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Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) from Malaysia if I am currently in Thailand?

Digital Nomad Visa DTV Visa Application Process Thai Immigration Thai Embassy Regulations Expat Life in Thailand Visa Options for US Citizens Applying for Visa from Abroad

Jul 19, 2024

5 months ago

Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Question: I am a US citizen presently in Thailand. I am a digital nomad. Can I go to Malaysia and apply for the DTV from there? Or do I have to fly all the way back to the USA?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen currently in Thailand is seeking advice on whether they can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) from Malaysia or if they must return to the USA. There is uncertainty surrounding the application process, with some users noting that certain countries may not support the DTV application and there are no clear options listed for Malaysia. While online applications are technically possible, questions about residency proof and potential issues with misrepresentation arise. Some suggest traveling to nearby countries with better e-visa systems, like Japan or Korea, while others mention that applying from within Southeast Asia may not be feasible.

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Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was also thinking of flying to Guam which is half the distance and part of the US. But would rather just go to Laos or Malaysa to apply for the DTV with e visa.

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Graham ******

@Timothy *******

You apply in person in Malaysia & Laos not eVisa

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Graham ******

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John **********

The thai embassy in KL doesn't list that visa. Vientiane does

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Randy ********

From what I’ve been reading, as long as you can show proof of residence outside of Thailand, you can apply anywhere.

I’ve been doing a lot of research on this as well. I’m residing in Thailand at the moment with my Thai wife. All my identification shows a Canadian address so I think I’m ok. All I would have to do, if the visa is approved, is leave Thailand and then re-enter.

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Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was thinking the same. With the e visa everything is done through email and internet. If I go to Malaysia and then apply with e visa as if I am in the US and get my DTV through email.

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Henrik *****

You may have to be resident of the country you apply from, to be able to use the e-visa option.

From visa section of a Thai Embassy.

“Residents of X-country and Y-country who currently residing in these countries may apply for e-visa with the Royal Thai Embassy in X-country through

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Proof of residency are required.”

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Randy ********

I’m still a resident of Canada, on paper.

The visa is still very new and I’m just trying to find a work around so I don’t have to travel all the way back to Canada to apply for it.

I’ve seen all the other replies, sorry I didn’t reply to them each individually.

I’m going to wait a bit to see if any of the consulates close by will offer this visa.

I’m here on a non-o based on a Thai wife. But this visa seems to offer a factory what I want.

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Henrik *****

Why do work arounds and jump through loop holes, in stead of doing as you are supposed to.

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Henrik *****

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Todd *********

@Timothy *******

Malaysia doesn’t use e-visa system

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Graham ******

He wants to apply to the US Consulate and lie about his current location

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Todd *********

ah right…. Would definitely NOT do that lol

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Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah probably not a good idea.

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Todd *********

@Timothy *******

I’m not convinced you need to fly back to USA though. Other nearby nations that do have e-visa systems (like Japan and S Korea) at the embassies may be able to assist. It’s worth inquiring

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Graham ******

Correct, in the coming days/weeks many of the nearby Embassies & Consulates may be adding the DTV to their portfolio as a couple already have I believe

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Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am looking at maybe going to Guam. That is a lot closer and still is US territory

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Todd *********

@Timothy *******

agreed. Might work

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Todd *********

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Henrik *****

When you re-enter the Immigration Officer may note, that the date of the DTV application, is between the in & out stamps of you current stay, and denie you entry.

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Todd *********

you would need to leave SE Asia as no SE Asia embassies use the e-visa system

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Graham ******

or lose 10k if rejected

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John **********

you can't apply from inside Thailand. A number of nearby embassies provide this visa, go there and apply

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John **********

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Neil ******

From what i can gather it is an online application, how would they know where you are? Cant you just say your in the states?

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Tony **********

that would be fraud

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Helen ********

there is some fine print about falsifying info on the e-visa application that violates terms and conditions. Stating you are in the US when applying, when you are actually elsewhere would probably be considered false information. That said, no idea how they would track that.

In the past some consulates had requested the actual booking document from where you say you are to Thailand. The German consulate used to allow citizens to apply from anywhere. With all the changes who knows what they accept and how they would monitor it.

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James *********

it's fairly easy for government's to track the average bear's internet use location, IF they wanted to ✌️

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James *********

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Henrik **********

when you enter and exit Thailand they register your movement in/out. I dont know if this register is something the Thai embassies can access, but given that immigration and embassies are both government bodies, I would assume that.

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Timothy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Henrik *********

Yes but what if you exit and go to Malaysia and then apply online with the e visa as if you are in the US? Everything is done online anyway. Documents and proof all are uploaded through the internet.

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Max *************

Henrik Sørensen Thai immigration has nothing to do with thai embassies/consulates. They hardly ever share information.

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Henrik **********

@Max ************

sounds good 👍😁

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Henrik **********

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Max *************

Maybe you need to show evidence of where you're staying.

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Max *************

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Zoe *******

There is no option in the DTV application page to use Malaysia as an application destination. Korea ✅ China ✅ those are the countries I found avaliable. Is it because the DTV isn't offered to certain nationalities? Who knows.

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Graham ******

There are no countries in the South East Asia region that currently use the eVisa system, old school, apply in person and stamp in your passport

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Graham ******

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Vadim *****

In some embassy have this info - for foreign applicants - copies of a temporary residence permit/residence permit or a valid visa and temporary residence registration.

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Justin ****************

you can use

The ED visa up to four years. I’m currently in Thailand and I applied at a language school and that’s what they said.

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Declan **********

@Justin ***************

yeah, that's a massive red flag...

The only 4 year ED visa you're getting without having issues is from a university. I am 1000% sure you will have major problems at any and all airports in thailand if they see 4 consecutive or even spaced out ED visas from anywhere but a university in the system or in your passport.

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Declan **********

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Graham ******

Why say "some" when you could list the Embassies/Consulates where you have found this requirement statement?

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Vadim *****

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Vadim *****

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Max ********

Update if you find out! I’m curious about going on an ED visa and learning the language + culture and if it seems like a good fit then getting the DTV for a longer term sustainable solution

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Brandon ************

That's a question for the Thai embassy that you want to use. This visa is too new for you to have reports from others.

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Brandon ************

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