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?

 

 

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  

 

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

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..

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.

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 

2 hours ago, MajorTom said:

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

No it won't. 

Seems the only concern is TDL will only ever be valid for two years. 

Renew just after Birthdate. 

Your plan is off the charts crazy. 

3 hours ago, MajorTom said:

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.

See if you can find a DLT office that is issuing 5-year renewals for DTV holders.  I've seen a handful of reports in the DTV Facebook group.  Or you might be able to find an agent that can facilitate that.

On 8/23/2025 at 3:07 PM, 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.)

 

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?

 

 

2029 is a few years away the DVT might make changes in allowing holders to obtain drivers licenses and bank accounts it’s early days !!!!

On 8/24/2025 at 1:03 AM, BrandonJT said:

See if you can find a DLT office that is issuing 5-year renewals for DTV holders.  I've seen a handful of reports in the DTV Facebook group.  Or you might be able to find an agent that can facilitate that.

Second this....I have a 5 years licence and just switched from non-O retirement to DTV.  I'm reading that some offices extend for 5 years if you have already a 5 years licence. I still have 2 years left, hopefully it would be clearer in 2027.

5 hours ago, gearbox said:

I'm reading that some offices extend for 5 years if you have already a 5 years licence

As it currently stands you renew your TDL with a DTV you will be given 2 years. 

Note: a drivers licence can be renewed even if expired (up to one yr) 

By applying after you birthday the 2yr from date of issue + till next birthday after that date. 

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

As it currently stands you renew your TDL with a DTV you will be given 2 years. 

Note: a drivers licence can be renewed even if expired (up to one yr) 

By applying after you birthday the 2yr from date of issue + till next birthday after that date. 

There are multiple reports in the DTV Facebook group of people that renewed their license with a DTV and received 5 years.  Although obviously it should be 2 years on the basis that DTV is a tourist visa, TiT.

27 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

There are multiple reports in the DTV Facebook group of people that renewed their license with a DTV and received 5 years

The  transport office/s made a mistake. 

Two yr should have been issued. 

 

Indeed reports of obtaining a 5 yr renewal with a DTV as discussed in this attached thread. 

That should not have occurred. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1343103-dtv-or-retirement-visa/

 

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

By applying after you birthday the 2yr from date of issue + till next birthday after that date. 

 

That only applies to the 5 years license. The 2 years license expires exactly two years after it's issued, regardless of the holder's birthday. 

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

That only applies to the 5 years license.

Correct. As explained in this thread + reference to DTV. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1345734-driving-licences-you-dont-additional-months-until-your-next-birthday-when-renewing/

 

What was the outcome of this, did you manage to reply apply for DTV??

1 hour ago, hydraides said:

What was the outcome of this, did you manage to reply apply for DTV??

No, I'm still on the original DTV. My original question was: Can i switch to Non-O without cancelling the DTV, and just go back to using the same Visa when I got my stuff sorted.. This is not possible as far as i know, so I scrapped that plan for now.

I need to renew my driving license in a few months. I might reconsider then if I'm not able to get the 5 years.

-So far i have not had any trouble whatsoever with banking. I have been to both my banks to update stuff. No mention of visa problems (Krungsri/SCB). I have had those accounts for many years though, and they were probably opened on a non-o.. Not sure if that matters.

1 hour ago, MajorTom said:

Can i switch to Non-O without cancelling the DTV, and just go back to using the same Visa when I got my stuff sorted

It was a bizarre idea when you asked in this thread. You cannot have two valid visas at same time.

1 hour ago, MajorTom said:

I need to renew my driving license in a few months. I might reconsider then if I'm not able to get the 5 years.

Insane idea.

BTW: majority of transport offices will only issue you a 2 yr TDL with a DTV

FWIW, I have a DTV.

I only got a 2 year driving licence. (Sri Racha)

I have never had a problem with my existing bank account. (Opened years ago)

The driving licence is up for renewal at the end of 2026. We will see what happens then.

18 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

It was a bizarre idea when you asked in this thread. You cannot have two valid visas at same time.

I am certain I have read about people having a Non-B and Privilege/Elite, so you can have 2 valid visas at the same time. (You need to choose to enter on one obviously). But this does not work with Non-O and DTV as far is i understand.

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

I only got a 2 year driving licence. (Sri Racha)

I have never had a problem with my existing bank account. (Opened years ago)

From my experience, all the Thai banks I've been dealing with were only interested in my visa category when I opened the account with them, with the exception of Bangkok Bank.

So I'm not surprised that many DTV holders don't have any problems with keeping their bank accounts from years ago active, and the only reports of DTV holders having existing accounts closed that I remember were banking with Bangkok Bank. Even with them, it seems to make a difference where and when the account was opened - the more recently and the closer to Pattaya, the more likely it's toast.