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Can I bypass the check-in counter with a DTV visa when flying to Bangkok?
Mar 4, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHey everyone,
After successfully obtaining my DTV visa, I’m flying back to Bangkok tomorrow from Bali airport with AirAsia. However, to my surprise, I was able to check in online and get my boarding pass.
Isn’t it normally required to present the DTV visa to the airline before boarding? Can I really just skip the check-in counter and go straight to security and immigration without the airline registering my DTV visa?
Thanks in advance for your responses!
After successfully obtaining my DTV visa, I’m flying back to Bangkok tomorrow from Bali airport with AirAsia. However, to my surprise, I was able to check in online and get my boarding pass.
Isn’t it normally required to present the DTV visa to the airline before boarding? Can I really just skip the check-in counter and go straight to security and immigration without the airline registering my DTV visa?
Thanks in advance for your responses!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the process of boarding a flight to Thailand with a DTV visa after having successfully checked in online. Several comments clarify that if the user holds a passport from a visa-exempt country, they might not need to show the visa at the check-in counter, but it could still be checked at the gate or by Thai immigration upon arrival. It's suggested that it's typically acceptable to proceed to the boarding area with an online boarding pass, but there's a possibility of documentation checks at the gate.
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.
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Adnan ********
airline might call your name and check your DTV visa at the boarding, otherwise you will just show it to the Thai Immigration....
William ********
They will check it when you arrive in Thailand. Then give you a nice 180 day stamp.
You may be asked to show it when you depart to come to Thailand but I don't think so. Just have everything printed off make life easy. Good luck.
You may be asked to show it when you depart to come to Thailand but I don't think so. Just have everything printed off make life easy. Good luck.
Diego ****
If you were given the option to do your online check in and get your boarding pass you can head straight to the boarding gate, I do this all the time with Air asia
Ian **********
They may check at the gate
Ko *****************
If you are from visa waving countries, you can do online check-in and print boarding pass and straightaway go to immigration and boarding area if no check baggage.
Anonymous ******************
Depends on your passport. If you have one from a visa exempt country then you dont need to go to the counter for document check, unless told otherwise
Keith *********
Are you sure you actually checked in fully and you “boarding pass” doesn’t say needs document check?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Keith ********
yes 100% sure ^^Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Beth **********
It’s only immigration that need to check it
Karl *******
Do you have a passport from a country that has a visa waiver with Thailand? If so, that might explain why they don't need to see any visa.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Karl ******
Hey, yes, I’m from France, so I do benefit from the visa waiver. However, two months ago, I flew back from Seoul, South Korea, also with AirAsia, and I had to go through the check-in counter for them to verify my visa, return ticket, etc. So unless AirAsia already has my passport number on file, I don’t understand why it’s so easy this time and why I don’t need to check in. Anyway, thanks for all the info! 😊👍Jack ********
@Karl ******
correct answerVitaly ********
@Jack *******
it's not. Certain airlines (AirAsia included) sometimes ask for onward ticket unless you have a "proper" visa in your passport. The check-in process can turn into a major pain in the back - you'll have to buy a ticket to a third country on the spot or be denied boardingJack ********
@Vitaly *******
DTVs don’t require an onward ticket son. No issue at all during check in and absolutely no need to buy tickets on the spotVitaly ********
@Jack *******
you replied “correct” to the message not even mentioning DTV. It was specifically about visa-exempt, and for that they might ask for a ticketJack ********
@Vitaly *******
go enroll in an English class and get an ED visa. You clearly can’t follow the conversation hereKarl *******
@Jack *******
He was simply responding (quite rationally) to my point about it potentially being related to visa waiver, in which case a return or onward ticket MIGHT be required, even if he has a pending DTV application. The airline wouldn't know about any DTV.Reply to
Karl *******
Reply
Ben ********
I don't think visas are related to online check-in
Min ***********
airlines check your visa and sometimes return flight only to check your eligibility to enter a country.
Barry ******
Yes you can.
But the airline *may* usually call you at the gate for a "documentation check" which usually happens if you do online checkin
But the airline *may* usually call you at the gate for a "documentation check" which usually happens if you do online checkin
Reply to
Barry ******
Reply
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