This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I apply for a visa while already living in Thailand?
Jan 13, 2025
a year ago
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, did anyone get the visa while living in Thailand already?
I applied for it with pick-up in my home country but they just rejected it and don't answer now. Kind of annoying, 10k thb down the drain.
I applied for it with pick-up in my home country but they just rejected it and don't answer now. Kind of annoying, 10k thb down the drain.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discusses the rules around applying for a visa while residing in Thailand, specifically addressing the rejection of a DTV visa application made from within the country. Many commenters emphasize that one cannot apply for this visa while in Thailand, and they suggest applying from one's home country or a nearby country instead. There are warnings about potential future difficulties due to the rejected application and advice to follow established rules to avoid issues.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Lee ********
Thai embassies are outside of Thailand so you need to be outside of Thailand and enter Thailand when you have the Visa
Ratchaneekorn **********
So where you are at the moment?
Wesley ********
You were physically in Thailand, when the application was being processed?
Did they give a reason?
Did they give a reason?
Hans *******************
No, normally the visa is designed to ask for from your country outside of Thailand.
Dennis *********
Why do people want to rush government officials for a 5 year visa. This is not a 2 month vacation. But people are expecting 5 days. What if it was one month. Only country I know that in 5 days (most of the time) gives you 5 years in the country. They should have made the cost double or triple if generating revenue was the goal
Stef *****
@Dennis ********
that's crazy. Also so many people trying to apply fraudulently... I was also told by a friend who is a visa agent that they will soon tighten the checks when re-entering the country with DTV. Like checking your account balance for example...Dennis *********
@Stef ****
I am interested to see the changesReply to
Dennis *********
Reply
Jon ********
@Dennis ********
it is also the only visa in the world that forces you to be somewhere for an indefinite period of time preventing you from traveling and going about your business.Kai **************
@Jon *******
not true. I had to leave UK and go back to Australia while waiting for my spouse visa. That certainly didn't suit me.Biff *******
@Jon *******
simply not true. My ex wife is waiting for her next uk visa and cannot leave the country till the decision is made. Could be six months.John *******
@Jon *******
- That is an incorrect statement. My partner applied for a EU/Schengen visa last June. They took the passport for three weeks and couldn't travel with me on my trip to the Philippines.Reply to
John *******
Reply
Ronnie ***************
You can't apply when in Thailand!! You need to follow the rules.
Anonymous ******************
Annoying? Well, you simply didn’t follow the rules of the DTV and didn’t read the many warnings on the embassy website or this forum. Yes, you’ve lost your THB 10,000 and may face difficulties getting a new one.
Romain ****
The answer to your question shows as a big pop up when you enter evisa website 😱🤦🏻
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERthanks I totally forgot that i can read. I am looking for a work-around and again, I applied in my home country.
Romain ****
@Phil ***********
did you apply in your home country embassy or did you just do this from ThailandReply to
Romain ****
Reply
Brian *********
If you already live in Thailand you should take a trip a nearby country and apply to the Thai embassy after you arrive and have the stamp in your passport.
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERoh nice, thanks
Brian *********
You can also show an address in your home country as your permanant address. This might appear on your bank statement for example.
Brian *********
You use the address of the hotel where you are staying in the country you apply in. A receipt from the front desk or a screen shot of your online booking is the proof.
James ********
@Brian ********
correct ✅Reply to
James ********
Reply
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI there a work-around for that?
Biff *******
@Phil ***********
it’s not a ‘work around’ when you stay somewhere, that’s where you are, that’s your address, and you have proof of being there. Like your hotel or AirbnB reservation.Reply to
Biff *******
Reply
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI remember i had to provide proof of address, so I cant select any country I think. That's why I chose my home country.
Karl *********
@Phil ***********
I applied and received my Visa in Taiwan.. I arrived for the first time ever the same day I appliedReply to
Karl *********
Reply
John *******
As mentioned a thousand times on this page, you have to be physically present in the country where you are applying for the visa. If you applied via the embassy in your home country, you needed to be physically in your home country.
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI can just fly back to pick it up no?
Tod *********
@Phil ***********
there is no "pick it up" you apply ONLINE thru the eVisa web portal, you show proof you're in the country of the thai consulate you're using, and you wait IN that country for the visa to be approved or rejected If it's approved you print out the PDF file they email you (as that is your visa) and you give it along with your passport to the officer when you stamp in to thailand
If you're already here, you slog on over to a nearby country and apply thru the thai consulate in that country online
John *******
@Phil ***********
- No, you have to be in the country the entire time the visa is being processed. Many people who are already living in Thailand, chose to apply in a country nearby. If you apply via Vietnam, it takes roughly 5 days to process (so have to stay in Vietnam for 5 days). Cambodia takes 10 business days, etc. One of the documents you are required to upload is proof you are in the country that you applied via.Reply to
John *******
Reply
Robin *********
The whole point with an embassy is that you supposed to be there or at least in that country applying the visa...
Steve ********
You can't apply for the DTV whilst in Thailand. That 10,000 has gone because you made a fraudulent application. Try doing it legally next time, but be expected to get refused again as your card has now been marked
Julien ****
@Steve *******
you should learn how to readJulien ****
@Steve *******
Where does it say that the guy made a fraudulent application dummy? 🤪Steve ********
@Julien ***
He applied saying he was in his home country as he indicated he would fly back to "pick it up". Why would he fly back to "pick it up" if he was already there. Read the rest of the thread idiotJulien ****
@Steve *******
You may be right but you may be wrong. You are making an interpretation, his message is not clear and until he confirms that he applied from Thailand you are just farting in the air like a good pot head.Steve ********
@Julien ***
Read the other comments. That's a lot of farting. He's obviously trying some trick, otherwise why would he fly back "to pick up" his visa? Obviously myself and others are more astute and have worked out he's playing some game.Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Steve ********
@Julien ***
It's you needs to learn how to read. Moron 😂😂😂Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI know its not possible to apply in Thailand. Just wondering if there is a way to do it.
Julien ****
@Phil ***********
If you read my previous posts, I do not recommend doing so. I would never tell something to do it while in Thailand. I have immigrated to Canada and I understand the complexity of immigration and all the rules. However, sometimes people have very special circumstances and they need to find solution that can bypass the system without hurting anybody or stealing from the host country. In my case, my law firm that I deal with for other matter and that has been successful for me offered to do it while I was in Thailand but I ended up going back to Canada and got it in 3 days.Julien ****
you can apply in Thailand with law firm or agents
James ********
@Julien ***
fraudulently obtained DTV visa.Rob *********
@James *******
if something comes wrong in the future, the problem will be for the farang always, not for the "agency" (they will clean their hands), but to be honest, I don't think it will happen, after living here a few years I saw more "incredible" "magic things" made by "agencies" and nothing happened.
James ********
@John ******
correct ✅Julien ****
@John ******
you can apply with law firms in Thailand.John *******
@Julien ***
No you cant! Any agency that is "applying" for you in Thailand is only entering your data into the same e-visa system that you would do on your own. They are reporting you in the e-visa as being outside of Thailand. It is fraudulent. What law firm are you referencing?Julien ****
@John ******
The Thai government stamps the passport and collect your fingerprints when you leave the country. How can a guy cheat the system....You will also understand that this country is not run like our western country. What seems illegal to you does not seem illegal to them.John *******
@Julien ***
I have lived in SE Asia for 15 years now. I understand how the country works. It is cheating the system if you apply while in Thailand. It is clearly stated on the e-visa website. Yes, there are ways around it. For example, many countries do not use stamps. Therefore, as an example, if I applied via the US, the documents I would supply as proof I am in the US, are not really that much of proof (bills, driver's license, etc.). Just because it can be done (sometimes not successful), doesn't mean you are not cheating the system.Julien ****
@John ******
You are right but you are bringing your western point of view and we were raised with those dogmas in our head. There are many grey areas in those systems. But best not discuss it here.John *******
@Julien ***
- With all respect, it is good to discuss it here. The original poster did what you highlight and is out 10,000 baht. It is important that people understand the formal policy and that some people have gotten around it, but they need to be aware that there are some risks, so they are not blindsided it it happens. Where/when did you get your DTV?John *******
@Julien ***
- What did I say was illegal?Julien ****
@John ******
I was referring to another poster comment, not yours.James ********
@Julien ***
illegally obtained.Will ************
@Julien ***
till the Embassy uses IP recognition of the computer in Thailand even though there is evidence of accommodation in the country where the Embassy is. No guarantees here.Mac *******
@Julien ***
exactly 💯...Reply to
Mac *******
Reply
John **********
@Phil ***********
No it's not. You can only apply for a DTV at all Thai consulate. Pick the one you want to use, travel there, apply, and remain there until you get the visaRob *********
@Phil ***********
I am on the same situation, so I took a flight to HCM and now waiting after applying on Sunday online 🤞.James ********
@Rob ********
that's how you can get the DTV visa.Rob *********
@James *******
Anyway there is nothing in the official pages (HCM) about this, if it is a fraud traveling before getting the visa and activating later, why don't they add it to the rules , requirements etc...? What happens if tomorrow I wanna visit Cambodia before my HMC DTV is active? No clear rules anywhere.James ********
@Rob ********
and you risk being DENIED the DTV. I know that staying in Vietnam is not the answer you want to hear... go ahead and do whatever you want..Sadly you have wasted your time asking here and that of those trying to get help you. Good Luck 🍀
Rob *********
@James *******
I just asking for an official link where I can read that rule, before you needed to pick up the passport in person, that's why you needed to stay in the country, I just wanna know where they are saying that thing, talking is free and many people give opinions here without any knowledge,only because they read it on FB or they think.Rob *********
@James *******
anyway it would be better to be able to apply from Thailand instead to spend the time and money in another country, it is a bit annoying but these are their rules and we only can accept them or go back home.Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rob ********
How did you provide proof of address?Rob *********
@Phil ***********
Proof of address from Thailand, and Proff of address from hotel in HCM (photo of booking, payment and stamp passport)Reply to
Rob *********
Reply
Phil ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
I applied in my home countrySteve ********
@Phil ***********
So why are you asking if it's possible in Thailand?Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Dennis *********
You mean you applied in Thailand?
If so you can’t do that
And might be why no answer
If so you can’t do that
And might be why no answer
Reply to
Dennis *********
Reply
2 comments
a year ago
24 comments
a year ago
25 comments
a year ago
18 comments
a year ago
20 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
12 comments
a year ago
15 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
9 comments
2 years ago
31 comments
2 years ago
64 comments
2 years ago
47 comments
2 years ago
8 comments
2 years ago
25 comments
2 years ago
40 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
2 years ago
14 comments
2 years ago
58 comments
2 years ago
Do I need to return to my home country to apply for a DTV visa while visiting Thailand as a tourist?
9 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
2 years ago
4 comments
2 years ago
3 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.