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

DTV Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Holiday Visa Visa Switching Immigration Advice Accommodation Requirements Flight Booking Requirements

Apr 27, 2025

3 days ago

Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The DTV visa application requires proof of accommodation and flight bookings, which can take 2-4 weeks for approval, depending on the application location. Travelers may wonder if they can enter Thailand on a holiday visa and later switch to the DTV visa. While some users have successfully applied for DTV while on a holiday visa after entering Thailand, there are risks involved, such as potential refusal of the DTV visa if travel occurs before approval. It's suggested to provide intended travel plans rather than confirmed bookings to some embassies.

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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Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I so appreciate you jumping in with your guidance 🙂

a day 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 day ago

Reply to

Adrian ******

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

2 days 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 days ago

Myles *******

Exactly what

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

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

2 days 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.

3 days 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 day ago

Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@An**

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

a day ago

Reply to

Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@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

3 days 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.

3 days ago

Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@An**

....online in Australia. ( Thai Embassy in. Sydney) ?

2 days ago

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

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

2 days ago

Michelle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks