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Can I apply for a DTV visa online and activate it by exiting and re-entering Thailand?

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Oct 8, 2024
8 days ago
Bob **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello since the SEA embassies or consulates are all going to e-visas do you think you can apply for a DTV visa from here and exit and enter to activate it TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus among community members is that applying for a DTV visa online while physically in Thailand, then exiting and re-entering to activate it, is not feasible. Applicants must be in the country where they are applying and provide proof of their physical location at the time of the application. The recent transition to e-visa systems at some Thai consulates does not eliminate these requirements. Furthermore, proof such as passport stamps will be required upon re-entry, making it unlikely that this method would be accepted.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
That would be breaking laws.

And the Immigration can spot that you where between arrival and departure stamps, at the time of the application.
7 days ago
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Dennis *********
No because when you go to activate it they'll see you were in Thailand at the time you applied and your $$ and effort was for nothing
8 days ago
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Sylvia ********
you can post on the group for the experts to answer
8 days ago
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Galen ******
It would be interesting to know if there is a maximum amount of e-visa applications accepted per day at a given embassy or consulate. For those that may be staying in hotels in neighboring countries while they apply for e-visa, if it would be a busy application day at the consulate, it may actually delay the visa approval by many days. Difficult to plan travel in an instance like this. Maybe the application site gives an estimated approval or rejection date at time of application.
8 days ago
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John **********
@Galen *****
 usually they give an indicative processing time. It will probably take a bit of time for those just moved to evisa to get a handle on this
8 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Galen *****
 Taipei informed me today of 2 working days to process online applications starting Mid Nov.
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
@Andi **********
 what was the process and requirements in Taipei for bank statements? I’m here now
8 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Janelle ****
 final balance of 500k THB one month statement is ok, if you have more it strengthens your case
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
@Andi **********
 sounds good to me. Did they stickler about it being verified or just a PDF good?

And did you use the visa form on their website which says Manila lol
8 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Janelle ****
 It does not need to be verified. You use that Manila form as the Taipei consult is not a regular embassy, they do not have their own form. I have not done it there yet but have had a lot contact with them via email.
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
@Andi **********
 got it. And just mark “other” for the visa type I’m guessing and write Dtv
8 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Janelle ****
 Yes, that's it. They are very helpful and friendly as others have posted. You will pay once they approve which is good.
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
@Andi **********
 oh nice even better! I’ll walk in there tomorrow
8 days ago
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Andi ***********
@Janelle ****
 ok, give us an update on how it went ☺️
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
@Andi **********
 🧳 ok
8 days ago
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Janelle *****
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Galen ******
That's good to hear. Basically the same as a walk in application. Hopefully that will be consistent for all locations.
8 days ago
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Bob **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Galen *****
 but can you submit the application from Thailand then leave and re enter to activate??
8 days ago
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Galen ******
@Bob *********
 I don't think that is possible. I'm sure access to their system would not be allowed over vpn connection. And I think you must show proof of location at time of application.
8 days ago
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Galen ******
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John *******
@Galen *****
 I think they state someone “upwards of 30 days”. They are not going to give any more specifics. Embassies never give many details - it is maddening
8 days ago
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Galen ******
I would imagine it is not possible to return to Thailand visa exempt while waiting for visa approval. However they should consider this a viable option for those that cannot be out of Thailand for long periods. I think not a practical system for all neighboring countries. Appointment system is sufficient. E-visa is overkill.
8 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 you're supposed to get a visa before you travel to a country. Convenience isn't a factor for trying to work around the system.
8 days ago
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Luit *****************
@Brandon ***********
 exactly, in a normal situation you would apply for the visa in your home country, long enough before travelling, so it is not important if it takes a few days more or less.
8 days ago
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Galen ******
@Brandon ***********
 In many cases it may be easier for people to change from visa exempt to their desired visa inside Thailand. I think for many visa types this is possible if qualifications are met.
8 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 just because it's possible doesn't mean it's the correct way, and such should not be counted upon as it's not how things are supposed to be done. The ability could be stopped at any time.
8 days ago
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Galen ******
@Brandon ***********
 I'm not talking about an agent. I think it is possible to change from visa exempt to marriage or retirement from within Thailand. Maybe I misunderstand this. But if it is possible, why bother traveling to another country to apply for these types of visas.
8 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 it's possible because the immigration allows it. Even though around the world that is not how you are supposed to get a visa. You get a visa before you travel somewhere. That's the entire purpose of embassies. The fact that banks no longer give bank accounts for tourists makes it even less possible now than it used to be. And one day immigration may say "no more visa conversions, get a visa from the embassy like you're supposed to"

You should be getting the visa you need BEFORE you travel. Then the processing time is irrelevant because you are at home and planned for your travel. Then there is no need to worry about if converting to a different visa is possible. Or if one of the embassies around Thailand has a long processing time. Plan ahead and plan accordingly and none of that matters.
8 days ago
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Galen ******
@Brandon ***********
 I would like to add one more thing. Maybe I'm a little slow, but before joining this group, I'd never heard of a visa agent. But I live in a rural area so I guess not much demand. Guess this is how it's meant to be.
8 days ago
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Galen ******
Yes, I agree with what you are saying. But there are instances, especially for long term expats where applying for visa locally inside Thailand or neighboring country needs to be used. For instance lets say an expat lost his marriage visa or retirement visa status due to a financial situation that may be out of their control. Yes, it does happen. So they need to start over. Maybe they go to a neighboring country an apply for a new non-o, maybe reenter visa exempt. Most likely they already have the bank account so no need for agents. But as many people mention, if you simply want to cut corners, visit an agent. I also do not agree with shortcuts.
8 days ago
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Luit *****************
@Galen *****
 Of course the situations you mention exist, but it are exceptions, and you cannot expect them to design the visa process for that situations, but if I am correct informed it is possible to enter Thailand on visa exemption and convert to non-o in Thailand itself
8 days ago
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Luit *****************
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Nongnuch ********
@Galen *****
 absolutely right . . . the process at those that are left for walk-up, might be taking a few days, if not over a week
8 days ago
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Bob **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
 no more walk ups
8 days ago
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Bob **********
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Nongnuch ********
Bob D'Andrea . . . . . Not ALL of the embassies and consulates in South East Asia will move to the e-Visa system

Tod Daniels announced a few days ago:

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS

The following Thai consulates in S/E Asia will go to online e-Visa applications ONLY starting the 8th of Oct.

They will discontinue any walk up/in person visa applications at that time.

Actually some of them stopped accepting in person applications already and have consular services closed until they open on the e-Visa system on Tuesday

Vietnam - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu

Cambodia - Phnom Penh

The following consulates are still walk up consulates (they will not be changing to e-Visa at this time) BUT you need to book an appointment online to get in the gate:

Lao - Vientiane, Savannakhet

Burma - Yangon

The following consulates are walk up consulates no appointment needed:

Indonesia - Jakarta

Taiwan - Taipei

Philippines - Manila
8 days ago
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Elías ********
@Nongnuch *******
 they're all supposed to change to the online system within this year.
8 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Elías *******
 &
@John ******
 . . . 🧐 and where did you read that?
8 days ago
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John *******
@Nongnuch *******
 here is another post from someone related to Jakarta
8 days ago
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Dca *****
@Nongnuch *******
 As per the Thai Cabinet Meeting Resolution (Synopsis) held on 28 May 2024, Agenda Topic # 13, Section 4.2.3:

The Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a target to move all 94 of Thailand's Embassies, Consulates, and Foreign Offices around the world to utilize and provide service with the Thai e-Visa system by December 2024.

As for actually achieving this target is another matter for discussion.

> Thai Cabinet Resolutions (Synopses) are usually available at thaigov.go.th
8 days ago
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Elías ********
@Nongnuch *******
 it's been everywhere in the news and Government websites. Now, that they plan to, doesn't really mean they would really do it. But, they said all embassies would go online, and that an electronic authorization would be necessary for anybody coming on a visa exemption. Both the visa application and electronic authorization are supposed to be done on the same website.
8 days ago
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Elías ********
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John *******
@Nongnuch *******
 that is the October transition date. Some of these other embassies are transitioning in late October or November
8 days ago
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John *******
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Declan **********
Nope, they will ask for proof of entry to the country such as passport stamp
8 days ago
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Brandon ************
No. The fact that the system is online changes nothing about the requirements. It just means you submit the application online. You still need to be in the country where you are applying through, and there's specifically a question on the application asking you to prove where you physically are located to ensure you meet that requirement.
8 days ago
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Brandon ************
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