5 year multiple entry DTV visa (Destination Thailand) from 2024-xx-xx

[jacnl2000]

On 2/16/2025 at 3:03 PM, Briggsy said:

It appears that you are applying for a 'workcation' category DTV from the London Thai embassy. This is what I have.

 

From memory, they are looking for either a "professional portfolio" or a "contract of employment clearly showing the opportunity to work remotely". I would suggest from the information that you have provided you are very much stretching the professional portfolio route. First of all, it is not professional. You are doing this in a personal capacity not a professional capacity. But you do not need to convince me. Having said that, I have always found the London Thai embassy will look at the big picture and has some latitude for their interpretation of the rules. So, give it a go. The worst case scenario is you lose the £300 application fee.

 

To be honest, if you are 50 or over, the non-imm O will be a very straightforward application for you. This can then be extended in-country. This sounds far more suitable to your situation.

 

Just asking a question. Have no idea of the rules involved here. Non-imm O allows acquiring active income when working remotely for a foreign company? Or is a DTV a better fit for e.g. a slownomadist working as a professional for a relative small foreign company?

[Rob Browder]

14 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

 

Just asking a question. Have no idea of the rules involved here. Non-imm O allows acquiring active income when working remotely for a foreign company? Or is a DTV a better fit for e.g. a slownomadist working as a professional for a relative small foreign company?

Non-O Retirement does not allow working in Thailand. If over 50, and work / income does not involve Thailand, and all earnings are deposited into a foreign account, I would stick with Non-O Retirement vs DTV. 

 

If under 50 and w/o Thai family, the DTV is a great option.

[Briggsy]

@jacnl2000 I completely agree with @Rob Browder's post above.

 

We don't know the DTV is going to pan out over the next few years particularly for those spending the majority of their time in Thailand.

 

Also, small issues like problems opening bank accounts, obtaining 5-year driving licences and obtaining pink cards are resolved by having a non-imm O extension.

[shdmn]

Anyone knows what happens when your passport expires before your DTV eVisa does?  My DTV is valid for the next 4.5 years but I have to renew my passport this year.  There is a note on my DTV eVisa showing my passport expiry date and referencing the passport ID, so they definitely checked and are aware it's expiring before the eVisa. 

 

I am assuming that I just need to bring the old passport with me for the next 4 years.  Perhaps I can go into Thai immigration after entering the country with my new and old passport the first time, get them to update the passport ID on the eVisa, then print out a new copy so that I don't have to keep bringing the old pasport with me?

[Rob Browder]

On 3/22/2025 at 5:38 PM, shdmn said:

I am assuming that I just need to bring the old passport with me for the next 4 years.  Perhaps I can go into Thai immigration after entering the country with my new and old passport the first time, get them to update the passport ID on the eVisa, then print out a new copy so that I don't have to keep bringing the old pasport with me?

If possible, it would be done via the MFA, who issues Visas.  They have been known to make corrections on visas - unknown if they would help with this case, however.

[Maestro]

On 3/22/2025 at 11:38 AM, shdmn said:

Anyone knows what happens when your passport expires before your DTV eVisa does?...

 

You go to your local immigration office with this application form:

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/22.Transfer-Stamp-to-New-Passport-Form.pdf

 

Regarding the list or required documents, some immigration offices may also ask for the receipt for your latest TM.30.

 

[2long]

DTV SUCCESS!!

Here’s my story, but firstly I want to say a huge thanks to those who had positive advice. @Briggsy @BrandonJT @farang51 @CK1980 @DrJack54 It's greatly appreciated! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

 

Saturday 15/3: arrived in HCMC
Sunday 16/3: applied online
Monday 17/3, just after 5pm: I got what appears to be an automated reply. Saying the following👇🏻

• Financial evidence: amount of no less than 500,000 THB, e.g. bank statements, sponsorship letter : A deposit account shows the transactions last 6 months and the account balance or a combination of a deposit/saving account totaling not less than 500,000baht. Stock/Crypto/Bitcoin/Investment/Business/PayPal account and sponsor are not accepted.
• Other request documents: Provide details about your current work, including your CV/portfolio, the work examples and supporting materials that demonstrate your experience and qualifications.
• Other request documents: Provide a business registration and company profile that includes details about its history, vision, mission, products, and achievements.

I had already shown the funds, but sent more documents, plus what they wanted in sections #2 & #3.

Monday 24/3 (a week later), at midday: Application approved.

I applied based on being a 50% owner of a UK registered company connected to tourism in Asia, and the need for working remotely. Everything I submitted was legitimate and up to date, including the proof of funds.

As another poster previously mentioned the file upload options are limited and you only get one chance of one file per section, of three sections. this goes for the original application and the follow up. As advised by that kind poster, I used https://combinepdf.com/ to create PDFs to fit. SCB bank statements come in email but are password encrypted, but if you open with your password then try to print, but choose download, you have a nice bank statement PDF that can be opened by anyone. 😉

My history:
50+ year old Brit, having been here for 25 years, 24 of those on a Non-B WP for the same company. Followed by 10 months of (8x) visa-exempt entry stamps which were NOT 24-hour border hops, but 3 days to more than a week to a selection of countries in Asia. My final / most-recent arrival got a questioning-look from IO at DMK, but I showed evidence of a flight out of Thailand in 6 weeks.

Arrival at DMK, there was no queue at immigration, and the nice young female IO took some time to diligently check a few things, and stamped me through for 180 days. Just in case I was asked, I had evidence of a flight in July. But she asked for nothing. 

 

HUGE THANKS AGAIN guys! 😘😘👌🏻

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, 2long said:

DTV SUCCESS!!

Excellent news. Thanks for detailed clear report.

In 6 months please do a thread with report of your first extension. 

[DrJack54]

Off topic post re visa exempt entry removed.

Current thread on that topic in this forum and Thai news. 

[sikishrory]

Hypothetically - If someone has an existing company or is a non-majority share holder in a Thai company are they able to apply for a DTV?

Simarlarly if someone has a DTV already are they able to become a non-majority shareholder in a Thai company?

I'm guessing no but if some unemployed guy was still part of a now basically dormant company from years ago I wonder where in the DTV application or rules this comes up.

[alw22]

On 3/23/2025 at 7:14 PM, Maestro said:

 

You go to your local immigration office with this application form:

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/22.Transfer-Stamp-to-New-Passport-Form.pdf

 

Regarding the list or required documents, some immigration offices may also ask for the receipt for your latest TM.30.

 

 

Looks like that's only for physical visas in your passport, not evisas.

My guess is you just keep your old passport and show both at immigration.

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, alw22 said:

 

Looks like that's only for physical visas in your passport, not evisas.

My guess is you just keep your old passport and show both at immigration.

Incorrect.

They transfer the visa details and any current permission of stay stamps to your new passport.

[Briggsy]

11 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Incorrect.

They transfer the visa details and any current permission of stay stamps to your new passport.

I am not sure what you mean.

 

How do you "transfer visa details" when they are not in the old passport, but they are on an evisa?

 

In addition, the question really refers to entering Thailand with an evisa showing the old passport number and a new passport with a new passport number. This may happen multiple times over the 5-year life of the DTV as holders may go in and out of Thailand several times a year. You answer has not addressed this.

 

As you appear familiar with this issue, could you address these two points?

[Liquorice]

1 minute ago, Briggsy said:

I am not sure what you mean.

 

How do you "transfer visa details" when they are not in the old passport, but they are on an evisa?

When you enter Thailand, the entry permit stamp notes the type of entry and the permitted duration of stay.

You may extend that permission of stay.

Those details are transferred to a new passport, so you don't have to use old and new passports together.

[Briggsy]

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

When you enter Thailand, the entry permit stamp notes the type of entry and the permitted duration of stay.

You may extend that permission of stay.

Those details are transferred to a new passport, so you don't have to use old and new passports together.

You have not answered @shdmn's question nor my questions. Your answers seem relevant to those on extensions due to retirement which I assume you are on. They are not relevant to this DTV thread. DTV holders can extend but rarely do as the evisa is multiple entry.

 

Upon entry with a new passport, the passport number on the evisa would not match the passport number on the new passport. That is the question, what to do in that situation.

 

It is okay to say that you do not have a DTV and you don't know the answer. Not knowing is okay.

[Caldera]

21 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Upon entry with a new passport, the passport number on the evisa would not match the passport number on the new passport. That is the question, what to do in that situation.

 

The aforementioned "transfer stamps" that they put in your new passport include one stamp that references your old passport number. Transferring stamps also means that old and new passport will be linked in immigration's system.

[Liquorice]

34 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

You have not answered @shdmn's question nor my questions. Your answers seem relevant to those on extensions due to retirement which I assume you are on. They are not relevant to this DTV thread. DTV holders can extend but rarely do as the evisa is multiple entry.

 

Upon entry with a new passport, the passport number on the evisa would not match the passport number on the new passport. That is the question, what to do in that situation.

Read @Caldera reply above.

It's immaterial what type of visa you entered on as the type of visa, old passport number, and any current validity of stay is transferred to the new passport.

In the event I replaced the passport, I'd staple the original e-visa in the new passport as well.

 

[shdmn]

On 3/24/2025 at 2:14 AM, Maestro said:

 

You go to your local immigration office with this application form:

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/22.Transfer-Stamp-to-New-Passport-Form.pdf

 

Regarding the list or required documents, some immigration offices may also ask for the receipt for your latest TM.30.

 

First of all it's not a stamp/sticker in my passport.  It's a PDF eVisa that I just print out.  Second of all, I do not want to have to deal with TM.30, which I don't have, or showing a bank statement again, or any of that BS.  I got the DTV specifically to avoid having to deal with any of that.

[shdmn]

On 3/27/2025 at 3:21 PM, Liquorice said:

Incorrect.

They transfer the visa details and any current permission of stay stamps to your new passport.

Like the person you responded to says, there is no stamp/sticker involved so there is nothing to transfer.   Not sure why so many people are confused by that.  It's an eVisa in PDF format that you can just print out.  It's NOT a stamp/sticker in your passport! 

 

I know some people are getting stickers when they do it in person in a consulate in Phnom Penh or wherever, but when I applied online through the official visa website I got a PDF file.

[shdmn]

On 3/27/2025 at 3:38 PM, Liquorice said:

When you enter Thailand, the entry permit stamp notes the type of entry and the permitted duration of stay.

You may extend that permission of stay.

Those details are transferred to a new passport, so you don't have to use old and new passports together.

I think you are confused.  I am not talking about entry stamps or renewing the passport while in Thailand.

[Maestro]

On 3/27/2025 at 7:43 AM, alw22 said:

 

Looks like that's only for physical visas in your passport, not evisas.

My guess is you just keep your old passport and show both at immigration.

 

The procedure with the Transfer Stamp to New Passport Form

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CEJpSs5wEwrKM-kEOIkNV6kfKiuWu3nO/view?usp=drive_link

which I suggested to the OP, shdmn, ins not about transferring a visa from the old to the new passport. It is about linking the new passport with the old passport, and for this purpose immigration puts a stamp into the new passport. Depending on the situation, some stamps relating to the current permission to stay are copied to the new passport.

[Maestro]

12 hours ago, shdmn said:

I think you are confused.  I am not talking about entry stamps or renewing the passport while in Thailand.

 

Thank you for having added the additional information that you are not renewing the passport in Thailand.

[Maestro]

13 hours ago, shdmn said:

First of all it's not a stamp/sticker in my passport.  It's a PDF eVisa that I just print out.  Second of all, I do not want to have to deal with TM.30, which I don't have, or showing a bank statement again, or any of that BS.  I got the DTV specifically to avoid having to deal with any of that.

 

Yes, I know your question is about how to continue using your DTV visa after getting a new passport. 

 

In your situation, you will enter Thailand with your old passport which has the passport number that is shown on your visa, the printout of the eVisa, and your new passport. You will get the arrival stamp, which shows the duration of your permission to stay, in your new passport.

 

Thereafter, as you are averse to using the procedure with the "Transfer Stamp to New Passport Form", which would link your new passport to the old one, your only option is to continue entering Thailand with both passports and the eVisa printout.

 

 

 

 

[Briggsy]

It would be interesting to receive some first hand experiences. The DTV is still quite new though.

 

It is possible even after having the old passport details and DTV details entered in the new passport, Immigration at the border ask to see the old passport. I could see that happening.

 

Also I could see border officials instructing you to go to an Immigration Office. And if you didn't go and had repeated further entries with an old and a new passport, what would they do?

 

It is also possible that the Immigration at the border might enter the old passport details into the new passport thus saving a trip to an Immigration Office.

 

With multiple entry evisas, the system of linking the new passport details to the evisa is not clear.

[Rob Browder]

10 hours ago, Briggsy said:

It is also possible that the Immigration at the border might enter the old passport details into the new passport thus saving a trip to an Immigration Office.

It would seem necessary for them to do this, to explain the 6-Mo permitted-stay they were stamping in the new passport, referring to a visa, which referenced the old passport.  As well, I would be surprised if they did not link the old/new passports in their system when presented both of them upon entry. 

 

it will be interesting to get a 1st hand report.  Please let us know what happens when you enter, @shdmn - though I would carry that old passport for every subsequent entry with that eVisa, regardless of what they stamp/write in the new passport.
 

[makescents]

On 5/29/2024 at 8:39 PM, Pattaya57 said:

I note the above says "you are allowed to stay in Thailand for 180 days per year. The visa is valid for 5 years."

 

Doesn't this imply you can stay for 180 days every year for 5 years? That would make more sense as to why have a 5 year validity?

 

This has been clarified to mean 180 days per entry. You can extend in country or by doing a "visa run".

[makescents]

LA consulate does not mention 6 months of bank statements, only:

 

Quote

A copy of a recent saving or checking bank statement with an ending balance of no less than 500,000 THB or ($16,000 USD) that shows the applicant's name and date. In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided

 

Is this a mistake? I generally don't leave cash outside of the stock market (poor choice considering recent events), so I have 5 months of statements. Would that suffice for LA?

 

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/dtv-visa

[Briggsy]

5 hours ago, makescents said:

LA consulate does not mention 6 months of bank statements, only:

 

 

Is this a mistake? I generally don't leave cash outside of the stock market (poor choice considering recent events), so I have 5 months of statements. Would that suffice for LA?

 

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/dtv-visa

I don't know about applying through Los Angeles embassy but applying through the London embassy just required 500,000 Baht equivalent balance on a bank statement. No period was specified. It was effectively a snapshot on the day the statement was issued. (Of course statements do show transactions for a period, usually a month, if the embassy wants to go digging).

[billy100]

I thought I would share my DTV success experience as it may help others as they prepare their submission.

I applied as a digital online worker: freelance

I have to start by passing my thanks to member oliverphoenix2 who kindly offered good advice as his situation is similar in many ways to my own:

So, a few points that may be useful to others.

·        Don’t be deterred by your age: Trump is older than me and Xi & Putin a similar age to me: the DTV does not have an upper age limit.

·        I am an investor who runs a large personal portfolio and spends considerable time online, often in various countries I travel to, researching  UK companies & trading. I also have a generous pension from my employment days.

·        Do plan and prepare your submission with care; to fail to plan is to plan to fail.

·        I provided all of the usual documents: jpeg for passport & driving licence, pdf for 6 months of bank statements (6 months was my choice): Note I merged PDFs using xodo which offers a free service. The reason for this is that in the submission you can only upload one PDF in each section. Also address of where I will be staying & flight number to BKK (if you are not flying direct then like me, just offer the flight number of the final flight to BKK)

·        Having made my submission to the London Thai Embassy on the e-system I have the following timeline:

·        Day 1: 9am submission made.  I got on that same day a request for a few more details of myself as a sort of “this is me, this is what I do”. I was also asked for HMRC tax data which is so easy these days via the HMRC app.

·        Day 2:  I sent in the extra information they requested: Introducing myself, what I do etc and HMRC tax calculation.

·        Day 3: DTV application approved.

 

I hope this proves useful to others and as ever, my thanks for the advice offered by members of this forum.

[Briggsy]

@billy100

 

Thank you for your report. You left out some key information. Which category did you apply under?

 

Was it workcation or soft power?