2 hours ago, rwilem said:

Are you not obligated to report 90 days of continuous stay in-country, i.e. the 90-day report? Is that a selling point of the DTV, that holders are exempt from 90-day reporting?

They are just saying they will ignore this law and never have any interaction with an immigration office.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

They are just saying they will ignore this law and never have any interaction with an immigration office.

OK, got it. Thanks. 

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

They are just saying they will ignore this law and never have any interaction with an immigration office.

Until they need a certificate of residence for some reason.

13 hours ago, rwilem said:

Are you not obligated to report 90 days of continuous stay in-country, i.e. the 90-day report? Is that a selling point of the DTV, that holders are exempt from 90-day reporting?

You are correct that a 90-day report (for a stay over 90 days) is required.

 

The poster could change his border bounce routine to every 3 months or just not do them. It is unlikely anything would happen.

 

However, if he needed a Certificate of Residence (CoR) then the lack of 90-day report could lead to a fine. The same may apply if he does not have a TM30. 

 

But if no CoR is required, it is quite possible that you could not go to an Immigration office for the whole 5 years without any consequences.

11 hours ago, Briggsy said:

 

But if no CoR is required, it is quite possible that you could not go to an Immigration office for the whole 5 years without any consequences

Yes, I understand, it's just a choice one could make, to skip 'em entirely. If you don't have any reason to do business with immigration, there's does not seem to be any way not doing the 90-day reporting would crop up.  And the OP has been here for sometime on retirement extensions, so presumably he's got a lot of things set up, whereas a 'fresh arrival' on a DTV will likely need some interaction with immigration (certificate of residence, potentially, to open a bank account, possible TM 30, and so on.)

10 hours ago, rwilem said:

Yes, I understand, it's just a choice one could make, to skip 'em entirely. If you don't have any reason to do business with immigration, there's does not seem to be any way not doing the 90-day reporting would crop up.  And the OP has been here for sometime on retirement extensions, so presumably he's got a lot of things set up, whereas a 'fresh arrival' on a DTV will likely need some interaction with immigration (certificate of residence, potentially, to open a bank account, possible TM 30, and so on.)

Planning to buy or sell a vehicle or renew a driver's licence? These things do crop up.

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Planning to buy or sell a vehicle or renew a driver's licence? These things do crop up.

Or open bank account. 

On 2/13/2025 at 3:18 PM, Briggsy said:

Well, the only consistent theme in the stories of being given a hard time on entry with a DTV are obtaining them in the region rather than in a Western nation. For the moment.

 

I believe this will get worse.

 

As I predicted, around June / July 2025 is when more reports of difficulty on entry with a DTV will become a regular thing.

 

My take on this is that it probably will receive more scrutiny in the future. Especially for those short term cooking classes or muay thai training camps. It does not really make sense that you get 5 years for a 6 month course, and I am suspecting that this will be cracked down on sooner rather than later. 

 

I have been scouring the web looking for any denials of DTV holders, and so far nothing. And as you wrote, most of the "harder" questioning seems to apply to those who applied for it in a nearby country. 

 

I posted this in another thread before which makes me believe that the airport immigration division is actively pushing for the DTV for long term visa runners. In the video they point to it being a correct visa. 

 

You can check it out here: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DEEjJ0TSCdm/). And the screenshot is attached in this post. 

 

It makes me think that they are receiving a commission from each DTV application fee, which is entirely possible as regular station police get a legal and official percentage of traffic fines. I rather hope they are as it would mean they will continue to honour the DTV visas.

@raz0r21

6 hours ago, Briggsy said:

It makes me think that they are receiving a commission from each DTV application fee, which is entirely possible as regular station police get a legal and official percentage of traffic fines. 

Excuse me, but what? Visas are issued by embassies, which is under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Immigration is a completely different agency (Department of the Interior), they aren't getting anything from DTV applications.  In fact, immigration hate the DTV visa, as the DTV program was created without consulting immigration. That's why they almost refuse to issue extensions to it.  They make the extensions very difficult to get on purpose, and just tell everyone to do a border bounce instead of extending.

I'm confused, people keep talking about getting the DTV from this or that embassy, but I was under the impression that it's all e-visa now. No need for an embassy visit.

8 minutes ago, JDangle said:

I'm confused, people keep talking about getting the DTV from this or that embassy, but I was under the impression that it's all e-visa now. No need for an embassy visit.

 

During the evisa process it asks for your location and directs your application to the relevant embassy/consulate for approval.  There's only 1 or 2 countries where an embassy visit is physically required to pay the fees.

3 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

During the evisa process it asks for your location and directs your application to the relevant embassy/consulate for approval.  There's only 1 or 2 countries where an embassy visit is physically required to pay the fees.

ok, I see. Thanks for the info

42 minutes ago, JDangle said:

but I was under the impression that it's all e-visa now. No need for an embassy visit.

It is all e-visa now. But you are supposed to be in the country--whether it be the home country or another country-- you are supposed to apply to an embassy or consulate while physically in the country you are applying at.

 

Seems some folks have managed to acquire the DTV e-visa from their home country while not actually being present there at the time of application. For what that's worth. Maybe not advisable, but some have done it, apparently.

6 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Excuse me, but what? Visas are issued by embassies, which is under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Immigration is a completely different agency (Department of the Interior), they aren't getting anything from DTV applications.  In fact, immigration hate the DTV visa, as the DTV program was created without consulting immigration. That's why they almost refuse to issue extensions to it.  They make the extensions very difficult to get on purpose, and just tell everyone to do a border bounce instead of extending.

I take your point. 

 

One would think therefore that if they hate the DTV as you said, they would make life difficult at the point of entry as they most certainly do for repeat visitors with visa exempt, visa on arrival, single-entry tourist visas, multiple-entry tourist visas and education visas. So far, that has not been the case. I am trying to figure out why. Perhaps it is just a matter of time.

On 7/17/2025 at 10:36 PM, BrandonJT said:

They are just saying they will ignore this law and never have any interaction with an immigration office.

Is this possible?   Would you then not be deported at some stage when you finally forced to interact with the Immigration Department.

19 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

Is this possible?   Would you then not be deported at some stage when you finally forced to interact with the Immigration Department.

No, why would you be deported? You would be fined 2000 baht, and get a stamp in your passport that is no matter.  Then you'll be on your way with whatever you were trying to do at immigration.  Even some people on annual extensions never do a 90-day report and just pay the 2000 baht fine every year and consider an additional fee to absolve themselves of the burden.

10 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

No, why would you be deported? You would be fined 2000 baht, and get a stamp in your passport that is no matter.  Then you'll be on your way with whatever you were trying to do at immigration.  Even some people on annual extensions never do a 90-day report and just pay the 2000 baht fine every year and consider an additional fee to absolve themselves of the burden.

Okay, that is interesting.  Just tend to think that Immigration makes up rules as it goes along, with whatever is most beneficial to them, and damn the visa holder.  Being very cynical , of course.

3 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I take your point. 

 

One would think therefore that if they hate the DTV as you said, they would make life difficult at the point of entry as they most certainly do for repeat visitors with visa exempt, visa on arrival, single-entry tourist visas, multiple-entry tourist visas and education visas. So far, that has not been the case. I am trying to figure out why. Perhaps it is just a matter of time.

 

My guess would be that the DTV is making it very difficult for them to use the "you stay in thailand too much" excuse, since it its multiple entry and exactly what they ask for when they give you a hard time on tourist visas (a proper long stay visa). 

 

Another issue they face is the classic "lack of funds" reason for denied entry - considering you need a hefty amount of money to even get the DTV. They also dont have the time to go through all the supporting documents at the booth, while hundreds of people are waiting in line. 

 

However, I am almost certain that the soft power variants of the DTV will be looked at more thoroughly in the inspection zones nearby, probably in the near future. And maybe the workcation category aswell (however that one requires you to have income too, on top of the 500k THB). 

 

But if your documents are in order, you still have the amount required for the DTV, and you fulfill the requirements for the visa - I would not expect issues even at secondary inspection. I have seen reports online of people doing the extensions at immigration aswell, but there they seem to require even MORE evidence, and company stamps (who even uses those anymore?), etc. So good luck with that. 

On 7/18/2025 at 9:48 AM, Briggsy said:

But if no CoR is required, it is quite possible that you could not go to an Immigration office for the whole 5 years without any consequences.

Would it not increase your chances of an inspection at your home or hotel?

 

If the landlord is sending passport details for your stay and doing reporting on aliens staying there it would pop up on the computer that you never report in.

 

It's conceivable the fine could be a lot more then 2k if they actually found you out in the field somewhere rather then just you showing up late at an immigration office.

20 minutes ago, Mark1969 said:

Would it not increase your chances of an inspection at your home or hotel?

No.

 

There are almost no reports of inspections to check for foreigners not 'reporting in' with Immigration. They will raid hotels and guest houses if they think there are overstayers but that is a completely separate issue.

 

If you are that concerned do a border run every 90 days assuming you have a DTV. 

On 7/20/2025 at 5:58 PM, Briggsy said:

It makes me think that they are receiving a commission from each DTV application fee, which is entirely possible as regular station police get a legal and official percentage of traffic fines. I rather hope they are as it would mean they will continue to honour the DTV visas.

@raz0r21

No - because immigration do not issue them.  They are counting on border-bounce agent-money, which costs more/less depending on your visa-type.  They have also hiked agent-fees generally, to make up the difference - likely also due to the 60-dayVE policy. 

Maybe agent-assisted 6-mo DTV in-country extensions will be seen in the future - haven't heard of them yet.   IMO, DTVers should plan on needing agents to bounce in the future - and be pleasantly-surprised if it does not happen.

Simple question: 

Can you apply for a DTV from country outside of Thailand while having a valid permission of stay + reentry permit. 

Common example would be change from extension retirement to DTV. 

 

Seems this was possible some time ago and posts confirm that however seems that is no longer an option. 

Tia. 

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Simple question: 

Can you apply for a DTV from country outside of Thailand while having a valid permission of stay + reentry permit. 

Common example would be change from extension retirement to DTV. 

 

Seems this was possible some time ago and posts confirm that however seems that is no longer an option. 

Tia. 

How would the MFA possibly know you had a valid permission of stay + reentry permit?

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

How would the MFA possibly know you had a valid permission of stay + reentry permit?

Agents are saying not possible hence my question. 

I'm not sure of what pages of the passport are submitted. 

The other thing I find confusing re agent advice is they state you need to remain in country of application until approval. 

The approved eVisa is sent via email so why the need to remain till it's approved. 

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents are saying not possible hence my question. 

I'm not sure of what pages of the passport are submitted. 

The other thing I find confusing re agent advice is they state you need to remain in country of application until approval. 

The approved eVisa is sent via email so why the need to remain till it's approved. 

 

Probably just a case of jurisdiction. A Thai embassy is only supposed to issue a visa if the applicant is within its jurisdiction, and nowadays they do seem to make some effort to establish this. As the visa is "issued" at an unknown time of approval after the application has been submitted, effectively that means that the applicant is expected to stay put in the country where they applied. How well this is being enforced is anyone's guess.

 

On 8/2/2025 at 11:32 AM, DrJack54 said:

Simple question: 

Can you apply for a DTV from country outside of Thailand while having a valid permission of stay + reentry permit. 

Common example would be change from extension retirement to DTV. 

 

Seems this was possible some time ago and posts confirm that however seems that is no longer an option. 

Tia. 

I don't think they care as long as you are in their country (they ask to see the entry stamp and permission to stay date).

 

The question is what would Thai immigration do on arrival. They would probably stamp you in knly one way, not both. Either the DTV or the re-entry permit.

Anyone have definitive info on how it works when you try enter on a new passport # that does not match the # listed on the DTV eVisa?  I am about to do this and don't want any surprises.  Yes, I will be bringing my old passport with me.  No, the DTV is not a sticker in my old passport.  It's a one page electronic document that I print out and lists my old passport # on it.

 

Nobody seems to know how it officially works. I suspect I may even get conflicting info from Immigration agents about it.  Some seem to think I may only get a 30 day waiver on arrival and will need to go into Jomtien immigration and get the eVisa updated in their database, at which point they may try make me jump through other hoops, like presenting a TM30, which I will not have.  They may also ask for a bank statement again showing the minimum amount required and who knows what else.  Others seem to think I will be stamped in for 6 months after showing my old passport and can just travel around like that for the next 4 years.  It may even be one of those things where it's a grey area and some immigration agents will stamp me in and others will try make me jump through hoops. 

16 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Anyone have definitive info on how it works when you try enter on a new passport that does not match the one listed on the DTV eVisa?  I am about to do this and don't want any surprises.  Yes, I will be bringing my old passport with me.  No, the DTV is not a sticker in my old passport.  It's a PDF that I print out and lists my old passport # on it.

 

Nobody seems to know how it officially works. I suspect I may even get conflicting info from Immigration agents about it.  Some seem to think I may need to go into Jomtien immigration and get the eVisa updated in their database, at which point they may try make me jump through other hoops, like presenting a TM30, which I will not have.  They may also try treat me as if I am trying to extend another 180 days and ask for a bank statement again and who knows what else.  Others seem to think I am ok just traveling around with my old passport for the next 4 years to show immigration when they ask about the mismatch with the my new passport number.  

Up to the officer most likely. You won't really know how strict they will be about the evisa being attached to an old passport.

 

What would worry me in your case is you needing to have the issuing embassy redo it, which is not in Thailand.

52 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Anyone have definitive info on how it works when you try enter on a new passport # that does not match the # listed on the DTV eVisa?  I am about to do this and don't want any surprises.  Yes, I will be bringing my old passport with me.  No, the DTV is not a sticker in my old passport.  It's a one page electronic document that I print out and lists my old passport # on it.

 

Nobody seems to know how it officially works. I suspect I may even get conflicting info from Immigration agents about it.  Some seem to think I may only get a 30 day waiver on arrival and will need to go into Jomtien immigration and get the eVisa updated in their database, at which point they may try make me jump through other hoops, like presenting a TM30, which I will not have.  They may also ask for a bank statement again showing the minimum amount required and who knows what else.  Others seem to think I will be stamped in for 6 months after showing my old passport and can just travel around like that for the next 4 years.  It may even be one of those things where it's a grey area and some immigration agents will stamp me in and others will try make me jump through hoops. 

 

They will look at your visa, ensure the passport number on your visa matches your old passport, and then they will stamp you in on your new passport with your 180 day DTV stamp.  This is the process.

 

You can then either continue to use both passports for the remainder of the 5 years of your visa, or you can go to your immigration office in Thailand and have them put a notation in your new passport that will reference your old passport number.  This will remove the need to carry your old passport with you, since the number is now embedded in your new passport.