant Yes, we're going to see a lot more of these switches in the future. I know three non-O retirees and one non-O married who have already switched. Although they're happy with the money they're saving all agree the biggest benefit is the ability to not have to put up with the pedantic nuances of immigration officers every year.
16 days ago
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Steve ********
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