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

Thailand visa rules DTV visa tourist visa visa application process expat advice visa types

Nov 1, 2025

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone entered Thailand on a tourist visa while waiting for their DTV visa to be granted, and then come back to the country where they submitted the application from when they receive it and then enter Thailand again on the DTV? 

If you have done this, please let me know if you had any problems or if all was okay. 

I’ve waited a long time for my DTV an it’s still pending approval. I need to get back to Thailand now. 

Many thanks..

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question revolves around the feasibility and risks of entering Thailand on a tourist visa while waiting for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) approval. Respondents highlight that leaving the country where the DTV application was submitted could lead to application denial or complications, as it is advised to remain in the application country until approval. You cannot hold two visas at once, making it challenging to manage the situation legally.

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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Jesper *******

You are not supposed to leave that country that u apply BUT many had done so and get away with it.....just imagine if you might get a last minute interview or extra documents of passport pages and they found out u are not longer there and u can kiss goodbye to your application fees

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John **********

The way thai visa applications work is that you are required to remain in the country you apply from or your application can be rejected. A number of consulates go through a process to verify you have done so immediately prior to issuing the visa

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Peter ********

You are entering with visa exemption. It’s not a tourist visa

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Zay *************

hello I may have similar issues as well, may I know if it’s okay if I went in with Visa Exemption into Thailand instead? I only get to stay in the country I am applying in for 2 weeks only and I worry that I may not get the DTV in time

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Paul *******

@Zay ************

You can go to a third country in the meantime...say you're in Cambodia and you can't get approval in time, head for Vietnam or Laos to wait things out.

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Zay *************

ahhh oki, thank u very much for the advicee basically as long as it’s not in Thailand it’s okay right?

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Paul *******

@Zay ************

Essentially, as long as it's not Thailand it should be OK. Just make sure that they don't call you for an interview first. If they do...immediately return to the country of application. Basically, try to stay in the country of application until they approve you...only leave if you're having visa issues there.

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Zay *************

Okii noted with, thank u very muchhh

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Zay *************

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Paul *******

If you're ok with possibly forfeiting your 10,000 baht application fee, then give it a go!

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Ryan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Paul, yeah already paid an agent and Muay Thai course so it’s a lot more than that. I see now it’s a risk from everyone’s comments.

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Anonymous ******************

yeah not worth it. Better just hang tight. Personally I’d say more than 50% chance you don’t have an issue BUT if you do have an issue it’ll be a real headache. So it’s not worth it. Find a good spot to chill for another week wherever you’re at in that country, wait it out. Then your next 5 years in Thailand can be done without worrying that they’ll notice the stamp discrepancy in your passport.

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Ryan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 798 yeah I’ve had some time to think after the help here and best to wait it out. Nothing I can do but wait.. then I have the visa hopefully.

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Ryan *********

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Tank *****

Mine was denied as it said I was in country

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Anonymous ******************

You're not supposed to come back to Thailand until approved and these are the rules mentioned by plenty of embassies. You may face application denial or may be asked for interview or proves of location. If you "must be in Thailand", you're probably under the wrong visa. 😏

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Ray *****

You certainly cannot enter on a tourist visa while applying for a DTV, can't have 2 visas at the same time. Guaranteed refusal of the DTV

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Jeff *******

While they are likely to deny the DTV if you are currently in Thailand, you can certainly have and enter with 2 visas. I never canceled my original visa and have entered Thailand 3 times on my new DTV. It always takes an extra couple of minutes at Immigration, but isn't a problem.

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Ray *****

please explain how, as my understanding is you can only have one live visa at any given time

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Ray *****

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Jay **********

I think he means enter on visa exempt, which is very much possible but not recommended.

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Ryan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you Ray..

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Ryan *********

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Robin ****

I had no problem

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Ryan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Robin..

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Anonymous ******************

And others did. It's like any rule, you can break it and either be caught or not.

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Nick *******

Anonymous participant 996 I don't think it's a rule. Good advice and sensible, but not a rule.....

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Anonymous ******************

Here is one example. I've seen plenty from various embassies.

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Anonymous ******************

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Anonymous ******************

Just stay from where you apply from its really not that hard

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Paul *******

Anonymous participant 845 It might be...because maybe you are about to overstay a visa in that country and no extensions are possible. HOWEVER, there is usually no issue in going to a third country, as long as it's not Thailand.

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Jay **********

Anonymous participant 845 in most cases, true. But logically, he wouldn't be asking if he didn't have a particular circumstance that makes it harder 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Anonymous ******************

So making it so u get banned sounds smarter huh

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Anonymous ******************

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Roxana ******

Don't break the rules, stay in the same country you are applying from.

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Roxana ******

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