Ask

Unanswereda month ago

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption while my DTV application is being processed?

DTV Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration Visa Issues Expat Visa

Shane *******

OP

asked Sep 15, 2026

2.6k

views

24

replies

2

likes

DTV scenario:

• I am currently in Ireland.

• I expect to receive my remaining documents before Friday 18th, but time is getting tight

• I will submit my DTV application while physically in Ireland.

• I leave Ireland on 4 October and arrive in Thailand on 6 October.

• If my DTV is still being processed, I plan to enter Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption on October 6th.

• If my DTV is approved by email while I am in Thailand, I would then leave Thailand briefly and re-enter using the DTV to receive the 180-day permission to stay.

Could entering Thailand while my DTV application is still being processed cause a problem?

Once approved, can I activate the DTV by leaving Thailand and re-entering from a nearby country?

Has anyone here successfully done this?

Summary so far

The user seeks advice on entering Thailand under a 30-day visa exemption while their DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) application is still being processed. Several comments indicate that this could be problematic, particularly because the embassy in London is strict about applicants remaining in their country of application until the visa is approved. Users express concerns that entering Thailand during the application process might raise red flags with immigration officials and suggest waiting to receive the DTV approval before traveling.

24 repliesnewest first

11

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Don *******

Don *******

They wouldn’t have a Scooby if you flew to Spain or Greece - no stamps in your passport. Problem only arises if they’re asking you to get your bank docs notarized or come in for an interview - then you’d have to book a next day or same day flight back. They wouldn’t have a clue either if you were in Vietnam. I’d stay out of Thailand while visa is being processed; by their own rules you have to stay in the country where you applied from.

Nothing above is advice. Take it as you may perceive it as

0

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

- I did think that alright.

How would they actually know if you were in a different country…

😂😂

0

John **********

John **********

they can ask for all pages of your passport or a photo beside a landmark, holding a receipt from that day or whatever with a timestamp. They can ask you for interview. They have access to the Thai immigration database. They can ask you for interview. All sorts of ways.

There was a guy not so long ago who did what you propose who had to hightail it back to the UK for interview

0

Don *******

Don *******

I was in your situation too although was going to stay in Singapore for 4 weeks - however my visa was approved after 10 days. Well before I was leaving for Singapore

0

Dave ***********

Dave ***********

I left to work in Brazil when mine was processed but the documents I did send stated that is where my employer is and I entered on my 2nd passport , imo entering thailand on your passport you have submitted while your DTV is ongoing would be a major red flag considering they will have access to Thai immigration and your passport number would show up as in thailand on a certain date , but sometimes you just need to risk it for the biscuit

0

John **********

John **********

Bad plan. The Thai embassy in London is particularly strict on you remaining within it's jurisdiction while the application is being processed. So much so they frequently request an affidavit that you will do so, and they can check just before issuing the visa or even call you in for interview. 10 working days to process a DTV is pretty tight

0

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

@John *********

- thanks man

0

Elías ********

Elías ********

Not gonna work

1

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

@Elías *******

- good to know.

Thanks.

How long did it take for the Embassy ti say yes to your application?

0

Elías ********

Elías ********

almost two months BUT reportedly they take into account the date you write as intended entry date. I applied at the end it August with tickets departing on October 22nd. Some people with earlier entry dated were approved first, but this doesn't mean that if you write next week as intended entry date they'll have it ready by that.

You'll need two full weeks (without including any national holidays) for the processing, but more like 3-4 weeks for safety.

0

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

@Elías *******

- ya.

I think I’ve left it too late.

I fly October 4th.

1

DTV_Be*******

DTV_Be*******

0

James ********

James ********

DTV_BegPecker thanks for sharing this with us 😊

0

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

DTV_BegPecker - good to know.

Thanks.

How long did it take for the Embassy ti say yes to your application?

1

Kool *******

Kool *******

expect from 10 days to 3 weeks. If they want more documents then you are in a new queue, taking longer.

1

Welsh******

Welsh******

Check the website from the embassy you applied

0

James ********

James ********

Stay in your home country until the decision is known for your DTV visa application.

1

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

- good to know.

Thanks.

How long did it take for the Embassy ti say yes to your application?

0

James ********

James ********

the time for the decision of the DTV visa application varies. But with the new rules, Italian too soon to know what the timeframe will be. Watch for the reports of those who have obtained the DTV visa in the coming month.

What is your passport nation? Or country where you hold a residence related visa to live in that country?

0

Ben *******

Ben *******

You cannot leave the country you applied in until you find out whether you’re successful or not

1

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

- good to know.

Thanks.

How long did it take for the Embassy ti say yes to your application?

0

Ben *******

Ben *******

It’s different for everyone depending on where you apply. It was 2.5 weeks for me in Laos. For best results use the search function on the DTV group page, search for the location where you will apply. You will see many people have posted with information on their DTV approval, including how long it took for them to be approved.

0

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

The London Embassy is very strict about this and even asks you to produce a document saying you will wait until the application process is complete before leaving the country.

6

Shane *******

Shane *******

OP

@Wannikea ********

- good to know.

Thanks.

How long did it take for the Embassy ti say yes to your application?

0

Activity

11 joined

Shane *******

Shane *******

Shane *******

Shane *******

Shane *******

Shane *******

11

people

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

...members

Member 1

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Conversation Join group

Related

25

What is the process and timeline for applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) under the old rules?

What is the process for obtaining a Destination Thailand Visa through a cooking school?

How can I cancel my DTV application at the London embassy while it's being processed?

Do I need to cancel my Non-B visa before applying for a DTV visa in Thailand?

Can I leave Vietnam while waiting for my DTV visa to be approved?

What does a change in application status to 'approved' mean for a DTV visa in Thailand?

Can I apply for a dependent DTV visa for my baby while traveling to Thailand on a tourist visa?

What was the approval timeline and document requirements for a Thai visa application in Indonesia?

Will my DTV application be terminated if I enter Thailand before it is approved?

Do I need to provide actual flight tickets for my Thailand DTV application?

Can I enter Thailand on visa-exemption while waiting for my DTV visa approval?

Can I enter Thailand on a visa-exemption while waiting for my DTV visa approval?

Can I apply for my DTV visa in Vietnam and travel to other countries while waiting for approval?

Can my partner apply for the DTV visa while we're still in Thailand?

How does leaving Thailand affect my DTV application while awaiting approval?

Can I enter Thailand using a 60-day tourist visa exemption if my DTV visa is not ready before my flight?

Can I travel to Thailand while my DTV visa application is still pending?

Will my girlfriend's past visa overstay affect her eligibility for a DTV in Thailand?

How can I successfully apply for a DTV Visa in Thailand as a German passport holder?

What is the process and timeline for applying for a Remote Worker DTV visa in Thailand?

Can I leave Cambodia to go back to Thailand while my DTV visa is being processed?

Can I Enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa and Apply for a DTV While There?

What should I do if my DTV visa application is repeatedly asking for the same documents?

Can I enter Thailand on a visa-exempt basis while waiting for my DTV application to process?

Can I take my son to Thailand on a visa exemption while his DTV visa application is pending?

Resources

Cannabis shops near me Retirement visa extension eSIM for Thailand LTR visa qualification

Need help with your DTV visa?