DTV or retirement visa ?

[tgw]

I've had a non-B for over 10 years and now comes the time where I should probably switch to either a retirement visa or DTV.

 

I read DTV isn't a non-imm visa type, so I could run into problems doing things that typically require a non-imm, such as renewing my driving licenses.

 

What would you say are the pros and cons of each ?

[DrJack54]

11 hours ago, tgw said:

What would you say are the pros and cons of each ?

Just now back from chit chat at bar young UK guy.

He obtained a DTV in UK with very little effot.

 

 

Mind you he works online and has UK employer so perhaps easy for him.

I'm an old guy and was joking that so jealous of how easy was his DVT.

 

Just this week I renewed my annual extension (retirement)

If you can obtain DTV or LTV go for it 

The only downside alludes to your reference to things such as TDL.

The DTV is classified as "tourist" 

He was asking about opening bank account and ended up though while CW may issue him a certificate of residence bank still may have issue.

Suggested an agent may be able to assist

[farang51]

39 minutes ago, tgw said:

I read DTV isn't a non-imm visa type, so I could run into problems doing things that typically require a non-imm, such as renewing my driving licenses.

We have had a couple of reports of people that got a 5 year license on the DTV; however, the various transport offices may not agree on this, thus, we will have to wait and see when more people report back - and hopefully they will let us know which offices they used.

[tgw]

3 hours ago, farang51 said:

We have had a couple of reports of people that got a 5 year license on the DTV; however, the various transport offices may not agree on this, thus, we will have to wait and see when more people report back - and hopefully they will let us know which offices they used.

 

I mean, the DL might not be the only issue.

Maybe there are issues for postpaid phone, car lease contracts, etc.

[tgw]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Just now back from chit chat at bar young UK guy.

He obtained a DTV in UK with very little effot.

 

 

Mind you he works online and has UK employer so perhaps easy for him.

I'm an old guy and was joking that so jealous of how easy was his DVT.

 

Just this week I renewed my annual extension (retirement)

If you can obtain DTV or LTV go for it 

The only downside alludes to your reference to things such as TDL.

The DTV is classified as "tourist" 

He was asking about opening bank account and ended up though while CW may issue him a certificate of residence bank still may issue.

Suggested an agent may be able to assist

 

I own my condo, is this good enough to get a certificate of residence ?

 

I can easily obtain a DTV, but I read somewhere that my current 5 year DL would then become 2 year temporary licences, which isn't great, and I hate going to the DLT, it's a lost day.

Also many officials, such as cops, look at the driving license and things get much more relaxed when they see the violet strip.

 

I still have a company in Thailand, just without me on the payroll.

Edited November 9 by tgw

[bigt3116]

8 hours ago, farang51 said:

We have had a couple of reports of people that got a 5 year license on the DTV;

 

What about reports of people getting the initial 2 year on a DTV?

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

What about reports of people getting the initial 2 year on a DTV?

 

Initial TDL is 2 years and DTV is tourist status and 2 yr TDL can be obtained.

Immigration in Bangkok no longer require a TM47 to obtain a certificate of residence (recent change).

[DrJack54]

5 hours ago, tgw said:

I can easily obtain a DTV, but I read somewhere that my current 5 year DL would then become 2 year temporary licences, which isn't great, and I hate going to the DLT, it's a lost day.

If you have a valid TDL then obtaining a DVT would not invalidate that or somehow change it to 2 yr licience.

However when you go to renew your license then it will be 2 yr

[farang51]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

If you have a valid TDL then obtaining a DVT would not invalidate that or somehow change it to 2 yr licience.

However when you go to renew your license then it will be 2 yr

As far as I remember, I have only seen two reports of members renewing a drivers license on a DTV, and both got 5 years.

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

DTV is tourist status

Are you sure about this?

 

I thought so at first, misreading the T in DTV as Tourist. Now, I understand that the DTV is in a new category and judged from the reports of people getting 5 years license renewal, it does not have tourist status.

[VBer]

My suggestion is: get visa according to your status in Thailand.

if you are going to retire, then get a retirement visa. if you a going to work remotely then get a DTV.

[itsari]

26 minutes ago, farang51 said:

As far as I remember, I have only seen two reports of members renewing a drivers license on a DTV, and both got 5 years.

 

Are you sure about this?

 

I thought so at first, misreading the T in DTV as Tourist. Now, I understand that the DTV is in a new category and judged from the reports of people getting 5 years license renewal, it does not have tourist status.

Destination Thailand Visa has nothing to do with tourism .

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, itsari said:

Destination Thailand Visa has nothing to do with tourism .

A DTV is not a Non O category.

"Yes, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a tourist visa for Thailand"

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, VBer said:

if you are going to retire, then get a retirement visa. if you a going to work remotely then get a DTV.

Why? The DTV on face value seems much better option.

Also it's multi entry.

The young UK guy I mentioned in earlier in post very recently obtained a DTV in the UK. 

Took only few days. Minimal requirements.

 

I'm jealous. With my trip (last week) still fresh in mind for annual extension (retirement) and requirements of money in bank etc etc.......i would love a DTV. 

[farang51]

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

A DTV is not a Non O category.

"Yes, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a tourist visa for Thailand"

 

As I understand it, the DTV is neither a NON O category nor a Tourist category. It is a new category. That people can get a 5 year license renewal seems to clearly say that the visa is not in the Tourist category.

 

Where is that quote from? Is it from something official or from a person trying to explain it in layman's terms?

[DrJack54]

56 minutes ago, farang51 said:

Where is that quote from? Is it from something official or from a person trying to explain it in layman's terms?

Not from something official.

Mobs such as Siam Legal (Bangkok Law firm) have good sites for general information however not definitive.

Here is another quote grab from Siam Legal.......

"It is important to note that the DTV is a special kind of tourist visa in Thailand, which means that holders are prohibited from obtaining a Thai work permit and working for companies in Thailand." 

 

What the word "special" means is guess work.

(highlight from Siam Legal)

 

In any event the OP was posting about pros/cons of the two options.

Personally view the DTV very sweet deal.

No requirement for funds maintained all year as I am required for annual extensions (retirement ) from my non O plus Bank docs etc etc for extension.

 

The DTV is a multi entry visa.

The option to take a trip out of Thailand prior to the 180 days avoids requirement to obtain an extension.

I'm looking for the catch. Can't see it at this point. 

[Liquorice]

47 minutes ago, farang51 said:

As I understand it, the DTV is neither a NON O category nor a Tourist category. I

Agree.

It's a new class of visa just the same as the LTR visa is.

Nowhere in the list of eligible foreigners for the DTV is the word 'tourist' mentioned.

[bbi1]

15 hours ago, tgw said:

I've had a non-B for over 10 years and now comes the time where I should probably switch to either a retirement visa or DTV.

 

I read DTV isn't a non-imm visa type, so I could run into problems doing things that typically require a non-imm, such as renewing my driving licenses.

 

What would you say are the pros and cons of each ?

I would say leave the DTV for those under 50. For those over 50, stick to the retirement visa. In the past lots of boomers were always telling the younger folks to get a proper visa. Now the younger folks have the opportunity to get a proper visa and stay in Thailand long-term so let's leave this visa to them.

[mokwit]

I would say go for the retirement visa so that if there is any increase in requirements you may be grandfathered. IMO DTV application is likely to get stricter.

[Phillip9]

You would have to be crazy to choose a retirement visa over a DTV.  The DTV has way too many advantages -- no money in a Thai bank required, no re-entry permit needed, no fines for missing a 90 day report, no new ridiculous hoops to jump through every year,  no need to visit immigration at all for 5 years.

[Briggsy]

18 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

no fines for missing a 90 day report

Really, are you sure? Do you have a source for this?

 

Or are you just assuming that DTV holders will not need to contact Immigration? However, they will if they want a TM30, a COR for vehicle registration etc., an extension of the initial 180 days which is allowable.

 

I don't think they are exempt from the 90-day regime.

[Phillip9]

5 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Really, are you sure? Do you have a source for this?

 

Or are you just assuming that DTV holders will not need to contact Immigration? However, they will if they want a TM30, a COR for vehicle registration etc., an extension of the initial 180 days which is allowable.

 

I don't think they are exempt from the 90-day regime.

 

I didn't say they are exempt from 90 day reports, but who is going to fine you if you never visit immigration?  

 

Just leave the country at least once every 180 days, which I assume many people do anyway, and you never need to visit immigration for 5 years. 

[Liquorice]

32 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

no new ridiculous hoops to jump through every year,

Just border runs every 180 days for a new 180 day entry.

Of course, I would assume you will have to provide evidence on each entry of the reason.
For digital nomads/remote workers I would imagine the same portfolio as used for the initial DTV.
For the softer options, a letter of appointment or booking for a class.

[Bvor]

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm looking for the catch. Can't see it at this point. 

Likewise. Apparently leaving and returning prior to expiration of 180 days resets another 180 days from date of return (like METV). Hence the DTV can be valid for 179 days +180 days within a 12 month period without the need to apply for an extension ? 

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I don't think they are exempt from the 90-day regime

DTV holders need to make a 90 day report if in Thailand loner than 90 days.

As post above points out , for those that choose to exit Thailand prior to 180 days the TM47 would only be an issue if there was a need to have any business with immigration for things such as COR, transfer stamps, etc 

[Liquorice]

1 minute ago, Bvor said:

Hence the DTV can be valid for 179 days +180 days within a 12 month period without the need to apply for an extension ? 

The 179 days + 180 is an extension.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Bvor said:

Hence the DTV can be valid for 179 days +180 days within a 12 month period without the need to apply for an extension ? 

Indeed and I think this be very popular way of avoiding the extension.

A few days in eg lovely Saigon would be nice alternative to CW or elsewhere. 

[Phillip9]

5 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Of course, I would assume you will have to provide evidence on each entry of the reason.

 

Why would you assume that?  No other visa requires anything remotely similar.  

 

So you think immigration is going to start denying people entry without warning if they aren't carrying all the documents they used to apply for the visa?  Absolutely ridiculous.

[Bvor]

29 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The 179 days + 180 is an extension.

Sure can be viewed as being an "extension" but not via the application + fee pursuant to reg's that I was referring to.

[Caldera]

As far as the suitability of the DTV for residing in Thailand hassle-free (near) full-time is concerned, the jury is still out because the visa is so new.

 

For someone who previously didn't qualify for any longterm visa to live in Thailand other than Elite, it's a great option. Especially after the insane price hike the Elite muppets came up with. 

 

For someone who already qualifies for a non-immigrant visa and subsequent 1-year extensions, not so much in my opinion. Too much uncertainty, the need to leave once per year, just to avoid a yearly visit to immigration?

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, Caldera said:

For someone who already qualifies for a non-immigrant visa and subsequent 1-year extensions, not so much in my opinion. Too much uncertainty, the need to leave once per year, just to avoid a yearly visit to immigration?

Good post.

The points you make are valid.

The 800k using money in bank method is a turn off.

I decided to obtain another annual extension and did that Nov 5 

In 12 months can assess what pans out with DTV. 

The uncertainty is why I didn't opt for DVT.

My post at start of thread re young UK guy obtaining a DVT while back in UK eVisa with very simple process frankly made me jealous.

Good news for him.

The "once a year" you mention maybe not difficult for some.

For those with limited mobility (me) .,to make longish walk to my bank day prior to application to obtain bank 12 month statement and bank letter followed next day to deal with trip to CW along with all things you need to do at immigration is difficult.

CW for those that have never been there is HUGE. 

Also walk from carpark.