Answered2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist exemption visa if I have a DTV visa granted but want to delay Muay Thai training?
Yesterday I submitted my application for a DTV visa which should (hopefully) be approved within 10-15 days. I have a flight booked from Hanoi to Chiang Mai on the 24th of February. I have applied under the soft power category, so will be studying Muay Thai whilst there. The problem is, I broke my foot a couple of months ago, and it still hasn't healed. I have asked my school if I can delay the start of my training until my foot is fully recovered, but they are reluctant because of potential issues arising with immigration if the beginning of training is delayed. So, my question is: would it be possible to enter Thailand on the 60 day tourist exemption visa on the 24th (I hold a British passport), even after my DTV visa has been granted? Then after the 60 days is up, I would plan to do a border run and reenter on the DTV visa. This way, there would be ample time to let my foot recover, and my school would avoid any problems with immigration. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Answer summary
The user is concerned about entering Thailand on a 60-day tourist exemption visa while awaiting approval for their DTV visa, which allows them to study Muay Thai. They want to delay their training due to a foot injury and have found conflicting advice regarding immigration rules and starting dates for training. After consulting the Royal Thai Embassy, the user learned they need to enter Thailand on the DTV visa if it has been granted by the time of arrival, and they cannot enter on a tourist exemption if the DTV visa is approved.
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Rami **********
Good luck Chester. May I ask which muay thai gym you are using for the DTV visa? I am in chiang mai now on a tourist visa and want to do the same. Maybe will do in Hanoi too. Thanks!
Chester *******
OP@Rami *********
Core Combat Chiang Mai
Victoria ***********
Please let me know if your application is successful as I am hoping to apply in Hanoi next month 🙏🏽
Chester *******
OPFor those interested in the facts, today I went to the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi to ask them directly. They told me that once my DTV visa is approved (🤞), it will be entered into their system. So when I fly into Thailand, I have to enter using the DTV Visa, ie. it will not be possible to enter on the 60 day visa exemption.
I also asked about whether delaying the start of training for a couple of months until my foot has fully healed (as per the doctor's advice) would cause issues with immigration, but they said they did not have this information, as they only deal with visa applications.
I also asked about whether delaying the start of training for a couple of months until my foot has fully healed (as per the doctor's advice) would cause issues with immigration, but they said they did not have this information, as they only deal with visa applications.
Chester *******
OPThey also told me that if I enter Thailand before the DTV visa has been granted, they would cancel the application (without a refund), because I need to be outside of Thailand for the whole time that the application is being processed. So, it looks like I'll be here in Vietnam until the 24th, and, if the DTV application is approved (🤞), enter on that rather than a 60 day exemption. Wish me luck that the application gets approved!
Krissy ********
@Chester ******
hey, can you keep us updated on how your application goes? Wanting to apply for dtv for me and my family but not sure which category (soft power, freelancer etc) to go with as we’ve just started our content creation so don’t have much of a professional portfolio at the moment.Chester *******
OP@Krissy *******
sure - the embassy said it takes 5 working days to process so I should know by the 17th or 18th 🤞 (not sure if it's from the date I initially submitted or the date I submitted the additional requested documents)
Darren *******
Why can't you enter on your exemption before the DTV is granted stay your 60-90 days heal then do your border run re-enter under the approved DTV ?
Brandon ************
If your visa has already been issued when you want to enter, then you have to enter using your visa. But it doesn't matter anyways. This isn't an Education Visa, it's a DTV. You'll get 180 days every time you enter for 5 years. You think they are going to be checking that you are doing Muay Thai for 5 years? The immigration officers won't even have any of the information about what you applied for, only the embassy and department of interior will have that.
James *********
Look up "non union fracture". Yes, you can enter using a tourist visa, leave and come back in w the DTV OR, just enter w the DTV and leave within 180 days. No one has checked to see if I went to my Dr's appointment (soft visa).
Nongnuch ********
Why would you overcomplicate things? Get your DTV, enter Thailand and get 180 days stamped. Nobody cares if you show up at the Muay Thai training camp or not. Immigration is not checking your Muay Thai schedule. Nobody will check how many foot bones are broken as long as you can walk. All you need is the booked and paid for training contract
Chester *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
Because I don't want to miss two months of training that I've paid for whilst my foot recovers. I'm not just getting the visa so I can stay in Thailand, I want to focus my attention on continuing to learn martial arts
Graham ******
@Chester ******
so how do you not miss 2 months of training if you are in Thailand on a 60 day VE stamp with an injured foot?Chester *******
OP@Graham *****
says the school I signed up with...Graham ******
@Chester ******
Says who? The training commences when you turn up.Chester *******
OP@Graham *****
really? The training commences when the DTV visa doesNongnuch ********
@Chester ******
that honours your intentions, but it doesn't have any impact on your stay permit
Us *****
Jesus H. Christ, the muay thai place just wants your money. They don't care if you show up or not. They would prefer for you to sign up for 7 days a week and show up for 1 minute. If you really want to follow the rules then show up and take notes. 🤭🤭🤭
Jim ********
Absolutely yes you can. Don’t use the visa first time round. Leave the country like you said and then enter again using your DTV. This is of course on the grounds that it gets issued
Chester *******
OP@Jim *******
so if it is issued before my flight, can I just ask when I arrive at cnx airport to get a 60 day tourist visa rather than start using the dtv visa ?Jim ********
@Chester ******
you won’t ask anything. You’ll hand your passport across and they’ll stamp you for 60 days. They don’t need to know about your DTVJim ********
@Chester ******
I’m not asking for advice, I was simply stating what happened to my friendsChester *******
OP@Brandon ***********
and it seems like you are correct in that I will not have a choice to enter on the 60 day exemption, I will have to enter with the DTV visa once it is approved.Chester *******
OP@Jim *******
according to the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi, you are incorrect.Brandon ************
@Chester ******
it's possible, but many reports of embassies asking for proof you're still in the country where it applied, and some reports of being called for an interview at the embassy. If they find out you left they will cancel your application without refund.Chester *******
OP@Brandon ***********
so if i return to Thailand on a 60-day exemption, can the DTV visa can still be granted whilst I'm in the country?Jim ********
@Brandon ***********
it’s a group of mates and they were coming for a long stint but their plans changed so they decided to just enter on visa exempt, stayed 3 weeks and left and then 2 months later arrived and used their DTV’s. Why? I’m not sure but just letting you know it was fine to do so 🤷♂️Brandon ************
@Jim *******
that literally doesn't make any sense. The visa is still ticking whether they use it or not. It only makes sense if the visa was issued after they enteredJim ********
@Brandon ***********
I know people that have done exactly what the OP wants to do. Enter on exemption and then use their DTV at a later dateBrandon ************
@Jim *******
The visa will pull up in the computer if it's already been issued. Multiple reports of people not wanting to use visas in the past but they are forced to by the passport control officer.
Michael **********
Dude, I broke my foot and it took almost a year to do basic things without feeling pain. About your question, why don't you ask that to the embassy you are applying your visa for? As far as I know you are free to choose whenever to use your visa or not (before it has expired) but this DTV is something new so I'd double check with them
Tony *********
Bones would normally heal within that time. Similar to tendons/ ligaments etc. My first thought would be to get your foot examined and scanned/ xrayed and then your medical expert could advise on what you can and can’t do
Chester *******
OP@Tony ********
I have seen doctors, had x-rays, and the advice I was given is to give it two months to heal before kicking again, as is very common in Muay Thai. It was weakened from the accident, and I'd rather wait for it to heal fully before jumping back into training and potentially breaking it again worse than beforeTony *********
@Chester ******
hope it recovers in time for you to start your DTV. A need good luck with the trainingChester *******
OP@Tony ********
thank you 😊Tony *********
@Chester ******
understandable mate.
Casey ******
@Tony ********
any input regarding the question about can they bounce after their 60 exemption is finished?Great response regarding bones and healing time, but any relevant info re their question?
Tony *********
@Casey *****
haven’t a clue about the DTV. The rest is straight forward and the OP is aware on their intention of leaving the country etcActivity
14 joined14
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