Answered2 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a holiday visa and switch to a DTV visa after arrival?

DTV Visa Thai Visa Rules Visa Application Process Holiday Visa Visa Risk Management Embassy Requirements

Michelle ********

asked Apr 27, 2025

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Hi There, 

You have to have your Accomodation and Flight booked to apply for your  DTV Visa, which I believe can take between 2- 4 weeks to be approved.  

I would ideally like to leave in three weeks for Chiang Mai.   If the visa isnt' approved by then,  am I able to enter on a holiday visa and then switch over to the DTV visa once I am there?

Answer summary

To apply for a DTV Visa, you need to have your accommodation and flight booked, and approval can take 2-4 weeks. If you're hoping to leave for Chiang Mai in three weeks and your visa isn't approved by then, some users suggest it is possible to enter Thailand on a holiday visa and then switch to a DTV visa later. However, there is a risk involved, as traveling before receiving your visa could lead to denial. It's noted that while some embassies may require actual bookings, others accept intended travel details. Overall, many recommend being cautious and waiting until the visa is approved.

14 repliesnewest first

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Michelle ********

I so appreciate you jumping in with your guidance 🙂

a year ago

Adrian ******

@Michelle *******

for accommodation I just put the address of a condo in chiang mai.🙂had the interview and nothing was mentioned. Good luck

a year ago

Adrian ******

I Applied in laos. Didn't book accommodation or flights,just put down I was leaving via a land border

a year ago

John **********

You risk your DTV being refused by travelling before you receive it. Embassies have been known to the check your location or even ask you in for interview as a last step in the process. You don't need to actually book flights, you can just provide flight number and date you propose to travel

2 years ago

Myles *******

Exactly what

@Andi **********

says! Did that from Hanoi and then border bounce to activate DTV

2 years ago

Andi ***********

Depends where you apply on the length of approval. It took me one day in Taipei, it can take 4 days in Manilla, Jakarta or one month in Paris. Same for flights and accommodation, many embassies do not require an actual booking, intended flight and accommodation is ok. Ideally you should stay until approved but there are some who have arrived and then switched to the DTV via a border run.

2 years ago

Andi ***********

Michelle Cannan No you don't need a return ticket. I just had a one way. You need to put an arrival date and departure within 180 days. You can put an intended flight

a year ago

Michelle ********

@An**

....Amazing!!! THANK YOU for your support

a year ago

Michelle ********

@An**

...ah... okay, so if I had to arrive on tourist visa I would have to do a border run to come back in on the DTV visa? How long did it take for your DTV visa to be approved

2 years ago

Andi ***********

@Michelle *******

I got my DTV in one day day but that was last Dec when they did in person same day approval applications in Taipei, it takes around 4 days there now doing it online. Where are you applying ? Yeah you have to do a border run to come back in with your DTV.

2 years ago

Michelle ********

One more question if I may.. . do you have to have a return ticket to apply for the DTV or to just simply enter Thailand

@An**

a year ago

Michelle ********

Thanks

@An**

...really appreciate your support 🙏

a year ago

Andi ***********

Michelle Cannan Ok, that seems to average a week for approval.