Thailand’s Destination Visa loophole that could cost you

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Everything Bangkok

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

The much-hyped Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is proving to be more of a bureaucratic headache than a dream ticket. While Bangkok Immigration (Division 1) has published criteria for extending the visa by six months, these guidelines aren’t binding on provincial offices, leaving holders navigating a minefield of uncertainty.

 

The biggest revelation? It’s far easier to leave the country every 180 days than to fight through the paperwork jungle for a local extension. A review of the DTV Facebook group shows that 75% of holders believe a simple border hop is the safest bet over the five-year validity of the visa.

 

For those daring enough to request an extension within Thailand, be prepared for a bureaucratic rollercoaster. The list of required documents is overwhelming:

 

• Proof of at least 500,000 baht (US$14,000) in funds
• A detailed Thai address history (blue book, ID, rental agreements, TM30, and TM47)
• Updated proof of activity (employment verification, work portfolios for digital nomads, and photos of skill-learning for soft power holders)

 

 

Some categories face extra hurdles—artists need government-issued invitations, while boxing and cooking students must prove they’re still learning years after their courses began.

 

But the real ticking time bomb? Tax liability. If you stay in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year, you could be on the hook for income tax on overseas earnings. Many DTV holders are clueless about Thailand’s tax identification number (TIN) and potential obligations, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

The bottom line? The DTV is effectively a five-year tourist visa, requiring holders to exit at least twice a year unless local immigration miraculously bends the rules. Whether staying 179 days or less is the ultimate loophole remains the million-baht question.

 

Different Thai embassies and consulates may interpret DTV requirements differently, leading to inconsistencies in application processing and approval. Some applicants have reported difficulties during the immigration process, including denied entry and additional scrutiny, especially if transitioning from other visa types.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-29

 

 

[Scouse123]

It just isn't a big deal to do a border hop every six months, it's actually a pleasure for me.

[ChasingTheSun]

Tax man cometh for thy destination visa peeps.

[MangoKorat]

Nothing unusual about the government coming up with ideas they think will bring money into the country and Immigration doing the opposite.

[Kerryd]

Always a laugh when you hear about different Immigration offices having their own sets of rules and procedures, different from every other office.

But if you do a border run on Day 179, "leaving" Thailand and then re-entering an hour (or less) later - does that count as not being "tax resident" ?

It would look a little off if you "left" the country on 1 Feb and "entered" the country on 1 Feb and then claimed you are not "tax resident" because you were only in the country for 179 days.

(Maybe why Canada uses 183 days to determine if someone is "deemed resident for tax purposes" ?)

[Scouse123]

3 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

(Maybe why Canada uses 183 days to determine if someone is "deemed resident for tax purposes" ?)

 

For our sake, don't tell them and wise them up to this one.

 

Land of copycats, they'd be straight on to it over here.

[Scouse123]

Actually, in reality and being sensible, I think the term ' calendar year ' kicks in.

 

So, a quick border hop for three days won't affect the fact you are in the country for the other 362 days

[Scouse123]

I've said on the board all I will have to say about tax.

 

I honestly have no idea about these new tax rules and what will, and will not, be implemented.

 

Furthermore, I have done my job, I have all my paperwork, I have all my incoming funds to Thailand in a hard backed file.

 

I went to the tax office, they seem to know nothing.

 

If I get a knock on the door, I have all the necessary evidence. I actually owe them bugger all.

 

My worst outcome is I get accused of not filing documents for tax purposes, and they said I should have filed.

 

In that scenario, I immediately, backed up by my spouse, show the amount of times I have tried to understand what is going on and been told my by local tax office........ Don't call us, we'll call you!

 

If they have made an error or cock up at their end, I am damn sure in this land of comprises, we will come to an agreement.

 

 

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The much-hyped Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is proving to be more of a bureaucratic headache than a dream ticket. While Bangkok Immigration (Division 1) has published criteria for extending the visa by six months, these guidelines aren’t binding on provincial offices, leaving holders navigating a minefield of uncertainty.

Why are we not surprised

[ryandb]

It's not a nightmare, a little holiday every 6 months is a nice thing

[UWEB]

51 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

Always a laugh when you hear about different Immigration offices having their own sets of rules and procedures, different from every other office.

But if you do a border run on Day 179, "leaving" Thailand and then re-entering an hour (or less) later - does that count as not being "tax resident" ?

It would look a little off if you "left" the country on 1 Feb and "entered" the country on 1 Feb and then claimed you are not "tax resident" because you were only in the country for 179 days.

(Maybe why Canada uses 183 days to determine if someone is "deemed resident for tax purposes" ?)

If you are leaving after 179 days and return the next day and it is the same Calendar year you are Tax Resident.

[ryandb]

Just now, UWEB said:

If you are leaving after 179 days and return the next day and it is the same Calendar year you are Tax Resident.

Yes, I had this debate with a visa agent (I prefer using an agent for the trip and ease of processing even though I qualify) they said fly out rather than extend at Immi and you won't need to pay tax... I said it's not 180 consecutive days it's 180+ days in a calendar year even if I left for a day a week I'd be liable to file my tax return

[kuzmabruk]

The 180 days is the total number of days in the country.  Doesn’t matter how many ins and outs.  Tax return for 2024 is only required if you remitted monies during 2024.  That means if you used your credit card to pay for a dinner in Thailand, you remitted funds.  Or if you hit an ATM while having a few beers, you remitted funds. 

[sikishrory]

Hardly an "overwhelming" list of documents on paper.

[flexomike]

1 hour ago, Kerryd said:

Always a laugh when you hear about different Immigration offices having their own sets of rules and procedures, different from every other office.

But if you do a border run on Day 179, "leaving" Thailand and then re-entering an hour (or less) later - does that count as not being "tax resident" ?

It would look a little off if you "left" the country on 1 Feb and "entered" the country on 1 Feb and then claimed you are not "tax resident" because you were only in the country for 179 days.

(Maybe why Canada uses 183 days to determine if someone is "deemed resident for tax purposes" ?)

it is not consecutive days, it is the total amount of days in the country for one year. So if you are on a DTV you do an in and out and your total number of days in the country for the  year is 180 or more you are a tax resident

[Sorted2024]

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

It just isn't a big deal to do a border hop every six months, it's actually a pleasure for me.

The tax law is for more than 180 days throughout a calendar year so a border bounce out and in won't help.

You must be out of the country for a total of 185 days in a calendar year.

[Sorted2024]

1 hour ago, ryandb said:

It's not a nightmare, a little holiday every 6 months is a nice thing

For tax purposes it an 185-day little holiday 

[JoeRan]

As I suspected when the DTV came out, it’s perfect for those who winter here for 3-6 months as you don’t need extensions or border runs. Everyone else, no advantage. I’ve heard many people say they are going to switch from their retirement visa over to the DTV just to avoid the 90 day reporting. You may want to rethink that and how little of an inconvenience is it to either do it online or as I do, go to immigration every three months and wait no more than 10 to 15 minutes. I think I have time for that.

[ryandb]

6 minutes ago, Sorted2024 said:

For tax purposes it an 185-day little holiday 

who said anything about tax.... it's about renewing

[Zaphod Priest]

1 hour ago, ryandb said:

It's not a nightmare, a little holiday every 6 months is a nice thing

 

The having to go to Immigration for an in person 90 day report after each little holiday isn't such a nice thing.

[Ironmike]

And as per usual all the keyboard experts are here banging away to confuse the issues reported it would make more sense if someone in the tax government here would put this information into something that everyone can understand,, blind leading the blind here

[AAArdvark]

2 hours ago, Kerryd said:

Always a laugh when you hear about different Immigration offices having their own sets of rules and procedures, different from every other office.

But if you do a border run on Day 179, "leaving" Thailand and then re-entering an hour (or less) later - does that count as not being "tax resident" ?

It would look a little off if you "left" the country on 1 Feb and "entered" the country on 1 Feb and then claimed you are not "tax resident" because you were only in the country for 179 days.

(Maybe why Canada uses 183 days to determine if someone is "deemed resident for tax purposes" ?)

It is not 180 consecutive. It is a yearly total.

[jimn]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A detailed Thai address history (blue book, ID, rental agreements, TM30, and TM47)

What's this? As far as I know, a blue book is for Thai citizens only. How can this be a condition on extending.

[couchpotato]

17 minutes ago, Zaphod Priest said:

 

The having to go to Immigration for an in person 90 day report after each little holiday isn't such a nice thing.

Rubbish..do it 'online'..

[NorthernRyland]

24 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

And as per usual all the keyboard experts are here banging away to confuse the issues reported it would make more sense if someone in the tax government here would put this information into something that everyone can understand,, blind leading the blind here

Why should they say anything? All they did was close a loop hole but that doesn't mean they going to start taxing random expats now. I don't know who started this panic but it wasn't the government itself. Probably social media or one of the English language newspapers.

[Rampant Rabbit]

Its like Jaws 7 isnt it...................just when you thought it was safe....lets  dig  up  "yet another" tax  thread idea......................ddddddddddddd-dun.... dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dadddddaaaaaaaaaaahhhh

[Rampant Rabbit]

22 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Rubbish..do it 'online'..

except if you leave the country a  few times  a year you cant............which is a  fairly recent change

[Rampant Rabbit]

1 hour ago, JoeRan said:

As I suspected when the DTV came out, it’s perfect for those who winter here for 3-6 months as you don’t need extensions or border runs. Everyone else, no advantage. I’ve heard many people say they are going to switch from their retirement visa over to the DTV just to avoid the 90 day reporting. You may want to rethink that and how little of an inconvenience is it to either do it online or as I do, go to immigration every three months and wait no more than 10 to 15 minutes. I think I have time for that.

do you drive 100+ km to get there?

[riverhigh]

From the people I know who are on the DTV, they are really nomads and are frequently out of the country. This 180 day problem is not an issue for them. The 180 days is a problem for those who want permanent resisdence and don't travel. It's not difficult to be out of the country 4 or 5 times a year on business to avoid this 180 day hurdle.

[Upnotover]

40 minutes ago, jimn said:

What's this? As far as I know, a blue book is for Thai citizens only. How can this be a condition on extending.

There is a better thread on the subject of extending here.....