Switching from DTV to NON-O, and back again?

[MajorTom]

I currently have a DTV Visa valid until 2029. I am considering going back to NON-O marriage extension to fix some domestic issues.. (Driving license renewal etc.)

 

The question is: When I am done with that, can I go back to using the DTV? (which is a superior visa for all other purposes)

Either by leaving without a re-entry permit, or simply stay until it expires and leave/return on the DTV?

Will it still be valid after converting to NON-O?

 

 

[Tod Daniels]

To be completely honest I don't believe you can just 'decide not to use/enter' on a DTV switch to a Non-O and a year extension and then pick up where you left off with the DTV when you decide you wanna jump back on it
 

Other than the elite and a Non-B (but Elite's a special case) you can't hold two valid visas at the same time 😮In fact, people have had their DTV applications rejected (and lost their application fee) because they held a valid multi-entry visa (6 month METV and one I read of a year long multi-entry Non-O).

Those peoples' experiences lead me to believe that if you went to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa while holding a valid 5 year multi-entry DTV the consulate would reject it 😕 

I'm betting you're going to have to get the DTV you have cancelled by the issuing consulate FIRST then either come back in visa exempt and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at your immigration office OR go to and apply thru a thai consulate in another country for the 90 day Non-O, then come back and get the year extension   

You should FIRST go talk to your immigration office and see what they say about it, however I do not believe it will be as simple as you're imagining it will be  

 

[DrJack54]

55 minutes ago, MajorTom said:

I currently have a DTV Visa valid until 2029. I am considering going back to NON-O marriage extension to fix some domestic issues.. (Driving license renewal etc.)

You are considering something (IMO) crazy. 

Fix what "domestic issues" exactly? 

Surely not based around TDL only being renewed for 2 years with DTV. 

 

Take a chill pill and enjoy the soft option Thailand has provided via DTV

[MajorTom]

2 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

Those peoples' experiences lead me to believe that if you went to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa while holding a valid 5 year multi-entry DTV the consulate would reject it 😕 

Thanks for your feedback.

What I had in mind was apply for a Non-O and the extension in-country. I am not applying for a second visa at an outside embassy or consulate. I have done this before, although I was on a visa-exempt entry at the time.

 

Do you think that if I went to immigration in Thailand on a DTV entry stamp, wishing to convert to a non-o and extension based on marriage, they would deny it? I will admit, I'm probably the first one to try this..

[MajorTom]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You are considering something (IMO) crazy. 

Fix what "domestic issues" exactly? 

Surely not based around TDL only being renewed for 2 years with DTV. 

 

Take a chill pill and enjoy the soft option Thailand has provided via DTV

Yeah, I get your point.

But not having a proper DL is a bit of a problem for me. I can't get one from my passport country as I'm a non resident. I am dependent on a 5Y Thai license.

Also, to be honest: Renewing them every 2 years will actually cause more legwork than getting a new visa IMO.

[Tod Daniels]

1 hour ago, MajorTom said:

Do you think that if I went to immigration in Thailand on a DTV entry stamp, wishing to convert to a non-o and extension based on marriage, they would deny it?

I would bet dollars to durian they'll deny it because you can't change visa types (other than a real tourist visa to non imm) inside the country. The DTV is a type of visa.

 

I think you're missing the point that you already hold a valid five-year multiple entry visa and they will know that you have it when you either try to apply inside the country for a non o or you slog on over to a nearby country's thai consulate and apply for one.

 

As I said, go to your immigration office and talk to them, the worst they can say is no, you can't switch in country and you'd have to cancel the visa thru the consulate you got it issued at to do the switch

 

If they do tell you no, you either cancel the DTV you're on and go for the Non-O, or you just deal with a new license every two years while you're here on a DTV